Go to Chestnut Hill, PA For Holidays on the Hill
On any typical day, with its historic cobblestone streets, elegant mansions, Victorian townhomes, and a quaint walkable purchasing row, Chestnut Hill, PA is fairly charming. However what most individuals don’t know is that 9 miles northwest of Heart Metropolis, Philadelphia, this picture-perfect “Backyard District” quietly transforms itself right into a Hallmark worthy Christmas village for its “Holidays on the Hill” occasion annually.
With festive occasions working via the top of December, you’ll discover many holiday themed things to see and do in Philly’s most secure neighborhood.
See twinkling lights, festive decorations, and inventive window shows whereas purchasing at over 60 unique boutiques in celebration of the season. Whenever you get hungry, there’s a wide range of eating places, cafes and bakeries in Chestnut Hill that present indoor and heated out of doors seating choices, whether or not you’re on the lookout for a full satisfying meal or only a snack.
On Wednesdays in December don’t miss their beloved “Stag & Doe Nights,” when outlets in Chestnut Hill supply particular gross sales, free refreshments and late vacation purchasing hours. There’s additionally an opportunity to satisfy Santa as he strolls up and down Germantown Ave, take a horse-drawn carriage experience, or see performances by touring Victorian carolers in addition to a brass quartet turning out some favourite vacation tunes.
Chestnut Hill is overflowing with a lot vacation magic that even the grumpiest of Grinches will get into the spirit of the season. Right here’s a few of what you may expertise through the Chestnut Hill “Holidays on the Hill” occasion this season!
See The Vacation Backyard Railway At Morris Arboretum
Morris Arboretum
100 E Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
www.morrisarboretum.org
If you happen to love nature and exploring the outside, then make some extent to go to the Morris Arboretum. Situated within the northern a part of Chestnut Hill and courting again to 1887, this former Victorian 92 acre-summer sprawling property was initially owned and designed by Quaker siblings John Morris and Lydia Thompson Morris who needed the panorama to mirror their love of nature. Now a part of the College of Pennsylvania, this arboretum is one in all Philly’s most beloved locations for escaping the town. Friends right here can discover distinctive and exquisite sculpture gardens, scenic meadows, and luxuriate in a wide range of occasions and reveals all year long.
But it surely’s their “Vacation Backyard Railway” exhibit that has turn out to be one in all their hottest and cherished points of interest through the vacation season. Enjoyable for all ages, this whimsical mannequin practice set up zigs and zags on 1 / 4 mile of tracks laid between winter greenery, water options, twinkling lights and vacation village buildings which can be one-of-a-kind replicas of Philadelphia’s most outstanding historic landmarks.
There are 15 completely different rail strains, 7 loops and tunnels, 9 bridges, 2 cable automobiles, and even a trestle bridge you may stroll underneath with lovable mannequin trains (lots of that are carrying presents) touring in all instructions.
Enjoyable for all ages, many households come to see the trains as a yearly custom. Daytime admission is free, however if you wish to expertise the trains lit up at night time, tickets are required in advance with their weekend viewings. Don’t wait as a result of tickets promote out shortly.
When to Go to: November 23th 2024 – December thirtieth 2024
10:00am – 4:00pm or at night time on weekends.
Take Dwelling A Gingerbread Home Equipment From Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor 
Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor
8126 Germantown Avenue
(215) 247-7374
bredenbecks.com
Established in 1889 and a Chestnut Hill resident for greater than 35 years, Bredenbeck’s is a neighborhood favourite bakery that carries a wide range of scrumptious baked items, together with muffins, cookies, pies, pound muffins in addition to ice-cream. However across the holidays it’s their spectacular gingerbread window shows and scrumptious freshly baked gingerbread “individuals” that appeal to guests from far and large.
Prior to now, Bredenbeck’s has provided their well-liked gingerbread home making lessons letting prospects get in on the enjoyable. As a result of COVID, lessons are at the moment on maintain, however as a substitute they’ve a variety of gingerbread house kits that you could DIY at house full with an instructional video on their web site to assist information you thru the method. If you happen to love gingerbread homes, however don’t suppose you’ll have the time to construct your personal, you can too order a custom made gingerbread house decked out with sweet and ready-to-go. Take a look at their gingerbread offerings here or visit their website for more information.
Make Vacation Crafts And Recollections At A.R. Workshop
AR Workshop Chestnut Hill
8607 Germantown Ave Chestnut Hill, PA 19118
215-544-1116
arworkshop.com/chestnuthill
Many people love the concept of crafting, however it may be tough to squeeze into our busy schedules. That’s what makes A.R. Workshop in Chestnut Hill is such a particular place. On this boutique DIY studio you may take a wide range of workshops to create your very personal customized house décor piece as you spend time with household and mates.
Nice for youths and adults, A.R. Workshop provides a choice of enjoyable crafts to create together with painted wood indicators, trays, pillow covers, and blanket ladders. Their current holiday themed projects make a terrific present or piece you may show 12 months after 12 months.
The instructors listed below are so affected person, tremendous pleasant, and provide you with all of the instruments you want. The perfect half is you don’t want any expertise. Take a look at their current class calendar, however A.R. Workshop additionally hosts non-public occasions as properly. For some crafting enjoyable you may take house, seize one in all their DIY-TO-GO kits which occur to make a terrific present. Superior registration is required or cease in to buy their choice of prepared made items.
For A Particular Reward Have One thing Personalised At Threadwell
Threadwell
8432 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(267) 385-5206
https://threadwell.net
With over 60 boutiques in Chestnut Hill carrying all the things from clothes, equipment and jewellery, to house and pet items, artwork, and books you’ll haven’t any bother discovering some nice items. For a present with a private contact, head to Threadwell the place they’ll personalize and monogram on a regular basis necessities like tote baggage, pillow covers, sweatshirts, and frames and with a wide range of colours and fonts for probably the most considerate present ever. If you happen to need assistance with colour decisions or designing the proper piece, the pleasant workers right here is blissful to assist. Additionally they present BYO monogramming which is ideal for once you discover one thing else on the town you need to put a particular contact on.
Ebook A Boutique Keep At The Historic Chestnut Hill Resort
The Chestnut Hill Resort
8229 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 242-5905
chestnuthillhotel.com
To offer your self a while to loosen up in Chestnut Hill after a day of purchasing and vacation adventures, ebook an evening or two within the historic and charming Chestnut Hill Hotel. Completely positioned within the heart of Chestnut Hill, this lately renovated boutique resort dates again to 1894 and rests on the positioning of a good older inn that was constructed again in 1772. And it’s simply steps to all Chestnut Hill has to supply.
Every of the 36 rooms listed below are distinctive and elegantly embellished, with marble detailed bogs, ultra-comfy beds, robes, and L’Occitane toiletries. Additionally they have flat-screen televisions, mini-fridges, free WiFi, and work desks.
Every morning friends are handled to a continental breakfast with espresso and scrumptious freshly baked pastries. Nespresso machines offered within the rooms are good for once you want a caffeine increase later within the day. For longer stays or once you need cozier vibes, ebook one in all their rooms full with kitchenette or fireplaces. Discover all their room types here.
The Chestnut Hill Hotel additionally has a health heart, a 24-hour enterprise heart, and 24-hour tremendous pleasant reception which may give you useful Chestnut Hill ideas and complimentary water. They’re dog-friendly too and there’s free parking simply behind the resort.
Whenever you’re hungry however don’t need to wander far, head to the Chestnut Hill Grill and Sidewalk Cafe contained in the resort or stroll behind the resort to the Market at the Fareway to the rear. This contemporary mini Studying Terminal type Market that initially served because the resort’s carriage home and stables is now house to over a dozen meals stalls the place you’ll find worldwide delights like sushi, Tibetan dumplings, sticky buns, connoisseur espresso and the Chestnut Hill Brewing Firm.
Eat One Of Philly’s Most Well-known Sandwiches At McNally’s Tavern
McNally’s Tavern
8634 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-9736
https://www.mcnallys.com
For some nice beer and made-from-scratch meals in a heat and comfortable setting, head over to McNally’s Tavern. Based by Rose McNally again in 1921, McNally’s has been a favourite of Chestnut Hill locals for nearly a century. Right now Rose’s nice granddaughters Anne and Meg proceed to run the tavern carrying on the household custom of hospitality providing a menu of recent and flavorful consolation meals that features scrumptious selfmade soups, salads, stacked sandwiches, and rotating daily specials.
However there’s one craveworthy sandwich right here with a cult following you shouldn’t miss: The Schmitter®. Named as one in all “Philly’s Best Sandwiches” and served at McNally’s for over 50 years, The Schmitter® is topped with a singular combo of tender sizzling grilled beef, sauteed onions, cooked salami (not Genoa), tomatoes, and creamy cheese. It’s completed with “Schmitter” sauce, a play on Russian dressing after which served on a regionally made Kaiser roll. The mixture could appear uncommon, however belief us after we say it’s actually, actually good. We lately tried one and didn’t depart a crumb.
Cease into McNally’s in Chestnut Hill to take pleasure in a Schmitter and a pint from one in all their 13 rotating faucets. Don’t depart with out one in all Meg’s tremendous moist scrumptious muffins in flavors like chocolate, carrot, and coconut. Open for lunch and dinner, McNally’s additionally provides out of doors patio eating with heaters alongside Germantown Avenue.
Get Scrumptious Bistro-Type Eats And Late-Evening Drinks At The Chestnut Hill Grill
Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Cafe
8229 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-7570
chestnuthillhotel.com/chestnut-grill/
If you happen to’re staying on the Chestnut Hill Resort, make some extent to eat on the Chestnut Hill Sidewalk Cafe & Grill which is positioned simply inside and serves up scrumptious American impressed Bistro delicacies in a relaxed and informal environment.
We cherished their completely cooked Grilled Petite Lamb Chops appetizer served over greens and drizzled with a contact of balsamic and in addition to their creamy Shrimp Risotto for dinner. If you happen to love mussels, go for his or her Mussels in White Wine and Garlic Sauce appetizer which is beneficiant sufficient to be loved as a lightweight important dish. Right here’s a tip: order fries on the aspect and you’ve got your self an ideal “moules frites.” For an unimaginable end go along with the warmed Tollhouse Pie for dessert. Basically a chocolate chip cookie baked right into a pie and topped with a scoop of wealthy vanilla ice-cream, it is a deal with you gained’t need to miss.
The cafe is open for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks with each indoor in addition to out of doors seating alongside the resort’s steps and breezeway. Within the afternoon, pop in for his or her Glad Hour specials and comply with the out of doors gallery subsequent to the Chestnut Hill Resort to search out the doorway.
Take pleasure in Native Craft Beers And Wooden Fired Pizza Chestnut Hill Brewing Firm
Chestnut Hill Brewing Firm
8221 & 8231 Germantown Avenue
(215) 247-0300
chestnuthillbrewingcompany.com
Whenever you’re in Chestnut Hill and need regionally made craft beer, the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company is the spot to go.
Situated instantly behind the Chestnut Hill Resort on the Market on the Fareway, they provide a rotating menu of their scrumptious brews together with wooden fired Neapolitan pizzas in addition to recent salads, sandwiches and small bites, like delicate pretzels and buffalo cauliflower in a pleasant trendy rustic environment that’s laborious to beat. Additionally, lots of the objects on their menu are vegan pleasant.
With each an indoor taproom and heated out of doors seating space full with a hearth pit it’s a terrific place to wind down. If you happen to love canines, it’s additionally probably the most dog-friendly spot to pet watch on “The Hill,” the place locals like to carry their pooches and luxuriate in a scrumptious craft brew exterior.
The beer right here is small batch, so choices can come and go. However we love their FIDDLER (5.1%), a crisp and refreshing single malt pilsner with a yeasty end, and a fan favourite known as CATHERINE’S ANCHOR (9.1%), a heavy Russian imperial stout with roasted chocolate notes. If beer isn’t your factor additionally they supply cocktails, cider, native wine from Penns Woods Vineyard in addition to non-alcoholic drinks.
It will get busy right here at conventional consuming hours, so if you understand you’re coming upfront, they do settle for reservations. Free parking is offered behind the Chestnut Hill Resort, and growlers, crowlers and 4-packs can be found to-go.
Take pleasure in South Of The Border Flavors Whereas Eating In A Heated Igloo at El Poquito
El Poquito
8201 Germantown Avenue
(267) 766-5372
elpoquito.com
To spice issues up in Chestnut Hill with flavors from south of the border, head to El Poquito. An informal but trendy “seaside impressed” cantina and tequila bar, El Poquito, which means “the baby” in Spanish, serves up Mexican favorites together with enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and bowls. They even have some good veggie pleasant choices like their Curry Cauliflower or Unattainable Chorizo flavored Tacos.
Their well-liked margaritas are a should right here and will be made both recent, frozen and flavored with fresh-juices like blood orange, passionfruit or strawberry. If you happen to’re not into tequila, you may’t go improper with their house-made sangria or one or their draft beers like Modelo Especial or Tecate.
For a brilliant enjoyable consuming expertise head to their heated out of doors courtyard embellished with colourful twinkling lights to dine in a heated igloo. Name or go to the El Poquito web site to make reservations to order an igloo.
LOOK OUT FOR THESE CHESTNUT HILL HOLIDAY EVENTS
Listed here are among the important Vacation on the Hills occasions developing. Go to chestnuthillpa.com for extra particulars.
Chestnut Hill Vacation Parade
Saturday, December seventh 2024 at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. High of the Hill to MARKET on the Fareway.
Small Enterprise Buying Specials & Prolonged Hours
Discover distinctive and one-of-a-kind items and vacation specials whereas supporting small companies. Most Chestnut Hill outlets are open till 7:00pm or later Wednesdays via Saturdays through the vacation season.
Go to chestnuthillpa.com for a full checklist of Chestnut Hill boutiques and eating places.
GETTING TO CHESTNUT HILL
Chestnut Hill is simple to get to by practice, bus and automotive. Click here for directions.
PARKING IN CHESTNUT HILL
For the vacations, the Chestnut Hill Parking Basis is providing free 24 hour parking in its six public heaps each Wednesday from November tenth via Christmas. Click on right here for a map of the parking lots.
