West Chester, PA

Travel Guide

West Chester featuring a small town or village and cafe lifestyle
West Chester showing street scenes and a small town or village
West Chester which includes heritage architecture
West Chester featuring heritage architecture
West Chester featuring heritage elements and signage

In the heart of the Brandywine Valley, this historic town offers a blend of small-town warmth and cosmopolitan sophistication.

West Chester is home to beautiful 18th- and 19th-century architecture, with over 3,000 buildings dating from before the Revolutionary War. While Greek Revival and Victorian buildings firmly anchor the city to its past, the youthful inhabitants attending West Chester University help to connect it to its future. Explore the charming boutiques and innovative restaurants of the busy downtown area. Visit Brandywine Valley’s excellent wineries.

Stop by Chester County Historical Society, a museum and library dedicated to the county’s history. View the collection of American cross-stitch samplers and the collage of portraits depicting men, women and children from the 1800s.

Try on a hoop skirt or manually churn butter at the hands-on history lab.Tour QVC Studio Park, home of one of the world’s largest electronic retailers. See where the company’s 24-hour broadcasts take place and discover how QVC products are sourced and tested.

Ride on the West Chester Railroad, which runs along a pleasant route between Market Street in West Chester and the village of Glen Mills in Delaware County. The town is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, with four regional wineries offering tastings and tours.

Take the kids to see the collection of helicopters, autogiros and convertiplanes at the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center. Two of the major U.S. helicopter manufacturers have their origins in this region of Pennsylvania, making this museum the perfect place to learn about the past and future of rotary winged aircrafts. Investigate the V-22 Ospreyexhibit, experience the effects of a wind tunnel and try steering at the interactive helicopter exhibit.

One of the best times of year to visit is during the Chester County Restaurant Festival, which highlights the town’s rich culinary culture. This free event features more than 60 restaurants and food vendors.

West Chester is 25 miles (40kilometers) west ofPhiladelphia. The town and surrounding region are best explored by car. Plenty of metered street parking and municipal lots are available.

Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
4 out of 5
1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
$147 nightly
The price is $171 total per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
$171 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,755 reviews)
Great staff, questionable room, busy time
"Reception staff were all lovely, and the check-in and check-out processes were both smooth. The general state of the room left a bit to be desired: the couch/bench had several chips taken out of the base, there were weird pieces of gunk stuck to the ceiling and visible water damage on the ceiling ..."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
3.5 out of 5
31 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA
$101 nightly
The price is $118 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$118 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,472 reviews)
"Great experience."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
4 out of 5
4509 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA
$121 nightly
The price is $141 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$141 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.2/10 Good! (3,201 reviews)
"Nice customer service"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....
The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....
West Chester
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in West Chester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Cheyney University ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (72 reviews)
"This property was so beautiful and Eric was very accommodating! We used every bed and it still felt spacious. The surrounding area and property are impeccable and stunning. House was clean and up to date. We will 100 % be back to rent this property. Thanks Eric!"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....
Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
3.5 out of 5
4630 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,146 reviews)
"Very Convenient"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
4211 Suites
4211 Suites
4.5 out of 5
4211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Rittenhouse Square ...
9/10 Wonderful! (336 reviews)
"Everything was fabulous. Place was very clean front desk person now we're extremely friendly. Valet parking was quick. My only complaint was the luggage cart. I did not steal very well and gave us a lot of difficulty using it. Fortunately, we had a lot of luggage and had no choice. Otherwise, everything ..."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

4211 Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of West Chester

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
81
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
84
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
32
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Want to go back in the summer or spring. Lovely area and short drive from NYC.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We loved the thrift shops. some of the best i've been to, and we did a quick look around West Chester University. The restaurants were all great and the town was easy to navigate.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely college town with beautiful architecture and so very many dining options. Very walkable and great shopping.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Very busy traffic area

5/5 - Excellent

Trixiebee

Great local shopping and dining

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We enjoyed hiking at Stroud Preserve, exploring the Book Barn and antiquing.

Cities near West Chester