Philadelphia is surrounded by cool towns, including New Hope, Lambertville, Lancaster, and Doylestown, but have you ever heard of the tiny village of Arden, DE, located just half an hour south of Philadelphia? Click here for directions and get ready to be amazed by this eccentric, unique gem of a town hiding in plain sight.
The Village of Arden was founded in 1900 by the famous architect Will Price and renowned sculptor Frank Stephens as a utopian community.
Price and Stephens' ideals are kept alive today by the Arden residents. Half of the land is preserved space, artwork is the center of the community, and they've even kept up a simplified spelling system - which is why the main center of town is called the "Gild Hall," rather than the "Guild Hall".
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The entire village has been placed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and the unique homes each go by "names" instead of addresses.
The town revolves around their "Gilds," where many residents spend their time perfecting their favorite crafts and hobbies. You'll find a Shakespeare Gild, a Poetry Gild, a Folk Gild, and more.
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You'll frequently stumble upon a performance occurring in the Stephens Theater, right in the middle of the village!
Find more information about all of the happenings of the Village of Arden on the Arden Club website and visit on a nice fall day for an unforgettable trip.
Have you visited this quirky-cool little village? What was your favorite activity? Let us know in the comments!
For more fun destinations, check out these delightful rural towns near Philadelphia or explore the treasures hiding right in the city in this charming neighborhood with an endless list of awesome activities!
There's nothing wrong with loving the city life, but sometimes you want to get out to the small towns around Philadelphia to experience a slow-paced afternoon and enjoy boutiques, restaurants, and green space in a more relaxed, rural environment. Check out our picks for the 15 best small towns near Philly - each one is perfect for a day trip or an extended weekend getaway!
Ardmore is right on the Main Line, but you'll feel like you're in a tiny town far away from the city. Enjoy award winning bakeries and restaurants, catch a show at the Ardmore Music Hall, or just stroll around town for the pretty sights. It's worth the quick ride or drive from Center City and it's absolutely beautiful all year long.
Doylestown is a fun town to explore if you like castles! The architecture and history of this area will impress you as you stroll through the downtown shops and restaurants. Catch a show at the County Theater for an old-fashioned good time. Doylestown is located about one hour north of Philadelphia and the scenic drive will enchant you.
Downtown Ambler is a great place to eat, shop, and explore. Catch a show at the Ambler Theater or Act II Playhouse, or try different restaurants during the Ambler Restaurant Week, which will take place from January 29th - February 5th, 2018. You don't have to travel far; Ambler is located just 20 miles north of Philly. You'll feel like you've barely left the city by the time you get here.
Lambertville is a charming farm town where you can find scenic overlooks, gorgeous farm roads, abandoned trains and barns, and a gorgeous downtown area. It's a very walkable town, but if you drive through the rural areas surrounding Lambertville, you'll be treated with a scenic view of rolling hills, farmland, and the Delaware River. In town, you could spend hours strolling the vintage bookshops, charming local boutiques, and snacking at the cafes and restaurants. Lambertville is located about an hour north of Philadelphia.
Right across the bridge from Lambertville is the PA town of
New Hope - you'll want to walk across and explore both towns in the same day! New Hope has plenty of cute shops and charming restaurants, plus pretty views of the river. Check out the New Hope Winery for a great day trip destination. If you have time, take a ride on the scenic and historic New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.
Haddonfield is a historic small town along the PATCO line, so it's very easy to get to from Philadelphia. The Kings Highway & Haddon Avenue blocks are filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and fun things to explore. Be sure to check out the dinosaur statue, which commemorates the first dinosaur found in America, right here in this small south Jersey town. Haddonfield is located just 13 miles from Philly, so it's too close not to visit!
Collingswood is right near Haddonfield, so you can spend the day in Haddonfield and take the train two stops further for a night out in Haddonfield. Until 2015, it was a dry town, so you'll find the streets packed with high quality BYOB restaurants. It's no wonder that Collingswood is the best foodie town in New Jersey! Along with great restaurants, you'll find shops and boutiques and plenty of green space.
Medford, New Jersey is a small farm town with a bustling Main Street section that has grown over the past few years. You can find breweries, shops, parks and restaurants all within walking distance of where you park your car! One of the best family friendly restaurants in the area, the Pop Shop, is located in a historic buidling right on Main Street. Take the time to drive around town, too - you'll be treated to views of the old mills that made this town popular, and can even head to Johnson's Farm to pick your own veggies or shop in their country store. Medford is located just 40 minutes east of Philly.
Pretty farms, historic architecture, restaurants, shops, and friendly people are what you'll find when you visit Downingtown. Drive through the countryside to see the covered bridges in the surrounding farmland if you want a real rural treat or take a hike in a nearby park. A 50 minute drive west of the city will take you to this lovely area.
There are plenty of restaurants in Media and most of the town is walkable. Enjoy nearby parks or head downtown, where you're likely to find events taking place on the weekends. The town hosts holiday parades and weekend farmers markets in the summer, and local programs at the library, the tot lot, and the community center are great for young families.
Hammonton is a farm town in South Jersey that's a bit more of a trek from Philadelphia (about a 40 minute drive southeast), but it's so worth it. Take the White Horse Pike from the Ben Franklin Bridge until the towns fade into blueberry fields and you'll know you're close; it's the blueberry capital of the world! Downtown, you'll find cute boutiques, lively bars, country stores, and the best homemade pasta in South Jersey at Joe's Maplewood Inn.
A visit to Chadds Ford is like a visit to the French countryside. Enjoy Pennsylvania and Delaware's chateau country as you explore wineries, historic restaurants and inns, and scenic trails through town. The Brandywine River provides the perfect backdrop to this escape just outside of the city. If you want to see the Brandywine Valley, take this gorgeous Pennsylvania drive. Chadds Ford is close to Longwood Gardens, one of the best estates in the entire country.
Phoenixville is a small town that used to be a manufacturing hub. In recent years, it's become known for its great dining scene and performances at the Colonial Theater. Take the time to explore the parks along the French Creek and Schuylkill River.
West Chester is right in the middle of the action, close to Philadelphia and Upper Darby, but the town itself is quaint, small, and slow-paced. Downtown you'll find shops and restaurants, as well as plenty of green space to make you feel like you've really escaped the city. Some of Pennsylvania's most scenic drives start and end in West Chester.
Lititz is a Lancaster County farm town that's worth visiting for the food and history, or just for a scenic drive. Try out some local restaurants or visit the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery for a tour. Lititz is just over an hour and a half drive west of Philly, but the trip will take you through some of the prettiest spots in the state.
For an even more awesome day trip to Lambertville and New Hope, take a ride on the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad - they even have a wine-themed train trip!
What's your favorite small town near Philadelphia? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or nominate your favorite towns using our online form. Happy travels!
This Is The Most Hippie Town Near Philadelphia And You Need To Visit
Arden, a utopian village near Wilmington, Delaware, offers a unique, hippie-inspired day trip experience with its historic homes, community clubs, and vibrant local events.
When most of us head out to the suburbs, we go shopping in Doylestown or stroll the streets of New Hope or West Chester. It's rare for us to travel farther outside of our Philly area bubble for a day trip, but there's one town in Delaware that you may not know is totally worth the drive down 95. The little village of Arden, not far from Wilmington, is a utopian town that might be the most hippie town you can find near Philadelphia. Channel your inner flower child and spend a day in this unique village.
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Arden was founded in 1900, by the famous architect Will Price and renowned sculptor Frank Stephens. Price and Stephens wanted to create a Georgist Utopian community.
Most of the homes were built in 1909-1910, and they've kept their peaceful names. See if you can find Friendly Gables, The Lodge, Rest Cottage, Green Gate, The Second Homestead, and The Fels House.
The town is centered around its "Gilds," or specialty clubs.
And yes, that's spelled "gild." As part of the simple life Stephens and Price envisioned, they simplified spelling throughout the town. The Gilds include a Dinner Gild, a Shakespeare Gild, a Gardening Gild, and a Concert Gild. The Library, Poets, Georgian Devotees, Folk Dancers, and Singers have Gilds of their own, as well. The centerpiece of town is the Arden Club, which is the event hall for many of these community groups.
Authors, poets, and other notable figures have called Arden home.
Upton Sinclair, Harry Kemp and even Joe Biden have lived in this close knit community. The town still runs on Utopian principles - land is considered leased, never owned, and there's green space everywhere you look.
The Arden Fair is the community's gathering held each September.
Each Gild, along with plenty of local artisans, gathers to show off the peaceful Arden lifestyle. There are performers, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment.
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Speaking of live entertainment, the Concert Gild is one of the most popular town groups.
Both local and nationally-touring acts perform in Arden's quaint, homey concert hall. If you can catch a show here, you'll feel like you're truly part of the performance thanks to the intimate atmosphere.
In the spring, summer and fall, the Stephens Theater hosts outdoor performances from the Shakespeare Gild.
Dinner is served on Saturdays at 6:00 PM sharp. The Dinner Gild takes the summer off, so you'll have to catch them sometime from October through May. You can find the weekly menu on the Arden Club website, here. Be sure to make a reservation by the Thursday prior to your desired dinner. Call (302) 792-7139 to save your spot. If you're not a member of the Arden Club, your dinner will cost you $13, and if you're over 21, you can even bring your own wine!
Plan a day trip to Arden if you want to get in touch with your peaceful, community-loving, hippie self. For more information about the village and to keep up with current events, check out the Arden Club website here. You won't find a more welcoming village anywhere else!
