East Falls - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

East Falls has a history that spans more than 300 years, but it is best known for being the childhood home of Grace Kelly, actress and Princess of Monaco. The Old Academy building, where Grace began her acting career, is still in operation.

The area's history has been preserved as developers have used historic factory and college buildings for businesses and residences.

While there are no museums in the neighborhood, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is just a few miles away in Fairmount. For galleries the East Falls Glassworks, located in Sherman Mills, is the city's largest studio and gallery dedicated to hot glass. It offers classes for all levels of experience.

With an eclectic mix of old and new restaurants, East Falls has plenty of national chains mixed in with local favorites.

The Trolley Car Cafe represents a unique '50s-style diner created out of a little brick pool house called "The Bathey," a venue that served Fairmount Park for more than 40 years. This cafe serves anything but normal cafe fare, with the mantra seemingly "you can eat healthy and get your food fast without losing flavor." Owners and chefs illustrate this point with fresh ingredients, some of which come from the restaurant's own garden, and food preparation techniques that don't involve a microwave. While the breakfast and lunch menus include staples like omelettes and BLTs, find unexpected options like challah French toast and bahn mi.

Fiorino's has been a neighborhood favorite for dinner for years. This place serves up familiar, homestyle Italian food for lunch and dinner, including the owner's signature bolognese to ravioli and veal marsala. Guests receive charming and intimate service in this 11-table space lined with stained glass windows, and you can even register for cooking classes taught by the owner himself. Make your reservations as soon as possible since this BYOB fills up fast.

When it comes to nightlife, bars abound. Franklin's Pub and Grill marks the place to go for a contemporary sports bar. It has 16 HD TVs at every angle so you do not miss a moment of your favorite sporting event. In the summer, hang out on the large deck and cool off with misting fans. Don't expect typical sports bar beer, since Franklin's has close to 100 bottle options and 14 drafts along with 10 rotating craft beers and more than 150 liquor choices. The grill offers great food such as cheesesteak eggrolls, shortrib grilled cheese, mahi tacos and hummus plates. Every night of the week offers an event from poker to quizzes and DJ dance parties.

If a rustic-chic gastropub is more your thing, Falls Taproom is the perfect place. Specializing in hard-to-find craft beer and craft cocktails, Falls Taproom features an upscale atmosphere with mid-range prices.

For a fiesta, head over to Johnny Manana's for a large selection of margaritas and Day of the Dead decor. This eatery serves as a must-go for Cinco de Mayo or any day you need some ole in your life.

Discover plenty of clubs, upscale martini bars and wine bars a couple of miles away in neighboring Manayunk. There you'll find tons of restaurants, bars and clubs within a five-block section of town.

East Falls is a fairly walkable neighborhood that also has access to several major roadways, as well as public transportation. Calling for a cab or Uber is an easy way to get around the city, but for longer trips, take the train on either of SEPTA's (Southeastern Pennsylvania Trasnportation Authority) two train lines or one of their multiple bus lines.

If the weather is nice, take the Schuylkill River Rail along Kelly Drive. The scenic recreational path for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and rollerbladers follows the curves and turns of the Schuylkill River. The 8-mile loop trail from East Falls to the art museum crosses the river at the historic Falls Bridge in East Falls. It also offers a connection to some of the most scenic mountain biking trails in Pennsylvania.

There are a few small parking lots in the neighborhood, but accessing East Falls via public transportation is the best way to go. Off-street parking can be scarce, so this is a great neighborhood for those looking to save on the cost of owning a car. Philadelphia International Airport is also about 15 to 20 minutes away.

McMichael Park, about the size of one city block, is home to events like the holiday sing-along and the East Falls Flea Market. It's a serene, open space that includes a doggie clean-up station. A collective community effort helps keep this park clean.

You can also take the Falls Bridge or the Kelly Drive bike path to connect to Fairmount Park, which spans 9,200 acres throughout the city and is comprised of 63 smaller parks. This is a great place for those who are active, as you can bike, run, or walk on the path.

All parks are free and are child- and dog-friendly.

Despite the neighborhood's close proximity to center of the city, the area is perfect for young professionals, singles and couples who are drawn by access to the expressway, Route 1, and two SEPTA stations (East Falls on the Manayunk-Norristown line, and Queen Lane on the Chestnut Hill West line). The rental market is largely comprised of students from the nearby colleges and universities, but you will find a mix of luxury apartments as well as artist's studios with the median rent for a one bedroom being around a $1000 per month.

Taking SEPTA into center city will only run a few dollars, where a cab may be closer to $20. Gas prices are about 6.7 percent higher than the national average. A beer at a local bar will run about $6 a pint.

While you won't find a lot of shopping centers or chain stores in East Falls, there are a few unique boutique shops in the neighborhood, along with florists, hardware stores and a Rite-Aid. The main shopping areas are in the neighboring towns of Manayunk and Chestnut Hill, where you can walk the sidewalks of the main streets and find rows of high-end boutiques and specialty stores. East Falls does have a few hidden gems of its own though, and they provide not just a shopping experience, but also a way to connect with the community.

Located on Midvale Avenue, BluDahlia sells clothing, accessories and home décor, remixing tribal, bohemian, hippie and urban glam styles with dreamy “found” elements.

Material Culture on Wissahickon Avenue is a 60,000-square-foot emporium of art, antiques, crafts, furnishings and architectural elements from around the world. Great values are the norm, and the bargains are legendary and plentiful. In addition to its retail shop, Material Culture also holds auctions and hosts events complete with catering. The on-site cafe also hosts a supper club.

Spring through fall, you can buy fresh, locally sourced produce, eggs, breads, cheeses and other goodies at the East Falls Farmers Market, located under the Twin Bridges on Ridge Avenue. The rest of the year, you can do your grocery and essentials shopping at the Stop and Shop on Wissahickon.