Welcome to Mt. Airy
A verdant, peaceful neighborhood minutes from Center City, Philadelphia
Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania is a charming and irresistible community bursting with hiking and biking trails, tree-lined streets, welcoming neighbors, and gorgeous, historical homes. The neighborhood boasts some of the most welcoming people in Philadelphia and provides dozens of opportunities to engage in cultural events and classes in the verdant and peaceful neighborhood. Plus, with numerous Regional Rail train stops, traveling is made simple. A perfect location for families, students, and retirees looking to relax after busy careers, Mt. Airy offers the best of both worlds in one small town — enjoy peaceful and quiet mornings at your favorite coffee shop then head to the commercial district for a festival or community event.
William Allen, Chief Justice of colonial Pennsylvania and financier of Independence Hall, built his estate in 1750 and called it “Mount Airy.” As the surrounding neighborhoods began to develop, residents renamed the Native American path from the Delaware River to Perkiomen Creek to the “Great Road,” which is now Germantown Avenue, one of the most highly trafficked roads in the area. During the Civil Rights Movement, the Mt. Airy neighborhood became the central location to fight redlining and blockbusting and encourage racial harmony in the greater Philadelphia area. Overflowing with history, the Mt. Airy neighborhood is an excellent place for history buffs, students, and those looking to settle down in a thriving, welcoming, and charming small town.
What to Love
- Minutes from Center City Philadelphia’s amenities and nestled in the middle of natural landscapes
- The commercial corridor boasts dozens of charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants
- The stunning historical architecture throughout the neighborhood
Local Lifestyle
Residents of the Mt. Airy neighborhood benefit from its perfect location — just 20 minutes outside of Center City and situated along the dense Wissahickon Creek, Mt. Airy is lined with historic Victorian homes, modern apartment buildings, and an incredible amount of diversity. Since its inception, Mt. Airy is home to the Quaker mentality: all are welcome and encouraged to thrive within the community and Mt. Airy takes great pride in its varied district. Residents enjoy strolls along cobblestoned streets to unique restaurants, boutiques, and endless green spaces. Commutes to the city are quick and neighbors are a diverse bunch — dozens of citizens from all backgrounds can be found living in the Mt. Airy neighborhood.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
With two locations and a daily pastry menu that will kick your taste buds into high gear, High Point Cafe is the neighborhood spot for coffee and conversation. Visit the original location on Carpenter Lane or stop by the Allen Lane Train Station for your morning cup of coffee. High Point Cafe offers an extensive crepe menu, weekly soups, rotating sweet and savory pastries, and excellent coffees. Jansen is an acclaimed New American eatery with a chef-driven menu, and its dreamy cottage dining setting makes this a picturesque location for date night dinners.
Sheila Allen Avelin opened the Big Blue Marble Bookstore in 2005, hoping to provide a bookshop that genuinely reflects its diverse community. The store stocks a little bit of everything and caters to its Mt. Airy community with a large selection of materials, frequent author visits, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to stay awhile and browse the shelves for their next exciting read.
Wild Hand is the “neighborhood supply shop for fiber folk.” They offer materials, educational classes, and workshops for the community to encourage an interest in the fiber arts. Wild Hand believes in the magic of the arts and how creating something with your hands brings people together — their community explores, plans, and creates in different ways, encouraging people to learn from one another. They hold dozens of workshops each month and feature a monthly Fiber Folk Night to bring the fiber-loving community together!
The Nesting House brings responsible retail to Northwest Philadelphia. Committed to sustainability, ethics, and affordability, The Nesting House is a go-to spot for any child’s needs. They provide consignment items, high-quality, organic products, and local items. They also host events and workshops for parents and new baby meetups.
At Frosted Fox Cake Shop, “desserts should look beautiful and taste delicious.” With numerous awards and accolades, Frosted Fox created beautiful pieces of sugary joy for Germantown residents and tourists. The cake shop is known for its made-from-scratch wedding cakes, but you can purchase special cakes, cookies, and “everyday treats” when you visit the shop.
For nights when you’re cooking at home and need to pick up fresh, wholesome ingredients, head over to Weavers Way Co-op, a long-standing Mt. Airy grocery store.
Things to Do
Children can enjoy the AdventureWoods play area or an event at the farm and Francis Cope House offers family-friendly events, wellness classes, and community programs.
Join a club or take a class at Mt. Airy Art Garage, a nonprofit communal arts hub that provides space for creativity and collaboration. The Art Garage serves as the central location for civic engagement and community revitalization through the arts and offers dozens of workshops, clubs, and classes to the public.
Enjoy time spent outdoors at the beautiful Wissahickon Valley Park. Mt. Airy is bursting with gorgeous natural wonders and many can be found in this historic park. Bring your dog or your horse to explore the 1,800 acres park which spans over five miles of trails, fish along the Wissahickon Creek, or enjoy a quiet moment birdwatching in the dense forest. The park is visited by over one million people each year and is a popular place for family picnics.
Pastorius Park is a 16-acre park maintained by the Fairmount Park Commission. The park includes a quaint pond where guests enjoy sunbathing turtles and an abundance of baby ducks in the spring and an amphitheater for summer concerts. Carpenter’s Woods is another locally beloved parkland with impeccable walking trails and lush scenery.
Schools
