Chestnut Hill Hotel
Nestled on the northwestern edge of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill offers a respite from the everyday hustle and bustle. With its cobblestone streets, cozy cafes, lush gardens, bountiful boutiques and burgeoning arts scene, this walkable neighborhood is tailor made for a weekend getaway from the Harrisburg area.
Germantown Bound
To explore the area on foot, Germantown Avenue is the place to start. The Chestnut Hill Hotel, located at 8229 Germantown Ave., offers a central location and the convenience of a large, free parking lot. It’s an ideal basecamp for daily strolls to the many shops and restaurants in the area.
The Woodmere Art Museum is also on Germantown Avenue. Housed in a historic building that once belonged to avid art collector and founder Charles Knox Smith, the museum touts some 8,000 works, showcasing the talents of the many artists who call Philadelphia home. A highlight with ties to Harrisburg is an exhibit by Violet Oakley, who is known for her 43 murals that festoon the walls of the state Capitol.
Outdoors, visitors can explore the museum’s growing sculpture collection known collectively as Woodmere’s Outdoor Wonder (WOW). Guests can scan QR codes to learn more about each piece.
The Woodmere is among the elite 3% of U.S. museums accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a recognition of its commitment to excellence. Recently, it announced the acquisition of a nearby building and four additional acres for expanded gallery space and outdoor exhibits with a projected opening by October/November.
Flora & Fauna
Nature lovers will love the Morris Arboretum and Gardens, a 92-acre oasis that’s part of the University of Pennsylvania. The private estate of siblings John and Lydia Morris, the property was transformed from desolate land in the late 1800s into a verdant landscape with plants from around the world. It became a public arboretum in 1933 after Lydia’s passing.
Home to 17 “champion” trees—recognized as outstanding specimens in Pennsylvania—the grounds include a rare katsura tree and a grove of dawn redwoods once thought extinct.
Designed with inspiration from English parks and Japanese gardens, the arboretum features a lovely swan pond and scenic overlooks. Morris also hosts educational programs for kids and adults on art, wellness, botany, birding and more.
Another natural retreat is Wissahickon Valley Park, located at 120 Northwestern Ave. With 50 miles of trails, the 1,800-acre park is perfect for picnicking, walking, biking and wildlife watching. On any given day, one is likely to see wildflowers, deer and perhaps the occasional fox.
Shop Talk
Germantown Avenue is home to many boutique shops, each offering something unique.
At the Antique Gallery at 8523 Germantown Ave., you’re likely to meet Gerald Schultz, a man with a passion for the decorative arts. Schultz established the business in the 1980s and enjoys offering information about his many interesting and beautiful pieces. During my visit, he introduced me to a striking, Art Deco-style Longwy service in earthenware cloisonné enamel. I learned that Longwy is a French town known for its enameling techniques.
Art enthusiasts will also enjoy browsing the street’s many galleries—there are at least seven along the avenue. A few works that caught my eye were pieces by Peter Max and Romero Britto displayed at Moondance Farm Studios.
Food & Drink
No trip to Chestnut Hill is complete without a visit to McNally’s Tavern at 8634 Germantown Ave. McNally’s is an institution in the area, dating back to 1921 when Rose O’Brien McNally, wife of a trolley conductor, opened “McNally’s Quick Lunch” in a small steel building across from its current location. It was a respite for Philadelphia Rapid Transit workers and local laborers.
In 1927, the tavern expanded to where it is today, serving spirits and beer after the repeal of Prohibition. The landmark, now run by Anne and Meg McNally, is a testament to their great-grandmother’s legacy. McNally’s is known for its signature Schmitter sandwich made with steak, cheese, fried onions, tomatoes, cooked salami and “Schmitter sauce,” served on a kaiser roll.
Adelinas Restaurant & Bar is another standout located on Germantown Avenue. The Italian eatery opened in 2022 by brothers Antonio and Giuliano Presta and is named after their grandmother. The menu features traditional Italian fare made with locally sourced ingredients. Popular dishes include stuffed focaccia, chicken parmesan and a porterhouse topped with black truffle butter.
After dinner, visitors can enjoy a nightcap at Char & Stave, located at 8441 Germantown Ave. The coffeehouse/cocktail bar hybrid was founded by Jared Adkins, who applied his whisky-making talent to the art of coffee roasting.
Then there’s Wednesday night trivia at the Chestnut Hill Brewing Co. Held in the beer garden, the game allows customers to engage in a friendly competition for a chance to win a gift card.
For breakfast, head to Cake, a place so popular that people queue up early to wait in line for employees to open the place. The bright, airy eatery housed in a converted Victorian greenhouse is known for its baked goods and its brioche French toast with honey butter and spiced pecans. Hearty lunch options include options like Philly cheesesteak marsala.
Whether you’re wandering through fragrant gardens, admiring local art, savoring a Schmitter at a historic tavern or browsing boutique shops, Chestnut Hill offers a blend of culture, history and natural beauty. You may find it to be the perfect weekend escape.
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