Looking for the best and fun things to do in West Chester, PA?
West Chester is a small town in Chester County, Pennsylvania, with many fascinating attractions.
It was named after Chester, the previous county seat. It’s found in the center of Brandywine valley, and it is characterized by its elegance and habitat for people from different parts of the world despite its small size.
Whenever you visit West Chester for whatsoever purpose, you’ll fall in love with its elegance as soon as you step in. This makes many return for a second visit to explore its lots of fun activities and attractions..
Here are the top things to do in West Chester, PA.
Things to Do in West Chester
1. The American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
Downing Planetarium Fresno
It is the only existing helicopter museum in the USA, and about 35000 people visit here yearly for active participation and practical experience.
Various campaigns, such as the Adopt-a-Copter campaign, are ongoing to provide money to enable repairs and enhancements in the museum.
Fathers’ Day and Santa Fest are celebrated in the American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center every year.
Each month, a day is set aside for helicopter rides, and they also provide helicopters to convey students and attendees to and from their various destinations.
Plush pilot toys and art prints are sold in the museum gift shop.
1220 American Boulevard, West Chester, PA 19380
2. Sandy Hollow Heritage Park
The Sandy Hollow Heritage Park is situated along Birmingham Road. On the 11th of September 1777, when the Revolutionary war was taking place, the battlefield of Brandywine was here. Thus, making it hold historical significance.
On the one-mile-long walkway, there is a board to honor the memory of those who died from both teams of the battle. There were great rates of injuries and deaths on that day, and many were buried where they died.
British and American soldiers are laid in a common grave in Birmingham Burying Grounds, located not far away. Even though General Washington was overpowered, it increased their determination to fight.
This Park is perfect for early morning strolls or even late evening on its concrete walkway. It is designed for quiet reflection and rarely for leisure. There is unimpeded access to the Park from Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm.
Address: 1040 West Street Road, West Chester, PA 19382-8012
3. Chester County Art Association’s
Chester County Art Association (CCAA) was founded in 1931 by Chester County residents. This association offers art education and inspiration and promotes inter-community relationships.
It is a small non-profit organization believing that art has a good effect on everyone. They offer assistance to people by teaching them art, enhancing their appreciation of art, and enabling them to feel like they belong in the arts community.
They offer art classes and organize fine arts and crafts seminars that introduce students to basic principles and complicated skills.
There are lots of ways in which art is being taught. These include exhibitions, seminars, and artist presentations in open settings.
There are numerous art programs they offer to their students, both young and old. They include photography, pottery, figure drawing, oil painting, acrylic, digital art, sculpture, e.t.c.
Address: 100 N Bradford Ave, West Chester, PA 19382, United States
4. Four Dogs Tavern
Four Dogs Tavern
You must wonder, what a strange name for a tavern!. The name Four dogs tavern was gotten from a painting by Godefroy Jadin, a Frenchman.
Four Dogs Tavern is located in the former stables of the Marshalton Inn, a building with historical significance on Strasburg Road, the major road in the middle of Pittsburg and Philadelphia.
Co-owner and Chef David Cox had a distinguished track record before returning to his native place to open an American brasserie.
Fresh ingredients obtained locally are made into refined cooking, especially as an art form. You can dine inside or outside the tavern, and there is live music from Thursday to Sunday. The pub is open seven days a week.
Address: 1300 W Strasburg Rd,West Chester, PA 19382
5. West Chester Railroad
West Chester Railroad
The West Chester Railroad is of private ownership and is a working tourist railroad that opened in November 1858.
It runs through several streets. Hence, you can tour West Chester through this railroad
This railroad passes through Pennsylvania’s scenic Chester Creek Valley. They offer 90-minutes train rides and one-of-a-kind activities throughout the year.
It is just about 30minutes away from Philadelphia City core. You’ll lose track of time while enjoying the amazing view.
The railroad was constructed by Frank Furnish who is a famous Philadelphia architect.
When going back to West Chester, you can visit Chester County Historical Society nearby.
Address: 230 E Market St, West Chester, PA 19382, United States.
6. Diplomacy Ping Pong
Diplomacy Ping Pong opened not long ago, is a place where the community can come and have fun. Its objective is to foster unity in the community.
This new place is full of light, has a large room, and is perfect for fun.
With $5 per person, you can play at one of the five ping pong tables or check how good you are on the Robo-pong machine.
When visiting, you can come with your food and drinks to eat and drink while you have fun.
Ping Pong is a game for all ages, so nobody is left out in the fun. Diplomacy also gives rental options if you want to hold a party.
Address: 511 E. Gay St, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
7. Reactors Comedy Club
After touring West Chester, you can relieve the stress at Reactors Comedy Club by watching their shows.
They perform in different places in the city; an example is Parkway Shopping Center’s Timothy’s Sports Bar.
They sell lots of edibles at the bar. These include pizza, sandwiches, burgers, amongst others.
Reactors Comedy Club
Reactors Comedy Club is a perfect place to eat after-work activities or catch fun with relatives and friends.
Address: 943 S High St, West Chester, PA 19382
8. William Brinton 1704 House
William Brinton 1704 House
This house was built in 1704 by William Brinton, a citizen of Britain by birth. It is a two-story building built with stones and has features of homes built in England during the Middle Ages. The house has 22 inches thick walls with a steep roof held in position by chimneys at each end.
It was one of the 14 houses close to where they fought the 1777 battle of Brandywine.
Its inhabitants are believers of the Quaker faith, and it is an excellent example of Delaware valley houses in the olden days.
New people owned it various times before Brinton’s descendants finally repurchased it in 1947 and then gave it to the West Chester Historical Society.
This place is perfect for History enthusiasts. You can tour the house only during weekends from May to October.
Address: 21 Oakland Road, West Chester, PA 19382
Are you planning a road trip to Pennsylvania and wondering what to do? here is a guide on things to do in Easton, things to do in Ohiopyle, and fun things to do in Doylestown for a memorable time.
9. Painted Plate
This place is perfect for an aesthete.
Here you are free to explore your creativity. You don’t have to book in advance if your interest is to paint pottery and other objects in the studio.
The objects available include vases, platters, sports figures, kids’ toys, and piggy banks.
Then if you are interested in making wooden signs or painting on canvas, you must go to a class or host a gathering.
Choose a design of a piece of pottery among the available hundreds. After selecting the pottery, their staff will help you with the other things you need to do.
They are different concept books, stencils, and tools available to create art which you can take home.
They have over 60 glazes, speckled, and dimensional paint colors, and you can use their glaze colors as much as you want.
You don’t have to worry about the time limit, so you can enjoy the aesthetic features and process as much as you want.
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to go about the artistic process, don’t worry; their helpful staff is there for you.
Address: 104 W Market St, West Chester, PA 19382
10. Baldwin’s Book Barn
Baldwin’s Book Barn
Baldwin Book Barn has existed since 1882. This historic barn is a refuge for book lovers.
In this unique store, visitors spend a significant amount of time going through a massive amount of books. These books are antiquarians, modern classics, and rare first editions.
Everything in the barn gives off a bookish atmosphere, beginning from the cozy corners to the walls made of stone and the fireplace to the unending shelves of books, prints, and maps.
It has become a culture for people to buy and sell books in Baldwin’s Book Barn for generations.
If you read a rare book, you can get some keepsakes. Within the numerous shelves, you will discover that previously-owned, out-of-print find.
You can read your new book as long as you want. Enjoy the emotions associated with being in a leading American town.
Address: 865 Lenape Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, United States.
11. Ice Line
West Chester’s Ice Line is known for exciting ice hockey games. It has four ice rinks which are approved by NHL regulation.
Each rink possesses 500 seats, a concession, among other things.
Many programs utilize the rink, such as West Chester University’s men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. Ahead of the game, you can purchase snacks from the Grille, which is found inside the facility.
Aside from carrying out hockey leagues for kids, they also execute programs for adults and students in middle and primary schools.
They also organize camps and clinics which, is of great importance to athletes as it helps them enhance their skills and expand their knowledge in new aspects.
Skaters are not left out, as the ice line offers a different set of structured figure skating activities to aid all levels of skaters, and to enable skaters to become better and exhibit the act of working together and community.
Address: 700 Lawrence Dr, West Chester, PA 19380, United States
12. West Goshen Community Park
Where are the sports lovers? This place is for you. West Goshen Community Park offers various fun activities such as table tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
Kids are not left out as there are different facilities for them. These include playground equipment and fitness paths.
Thus, making it a great spot where you can work to stay fit while having fun with the kids.
The Park has lots of parking space, toilets, and a well-kept environment.
If you have pets, there’s no need to worry because it is pet-friendly and has plastic bag dispensers placed all over the place for dog owners.
The Park also serves as a good relaxation place. There is also a pavilion in the Park where several events take place.
Address: 1023 Fern Hill Rd West Chester, PA 19380
13. Andiario
Andiario
Chef Anthony Andiario came back to his native land with a great deal of experience in the restaurant enterprise.
As a result of working on a farm for eight years, his appreciation for fresh handpicked vegetables, whole-animal cooking, and preserving food for cold periods heightened.
He incorporated this knowledge into his restaurant and combined it with native traditions. Chef Anthony Andiario gets fresh produce from local farmers, markets, and far away.
He prepares the menu based on what he has. His wife, Maria, who is in charge of the front of the house, added a foreign influence, especially that of Europe, to the restaurant.
Andiamo’s is accessible only from Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: 106 West Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380
14. Stroud Preserve
Stroud Preserve
The Stroud Preserve is 571 acres of vegetation that unites individuals and nature. A Portion of the preserve was donated by Dr. Morris Stroud and used as a study area for water research.
The preserve promotes open-air activities. You can go kayaking and canoeing on the rivers and hike along the hiking pathways created.
Frequently, open-air events take places, such as butterfly walks, a family splish-splash, and evening music concerts.
The preserve demonstrates how to conserve natural ecological community and its environment and at the same time protects the watershed that provides drinking water for a large population of people.
The preserve is accessible from morning to evening throughout the year.
Address: 454 N Creek Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, United States
15. Kodabow
Archery is one of the oldest sports of the Stone Age, and so many people are fascinated by it. Fortunately for those interested, you can learn archery at Kodabow‘s archery range.
The objective of the directives is to assist the learner in acquiring the skill of archery to an independent level. If you ask for hunting, they might pay attention to it.
For over ten years, Kodabow in Pennsylvania has made the world’s best hunting crossbows. Lovers of Crossbow will indeed have fun when they visit Kodabow.
You can also get old-fashioned archery and recurve bows if you prefer how simple they are and the low price for acquiring one.
If you take good care of the bows, you will enjoy shooting them, whether for recreation or hunting purposes and last for several years.
Their arrows are an added advantage to those who want to advance in archery or hunting.
Address: 200 Boot Rd, West Chester, PA 19380, United States
Also, check out our list of things to do in Lititz, and things to do in Wilkes Barre for a fun time in these cities of Pennsylvania.
16. High Street Caffe
High Street Caffe
In 1996, Donny Syracuse, a musician, and Jay Wenner, a chef, founded the High Street Caffe.
High Street Caffe is the right place to be when you want to shake up your taste buds. The restaurant is excellent in Cajun and Creole culinary art and foreign dishes, including wild boar, kangaroo, ostrich, and alligator.
There are 20 appetizers and 30 main dishes on the menu. So much to choose from, right?!. They also have a bar where wine, beer, and cocktails are served.
High Street Caffe is a famous place which has won so many awards. If you want to come during weekends, you are advised to book first. You can also request takeouts. The restaurant is open every day.
Address: 322 S High St, West Chester, PA 19382, United States
17. Durango Farm
Durango Farm
Have you ever wished to ride a horse?.. You can fulfill your wish at Durango farm.
Durango Farm offers jumping, hunting, and horsemanship lessons for riders of all stages.
There are three trainers at the Farm who met the required standard. They can offer lessons throughout the week in the Farm’s vast indoor arena. Their well-educated trainers work with both skilled and unskilled riders.
In addition, they brag to they have a large array of steeds and ponies that are adequately trained from which you can select from for riding lessons on two spaces outside with a good ground for the foot regardless of the weather!
Some of the students on the Farm want to learn about equestrianism just because they enjoy doing so, while others know it for competing in both local and international horse riding races on the east coast. Why not check it out!.
Address: 1469 Morstein Rd, West Chester, PA 19380, United States
18. WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology
WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology
There is an extensive list of collections in the museum— from prehistoric to modern times and those concerning different continents.
Visit the WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology‘s official website. You might be able to have a brief look at the exhibitions available presently and the displayed object of the month.
They also give guided tours which you can participate in and have the feeling of going back in time. However, you need to book beforehand.
Address: 775 S Church St, West Chester, PA 19383, United States
19. Highland Orchards
Highland Orchards is a family-owned fruit and vegetable farm that spans over 200 acres. It has a farm market and a bakery that functions throughout the year.
The objective of the Farm is to give the community access to fresh local farm produce and the chance to take part in activities and enjoy features outside.
Highland Orchards is perfect for those seeking to enjoy themselves and experience that family-based ambiance indoors within the Market & Bakery and outside on the Farm!
They give room for their customers to pick the crop of their choice when in season, from memorial day to the beginning of November.
They also offer crops that they have already picked in the farm market. They also sell fresh produce obtained from farms in Chester and Lancaster Counties.
The crops available include berries, cherries, sweet corn, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. The bakery is where their famous apple cider doughnuts and fresh-baked pies are made.
Address: 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd, West Chester, PA 19380, United States
20. Pete’s Produce Farm
In 1986, Pete Flynn was a farmer who dealt with milk and its products but shortly after, he changed to growing and harvesting agricultural goods. He sold the produce nearby at his store, beside the road.
The shop is now a big business. Pete is famous for his sweet corn, picked by hand rather than machinery and selected with care. He also grows strawberries, pumpkins, herbs, vegetables, garden plants and, hay.
He obtains other fresh produce, meat, and cheese from suppliers nearby and sells homemade dressings, sauces, and jams. In addition, he sells baked goods such as pies, cookies, and donuts.
You cannot go wrong with Pete’s produce farm, where eating healthy is a priority. The Farm is open every day, throughout the year.
Address: 1225 East Street Road, West Chester, PA 19382
21. Everhart Park
Everhart Park
Everhart Park has a surface area of 10.2 acres. William Everhart is the valid owner, and he named the Park Everhart Grove.
Age-wise, after the oldest Park in the borough, Everhart Park is next. It is situated west of West Chester.
In the 1840s and 1850s, the Park was the venue for political rallies, but the Park was created mainly for community meetings and social functions.
West Chester Department of Parks and Recreation is currently taking care of it. The Park has an activity building, basketball court, and footbridge for fun.
They have a gazebo, grill, and picnic table for outdoor eating. The Park also has restrooms and a water fountain.
A playground is in the Park. Several events are also carried out in the Park, including Art camp, Summer camp, Easter egg hunt, May Day festival, etc.
Address: 100 S. Brandywine St. West Chester, PA 19380
22. Penn’s Table Restaurant
There are many places with historical attributes in West Chester to get good meals. If you want to have a taste of that special home-cooked meal, here is the site.
Penn’s table restaurant was established in 1976. Its’ ownership has passed through two different people so far. But the service never changed as you can still get good American food alongside a hospitable ambiance.
You are welcome any day of the week, and breakfast is given all through. The restaurant also offers catering services for varying events. You can also order online, and you get to choose the time to come to pick up the food.
Address: 100 W Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380
23. Éclat Chocolate
Christopher Curtin, a Master Chef, and chocolatier, share his art and experience with everyone through Éclat Chocolate.
Christopher made his skills more accurate by learning the secrets and techniques of the finest Chocolate houses of different parts of the world, including Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Japan.
In West Chester, you’ll be able to get the finest of chocolates at Éclat Chocolate, a taste that you’ll never recover from and no other chocolatier can offer.
Éclat Chocolate always tries to make new creations by exploring all possible ideas. Many of the chocolates result from inspiration from all over the world.
So tasting their chocolates is like traveling around the world.
If you’re searching for that perfect chocolate with uniquely combined flavors that will gradually dissolve in your mouth, then Éclat Chocolate is the right choice for you.
It is open every day except on Sundays.
Address: 24 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382
24. Chester County History Center Museum
Chester County History Center Museum
For those curious about the history of Chester County, visiting Chester County History Center Museum is the best thing to do in Wester Chester.
Chester County History Center Museum features a collection of historical value and historical markers.
The library collection consists of more than twenty thousand volumes and five hundred thousand manuscripts.
The center was transferred into the historic horticultural hall, including a section for the expansion of the museum collection.
Address: 225 N High St, West Chester, PA 19380, United States
25. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
Your list of things to do in Wester Chester won’t be complete without a stop at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
The center was officially opened in 2017, offering premier high-quality art performances, including award-winning workshops and art education tutorials.
As a non-profit organization, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center promotes economic, cultural, and civic life ventures through dance, music, film, and other local gatherings.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is located in the middle of the city, in the historic district I Pennsylvania.
Address: 226 North High Street, Wester Chester, United States
Planning a trip to Pennsylvania, don’t miss our checklist of fun things to do in Williamsport, things to do in Bethlehem, and fun things to do in Lancaster.
Plan your Trip to West Chester
Despite West Chester, Pennsylvania, being a small town, it has many fun places and activities you don’t want to miss.
Create your bucket list of things to do in West Chester, from our list above, and start planning your fun exploration of West Chester.
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