Philly-Area Day Trips You Can Take by Train

When Philadelphians talk about fly the coop the city for a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or two , they often mean summer jaunts to the Jersey Shore . But plenty of small town closer to rest home offer up their own attractions for a city inhabitant – and you do n’t even demand a auto to reach many of them . After all , about one - third of the Philly populationdoesn’t own a set of four wheels . ( We see you , fellow straphanger . ) As fall and the countdown of our limited 70 - arcdegree weather condition days begins , consider these seven Philly - arena day trips , each only a quick train ride away .

Doylestown, Bucks County

We ’ll start with the uttermost terminus , about an hour and 20 minutes north of the city on the SEPTA melodic line bearing its name . Doylestown boasts a couple of heavy - name museum : theMichener Art Museumand theMercer Museum , which showcases American puppet from before the Industrial Revolution ( in a gaudy old mansion , no less ) . A compact , intensely walkable Downtown serves up a bevy of delicious chow , from sandwich atLilly ’s Gourmetto barbeque atHickory Kitchento diminished plates at the upscale restaurantHoney . wash away it all down at the Doylestown Brewing Company’sMarketplace Brewery , where the beer is made upstairs .

Collingswood, NJ

Here we have the kind of lieu where urban trendsetters might retreat . Located just south-east of Camden , about a 15 - minute drive from Center City on the PATCO telephone line , Collingswood is a magical pre - war suburb with an eclectic mix of homes and a bustling main street . Start with a pick - me - up atGroovegroundorRevolution Coffee Roasters , two java joints that would n’t seem out of position in Northern Liberties or South Philly . For dinner , pick from Indian fare atClay Oven PalaceorIndiya , or find a new favorite smasher at local chains likeCircles ThaiandSabrina ’s Cafe . And we ’re not kidding about the trapping stock : it ranges from Philly - elan row homes to stately Victorians to modest bungalows . There ’s even a gorgeous ( if repurposed ) Art Deco motion-picture show theater , so we advocate suffer with a stroll .

Narberth, Montgomery County

An affluent suburb about 20 minutes from Center City on the Paoli / Thorndale Line , Narberth is belittled but packs in a lot of character . You ’ll incur attractive piffling shop , along with thePennsylvania Academy of Ballet , lining the pulley block around Haverford Ave . The Cheese Company , which has sit across from the geartrain station since 1976 , will likely beckon . But we want to verbalize about the bars . Narberth has only three , yet each has something notable about them . Grab a collation with your beer at theGreat American Pub . Down a few craft brew atThe Greeks . For a non - local , this author has spend a surprising number of nights closing downMcShea ’s . It ’s a friendly place .

Ardmore, Montgomery County

Stay on the train for another two stops past Narberth and you ’ll arrive at Ardmore , quite possibly the hippest suburbia in the Philadelphia area . Credit this to its musical past tense –MilkBoyonce operated a recording studio apartment on this stretchability of Lancaster Ave , along with the company ’s first eponymic coffee shop and euphony locale . ( Another coffee shop class , Melodies , occupied the space afterward , but it close last winter . ) However , theArdmore Music Hallstill hosts across the country recognized rock groups , sept singers , and kettle of fish bands . Meanwhile , the avenue hold back some indie cred thanks toViva Video ! , which hyperbolically bills itself as “ the last delineation store , ” andTired Hands Brewing Company’stwo locating .

Media, Delaware County

You could theoretically ride the Media / Elwyn Line for a small more than half an hour and come within walk aloofness of business district Media , but we recommend the scenic path via the 101 Trolley . It will take a lot longer , but it will also give you the close - extinct experience of rolling down a small town ’s primary street on rail . Once there , get your caffeine reparation atSeven Stones Cafeor a full - blown brunch atBittersweet Kitchen . For lunch , grab sandwiches Aten A RollorHouse . If you desire to get a little loose , try a brace of breweries –Sterling PigandIron Hill– or hit Richard Upjohn ’s Grill , which locals say is the last dive in township .

Haddonfield, NJ

A short walkway from the Haddonfield PATCO station ( two stop after the Collingswood stoppage ) will bring you to a pocket-sized , fun stretchability of king Highway , where sure-enough hall toward the southwestern United States give manner to confiscate shops and restaurant . If you need a date idea , book a social class atIn the Kitchen Cooking School , on Mechanic St just off the main drag . Or murder up theBritish Chip Shop , a BYOB take on gin mill food from across the pool , and stop over byGelato Dolceriafor afters . Word has it thatAngelo ’s Pizzeria , a few blocks north on Haddon Ave , has some of the good piece and cheesesteaks this side of the Delaware River .

Conshohocken, Montgomery County

Conshohocken has always feel closer in spirit to Roxborough or Manayunk than to Montco , in part because of its row homes but also because of its accessibility . The town takes about 25 minutes to hit from Center City on the Manayunk / Norristown Line , and cyclists can hop on the Schuylkill River Trail and pedal straight to theConshohocken Brewing Company’sback pack of cards . The neighbourhood dive , likeConshy Corner Tavern , add to the country ’s unpretending old - school day vibe . If you slant toward caffeine and/or fitness over alcohol , head toRiverbend Cycles , a combination wheel and umber shop . For chuck , Fayette St has a little restaurant dustup with hoagies , tacos , seafood , and even a Southern kitchen .

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