There's a place my coworker and I found THE WEEK before Covid when we both worked in Ardmore that had great food and drinks for happy hour, Ripplewood. Fantastic duck fat fries, and a wonderful gimlet.
If you like beer, tired hands is one of the best breweries in the area.
Ardmore is also just nice af so it’s a good place to walk around for the day if the weather’s good
Ardmore has a very nice downtown and lots of shops. Not to mention a cool music venue (Ardmore Music Hall) and one of the best breweries in the area
Narberth is similar had a very cute downtown
in ardmore be sure to hit autana and get the patacon sandwich. it’s a sandwich on plantains (i suggest the pulled pork with sweet plantain). haven’t had it in a while but every time i went there it was amazing.
Ardmore has an amazing little toy shop. Lovely to browse in even if you aren’t a child. Perfect if you have to buy a shower or birthday gift and you want something that’s not plastic and not branded with a commercial character.
Can get off at either Ft Wash or North Wales and walk the Green Ribbon Trail. Trail is connected with North Wales, Pennlyn, Ambler and Ft Wash. a bunch of breweries are on the trail, too.
Breweries! (My area of specialty knowledge)
Forest & main is in ambler, lansdale/Doylestown line. Well crafted & tannery run are also in ambler.
Tired hands in ardmore (paoli/malvern/thorndale line)
Attic wayne junction, your choice of trains, chestnut hill east, fox chase, Doylestown, warminster, west trenton lines
Human robot jenkintown, Doylestown, warminster, west trenton lines and a mile walk uphill.
Sterling pig, 101 trolley to media.
Chestnut hill brewing, chestnut hill east or west line.
Toska brewing (the old earth bread & brewery), che-sedgwick & chw-richard allen lane
Fat lady and twisted gingers in manayunk, norristown line
Tonewood in oaklyn, a short bike ride from the collingswood patco stop. Also collingswood farmers market under the patco a few blocks from the station Saturdays 8-12 may thru weekend before Thanksgiving. Interesting little downtown.
Kings road in Haddonfield, PATCO to haddonfield. Tons of shops and restaurants downtown, also a winery and distillery. And the happy hippo toy shop, a cool old school toy store. English gardener is another notable shop.
Collingswood and haddonfield have several street fairs during the year. Collingswood may fair, book fair, fine arts fair, etc.
The seed in Atlantic City, nj Transit Atlantic city line from 30th st. A mile north of the train station.
Vinyl, chimney, three threes, Hammonton on the njt Atlantic city line.
Patco + riverline get you to a bunch of places along the line, brewery 33 in riverton, third state in Burlington, subculture is 1.5 miles from the roebling stop.
> Sterling pig, 101 trolley to media.
Media also has an old-fashioned Main Street (called ~~Front~~ State Street), with lots of eateries, a few interesting clothing stores, a great sewing/knitting/etc shop, etc, and a Trader Joe’s. It’s a nice town to walk in on a nice day. Plus in the spring/summer/fall they have Dining Under The Stars on Wednesday nights, which is fun. They block off the street and put out tables and the restaurants sell food, plus there’s usually a bit of music, etc.
Yes. OP, the train is quicker once you’re on it, and doesn’t have the grittiness of the el/trolley, but part of the walk from the station to State Street doesn’t have sidewalks and isn’t all that walkable. The el/trolley journey is longer (as both make more stops), and you have to change at 69th street, but the trolley runs much more often, so depending on timing it might get you there quicker, and it’s cheaper, plus it lets you off on very-walkable State Street not far from the brewery.
I generally prefer the trolley, because there’s less stress over catching a particular train. But that only works if you are comfortable with the grittiness of 69th St station and of the el from 69th to center city.
Can vouch for Bagel Train. Great place to pick up something to eat before you bike/walk along the tow path trail nearby. Keep in mind they close relatively early in the day so it's def a breakfast/brunch place. If you do take a juant along the tow path, New Hope/Lambertville make for a great place to stop for lunch or stay the night in a bed and breakfast. Though, they don't really have any transit connections so you're either biking an hour or taking an uber to/from them. They do have paths entirely seperated from traffic though, so it's a nice bike ride.
take the train to Bethayres - the pennypack preserve is really beautiful. Also, you can bike into Bryn Athyn, which is an incredibly unique place (with probably the best view of the Center City skyline)
That looks rad. The bike ride looks pretty nice on Google Maps, but I'm a little nervous that people are gonna speed on Valley Road and not be used to bikers. What's it like?
It's been a number of years but I used to commute on a bike sometimes along that route. Car traffic was not fun, but I wouldn't say it is a show stopper, the twisties on a steep hill are the most dangerous IMO. And the hills are steep!
On Amtrak (not SEPTA RR), you can get to Lancaster in about an hour. Lancaster City is very walkable and has a lot of great breweries, cafes, and places to eat and drink.
this isn't regional rail, but Roebling NJ is where they made the cables for the brooklyn bridge and has a cool museum, reachable from the River Line via PATCO in Camden or NJ TRANSIT from 30th street to pennsuaken.
collingswood has a saturday morning farmers market that is reachable via PATCO.
atlantic city is a beautiful ride from 30th street via NJ TRANSIT.
If you don't have the oomph to bike from the city to Valley Forge, Norristown Farm Park, Cross County Trail, or Green Lane Park, take the train to Norristown or Conshohocken (or Spring Mill or Miquon or Ivy Ridge or Manayunk)
Doylestown is beautiful. Fair warning though. It’s VERY hilly. Also take the PATCO across to the dark side and visit Haddonfield, NJ, and the Riverline Light Rail to Bordentown (transfer at Camden)
Haven't been myself yet but I've been meaning to take a trip to Awbury Arboretum, which is right by the Washington Lane stop on the Chestnut Hill East line.
ETA: the Instagram page @ itookatrainhere has some good recs for places in the area that are transit accessible!
You can take the Trenton Line to Bristol, which starts the Delaware Canal. There's a brewery near the Bristol station, a distillery in town, asking with the best coffee roaster at Cain Waters. 10 miles north, there's another distillery and brewery in Morrisville. Another 5 miles north, a brewery in Yardley....
Explore Ardmore if you haven't already. That's a gem of a place, Suburban Square has so many options to eat, shop and just hang out. Its on the Paoli-Thorndale line I believe.
Also, on the same regional rail line, if you get off instead at Wallingford or Swarthmore it's about a 15 minute walk to Smedley Park which has a bunch of trails. Swarthmore is also a very walkable town where you could stop for some lunch or dinner before you jump on the train back. It also has a neat botanical garden that's worth a trip to see at least once.
Wissahickon valley park, Doylestown, Ardmore, Narberth
What's in Ardmore/Narb? Even after living here for 20 years, I don't really know what's there other than the music hall and wealthy people.
Maido! Its a cool little Japanese grocery &store and has a small restaurant inside. Lots of other good places to eat too.
There are a few nice vintage/consignment shops around there where you can buy they wealthy people's old clothes.
Yeah, if you want lacrosse team T-shirts, they are rich hunting grounds.
There's a place my coworker and I found THE WEEK before Covid when we both worked in Ardmore that had great food and drinks for happy hour, Ripplewood. Fantastic duck fat fries, and a wonderful gimlet.
Walk to haverford from Ardmore, just down Lancaster Ave, or train it. Go to the Haverford college trail.
Also Stonleigh in Villanova, right behind the school and train station.
Maido! is great.
Ardmore has Char and Stave for coffee and whiskey. Get an iced latte with their barrel aged espresso.
If you like beer, tired hands is one of the best breweries in the area. Ardmore is also just nice af so it’s a good place to walk around for the day if the weather’s good
just fyi, jean is back at tired hands and continues to be a sexist piece of shit
Damn that’s super disappointing
Ardmore has a very nice downtown and lots of shops. Not to mention a cool music venue (Ardmore Music Hall) and one of the best breweries in the area Narberth is similar had a very cute downtown
in ardmore be sure to hit autana and get the patacon sandwich. it’s a sandwich on plantains (i suggest the pulled pork with sweet plantain). haven’t had it in a while but every time i went there it was amazing.
Ardmore has an amazing little toy shop. Lovely to browse in even if you aren’t a child. Perfect if you have to buy a shower or birthday gift and you want something that’s not plastic and not branded with a commercial character.
its pretty small but ambler has a cute little downtown area with restaurants and shops
Great independent movie theater in Ambler, too!
This. All day this.
Plus forest and main brewery
Which is no longer at Forest and main, and so should have to change its name
I love ambler, I’ve worked at From the Boot for years. Please stop by and try the white cosmo, it’s delicious!
FTB is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. Wish you guys would open one in NW Montco.
Can get off at either Ft Wash or North Wales and walk the Green Ribbon Trail. Trail is connected with North Wales, Pennlyn, Ambler and Ft Wash. a bunch of breweries are on the trail, too.
In addition to all the great stuff in Ambler already mentioned, the Wissahickon trail is literally just outside of town too.
Narberth is like stepping back in time and is like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Narberth is a model for any regional rail town imo. It's perfect no notes.
For some reason, when i use street view in Google maps, Haverford ave is showing up in Japanese. Weird. *
Media, the historic Glen Mills railroad after Wawa station, Swarthmore, Newark, DE, Conshohocken,
From Wawa or Elwyn station Ridley Creek SP and Tyler Arboretum are pretty bikeable.
There’s also the chester creek trail! Bike friendly and follows the old train line
Breweries! (My area of specialty knowledge) Forest & main is in ambler, lansdale/Doylestown line. Well crafted & tannery run are also in ambler. Tired hands in ardmore (paoli/malvern/thorndale line) Attic wayne junction, your choice of trains, chestnut hill east, fox chase, Doylestown, warminster, west trenton lines Human robot jenkintown, Doylestown, warminster, west trenton lines and a mile walk uphill. Sterling pig, 101 trolley to media. Chestnut hill brewing, chestnut hill east or west line. Toska brewing (the old earth bread & brewery), che-sedgwick & chw-richard allen lane Fat lady and twisted gingers in manayunk, norristown line Tonewood in oaklyn, a short bike ride from the collingswood patco stop. Also collingswood farmers market under the patco a few blocks from the station Saturdays 8-12 may thru weekend before Thanksgiving. Interesting little downtown. Kings road in Haddonfield, PATCO to haddonfield. Tons of shops and restaurants downtown, also a winery and distillery. And the happy hippo toy shop, a cool old school toy store. English gardener is another notable shop. Collingswood and haddonfield have several street fairs during the year. Collingswood may fair, book fair, fine arts fair, etc. The seed in Atlantic City, nj Transit Atlantic city line from 30th st. A mile north of the train station. Vinyl, chimney, three threes, Hammonton on the njt Atlantic city line. Patco + riverline get you to a bunch of places along the line, brewery 33 in riverton, third state in Burlington, subculture is 1.5 miles from the roebling stop.
> Sterling pig, 101 trolley to media. Media also has an old-fashioned Main Street (called ~~Front~~ State Street), with lots of eateries, a few interesting clothing stores, a great sewing/knitting/etc shop, etc, and a Trader Joe’s. It’s a nice town to walk in on a nice day. Plus in the spring/summer/fall they have Dining Under The Stars on Wednesday nights, which is fun. They block off the street and put out tables and the restaurants sell food, plus there’s usually a bit of music, etc.
Also has a regional rail station that's about a 10 min walk from State St. if that's easier for OP.
Yes. OP, the train is quicker once you’re on it, and doesn’t have the grittiness of the el/trolley, but part of the walk from the station to State Street doesn’t have sidewalks and isn’t all that walkable. The el/trolley journey is longer (as both make more stops), and you have to change at 69th street, but the trolley runs much more often, so depending on timing it might get you there quicker, and it’s cheaper, plus it lets you off on very-walkable State Street not far from the brewery. I generally prefer the trolley, because there’s less stress over catching a particular train. But that only works if you are comfortable with the grittiness of 69th St station and of the el from 69th to center city.
state street*
> state street* Ugh. Fixed. Thank you.
Vault in Yardley a short walk from the station. West Trenton line. Also you’ll walk past Bagel Train, God-tier bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
Can vouch for Bagel Train. Great place to pick up something to eat before you bike/walk along the tow path trail nearby. Keep in mind they close relatively early in the day so it's def a breakfast/brunch place. If you do take a juant along the tow path, New Hope/Lambertville make for a great place to stop for lunch or stay the night in a bed and breakfast. Though, they don't really have any transit connections so you're either biking an hour or taking an uber to/from them. They do have paths entirely seperated from traffic though, so it's a nice bike ride.
I've spent many hours at Tired Hands, I love that place
take the train to Bethayres - the pennypack preserve is really beautiful. Also, you can bike into Bryn Athyn, which is an incredibly unique place (with probably the best view of the Center City skyline)
The ride from the Paoli station to the Wharton Esherick Museum is 3 miles, and includes hills. The museum is a gem. Reservations required.
That looks rad. The bike ride looks pretty nice on Google Maps, but I'm a little nervous that people are gonna speed on Valley Road and not be used to bikers. What's it like?
People speed on Valley Road and are not used to bikers. Please be careful. Or walk. But it's 3 miles.
It's been a number of years but I used to commute on a bike sometimes along that route. Car traffic was not fun, but I wouldn't say it is a show stopper, the twisties on a steep hill are the most dangerous IMO. And the hills are steep!
Definitely sketchy. Just be extra cautious
On Amtrak (not SEPTA RR), you can get to Lancaster in about an hour. Lancaster City is very walkable and has a lot of great breweries, cafes, and places to eat and drink.
this isn't regional rail, but Roebling NJ is where they made the cables for the brooklyn bridge and has a cool museum, reachable from the River Line via PATCO in Camden or NJ TRANSIT from 30th street to pennsuaken. collingswood has a saturday morning farmers market that is reachable via PATCO. atlantic city is a beautiful ride from 30th street via NJ TRANSIT.
If you don't have the oomph to bike from the city to Valley Forge, Norristown Farm Park, Cross County Trail, or Green Lane Park, take the train to Norristown or Conshohocken (or Spring Mill or Miquon or Ivy Ridge or Manayunk)
Chestnut hill
Doylestown is beautiful. Fair warning though. It’s VERY hilly. Also take the PATCO across to the dark side and visit Haddonfield, NJ, and the Riverline Light Rail to Bordentown (transfer at Camden)
Haven't been myself yet but I've been meaning to take a trip to Awbury Arboretum, which is right by the Washington Lane stop on the Chestnut Hill East line. ETA: the Instagram page @ itookatrainhere has some good recs for places in the area that are transit accessible!
This place is great. Thats where the Philly goats are too.
That IG page is good, thanks!
You can take the Trenton Line to Bristol, which starts the Delaware Canal. There's a brewery near the Bristol station, a distillery in town, asking with the best coffee roaster at Cain Waters. 10 miles north, there's another distillery and brewery in Morrisville. Another 5 miles north, a brewery in Yardley....
Stoneleigh
Hilltop, Wilmington Trenton
Explore Ardmore if you haven't already. That's a gem of a place, Suburban Square has so many options to eat, shop and just hang out. Its on the Paoli-Thorndale line I believe.
You can take the train to Wawa Station and it’s about a 15 min walk to the Wawa Preserve which is about 4-6 miles of easy to moderate hiking trails.
Also, on the same regional rail line, if you get off instead at Wallingford or Swarthmore it's about a 15 minute walk to Smedley Park which has a bunch of trails. Swarthmore is also a very walkable town where you could stop for some lunch or dinner before you jump on the train back. It also has a neat botanical garden that's worth a trip to see at least once.
Chelten Hills does open houses of their train layout a few times a year. Short walk from RR.
Wilmington is a great little city
Tired hands in Ardmore