Loaded with photo-worthy charm, Chestnut Hill is tucked in the northwest section of Philadelphia just 25 minutes from Center City. And thanks to its location near the Wissahickon and Cresheim creeks and Fairmount Park, this National Register Historic District enjoys an abundance of greenery and open spaces. Once a suburb where well-to-do Philadelphians escaped the city’s summer heat, Chestnut Hill saw an influx of year-round residents with the arrival of railroads in the 19th century. It was then, and still is, a relatively affluent community with an array of historic mansions and Victorian twins and row houses. Throughout the neighborhood there are unexpected delights including the Morris Arboretum and the Wissahickon Valley captivate visitors with their hidden trails, rippling waters and stunning natural treasures.
The main street, Germantown Avenue, is a treasure trove of shops, galleries, boutiques, home furnishings stores and restaurants. Stretching for almost 10 blocks, the avenue boasts cobblestones on the street and historic facades on many shops and businesses—all adding to the picturesque charm. Altogether, it creates a vibe that is lively but not wild and a quaint setting that is traditional but not stuffy, giving Chestnut Hill a village-like atmosphere.
