Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting - Conshohocken, PA Area Guide

William Penn purchased the land in the Conshohocken area in 1683. Later in the same year, Penn sold 5,000 acres of that land to James Fox and Francis Rawle, who named their land Plymouth Meeting, in honor of their hometown in England. The region experienced significant industrial growth thanks to its abundance of natural resources and the area's proximity to the Schuylkill River, which helped promote the development of trade. The Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting area experienced early industrial growth, followed by expanding commerce and residential growth.

Although you won’t find any museums in this primarily residential area, several museums reside in nearby neighborhoods, including the Morris Arboretum and Woodmere Art Museum. Annual events in the area include the Conshohocken Art Show in June and Conshohocken's FunFest, held in early October.

From fresh, flavorful sushi to zesty Mexican fare and classic American menus, dining in the Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting area covers many bases. Many area restaurants reside near shopping centers or along roadways like Ridge Pike and Harry Street, including Redstone American Grill, located near Plymouth Meeting Mall. This unique spot serves brunch, lunch and dinner in addition to a separate gluten-free menu. Start your meal with spicy buffalo shrimp or jerk chicken fondue. Redstone Grill also specializes in flatbreads, salads and entrees like lemongrass salmon, wood-fired Cajun ribeye steak, rotisserie chicken and braised short ribs. When you crave sushi, Woojung BYOB Restaurant and Sushi Bar, on Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting, features some of the freshest fish in the area. Try specialties such as Kiss of Fire rolls, a smoked sushi roll, North Shore roll with mango or the ultra-spicy Kiss of Death roll featuring shrimp tempura topped with cooked whitefish infused with Thai chilies. For an inexpensive, casual meal with bold Mexican flavor, take a trip to El Limon on Fayette Street in Conshohocken. Although you don't get any frills, you can expect food worthy of an authentic taqueria. Specialties include chorizo burritos with mole sauce, chicken tinga enchiladas and nachos, all served with free sangria or margaritas. Although you won't find any dance clubs or music venues in the area, you can choose from a decent selection of spots to grab a drink. For a casual, no-frills night out, check out one of the local dive bars like New Valley Tavern on Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting or Old Time Saloon on West 7th Street in Conshohocken. For a more upscale atmosphere, grab a frosty craft brew at the StoneRose Restaurant on Fayette Street in Conshohocken or Bar Lucca on East Hector Street.

Several major interstates in the Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting area provide access to Center City Philadelphia, as well as areas beyond the city. Interstates 276, 476 and 76 make your road trip to New Jersey or Delaware or your commute into Center City both convenient and fast, traffic permitting. Unlike in the city, where parking is highly coveted, you should have minimal trouble finding a spot on streets or in parking lots attached to businesses and apartment buildings.

SEPTA operates numerous buses that depart from Plymouth Meeting Mall or Conshohocken Station, located on Washington Street. Catch a bus at Plymouth Meeting Mall to head into Center City or to other area destinations such as Parx Casino, Morris Arboretum or Willow Grove Mall. You can also take the bus to the Gulph Mills Station where you can board regional rail service that takes you to 30th Street Station in Philly.

Public transportation and access to major roadways make it relatively easy to get to Philadelphia International Airport to catch your flight. SEPTA operates connecting service to the airport, located roughly 25 miles away. Additionally, the airport offers ample parking for travelers who choose to drive.

Residents can choose from several free public parks in the area, including Plymouth Meeting Park and Mary H. Wood and Sutcliffe Park in Conshohocken. Some of the larger public parks located in Plymouth Meeting feature additional amenities. When you want to take the kids to the playground on a sunny day, take a drive to Alan Wood Park on Fulton Street or Black Horse Park on School Lane.

John F. Kennedy Park on Fairfield Road features two tennis courts, bocce ball courts, a multipurpose field and walking trail. Community Center Park on Jolly and Walton Roads has volleyball courts, recreational fields and an amphitheater for outdoor entertainment.

Area public parks welcome leashed pets. For a small annual fee, residents can become members of the Conshohocken Dog Park, which has separate areas for small and large dogs. Keep your dog on a leash when you enter and exit the park. Additionally, make sure your dog's vaccinations and license remain up-to-date.

Living in the Conshohocken and Plymouth Meeting area generally carries a higher cost of living than the average for both Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. Renting a one-bedroom apartment typically costs between $1,000 and $1,500 per month, with newer buildings that have luxury amenities falling on the higher end of the spectrum.

Expect to pay $6 to $8 for a pint of beer at local pubs like Bar Lucca in Conshohocken, while a one-way SEPTA ticket into Center City costs $5.75. Gas prices in the Conshohocken/Plymouth Meeting area hover approximately 1 percent higher than the national average.

Trusted brands and national retailers housed in malls or strip malls characterize the shopping experience in Plymouth Meeting and Conshohocken. Big name stores such as Boscov's, Macy's, J. Crew and Victoria's Secret reside within Plymouth Meeting Mall. Other chains such as Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and Barnes & Noble call the Metroplex shopping area home. Conshohocken’s multi-level Ikea store provides a wide selection of home furnishings, accessories, dishes and more.

If you prefer shopping at boutiques, browse the clothing, jewelry, accessories and home goods at Free Reign, located on Ridge Pike in Conshohocken. This boutique blends relatively unknown labels with familiar brands such as Brighton, Alex and Ani, and Michael Aram. Obvi Boutique on Fayette Street specializes in women's wear, handbags, accessories and gifts.

Residents in the area can choose from several grocery stores, including Weis Market, Giant Food and Whole Foods Market, which specializes in natural and organic food. Nearby farmers' markets include the farm stand at Erdenheim Farm in Lafayette Hill, the West Norriton Farmers' Market in Norristown and the Upper Merion Farmers' Market in King of Prussia.