A County-by-County Guide to Our Favorite Main Streets in the Philly Suburbs
Plus: Three buzzing boroughs to hit during your trip.
State Street in the very walkable downtown Media / Photograph courtesy of Media Business Authority
The burbs are tops when it comes to shoppable, walkable streets. Here are some of the best. Plus: Three buzzing boroughs to hit during your trip!
Bucks
Yardley
Yardley / Map illustration by James Olstein
1. Yardley Refillery • For the sustainable shopper with its buy-in-bulk household necessities, from shampoo to tea.
2. Krysset • A Best of Philly-winning lifestyle boutique known for its artisan and local housewares, greeting cards, and self-care goods (think Summer Fling soap).
3. Vault Brewing Company • A mainstay, consistently putting out tasty brews (try Dead Cat Bounce, an IPA) and food, and setting the scene with live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Yardley General & the Cellar • Known for its craft cocktails, like the spicy pickle martini and the strawberry coconut marg, made using spirits from Botanery Barn Distilling in Chesco.
5. Kawaii Tori Sushi • A delicious dinner spot when you’re craving a roll or five — there are also non-sushi items like spicy kani salad.
6. Commonplace Reader • Yardley’s first official bookshop, filled to the brim with titles for all ages, including from local authors. Post up on the porch with your newly purchased read.
7. Wawa • A tiny Wawa, so good for those who can’t buck tradition.
8. Yardley Ice House • Slinging a daily menu of water ice and frozen custard — the orange creamsicle flavor sounds mighty refreshing on a hot day.
9. Mil-Lee’s Diner • A recently updated popular breakfast and brunch spot known for its neighborhood vibes and solid fare.
10. Pure Eco Wellness Salon & Spa • A holistic studio complete with sound gardens and a Power Nap treatment on an antigravity chair that will boost your energy before you explore the village.
Borough Buzz: New Hope
Storefronts in New Hope / Photograph by Anthony Sinagoga
Flock like an A-lister to this artsy Bucks County enclave, now a destination for the well-heeled — and the super-famous. (Residents include Bradley Cooper and the Hadids; Leo-nardo DiCaprio and the Biebers have been recently spotted ambling down the streets.) While you can make this a day trip, we suggest staying the weekend to really live the high life. Stay at the ritzy River House at Odette’s (rooms from $199), a riverside hotel with a great restaurant (go here for brunch), piano lounge, and private rooftop bar. Tip: Make use of the hotel’s free bike rentals and take a ride along New Hope’s scenic towpath. Catch a show at Bucks County Playhouse, the historic theater that has played host to legends; the summer roster includes a cabaret show and musicals. Shop at Ditto Vintage, a super-curated secondhand store that counts Bella Hadid as a customer, and the Meanings of Things, a gorgeous shop carrying jewelry, home decor, and gifty goods. And don’t miss New Hope institutions like Love Saves the Day, a quirky, jam-packed vintage emporium, and Farley’s Bookshop. Grab a quick snack or lunch from one of the 13 food vendors at Ferry Market, and enjoy dinner at the Salt House, a cozy restaurant located in a circa-1751 stone building, or on the deck of Stella, Ghost Light Inn’s farm-to-table restaurant. Been there, done all that? Walk across the bridge to Jersey, where you can check out Lambertville’s quaint shops and art galleries, and end the night with a drink at the Boat House, a tiny, hidden-gem cocktail bar tucked off a side street.
Borough Buzz: Bristol
Bristol / Photograph via Visit Bucks County
Bristol Borough doesn’t look much like it did 10 years ago. The waterfront Bucks County borough — a separate political entity from Bristol Township, in which it sits — has been undergoing a veritable renaissance ever since officials beat out 14,000 other small towns across the country to win the $500,000 Main Street Makeover contest in 2017. “On a Friday night … the streets were packed, bustling,” borough politico Bill Pezza reminisced to CBS News after he heard about the big win. Eight years later, the streets are, in fact, bustling. On weekend nights, townsfolk and well-dressed diners from the surrounding area pack into Best of Philly-winning Jules at Market for seafood towers, smoked trout pâté, and 32-ounce tomahawk steaks (preorder one when you make your reservation). Those in pursuit of a more casual meal head over to Itri for wood-fired and Detroit-style pizzas. And the cocktail crowd converses in booths at Daddy Tom’s, a speakeasy-inspired lounge. Up the street, Bristol Riverside Theatre offers a wide range of productions (this month, look for an adaptation of an Agatha Christie tale), while just a few blocks away, couples in search of a romantic setting find it at Bristol Riverside Park, which saw docks added with funds from that $500,000 prize, providing easy waterfront access for boaters. You can absolutely do Bristol in a day trip, which might be best until later this year, when a boutique hotel is promised. But if you really want to stay, the Lily Inn (rooms from $126) B&B is across the river in Burlington. On your way home, don’t miss the Bristol Amish Market for the things you’d expect — and then some — and the Forager, a specialty foods shop offering all the cheeses and charcuterie you can imagine.
Delco
A street scene in Media / Photograph courtesy of Visit Media
Media
Dubbed “everybody’s hometown,” Media earns the title with a downtown that feels as friendly as a block party — especially on Wednesday nights from May through September, when the borough shuts down State Street for Dining Under the Stars and the whole town is invited for dinner. Grab a sidewalk table at Desert Rose for chicken shawarma, or swing by 320 Market to load up on sandwiches. Catch a show at the historic Media Theatre or browse indie shops, including Magic Threads for vintage gems and Three Potato Four for design-forward home goods.
Ridley Park
Just a few miles from the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Ridley Park is home to a tiny Hinckley Avenue hub with plenty of outsized Delco swagger. Start your morning at Ardour Bakery, a bright cafe where the chocolate croissants go fast. Pick up a potted tropical plant at Ridley Park Florist. And if you want to fully soak up the local color, do what at least one star of HBO’s Mare of Easttown did and pull up a barstool at Dolan’s, a neighborhood hangout since the ’50s. Pair your pint with owner Pat Dolan’s Amish beef smashburger.
Borough Buzz: Havertown
Shades of green at Plant Roots
At first blush, Havertown might seem as suburban as suburbia gets. But to the trained eye, it’s a quaint community flush with one-of-a-kind shops, modern dining, and ample greenery. If you have only an afternoon to discover its charms, head straight to Brookline Boulevard. There you’ll find Plant Roots, a woman-owned houseplant outpost conveniently connected to ultra-cozy bookstore and java shop the Bookery Coffeehouse. And right across the street sits Novita Boutique, a women’s clothing store offering youthfully stylish pieces. Those seeking something indulgent should stop by Centrella’s Deli for a hoagie or Koffmeyer’s for ice cream and a fresh cookie; both spots have been around since the ’70s. Make time for a leisurely walk through Havertown’s natural spaces — it has a glut of prime trails and parks. Start at the Grange Estate: The Gothic Revival mansion with Victorian-style gardens is open to the public year-round; a picnic under one of the grand magnolia or copper beech trees could be the highlight of your summer. From there, you can access the Haverford Heritage Trail, looping past some of the area’s historic sites, like Nitre Hall, a former powder mill. Elsewhere in town, check out new establishments like the Wildflower Collective. Photographer Rachel Roshani opened the multipurpose community space for women in May 2024, offering workshops and events. Then there’s Hendren House, an interior design studio and shop where you can purchase furniture, decor, art, and lighting to take back to your city abode. Close out the day with a tray full of attentively smoked meats and stick-to-your-ribs sides from Sophie’s BBQ, a family-owned spot and recent addition to Havertown’s food scene.
Chesco
State Street in Kennett Square / Photograph by G. Widman for Visit Philly
Kennett Square
The Mushroom Capital of the World has a town center that feels like the set of a Hallmark Channel movie. Head for State Street, where you can grab a pour-over at Philter Coffee and then a slice from Nomadic Pies. At lunchtime, stop for an Italian hoagie from Sam’s Sub Shop, a local legend for more than 75 years. Stock up on gifts inspired by the unofficial town mascot at the Mushroom Cap before grabbing a scoop of La Michoacana’s sweet corn ice cream. And for a special night, Talula’s Table delivers a farm-to-fork tasting experience worth the effort of booking far in advance.
West Chester
The red-brick sidewalks of this charming college town lead the way to stellar restaurants, cafes, and shops. On High Street, pop into Éclat Chocolate, where world-renowned chocolatier Christopher Curtin crafts exquisite truffles and caramels. Peruse the herbs and teas at Prana House, then head toward Gay Street, stopping at Pine + Quill for chic gifts. Plan ahead for a dinner at Andiario, where chef Anthony Andiario transforms hyperlocal ingredients into exquisite meals.
Montco
A packed house at Ardmore Music Hall / Photograph by Karl McWherter/Visit Valley Forge
Conshohocken
The one-square-mile borough’s population has boomed in recent years, with new residents drawn by easy access to the city and a robust community calendar that shuts down the main drag several times a year for events. But Fayette Street buzzes even without any official celebration. Locals fuel up with strong brews at cozy coffee shop Morning Talk Cafe. Browse Eagles gear at Sanctuary Blu, crystals at Thirteen Circles, and locally made crafts at the Artist’s Loft. And for dinner, try Blackfish, a BYOB with standout seafood.
Ardmore
Ardmore is anchored by the bustling stretch of Lancaster Avenue where independent shops, restaurants, and live music converge. Head to Eshkol Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe for spongy injera, then catch a show at Ardmore Music Hall, which draws national acts and tribute bands. The whimsical pucciManuli toy store is a favorite for curious kids, while the Junior League Thrift Shop is a haven for vintage lovers.
>> Click here to return to The Philadelphian’s Guide to Exploring the Suburbs
Published as “Main Streets, PA!” in the June 2025 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
