Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Chestnut Hill, a Neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Year Listed: 2010
Chestnut Hill has long been at the center of Pennsylvania and American history. In colonial times, Chestnut Hill connected the growing city of Philadelphia with surrounding farmlands and overlooked a Revolutionary War battle fought by George Washington in nearby Germantown. Almost purely residential after World War II, Chestnut Hill attracted celebrated architects from Louis Kahn to Robert Venturi and is part of a key initiative to protect modernist resources. Today, Chestnut Hill thrives with opportunities for fine dining and boutique shopping as well as the enjoyment of the outdoors in the nearby Wissahickon Valley Park.
Art and Architecture
As preservation efforts began in the 1960s, Chestnut Hill's historic districts are very much intact and feature magnificent cultural treasures. Walking house and garden tours afford visitors the opportunity to see residences, and landmark public buildings and churches are conveniently located within walking distance of the cobblestone, tree-lined streets of downtown. Housed in a beautifully maintained Victorian mansion, the Woodmere Art Museum features an extensive collection of works created by some of the most noteworthy artists in the state and region.
Going Green in Chestnut Hill
Doing its part to ensure the future of the neighborhood for generations to come, the community invests in sustainable practices, aiding its small businesses in reducing their carbon footprints and encouraging homeowners to restore their homes with energy efficient materials. Chestnut Hill boasts a walkability score of 88 and invites visitors to stroll through the fresh produce stands situated throughout the neighborhood, or to visit the farmers market that is open three days a week.
Preservation is green. Learn more.
Don't Miss:
To plan your trip and learn more about Chestnut Hill, visit the Chestnut Hill Business Association.
Now it's your turn! Share your experiences or impressions of this Distinctive Destination: Unique restaurants, sights, family-friendly activities, hang outs, art galleries... tell visitors what they shouldn't miss!
Submitted by edward at: March 13, 2010
Chestnut hill is a great place to visit! Definitely check out the morris arboretum, it has many different beautiful plants and flowers, especially the train displays.
Submitted by janjohn at: March 7, 2010
Lovely place to visit. Very quaint. Nice shops and eating places. Lovely countryside all around.
Submitted by claire at: March 1, 2010
Warm and welcoming with a variety or original shoppes, bakeries and restaurant. I love Lavender Hill, antique furniture, repainted furniture and plenty of bibelots.
Submitted by LJH at: March 1, 2010
Great place to visit! I rate it highly.
Submitted by Ed Feldman at: March 1, 2010
Well kids, despite being part of the 6th largest city in the US, by far the largest population of any entrant, Chestnut Hill could do no better than fifth. I guess people did listen to this angry old man. Or maybe you couldn't get people in the neighborhood to stuff the ballot box, like you did for the Chestnut Hill Community Association election. Or maybe the dirty secret is just out. I know I helped. Morning Feed @ Gtownradio.com 9-10 AM EST Mon-Fri
Submitted by Ellen at: March 1, 2010
Chestnut Hill is a charming place!
Submitted by celeste at: March 1, 2010
the most wonderful place to live and raise children. chestnut hill is beautiful in all 4 seasons with many planned festivals and activities for all ages. It's the best!!
Submitted by The Niemeyers at: February 28, 2010
It's a great place to stroll and window shop or sit on a bench and people watch. William Killian's hardware is a true gem. And to end your day, stop in McNally's for a sandwich and brew to be topped off at home by a dessert from Bredenbeck's--a perfect ending to a perfect day!
Submitted by DeLizzio Family at: February 28, 2010
Chestnut hill is a great town...perfect, as mentioned above...Please vote for CHESTNUT HILL !!!
Submitted by Ilena at: February 28, 2010
We love Chesthill <3
Submitted by Pierre at: February 28, 2010
The proof is in the Pudding, My first Wife,we married in 1965 cam from this neiborhood and as destiny wants it? so did my Wife now married for 32 Years, it is definatly the Air, being European, it is the closest to a comfortable City living without being in the City
Submitted by Bubbee11 at: February 28, 2010
What a jewel of a neighborhood! Great place to shop in unusual stores, eat in yummy restaurants, or just stroll around.
Submitted by MST at: February 28, 2010
Recently bought a home in Chestnut Hill, and cannot begin to tell you how happy we are with our decision. This is a wonderful place to live. It is a quaint, lovely, town that has a wide array of distinctive shops, restaurants and farmer's markets. It is friendly and accessible to all forms of transportation. In addition, it offers a wide array of cultural opportunities. Definitely a can't miss destination
Submitted by CC at: February 28, 2010
Great place to live! Single or married with children, can not find a better community.
Submitted by Harvardarch at: February 27, 2010
Don't miss the family owned hardware store that stocks the spare parts to repair historic houses-even a tool to paint the wall behind cast iron radiators!
Submitted by tandjphilly at: February 27, 2010
Great walkable neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and soon Weavers Way Coop will add a great grocery store! Lovely old historic buildings, great street parties and special events.
Submitted by mczag at: February 27, 2010
what a charming village within a large city. Great architecture, cute shops and very foodie oriented.
Submitted by Deb at: February 27, 2010
Lots of great restaurants, good shopping and quaint small stores (not found in a mall) and a great hardware store where the staff knows their inventory and goes our of their way to help you find what you are looking for.
Submitted by Ev at: February 27, 2010
I love walking and visiting all the unique shops. When my son visits from Calif., he always wants to visit Chestnut Hill.
Submitted by always a mt airy lady at: February 27, 2010
a gem at the edge of a fun city.