East Mount Airy - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Mount Airy was named after the summer estate and mansion established in 1750 by prominent Philadelphian merchant and Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania William Allen. The mansion still stands and is one of East Mount Airy's most historic properties.

To really experience East Mount Airy's rich culture, catch a show at the Sedgwick Theatre, a thriving movie palace turned live performance hall. The theater, once known as East Mount Airy's cultural center, now houses the Quintessence Theatre Group.

The majority of the most popular spots to eat and drink in East Mount Airy run along Germantown Avenue, which also acts as a dividing border between East and West Mount Airy. The area sports an array of culinary hot spots, environmentally and health conscious cafes, and cozy watering holes serving up everything from local craft beers to complex wines.

If you want something greasy to cure that hangover or just want to eat at a place where the options are virtually endless, then Trolley Car Diner is the place for you. Designed to mimic the old-school trolley cars that used to shuttle up and down the cobbled Avenue, Trolley Car Diner dishes out everything from home-style classics, such as open face turkey platters, to made-to-order breakfast specialties. The Diner also offers a to-go deli and an eclectic collection of bottled craft beers where you can mix and match six-packs to fit your specific taste.

Earth Bread + Brewery is a green-minded, casual dining restaurant that lies within the historic district of East Mount Airy. Earth Bread and Brewery serves hot, fresh, and healthy food. Open up the menus -- made from the covers of old children's books -- and feast your eyes on such culinary creations as the savory turkey sausage flat bread. Make sure to try the house bread pudding before hitting the town.

Area residents can typically be seen getting around by either walking, biking, or taking SEPTA's cheap and convenient public transportation. SEPTA's Chestnut Hill East rail line connects East Mount Airy to Center City, Philadelphia, with stops at Mount Airy, Sedgwick, and Stenton stations. No matter which section of East Mount Airy you live in, there is a rail station or bus stop within walking distance.

If you don't want to bump elbows with your fellow Philadelphians and you have your own car, take a short drive from East Mount Airy to get to the major arterial highways, including Route 1 and the Schuylkill Expressway. Philadelphia International Airport is about 30 minutes away by road or rail.

Parking is never an issue, as street parking is either regulated by meters or free; there are no permit parking restrictions in the residential areas of East Mount Airy. You might be waiting a while if you are trying to flag down a taxi unless you find yourself on Germantown Avenue, but don't worry; Uber and other Philly taxi services are just a smartphone application away.

If you live in East Mount Airy, you are never far from some of the best parks on the East Coast. Fairmount Park, which is one of the largest urban park systems in the United States, encompasses six acres of East Mount Airy. Whether you like to bike, hike, walk or run, the park grants residents of East Mount Airy easy and free access to the expansive and naturally stunning park system.

Valley Green in Wissahickon Park is also only a short trek from East Mount Airy and features wooded walking trails, as well access to Forbidden Drive, a long gravel pathway that runs along the picturesque Wissahickon Creek. Spend the day feeding gaggles of geese, or let your four-legged friends stretch their legs, but remember that pets must be on a leash. You can even do some makeshift rock-climbing at Livesey Rock, but be careful, as you have to traverse a giant abandoned cement water pipe to get there.

The cost of living in East Mount Airy is 10 percent higher than Philadelphia's city average. It costs no more than $5 via regional rail to get to Center City, Philadelphia, and no more than $2.25 to ride the SEPTA bus from East Mount Airy. The median rental rate of a one bedroom apartment in East Mount Airy is $831, and East Mount Airy's average gas price is slightly lower than the national average.

East Mount Airy's main shopping area runs up and down the charming cobblestone stretch of Germantown Avenue. Independent shops, art galleries, clothing stores, fitness centers, and professional offices all have made this bumpy road their home. Whether you need to get some pesky errands off your to-do list or you just want do some window shopping, the "Ave" likely has what you need. ACME and Wawa also lie within East Mount Airy's borders for all your grocery shopping needs.

Rothe Florists, a boutique store that has served the area for decades, carries everything from handcrafted corsages to spectacular bouquets. Ask the friendly staff to help you choose from one of many beautifully arranged bouquets, suited for any occasion.

To get to even more thriving boutique shops, residents of East Mount Airy need only take a short stroll north to the bordering neighborhood of Chestnut Hill. "The Hill," as locals affectionately call it, features more boutique jewelry, craft, and clothing stores along with an array of restaurants, hardware stores, and appliance stores.