Located about 45 minutes west of Philadelphia is a small college town and the county seat (aka capital) of Chester County, West Chester, PA. Founded in 1799, it was originally known as Turks Head! The name came from a local inn that the town sprang up around. Many of the properties in the bustling downtown area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning they’re deemed to be worthy of preservation. It’s on the smaller side, with a population of around 22,000. But that figure nearly doubles when West Chester University is in session. Fans of the MTV series ‘Jackass’ may recognize West Chester (and the surrounding area) as the setting for a number of skits as well as the first movie. Below you’ll find a variety of interesting, and tasty, things to do during a day trip to West Chester!
Grab Breakfast at Mayday Coffee
Mayday Coffee opened in 2023 in the former home of upscale boutique Jane Chalfant, which closed in 2022 after 89 years in business. The staff at Mayday are super friendly and the shop has a pretty girly vibe, with white and pink decor and a fresh flower shop in the back. I personally recommend the iced salted caramel latte (it’s not too sweet and has the perfect hint of salty flavor) and the fig n prosciutto toast with hot honey. For non-coffee people, there’s a delicious smores hot chocolate on the menu. They also have seasonal coffee flights that I’m hoping to try the next time I visit!
123 N High Street.
They can get pretty crowded on the weekends and even though they have a decent amount of seating, you may have to fight for a spot. Mayday looking a bit too crowded for you? Well you’re in luck, because there are a few other coffee options in the nearby area! While I haven’t visited them yet, Turks Head Cafe, Lacava Coffee Company, and Gryphon Cafe are on my list to try next.
Do a Little Shopping Downtown
There are over 65 different shops to browse in downtown West Chester, along with 75 restaurants if shopping makes you hungry! I’m a huge proponent of shopping/supporting local small businesses whenever you can. You can find a full directory here. Some highlights:
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The Green House – 43 W Gay Street – Plant shop and home decor store that also offers in-person make your own pots and terrarium workshops!
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Malena’s Vintage Boutique – 101 W Gay Street – Quirky and colorful boutique selling vintage women’s clothing and accessories.
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Jawn Supply – 40 S High Street – Thrift store specializing in vintage athletic gear (think Phillies/Eagles/Flyers), that apparently originally started as just an Instagram page!
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La Chic Boutique – 14 W Gay Street – Trendy, yet affordable, women’s clothing and accessories.
Gay, Market & High Streets.
Get Lost in Baldwin’s Book Barn
Take a little drive away from the downtown area to visit Baldwin’s Book Barn, a quirky used and rare bookstore with over 300,000 books spread out across 5 floors. While Baldwin’s has been in business since 1946, the barn it’s housed in was built all the way back in 1822! Along with books you’ll also find maps, manuscripts, and rare collectibles. Every time you think you’ve seen it all, another row of books pops up seemingly out of nowhere!
865 Lenape Road.
Pretend You’re in Napa at Turks Head Wines
Love California wines, but can’t make it all the way out to the West Coast? Turks Head Wines has you covered. All the wines here are produced entirely in Napa Valley. The tasting room is gorgeous – bright, modern and airy. On the menu you’ll find both white and red flights, which their sommelier stop by to talk to you about them as little or much as you want! They also have private tastings you can book, as well as some great charcuterie options. Just be prepared, this place is a little pricey. My personal favorite wines here are the Sonoma County Rosé and the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc.
120 N Church Street.
Check Out the American Helicopter Museum
I’ll preface this by saying that the American Helicopter Museum has seen better days and probably isn’t for everyone. Located about a 10 minute drive north of downtown, it’s a family-friendly way to kill an hour if you’re in the area and love helicopters or aviation in general! According to their website, the museum has one of the largest collections of rotorcraft in the world. The non-profit that runs the museum collects and restores both civilian and military helicopters. There are even a few of the helicopters you can get inside! They also host educational programs during the summers and offer helicopter rides a few times a year.
1220 American Boulevard.
Feed Your Sweet Tooth at Éclat Chocolate
I personally was drawn here after learning that Éclat Chocolate had collaborated with Anthony Bourdain for the “Good & Evil” chocolate bar! This high-end artisan chocolate maker has such a wide variety of flavors, from milk chocolate caramels and Pennsylvania Dutch pretzel dark chocolate bars to Yuzu Hojicha and Aleppo Chili truffles. Like with Turks Head, just beware they are VERY expensive. A 5 chocolate bar tasting flight box and 9 piece truffle assortment cost $85. So they’re definitely more of a special occasion treat/gift!
24 S High Street.
On My List For Next Time
Looking for more ideas to fill up your day? While I haven’t gotten to any of these yet, they’re on my list for future visits to West Chester, PA!
Activities
West Chester University – 700 S High Street.
Take a tour of this suburban public research university, the home of the Golden Rams! Popular majors here include Business, Psychology, Nursing, and Education.
Natural Lands’ Stroud Preserve – 454 N Creek Road.
What started as a 332-acre farm has since transformed into a 571 acre nature preserve filled with woodlands, farmland, and grasslands. The area is used by the Stroud Water Research Center for stream and river studies, and is open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking/canoeing.
West Chester Railroad Excursions – 230 E Market Street.
This tourist railroad offers 90 minute roundtrip excursions between West Chester and Glen Mills, including a weekly picnic special, Foliage Express, and Christmas Tree train. It looks pretty similar to the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown!
Food & Drinks
Limoncello – 9 N Walnut Street.
A family owned Italian restaurant in downtown West Chester focusing on Sicilian cuisine.
Spence Cafe – 131 N High Street.
This casual New American BYOB restaurant specializes in meat and seafood dishes.
Sedona Taphouse – 44 W Gay Street Suite 1.
This Southwestern cuisine-inspired spot is said to have the best craft beer selection in town!
Levante Brewing – 208 Carter Drive Suite 2.
Meaning “to rise” in Italian, Levante Brewing is a craft brewery with a good amount of variety – from wits and sours to pilsners and IPAs.
Did I miss something fun or unique to do in West Chester, PA?
Let me know in the comments!
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