Location: Ardmore
Top Things to do in Ardmore
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Ardmore, United States
Ardmore is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Delaware and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 12,455 at the 2010 census. Ardmore is a suburb on the west side of Philadelphia, within Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County and Haverford Township in Delaware County. Originally named "Athensville" in 1853, the community and its railroad station were renamed "Ardmore" in 1873 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, on whose Main Line, west out of Philadelphia, Ardmore sits at Milepost 8.5.
Restaurants in Ardmore
1. The Barnes Foundation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By Elisabeth B - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Before summer ends you might want to take a walk through the Barnes Arboretum, a hidden treasure of horticultural rarities spread over 12-acres in suburban Merion, Pa., a short distance from the art filled Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
The Arboretum was Mrs. Barnes’ passion. The Barnses purchased the land in 1922 from an equally devoted horticulturalist who had made it his mission to create a park-like setting that could thrive here for ever. Many of the trees then planted still do. Mrs. Barnes complemented the woods with thousands of rare plant specimens including dogwoods, lilacs, horsetails, medicinal plants, a fern dell, a unique collection of hostas and an extensive herbarium that ultimately encompassed an astounding 2500 species, sub-species, cultivars and hybrids of woody plants and trees.
You might even play a game asking which medicinal plants in the herbarium are intended to cure which illness. Drumstick? Ginger? Papaya? Periwinkle? Suffice it to say that the list of ailments thus cured is long and varied ranging from blood pressure, cholesterol and cancer to digestive disorders, diabetes, arthritis and more. Here is to inexpensive folk medicine!
As for the Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana), it’s a tall evergreen that is native to Chile and Argentina. Monkeys in South America? After discovering this conifer in the early 1800s, the British supposedly gave it this name when a botanical luminary in London suggested that it would be difficult for a monkey to climb such a tree. Unscientific the name may be, but it has stuck as a popular moniker.
Please check for openings and tours at 215.278.7350.
300 N. Latches Lane, Merion Station, Pa. 19066
2. Chanticleer
Overall Ratings
5 based on 378 reviews
Thirty acres of a 1913 estate fashioned into a series of formal gardens including a meadow, woodland with shrubs and a produce garden.
Reviewed By MarthaKay2016 - Needham, Massachusetts
My daughter and I spent an entire afternoon here last Saturday exploring the grounds and gardens. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and unique. The many seats and benches throughout the property encourage quiet contemplation of your surroundings. We had a very enjoyable time and I look forward to going back for one of their picnic evenings!
3. Narberth Tennis Club
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
The Narberth Tennis Club offers all the resources you need to learn, play and enjoy tennis. The club features four well-lighted, high-visibility US Open Blue indoor courts, as well as lessons, leagues, clinics and other programs. The pro shop offers a selection of racquets, accessories and onsite stringing.
Reviewed By arv212 - Devon, Pennsylvania
This was a club where Bill Tilden used to play at. Narberth tennis club which is owned and managed by the renowned Julian Krinsky School of tennis. They are a year around tennis facility which has 4 awesome clay courts in the outdoor season and 4 indoor courts in the indoor season. 2 of the indoor courts are bubble structures for the indoor season.
Narberth has world class tennis pro's and they teach players of all ages and of all levels. Mayur is the manager of the club and he will make sure all your needs are met. The tennis program is headed by Gavin Siney, a former Zimbabwe Davis Cup captain and ably assisted by pro's from India, South Africa, Hungary, and Brazil.
Narberth provides several cutting edge programs such as 10 and under classes for the young ones, Clinics for all level juniors, match plays, adult clinics. and Cardio classes.
4. Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Overall Ratings
5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By Margaret B - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fans of intelligent, award-winning films will enjoy the offerings at this theater. The staff is knowledgeable and the selected films range from this year’s critically acclaimed films to recent and not-so-recent classics. Check out their website for special screenings.
5. Ardmore Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By reelwise - Boca Raton, Florida
Not truly a farmers market, Many dishes can be purchased next door at Trader Joes at less than half the price. Dibruno"s Italian deli has taken over half the market and other stands have raised prices to their level. Seafood stand especially good but high priced. This is the Main Line and many don't care about price. Asian stand very good and more sensibly priced. Parking lot difficult to navigate. Two very good bakeries. Produce stand offers freshness on most products. Sushi stand worth a try.
6. Arboretum at Haverford College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Elisabeth B - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Whether you go for a walk or have a picnic, it is worth stopping at
the cherry trees along the walkway toward Magill Library and look at the descriptions on the horticultural labels. “Okame cherry - Prunus ‘Okame” planted in 2016 is sponsored by Haverford’s Freshmen Class of 2020, and being so young is still firmly secured to the ground with stakes and ropes. Further up the walk the Freshmen Class of 2015 is the sponsor of a cherry tree planted there in 2011. There are others. And as you will see on the walk near the Observatory the sturdy cherry trees there were donated by the Rotary Club of Tokyo in 2008/09. Rather than a sense of “gown and town” this is “gown and Arboretum”.
And if you are interested in astronomy, you might stop at an exhibition in the Sharpless Gallery of Magill Library that will educate you about “Expanding the Universe: Astronomy and the Telescope.” The exhibit runs until July 28, 2017. Please check for Library opening hours. Visitors are welcome.
7. Bryn Mawr College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By reelwise - Boca Raton, Florida
We have heard many of the World's great Authors ie. Doctorow, Umberto Eco, Zadie Smith. at this annual lecture series. Call the College for a schedule. These were presented conversationally and a question period was provided. Also concerts and other presentations are offered. Prices vary. Parking nearby.
8. Wissahickon Valley Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By Stan K
Recently ranked the number one trail in Pennsylvania in 2018, this is a wonderful place to visit in the city. It contains the only covered bridge in an urban area in the United States. It has a few different trails that you can find at different intersections; I usually start at either Valley Green or Bells Mill road .
There’s a large running and biking trail that most people use but if you’re able to go and find the orange or white trail that’s where the hiking takes place. Stop at the Valley Green Inn if you want to have a nice lunch or romantic dinner. If you have children, bring some leftover bread so you can feed the ducks with them. Make sure you get a chance to see the secretive Indian statue on the white trail. It’s worth the hike!
Make sure you bring a lot of water, as water fountains are scarce. Also cell phone service is pretty nonexistent.
9. Expedition Escape
Overall Ratings
5 based on 254 reviews
Expedition Escape is a fun, interactive live action escape room venue for people of all ages and skill sets. You do not need to have any special knowledge to use the clues, solve the puzzles, and have a good time. You and your fellow explorers have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and use the clues to find the key to escape!
Reviewed By Brenda L - malvern, United States
For my daughters 15 birthday we took 11 15 year old girls plus me my husband and our 11 year old son to expedition escape. We split the group and 7 went into ednas condo and 7 into quest for the throne. Both groups had...MoreThanks so much Brenda! We're so happy to hear that everyone had a wonderful time! Thanks for celebrating with us! We hope to take you on your next adventure soon (maybe bring the same group back and switch rooms)!
10. Harriton House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Elisabeth B - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I recently walked the grounds of Harriton House, near Bryn Mawr College which was a reach back into early Pennsylvania’s rich agricultural heritage. William Penn granted 700 acres of wilderness to early Welsh Quaker settlers, which explains the abundance of Welsh names in the area. Bryn Mawr, which means “high hill” in Welsh, was the name of the first house built here in 1704 by the Welsh Quaker Rowland Ellis. Ownership of the house, its name and usage of the land repeatedly changed until Harriton House became the property of the Township of Lower Merion in 1969, and the Harriton Association its administrator “for civic use as a historical museum.”
I said hello to Sunshine and Moonbeam, 2 Guernsey cows that have taken residence here this summer and to bees and their beehives that continue to pollinate flowers and collect nectar for honey. I took a tour of the main house and its restored interiors, including the kitchen. The Harriton dairy barns were repurposed decades ago but their sturdy stone walls still hint at their original use. A deep well that one might not want to fall into, and, closer to the house, a privy of c. 1800 are also reminders of an earlier time.
Tours of Harriton House and its intriguing cultural and political history are available and recommended.
Enjoy this cultural treasure on the Main Line!
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