Location: West Chester
Top Things to do in West Chester
- 1. American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
- 2. Chester County Historical Society
- 3. West Chester Restaurant Festival
- 4. West Chester Railroad
- 5. Downtown West Chester
- 6. Stroud Preserve
- 7. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
- 8. Pete's Produce Farm at Westtown School
- 9. Sandy Hollow
- 10. Chester County Art Association
What to do and see in West Chester, United States: The Best Places and Tips
The borough of West Chester is proud of its long history of hospitality, having hosted its first visitors way back in 1769. These colonial roots still show, with over 3,000 surviving structures dating from before the Revolutionary War. The tree-lined downtown area is listed on The National Register of Historic Places, with such a large collection of Greek Revival buildings that the town was named Athens of the West. It's the perfect place for a relaxing day spent walking and window-shopping.
Restaurants in West Chester
1. American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, located in the land of industry innovators in the Philadelphia region, is the nation's premier aviation museum devoted exclusively to helicopters. Established in 1996, the nonprofit organization collects, restores and displays rotary-wing aircraft, including over 35 civilian and military helicopters, autogiros and convertiplanes.
Reviewed By slalemand - Auburn, Maine
But I had a good time as well. It's big enough to stop at and enjoy an hour or so leaning all about helicopters and there role in aviation.
Our granddaughter wanted to stop because they have a V-22 Osprey unit, which is what here daddy takes care of for the marines
2. Chester County Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By DiAlJo - Hockessin, Delaware
The historical society puts on a summer tour series that takes you through the history of Chester County - West Chester/Brandywine Revolutionary War events. They have tour guides and some time reenactors to make the tour interesting. The tour is free and great for any history buffs.
3. West Chester Restaurant Festival
Overall Ratings
4 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By lauren h - West Chester, Pennsylvania
I've gone for several years in a row and decided to stop. The crowds are obscene, people bring strollers and it's VERY annoying plus the food is not all that affordable or easy to obtain.
I do not enjoy getting shoved by a wave of people as I try to make my way to a stand. I wish the vendors would do smaller samples at lower prices so you could really try a variety.
As it is, you're pretty much paying regular prices for hastily made portions while rubbing up against a bunch of sweaty strangers at you try and eat on the go. Not my bag but, if you don't mind the crowds then you should be fine.
4. West Chester Railroad
Overall Ratings
4 based on 51 reviews
Traces the history of the railroad in Pennsylvania.
Reviewed By DiAlJo - Hockessin, Delaware
We arrived at the West Chester Railroad Station prior to our reservations for the last Summer Picnic Train. They have free parking in the adjacent lot. We boarded the train on time with a very friendly and accommodating volunteer crew. The Summer Picnic train allows you to bring your own picnic lunch or buy a boxed lunch on the train. The train starts a West Chester and travels about 45 minutes to Glen Mills station where there is a picnic grove to eat lunch. The station is also a small museum and there is a general store across the tracks. The train stops for about 25 minutes and then heads back to West Chester. Traveling by train through the woods and along the creek is a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
5. Downtown West Chester
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By trixietoni - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
We stayed nearby at a b&b and ate in town. So full of restaurants and shops! Wish we would have had more time to browse. We ate at an outside cafe with such charm and great food. They have a bit of everything.
6. Stroud Preserve
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
The 571-acre Stroud Preserve is a mosaic of once-pastured grasslands, working farmlands, and woodlands that serves as a unique site for recreation, education, and scientific research. Here, you can see the needs of people and nature in balance as careful stewardship of both cultivated and “wild” areas restores vital wildlife habitat while also protecting watersheds that provide drinking water for tens-of-thousands of people. Stroud Preserve is one of many nature preserves owned and cared for by non-profit land conservation organization Natural Lands. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves totaling more than 23,000 acres. Some 2.5 million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.
Reviewed By CodgersontheMove - Suburban Philadelphia
A nice place to go to get away from it all. There are a number of side trails here, but I usually stay on the gravel road which is flat before turning up hill until it terminates at Lucky Hill Road. There's very little shade here, so in the summer it can get very hot. I like the quiet and the opportunity to hear your own footsteps.
7. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By uktravailer - West Chester, Pennsylvania
This is a small venue in the converted National Guard Armory. The Main theatre has 327 seats and there is other space upstairs. We visited for the first time to see the classic 1969 film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and were impressed. There's a bar serving snacks, wine and beer opposite the ticket office in the foyer, with free popcorn with any drink - wow - when did a movie theatre last do that?
Despite over 300 seats, the space feels quite intimate so I am looking forward to seeing a play here eventually.
I like the idea of being able to see classic movies this way and plan on coming here often. Tip: get your tickets in advance online and save a few dollars!
8. Pete's Produce Farm at Westtown School
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Muriel M - West Chester, Pennsylvania
We go here for the freshest local corn, harvested from their own fields in the summer. They carry a large assortment of vegetables and those that are local are marked. They also offer annuals and pumpkins in the fall. We love their bakery items and other local products. We especially love the locally smoked salmon.
9. Sandy Hollow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By SailorBoy55 - New York
Interesting perspective on the Battle of Brandywine. Vast open area with historical overtones. Now used primarily as a walking path for the locals. Several plaques and historical landmarks depicting battle of September 11, 1777 (Revolutionary War).
10. Chester County Art Association
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By uktravailer - West Chester, Pennsylvania
This is a great art centre which serves the local community very well. There are many art courses running throughout the year for all ages and skill levels. There are also exhibitions and the new gallery is a great light, open space that has transformed the old building. We recently attended an evening talk and exhibition on N.C Wyeth which was excellent.
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