Germantown: Philly’s Hidden Historic Treasure

Six Can’t-Miss Experiences in Germantown

1. Celebrate with annual neighborhood festivals

Germantown hosts major events year-round — from culture fests like the Juneteenth Festival to living history lessons like fall’s Revolutionary Germantown Festival to eclectic fun like the springtime Celebration of the Roses.

Juneteenth Festival at the Johnson House Historic Site   — Photo courtesy Johnson House Historic Site

2. Tour preserved historic houses

Explore attractions like Cliveden, the site of Philly’s only Revolutionary War battle; Stenton, George Washington’s former headquarters; Wyck, home to rare roses; and Grumblethorpe, the site of North America’s oldest female ginkgo tree. Many offer free entry on Second Saturdays, alongside seasonal farmers’ markets.

Cliveden   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

3. Support Black-owned businesses

Among Germantown’s charming shops, boutiques and cafes are a bevy of Black-owned businesses. Popular spots include Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, Beaucoup Hoodoo, Perfectly Flawless, The Nile Café and Lily of the Valley Cupcakery.

4. Explore local Black history and cultural institutions

Germantown is home to several powerful Black history sites. Visit the Johnson House Historic Site, an intact Underground Railroad station; learn about Black veterans at the ACES Museum; explore America’s complex history at the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery; or celebrate the everyday contributions of Black women at The Colored Girls Museum.

Johnson House Historic Site   — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

5. Hike in Wissahickon Valley Park

Spanning much of Northwest Philly, Wissahickon Valley Park offers over 50 miles of forested creekside trails. In the Germantown section, don’t miss America’s first paper mill, Historic Rittenhouse Town, and a quick refuel at PAPERtrail Bike Cafe or Das Good Cafe.

Wissahickon Valley Park   — Photo courtesy Friends of the Wissahickon

6. Discover grassroots arts

Casual collectors and connoisseurs can find inspiring locally made works at galleries and exhibition spaces like the iMPeRFeCT Gallery, City Arts Salon, Ubuntu Fine Art and October Gallery.

Ubuntu Fine Art   — Photo courtesy Ubuntu Fine Art

Visit Philly staff says...

An afternoon in Germantown can be whatever you make it — history, nature, shopping. Me? Give me arts, culture and some good food.

First stop: Uncle Bobbie’s. As a self-proclaimed bookstore/coffee shop connoisseur, I love the cozy vibe and shelves filled with authors of color.

Next, I swing by Ubuntu Fine Art (a new discovery for me) to see Steven Taylor’s photography. From African landscapes to Philly street corners, his work helps me see the beauty in everyday life a little more vividly.

I round things out with a quick walk down Germantown Avenue and Maplewood Mall — a tucked-away pedestrian pathway lined with shops — to Salam Cafe, a hidden gem serving incredible Ethiopian platters.

Sabrina Carter,
Web

Where to Stay

Germantown offers a handful of quaint bed-and-breakfasts — ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat. One beloved spot is the 200-year-old James Matthews House, less than a mile from Wissahickon Valley Park and featuring four rooms, a king bed, a fireplace, complimentary snacks and a piano. For a more traditional hotel option, the ROOST Kelly Drive is just a seven-minute ride away in nearby East Falls.

ROOST Kelly Drive   — Photo courtesy ROOST Kelly Drive

Local Tips

Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Germantown is super accessible via SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West lines, or bus routes 18, 23, 26, 41, 53, 65, 71 and 81. Attractions are spread out, so plan your visit in clusters.
• Locals love hidden gems like Howell Park, the Henry Avenue Bridge (with its ever-changing street art) and the Sun Ra House — former home to the legendary jazz musician and his bandmates, many of whom still live and play there today.
• Keep an eye out for pop-up works by local contemporary street artists, like Nomad, Vincent Bush, Carole Loeffler and the Little Guardians.

Watch: It’s a Germantown Thing