Stay in Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill: The Perfect Close-To-Home Getaway For All
It’s the perfect time to discover, or rediscover, Chestnut Hill, a Philadelphia neighborhood that feels like a getaway without leaving the city.
Explore a vibrant community of family-owned shops, boutiques, and local artisans offering one-of-a-kind finds you won’t see anywhere else. From handcrafted gifts and unique home décor to specialty stores tucked along our historic, tree-lined streets, every visit promises a new discovery.
Looking for inspiration or culture? Chestnut Hill is home to museums, galleries, and public art spaces showcasing both local and national talent. If you want to unplug and enjoy nature, the neighborhood sits just minutes from the hiking trails and scenic vistas of the Wissahickon Valley, plus some of the city’s oldest and rarest trees in Pennsylvania’s official arboretum.
With easy access from Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Central New Jersey—and plenty of convenient parking—a weekend or day trip to Chestnut Hill is the perfect close-to-home escape.
With over 200 local businesses and year-round events, Chestnut Hill is a destination that truly has something for everyone. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve created a guide to kickstart your next adventure in our one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
Book A Room, Stay A While
There’s so much to experience in Chestnut Hill that one day simply isn’t enough. Fortunately, our neighborhood offers welcoming lodging options that give visitors a true home base while they explore.
You won’t find big hotel chains here – instead, you’ll enjoy boutique stays that deliver the kind of personal, family-owned hospitality that makes Chestnut Hill special.
Book a room at the Chestnut Hill Hotel, a dog-friendly, 36-room escape featuring free parking, kitchenettes for long-term guests, rooms with fireplaces, and multiple food options – including a brewery and the Market at the Fareway, where you can enjoy everything from coffee and sandwiches to Asian, Indian, and soul food, plus sweet treats. It truly offers something for everyone. The hotel is located right in the heart of Germantown Avenue, just steps from restaurants, spas, and more than 200 independent shops and galleries offering unique gifts, personal service, and an experience you can’t get online.
Here, every purchase supports a small business, a family, and a neighborhood – from imaginative boutiques to longtime family-run favorites. Explore, shop, dine, and make the most of your stay in Philadelphia’s most vibrant, tree-aligned neighborhood.
Tip: Bring your walking shoes – there’s a lot of fun shopping to do for unique gifts!
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
You’ll never go hungry or thirsty in Chestnut Hill, which has a trove of over 25 restaurants, bars, and craft breweries for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, and nightcaps.
Start your first morning in Chestnut Hill with a cup of coffee and small bites like donuts at Poppy’s Café at the Market at the Fareway, a modern farmers market with a diverse set of vendors serving fare from across the world. For a heartier breakfast — at any time of the day — with a splash of southern hospitality, head to Breakfast Boutique, owned by married couple Rob and Dez.
Chestnut Hill’s commercial corridor provides almost 10 blocks lined with local businesses, so don’t forget to browse for one-of-a-kind items as you work up an appetite.
For lunch, head over to Chestnut Hill landmark McNally’s Tavern, which has been serving delicious meals for nearly 100 years and is known for their famous Schmitter sandwich. The Schmitter is truly a bucket-list creation. Created right here in Chestnut Hill, the sandwich consists of steak and salami, cheese, fried onions, tomatoes, and a special “Schmitter sauce” — all layered inside a Kaiser roll.
As you make your way back to your room for some rest, first head back to Market at the Fareway to stock up on ingredients to cook in your kitchenette or for quick bites. A variety of vendors offer made-to-order and to-go dishes, fruits and vegetables, cuts of meat and seafood, and sweet bites like desserts and pastries, and more.
Toast to your staycation at Chestnut Hill Brewing Co., where you will find high-quality, small-batch beer to pair with wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made with local and organic ingredients and other delicious bites. For non-beer drinkers, Chestnut Hill Brewing also offers cider, cocktails, and wine.
Arts & Culture
Chestnut Hill is a place where creativity thrives. Explore your artistic side in a neighborhood filled with museums, galleries, and studios showcasing work from local and regional artists.
Visit galleries like Gravers Lane Gallery, known for its contemporary works; Gallery on the Avenue, featuring international art; and NoName Gallery, a vibrant space filled with pieces by local artists that highlight the richness of our creative community.
Just a short drive from our cobblestone main street is the Woodmere Art Museum, a must-visit destination for art lovers. Spend time wandering through Woodmere’s Outdoor Wonder (WOW) – an inspiring sculpture garden featuring works by nationally recognized artists, 19th-century estate trees, a pollinator garden, and more. Head indoors to explore exhibitions that highlight the stories and artists of Philadelphia.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Twenty-five years ago, Chestnut Hill earned the title of Philadelphia’s Garden District thanks to its lush landscapes, blooming gardens, and the beautifully maintained greenery along Germantown Avenue – regularly recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
What would the Garden District be without fresh air and open space? Chestnut Hill offers the perfect escape to unplug, recharge, and enjoy nature without ever leaving the city.
Nestled beside the 1,800 – acre Wissahickon Valley Park, the neighborhood provides both peaceful views and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Explore miles of scenic trails for hiking and biking, discover hidden paths, or take in the natural beauty on horseback.
Chestnut Hill is also home to the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, where visitors can wander through 92 acres of vibrant gardens featuring Japanese flowering cherries, dozens of rose varieties, 8,000+ tulips, and many of Philadelphia’s oldest and rarest trees. Recognized as Pennsylvania’s official arboretum and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s a must-see in every season. Check their Bloom Calendar to see what’s flourishing during your visit.
For quiet reflection, visit Pastorius Park, a serene 16-acre green space with a pond, fountain, and amphitheater. With entrances just steps from Germantown Avenue, it’s an easy walk from the Chestnut Hill Hotel.
No matter the season, Chestnut Hill offers something beautiful to explore – making it the perfect year-round getaway.
