Bala Cynwyd, PA Area Guide

Settled by Welsh Quakers in 1682, the community traces its roots to the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania, an early colonial region where immigrants from Wales established farms and meeting houses. The original settlement was called Pencoyd, and the two towns that eventually grew here, Bala and Cynwyd, were each named after places in Wales.

The historic district along Bala Avenue and Montgomery Avenue still carries that colonial character today, with architecture that signals the community's age and origins. West Laurel Hill Cemetery, located within the community, stands as one of the more contemplative reminders of the area's layered past. The Cynwyd Heritage Trail, which follows former railroad tracks through the center of town, connects that history to daily life in a very tangible way.

Dining here centers on two corridors. Bala Avenue functions as a compact, walkable downtown strip with local spots serving casual meals, from a neighborhood grill to a pizzeria to an Italian restaurant. City Avenue expands the options considerably, with the Bala Cynwyd on City Avenue shopping area hosting several restaurants alongside everyday retail.

Additional dining options stretch westward along City Avenue, giving residents easy access to a broader range of cuisines without venturing far from home.

Getting around starts with City Avenue, which connects directly to Interstate 76, the Schuylkill Expressway, running along the north edge of the community and tracing the river into Philadelphia. For commuters who prefer rail, the SEPTA Cynwyd Line stops at both Cynwyd Station and Bala Station, each within a few minutes of the community center.

SEPTA bus routes also serve the area, and the Cynwyd Heritage Trail provides a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path for car-free movement. Philadelphia International Airport is roughly 15 miles south, about a 28-minute drive under normal conditions.

The Cynwyd Heritage Trail runs for roughly two miles along former railroad tracks, offering a paved, multi-use path for walking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. The trail includes the Manayunk Bridge, which provides open views of the river below.

The Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation, about five minutes away, covers 12 acres and has been a horticultural destination since 1880, with a pond, a stream, a formal rose garden, and a working greenhouse. Fairmount Park, reachable in about seven minutes, spans close to 10,000 acres along the Schuylkill River, with trails, open fields, forested paths, and views of the Philadelphia skyline. Also nearby, the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden offers a traditional garden setting within the park. Along the Schuylkill itself, the Pencoyd Trail gives residents a riverside option for walking, fishing, and boating.

Rental pricing in Bala Cynwyd runs above the Pennsylvania statewide average, reflecting the community's Main Line address and proximity to Philadelphia. The broader Philadelphia metro area carries a cost of living above the national average, with housing, utilities, and groceries all indexed higher than the U.S. norm.

City Avenue serves as the primary retail corridor, where the Bala Cynwyd on City Avenue shopping center houses an ACME Markets grocery store, several national chain retailers, and a range of dining options. A Target sits directly across the thoroughfare, making routine shopping straightforward.

For a more local feel, Bala Avenue provides a quieter alternative, with independently operated shops lining its tree-canopied blocks. The two corridors together cover most everyday needs without requiring a trip into the city.

A Welsh Quaker settlement turned sought-after Main Line address, Bala Cynwyd pairs Colonial-era character with easy access to Philadelphia and green spaces like the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation, and Fairmount Park.