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Photo courtesy of Suburban Square
Ciudad

Ardmore: A Walkable Main Line Town Just a Train Ride from Philly

One of Philly’s earliest suburbs rewards visitors with city-quality shopping and dining …

Plaza Suburban Photo courtesy of Suburban Square

Por qué visitarnos

A town of connections/connectivity, Ardmore was settled by Welsh farmers and grew into a commerce center between Lancaster and Philadelphia. Today, it serves as an entry point to the Main Line suburbs, the first of several walkable town centers connected by Lancaster Avenue.

Easily reachable from Philly by train or car, Ardmore, originally called “Athensville,” was actually renamed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The railroad and easy access to Philadelphia helped define Ardmore as an inclusive, welcoming town with vibrant commercial appeal. These days, you can still catch a SEPTA commuter train on those tracks as well as an Amtrak train to New York or Harrisburg.

Ardmore’s history emerges in its architecture: the Furness-designed St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with Tiffany stained glass windows, the manicured gingerbread houses from the late 1800s, and one of the nation’s first shopping malls, Suburban Square. Today, it has become one of the most sought-after food, drink and nightlife spots in the Philly suburbs.

Use this guide, created with input from Downtown Ardmore District, to plan your visit.

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Patrocinado
Patrocinado

Experiencias ineludibles

1. Explore an outdoor shopping destination

Before malls went indoors, Plaza Suburban set the standard that has since come back into fashion — an elegant walkable shopping center that encourages gatherings at its fountains, plazas and outdoor cafe areas. The mix of upscale chain stores and independent local shops covers most retail bases.

Grab a bite at the Mercado agrícola de Ardmore or have lunch at one of the many upscale or quick-service restaurants tucked in between shops.

Outdoor diners sit at tables outside Lola’s Garden at Suburban Square on a sunny afternoon, while shoppers walk by. Outdoor diners sit at tables outside Lola’s Garden at Suburban Square on a sunny afternoon, while shoppers walk by.

Lola's Garden at Suburban Square   — Photo courtesy of Suburban Square

2. Find singular buys at Lancaster Avenue stores

Ardmore shopping doesn’t end at Suburban Square. Lancaster Avenue and its side streets, like Cricket Avenue and Rittenhouse Place hold their own on the shopping front.

En ¡Maido!, a Japanese grocer and eatery, you can find imported gifts and homemade mochi, in addition to okonomiyaki at the lunch counter.

Wallace Dry Goods caters to the low-proof crowd, with nonalcoholic beverages, glassware and mixers.

The high-quality, domestically produced minimal chic fashions at American Trench have gained national attention.

A kid’s fantasy of a toy store, pucciManuli’s magical window displays hint at the lavish, handmade and high-end play objects within.

And on Cricket Avenue, the BIPOC women-owned Mavey Books and community space offers a tightly curated selection and the kind of personal attention that will match you to you new favorite read.

3. Refresh your palate with excellent cuisine

Ardmore’s food and drink scene has exploded in recent years, with some of the most acclaimed eateries and bars in Greater Philadelphia.

Charge up for the day with a coffee and an Au Fornil danish at Char & Stave, or a traditional French croissant at Delicias y chocolate.

Whiskey cocktails match up with inventive bar fare at Ripplewood. Next door, and operated by the same team, the tiny Izzy’s offers an intimate Japanese izakaya experience with craft cocktails and a tailored, ever-changing menu.

Set in a grand former bank building, DePaul’s Table steakhouse brings the drama alongside classic prime rib and chops.

The family-owned Ethiopian eatery Eshkol specializes in homey stews, fluffy injera and vegan options ringing with flavor.

Y Compañía cervecera Tired Hands’s Fermentaria brews and serves bold concoctions like milkshake IPAs that draw beer snobs from miles around.

4. Catch a show

Sala de Música Ardmore maintains a steady calendar of live music, cabaret and comedy acts that ordinarily play big city stages. This versatile yet small venue makes for an approachable place to see a band, and family programs can be found throughout the year.

The facade of Ardmore Music, which is white with black accents The marqee glows, reading "Ardmore Music Hole, Tonight: Mountain Goats." The facade of Ardmore Music, which is white with black accents The marqee glows, reading "Ardmore Music Hole, Tonight: Mountain Goats."

Sala de Música Ardmore   — Photo courtesy of Downtown Ardmore District

Patrocinado
Patrocinado

Dónde alojarse

A few minutes’ drive away, the iconic Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue hotel provides a homebase that’s equidistant from Ardmore, Manayunk y Centro de la ciudad. Further west, La posada de la Universidad de Villanova offers a rural, historic retreat.

The entrance of The Inn at Villanova University, surrounded by blooming flowers and full trees. The entrance of The Inn at Villanova University, surrounded by blooming flowers and full trees.

  — Photo courtesy of The Inn at Villanova University

Consejos locales

¿Listo para conocer la ciudad de primera mano? Aquí tienes algunos consejos para empezar:

  • Visit Ardmore on First Friday for food and drink specials, live music and other festivities.
  • Enjoy Ardmore’s hidden enclaves: Pop into the renovated Plaza Schauffele to view murals and native plants, or head into the alleyway next to Past Present Future, lit with bistro lights.
  • Take a mini thrifting detour and browse the clothes and housewares at the Junior League Thrift Shop y Tienda de segunda mano Penny Wise.
  • You can take the Amtrak train directly to New York City or the Amtrak or SEPTA train to Philly from Ardmore Station.
  • You don’t need a car once you’re in Ardmore, but if you have one, you can park at metered spots or opt for the One Ardmore Place Garage for an all-day rate that matches the meters.
A casually dressed couple window shops while walking past Lancaster Avenue storefronts. A casually dressed couple window shops while walking past Lancaster Avenue storefronts.

  — Photo courtesy of Downtown Ardmore District

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Escribo para Visit Philadelphia desde el año 2001. Como filadelfiana de toda la vida y apasionada de la gastronomía, nada me gusta más que descubrir lugares interesantes en la ciudad y sus alrededores y compartirlos con los lectores.
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