Germantown Avenue is the spine of Northwest Philadelphia, one old road that climbs from Mt. Airy up into Chestnut Hill, lined with the bakeries, taverns, shops, and corner spots I point people toward all the time. This is my running list of favorites, south to north, the same walk I'd take you on if you were new in town. Tap any stop on the map to read why it made the list, or just scroll down and read the whole thing straight through.
Explore the Avenue
A Walk Up the Hill
One old road climbs the ridge from Mt. Airy into Chestnut Hill. These are the stops I keep coming back to. Tap one to read on.
Walking the Avenue
The Hill, Measured
Germantown Avenue does not climb steadily. It dips into the Cresheim Creek valley first, which is exactly where Mt. Airy ends and Chestnut Hill begins. The low point of the walk is the neighborhood line.
- The walk
- 1.71 mi
- At a stroll
- ~34 min
- Total climb
- 174 ft
- Low point
- 282 ft
- Top of the hill
- 440 ft
Elevations sampled every 100 feet along the Avenue from the U.S. Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program (1 m resolution). Distances are measured along the road centreline. The vertical scale is exaggerated about 11×. At true scale the climb is under 2% of the run and the line would look flat.
The stretch in this guide runs 1.7 miles, from Scoopful Delights at 7060 Germantown Avenue up to Tavern on the Hill at 8636. That is about 34 minutes of actual walking at an unhurried pace. With stops it becomes a half day, and a full one if you plan to eat twice.
The climb is the part people underestimate, and it does not work the way you would expect. From the Mt. Airy end the Avenue starts at 368 feet and then falls for the first two thirds of a mile. It bottoms out at 282 feet in the Cresheim Creek valley, which is exactly where Mt. Airy ends and Chestnut Hill begins. From there it climbs 158 feet to reach 440 feet at the top of the hill. The net gain across the whole walk is only 72 feet, but you actually climb about 175 feet to get it, because you have to come back out of the valley first. If you start at the Chestnut Hill end instead and walk south, remember that the return leg is the uphill one.
Wear shoes you can walk on uneven ground in. Most of the Chestnut Hill blocks are paved in Belgian block, which nearly everyone here calls cobblestone, with the old Route 23 trolley tracks still set into the surface. It is a beautiful street and a rough one underfoot.
Getting there by train
Two SEPTA Regional Rail lines run either side of the Avenue, which makes this an easy walk to do in one direction instead of doubling back. Ride to one end, walk the guide, and catch the train home from the other. The distances below are measured in a straight line from the station to the Avenue, so the actual walk to the pavement is a little longer.
| Station | Line | To the Avenue |
|---|---|---|
| Chestnut Hill West | Chestnut Hill West | 290 ft |
| Mount Airy | Chestnut Hill East | 870 ft |
| Gravers | Chestnut Hill East | 1,150 ft |
| Chestnut Hill East | Chestnut Hill East | 1,360 ft |
| Allen Lane | Chestnut Hill West | 1,450 ft |
| Wyndmoor | Chestnut Hill East | 1,450 ft |
| Sedgwick | Chestnut Hill East | 1,870 ft |
| St. Martins | Chestnut Hill West | 1,940 ft |
| Highland | Chestnut Hill West | 2,440 ft |
Mount Airy station sits near the bottom of the walk and Chestnut Hill West sits a few hundred feet from the top, so that pairing covers this guide end to end.
Where to park
Chestnut Hill keeps six public lots tucked in behind the commercial blocks, which is why the Avenue itself never looks like it has enough parking. They are run by the Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation and named by color: Yellow and Blue on East Evergreen Avenue, Green on East Highland Avenue, Orange at 8300 Germantown Avenue, Turquoise on West Highland Avenue, and Purple at 8600 Germantown Avenue. Two of them drop you straight onto this list, since the Green lot sits across from Chill on the Hill and the Turquoise lot is next to Matines. All six are paid lots with kiosks that take coins, bills and cards, and ParkMobile works in them. Rates change, so check the Chestnut Hill Business District parking page before you go. There is metered parking on the Avenue itself, and on a weekend it turns over quickly.
Below is the full walk, south to north. Everything on the map is written up here too, so you can tap a stop to jump in or simply read down the page.
Mt. Airy
The walk starts in Mt. Airy, on the lower blocks of the Avenue. This is where I'd begin.
Scoopful Delights
Ice cream · 7060 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
There's nothing like a few scoops on a warm summer evening, and Scoopful is the spot for it. Hand-dipped cones and cups, super-premium flavors. Their website promises 'pure happiness in a cone,' and ten out of ten, I can confirm.
Töska Restaurant & Brewery
Pizza and house beer · 7136 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
Home of the Hot Roni, and in my book one of the best pizzas on the whole Avenue. Get the Hot Roni, wash it down with one of their house beers, and thank me later.
La Trattoria
Italian BYOB · 7131 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
Walk too fast and you'll miss it. This little Italian BYOB does house-made pastas in a room that actually feels intimate, and it never disappoints. Worth slowing down for.
Bar Lizette
French bar and restaurant · 7152 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
A French-inspired bar and restaurant just off the Avenue, and a must-visit. The food menu is great and the cocktails are better. You really can't go wrong here, but do yourself a favor and order one of the beer cocktails.
McMenamin's Tavern
Neighborhood tavern · 7170 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
My kind of neighborhood bar: fantastic drafts on tap, a solid menu, and a great spot to catch a game. The move is the wings. Classic buffalo and BBQ are always there, but the specials, like the mango habanero, hit hard.
Brewers Outlet
Beer distributor · 7401 Germantown Ave · Mt. Airy
A Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill institution. Brewers is THE place to find great beers and beverages, and one of the best distributors in the area. Not close. If you're stocking up before people come over, start here.
Chestnut Hill
Cross the Cresheim valley and you're in Chestnut Hill, climbing toward the top of the hill. This is the long stretch, so take your time.
Chestnut Hill Farmers Market
Farmers market · 7640 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Make this part of your Saturday morning. Fresh local produce, meats, and breads in abundance, plus local farm-raised trout that's worth the trip on its own. And if Kismet Bagels is set up that day, do not skip them.
Mermaid Inn
Bar and live music · 7673 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Summer weekends wouldn't be the same without live outdoor music at the Mermaid. The place is drenched in character, and it's just as good a spot for a night out with friends as it is with family.
Night Kitchen Bakery
Bakery · 7723 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Awesome cakes, pastries, and coffee. Simple as that.
CinCin Restaurant
Chinese · 7838 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Awesome Chinese, dine-in or takeout, and you really can't go wrong. It's been on the Avenue for years. Well known, well trusted, and still delivering.
BNB Cigars
Cigar shop · 7920 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
I'll be honest, I'm not a cigar person, but BNB is a cool, unique spot. If you're into cigars or just looking for a different kind of experience on the Avenue, it's worth a look.
Cider Belly Hard Cider
Cidery · 8005 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Newer to the Avenue but not to be missed. Cider Belly is a local cidery, and a very cool place to post up. The Wissahickon and the Pastorius are my two personal favorites, though you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
Baker Street Bread Co.
Bakery, breakfast and lunch · 8009 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
You guessed it, they do bread, and they do it very well. Highly recommend it for breakfast and lunch.
Bredenbeck's Bakery
Bakery and ice cream · 8126 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
If you've been to a birthday party within 30 or 40 minutes of Chestnut Hill, you've had a Bredenbeck's cake. Their cakes, pastries, and assorted confections are known and hungered for by everyone around here. In the summer, hit the ice cream parlor for a cool treat while you're exploring the Avenue.
Hideaway Music
Record shop · 8232 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Tucked away below street level, Hideaway is Chestnut Hill's own record shop. A huge selection of vinyl with some CDs and cassettes mixed in, spanning every genre. A must-visit for any music enthusiast, or anyone just looking to add to the collection.
Market at the Fareway
Food hall · 8221 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill · off the Avenue
You name it, they probably have it. Great food selections and beers from Chestnut Hill Brewery, plus outdoor seating. A great spot to sit by the fire with friends.
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach
Real estate office · 8400 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
My office. Not much to say here, really. Stop in or keep on walking. We sell houses.
Weavers Way Co-op
Grocery co-op · 8424 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
For a lot of people in this part of Philadelphia, Weavers Way is the grocery store. A great selection of high-quality groceries and seasonal produce, all member-owned. The co-op is just a good thing to have on the Avenue.
Matines Café
French cafe and bakery · 23 W Highland Ave · Chestnut Hill · off the Avenue
Matines is a whole experience, French vibes all the way through. Really good breads and pastries, and breakfast sandwiches you shouldn't miss. Dining in is the move.
Kilian Hardware
Hardware store · 8450 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Every town should have a hardware store like Kilian's. They have literally anything you could possibly need, and as an old-house owner myself, I can tell you that matters. A true mainstay, and everyone's favorite hardware store.
Char & Stave
Coffee and cocktails · 8441 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Coffee by morning, cocktails by evening. Great-tasting drinks in a relaxed, upscale room that shifts from coffee shop to cocktail bar as the day goes. Good at both ends.
Robertson's Flowers
Florist and gifts · 8501 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Robertson's has been on the Avenue a long time. It's the go-to for flowers, plus a great spot for fun Philadelphia-themed gifts.
Cake
Breakfast and brunch · 8501 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
An upscale breakfast and brunch spot in a really cool, unique room. The food is great. Worth a sit-down.
Booked
Bookshop · 8511 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Every neighborhood needs a bookshop, and Booked is Chestnut Hill's. Definitely worth a stop.
Chill on the Hill
Frozen yogurt · 5 E Highland Ave · Chestnut Hill · off the Avenue
Self-serve frozen yogurt just off the Avenue on Highland. Grab a cup, load it up from the wall of toppings, weigh it, and go. It's a family spot through and through, and the perfect cool-down on a warm afternoon of exploring the Hill.
Sakura Ramen & Sushi
Ramen and sushi · 8605 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
When the craving is ramen or sushi at the top of the hill, Sakura is the answer. A warm bowl on a cold night or a fresh roll any time of year. It covers both, and does it well.
Lovat Square
Wine shop and tasting room · 184 E Evergreen Ave · Chestnut Hill · off the Avenue
Tucked into the courtyard off Evergreen, right by the Evergreen Cheese Shop, Lovat Square is one of the Hill's newer gems. A wine shop and tasting room built around small-production bottles, with wine by the glass and a few good snacks. Seek it out, and keep an eye on it as it grows into a full wine bar and restaurant.
Chestnut Hill Coffee Co
Coffee roaster · 8620 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
A proper coffee stop near the top of the hill. Beans roasted with care and a good cup whether you're grabbing it to go or settling in for a while. A reliable place to plant yourself and take in the Avenue.
Cosimo's Pizza Cafe
Pizza by the slice · 8624 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
Your slice shop up here. Quick, easy, and exactly what you want when you need a slice on the go or a casual bite with the family. No fuss, just good pizza.
McNally's Tavern
Tavern, home of the Schmitter · 8634 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
This is the one. McNally's is the home of the Schmitter, the legendary sandwich that was born right here in Chestnut Hill: steak, grilled salami, cheese, onions, and a special sauce piled on a kaiser roll. People can describe it all day, but you have to eat one to get it. Order it with a Guinness, settle into this old family-run tavern, and you've got one of the best meals on the entire Avenue. You might spot a Schmitter at the ballpark these days, but the original lives here, and the one you eat at the source is the one that counts.
Tavern on the Hill
Tavern · 8636 Germantown Ave · Chestnut Hill
A true neighborhood tavern to cap off the walk. Cold drinks, an easy crowd, and the kind of unpretentious local feel that makes you want to stay for one more. A good place to land at the top of the hill.
That's the walk. If it has you thinking about living near it, my Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill guides cover the two neighborhoods the Avenue climbs through, current market data included.
Henry is a Philadelphia-based REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Northwest Philadelphia and Montgomery County, PA. Questions? Get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to explore Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy?
Germantown Avenue runs uphill from Mt. Airy into Chestnut Hill, and the easiest way to take it in is on foot, walking south to north. Start around the 7100 block in Mt. Airy and head up toward the 8600 block at the top of Chestnut Hill. Along the way you pass bakeries, taverns, a hardware store, record and book shops, coffee bars, and the Chestnut Hill Farmers Market. This guide maps 31 of my favorite stops in that order.
Where does Mt. Airy end and Chestnut Hill begin?
The boundary between Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill follows the Cresheim Creek valley, along Cresheim Valley Drive, which crosses Germantown Avenue near the 7600 block. South of that seam is Mt. Airy; north of it, climbing the hill, is Chestnut Hill. On Germantown Avenue the change is gradual, and a few spots right near the line feel like they belong to both.
What is the Schmitter, and where can you get one?
The Schmitter is a sandwich born in Chestnut Hill at McNally's Tavern, 8634 Germantown Avenue: steak, grilled salami, cheese, onions, and a special sauce on a kaiser roll. It has become well known enough to turn up at Phillies games, but the original is still served at McNally's, the family-run tavern where it started. Order it with a Guinness.
How long does it take to walk Germantown Avenue through Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill?
The stretch in this guide runs 1.7 miles, from 7060 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy to 8636 at the top of Chestnut Hill. That is about 34 minutes of actual walking at an unhurried pace, measured along the road centreline. With stops it is comfortably a half day, and a full one if you plan to eat twice. The Avenue does not climb steadily: it drops into the Cresheim Creek valley at the neighborhood line before rising to the top of the hill, so you do more climbing than the 72-foot net gain suggests.
Where do you park on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill?
Chestnut Hill has six public lots set just behind the commercial blocks, run by the Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation and named by color: the Yellow and Blue lots on East Evergreen Avenue, the Green lot on East Highland Avenue, the Orange lot at 8300 Germantown Avenue, the Turquoise lot on West Highland Avenue, and the Purple lot at 8600 Germantown Avenue. They are paid lots with kiosks that take coins, bills and cards, and ParkMobile works in them. There is metered parking on the Avenue itself, which turns over quickly on weekends.
Can you get to Germantown Avenue by train?
Yes, and it is the easiest way to walk the Avenue one way rather than doubling back. Two SEPTA Regional Rail lines run either side of it. The Chestnut Hill East line stops at Sedgwick, Mount Airy, Wyndmoor, Gravers and Chestnut Hill East; the Chestnut Hill West line stops at Carpenter, Allen Lane, St. Martins, Highland and Chestnut Hill West. Mount Airy station sits about 870 feet from the bottom of this walk and Chestnut Hill West sits about 290 feet from the top, so riding to one and leaving from the other covers the whole guide.
