Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

West Chester is a city in Chester County in the Philadelphia Region of Pennsylvania in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

• SEPTA[1] Route 104, follows West Cheter Pike into Downtown West Chester, ending in a stop on the campus of West Chester University.

[edit] By air

• Brandywine Airport, (1205 Ward Ave. West Chester, PA 19380), ☎ +1 610 692-6100 (airportmanager@n99.com, fax: 1 610 692-6213), [2]. Small, private airport for corporate or personal flights.  edit

• Philadelphia Airport. About 45 minutes away from West Chester, the Philadelphia Airport is much bigger than the Brandywine Airport. It has many commericial airlines that fly in from anywhere in the world.

[edit] Get around

• Rainbow Cab

[edit][add listing] See

The entire town is rich with history. The cobblestone streets were put in in the 1700s. The soldiers of the Revolutionary War walked through West Chester on those very cobblestones. Visitors along with residence marvel at the building where Abraham Lincoln started his journey towards the presidency. The town was home for the legendary African-American folk artist, Horace Pippin along with many other aspiring and proven artists.

• Chester County Historical Society (Museum & Library), 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380-2691, ☎ 610.692.4800, [3]. The Museum & Library are open Tue-Sat, 10 am to 5 pm, The Museum Shop is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Definitely bigger and fancier than your average Historical Society Museum. One of the buildings was originally an opera house designed by the same architect who designed the capital dome in Washington, DC. Not as good as a Smithsonian or something, but if you're into history at all and you're in the area, it's definitely worth seeing. Genealogical and newspaper records at the library are very comprehensive.  edit

• The Court House is a sight to see. Located at 2 N High street it is one of the most historic buildings in the town. William Penn established in 1682 Chester County as a member of the three first counties of the Colonial Pennsylvania. In 1724 a courthouse was built near the Delaware River in Chester. Because of population growth the courthouse moved inland into West Chester. A court house was constructed between 1784 and 1786 on High street in the middle of West Chester. This establishment is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[edit][add listing] Do

There are so many exciting things to do in West Chester. With all of the restaurants, bars and shopping there is an activity for everyone.

West Chester University is a major attraction to the area. Many families visit the campus in hopes of sending their children to a highly accredited university. Because the school is located in the heart of the town it is mainly seen as a college town, which means the nightlife is always active and exciting.

Parking is free all weekend in the Parking Garages & Lots and on-street meters. And you never have to feed the meters after 5 pm everyday.

• Televised home shopping channel QVC's headquarters and main broadcast studios are just north of town. Studio tours, which are $7.50 ($6 for children), run several times daily, and tickets to special live-audience events are available in advance via the website. A company store selling fan ware with the QVC logo as well as a small selection of popular items is on the premises. [4]

[edit][add listing] Buy

West Chester is known for its quaint boutiques and trendy shops. Gay street is a central area for shopping. Malena's Vintage boutique, Plane Janea and Niche are just some of the fashionable shops located on Gay Street. The unique finds in Malena's Boutique range from 50's cocktail dresses to Gucci bags. This little store has everything a fashionista would want. Plain Jane sells any type of beauty product a girl could need. This affordable store has jeans and nice button-downs for men along with beautifully, colorful dresses for women. These are just a few of the shopping experiences West Chester has to offer.

One place that is frequented by the local kids during the summertime is the Brandywine River. There are plenty of rope swings and little spots to hang out. The rope swings aren't really a tourist spot, they are more like a hangout spot for residents of West Chester. The Brandywine River Park is also a popular place for companies and large groups to spend the day. There are also canoe and kayak tours during the spring and summer seasons.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Downtown West Chester is known for its bars and restaurants. The town offers a variety of over 25 restaurants. The restaurants range from coffee to sandwich shops to italian cuisine. Cosi, located at 113 W Market St, is a popular place for people who are looking for a filling salad and to make there own s'mores. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, located at 3 West Gay street, serve fresh beer, fresh food, and interesting culture. The laidback atmosphere only adds to the appeal of this self beer brewing restaurant. Another fantastic restaurant is the Lincoln Room. It is located in one of West Chester's most historic and famous structures. This classical establishment is known for its early morning tea and luncheon menu. These restaurants represent the pinacle of fine dining. Some local favorites include:

Lorenzo's Steaks and Hoagies, 216 East Market Street , + 1 610 696 5660, [5]. Local hoagie shop specializing in Philly cheese steaks. Offers appetizers, lunch, dinner, and breakfast. Menu includes cheesecakes, hot and cold sandwiches, wings, and fried chicken and seafood. Large portions. Quick service.

Café Fiorello’s , 730 East Gay Street , + 1 610 430 8941 [6]. Serves authentic, old world Italian dishes inspired by the best of Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine. Offers Dinner and Lunch. Open Monday- Saturday 11am- 10pm. Sunday 4pm- 10pm.

Country Bagel, 145 East Gay Street , 929 South High Street + 1 610 696 8890, 1 610 696 7440 [7]. 2 locations, one downtown, other in Parkway Shopping Center just outside downtown. Local Bagel Shop with variety of breakfast options. Also offers lunch. Menu includes 25 varieties of fresh bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, pastries and muffins, and coffee.

Being a college town there are countless places to grab a slice of pizza. Many also offer Philly Cheese Steaks. 24 in total-Papa John’s, Dominos Pizza, Pizza Hut, Amore Pizza, Pizza University, Culinary, Peace of Pizza, Rigtown, Rigtown Uptown, Saucey, Nino’s Pats Pizzeria, New Haven Pizza, Chris's Pizza, Benny's Pizza, Sam's Pizza Island, Tommy's Pizzeria, Empire Pizzeria and Grill, Joey's Pizza, Carmines, Jumbo Pizza, Coco's Pizza, Café Fiorello’s, Brother’s Pizza, The Bistro.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Being a college town, West Chester has many bars to offer its visitors and residents. Barnaby's of West Chester,Baxter's, and Landmark Americana are just a few that are filled to the max every friday and saturday night. The Note, which is owned and operated by West Chester native Bam Margera, offers live entertainment and musical performances.

15 North Cafe 15 North Walnut Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 436-0287 www.15north.com

Baxter's 40 East Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (484) 631-0241

Coyote Crossing Market & Walnut Streets, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 429-8900 www.coyotecrossing.com

DeStarr's Restaurant & Bar E 112 Gay St, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 692-4160

Iron Hill Brewery 3 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 738-9600 www.ironhillbrewery.com

Jitters Sports Bar 146 West Gay St., West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 696-0427

Kildare's Irish Pub 18-22 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 431-0770 www.kildarespub.com

Landmark Americana 158 W Gay St., West Chester, PA 19380-2806 (610) 701-9900

Ryan's Pub 126 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 344-3934 www.ryans-pub.com

Spence Café 29 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 738-8844 www.spencecaferestaurant.com

The Spare Rib 135 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 696-6350

Square Bar 250 East Chestnut St., West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 696-9825

Teca 38 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 738-8244

Barnaby’s of West Chester 15 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 696-1400 www.barnabyswestchester.com

Vincent's Restaurant & Bar 10 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 696-4262

The Note 142 E. Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (484) 947-5713

Jake's Bar 549 N. Matlack Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 431-3900

• Fennario is a popular spot for locals to get their java fix. It is a friendly little coffee shop located on North Church street, across the street from Benny's pizza, and next to the WMCA. The Baristas are always upbeat and very helpful, and are always playing an assorted mix of music. During weekend nights, local bands play in the second floor of the coffee shop, which makes it a popular hangout for young kids.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are many hotels in and around the West Chester Area. As the suburbs expand more and more hotels are being built. To name a few: Philadelphia/West Chester Microtel Inn & Suites - www.microtelinn-wcpa.com - (800) 771-7171 Comfort Inn & Suites Brandywine Valley - www.comfortinn.com - (610) 399-4600 I. Sheraton Great Valley Hotel - www.starwoodhotels.com - (610) 524-5500 Holiday Inn- 943 South High Street- 1 610 692 1900- [8]

There are also quite a few apartment complexes as well as houses on the market including; Waterview Apartments - www.waterview-apts.com - (610) 692-5050

The Brandywine Valley is home to many upscale bed and breakfasts.[9]

• Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast, 725 Darlington Road, Chester Heights, PA 19017 (6.3 miles south on US 202/322 to Painters Crossroads, then east 4.2 miles on US 1), ☎ 610.459.3000, [10]. checkin: 3pm-7pm; checkout: 11am. Owned at one time by Abraham Lincoln's quartermaster general Montgomery Meigs, this grand, gorgeous old home in an idyllic setting is the perfect base for touring the historic Brandywine Valley, as a quiet refuge from bustling nearby Philadelphia, or even as just to relax in the elegant atmosphere and enjoy the hosts' splendid hospitality. A highlight of any trip to the area. $160 - $450. (39.9009,-75.4749) edit

[edit] Contact

For directions to the Borough of West Chester Municipal Building click here.

Municipal Building 401 East Gay Street West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: (610) 692-7574 Fax: (610) 436-0009 E-mail: info@west-chester.com

Public Works 205 Lacey Street West Chester, PA 19382 Phone: (610) 696-5282

Goosecreek Wastewater 351 Snyder Ave. West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: (610) 696-2320

Taylor Run 795 Downingtown Pike West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: (610) 436-1370