Manayunk and Roxborough
February 17, 2021
Located just beyond the 2,000+ acre Fairmount Park in the northwestern corner of Philadelphia, the Manayunk and Roxborough neighborhoods each present interesting shopping, dining, and outdoor activities just a short trip from Center City Philadelphia and easily accessed via SEPTA’s Regional Rail.
DO
Stroll Manayunk’s Main Street to find more than 60 retail stores, restaurants, bars and galleries compressed within a half-mile. Browse vintage records and new releases at Main Street Music or pick-up home goods, gifts, and more at The Little Apple boutique. Shop fashion-forward, tax-free styles from Nicole Miller Philadelphia – a Philadelphia fashion landmark – and browse jewelry at Iluminé Gallery.
Take a lap around Pretzel Park – a small green space with a playground, dog park, and 6-foot statue of a pretzel greeting visitors – or explore the tow path that runs along the Manayunk Canal, parallel to Main Street, where trail mules once pulled boats along the water. Ascend to the Manayunk Bridge Trail and enjoy impressive views of the neighborhood below the former railroad bridge as you navigate the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and Schuylkill River Trail.
Nearby Wissahickon Valley Park offers 57 miles of rustic trails through 1,800 acres of beautiful park land along the Wissahickon Creek. Roxborough’s Gorgas Park is a great spot for picnics and the nearby Schuylkill Environmental Center — one of the nation’s first urban environmental education centers — presents a number of hiking trails through forests and fields. TIP: Before hitting the trails, stock up on running gear at Philadelphia Runner or biking equipment at Trek Bicycle, both found on Main Street.
You’ll find no shortage of events in Manayunk throughout the year, including seasonal restaurant weeks, an Arts Festival in June featuring over 300 artists, a STREAT Food Festival in September highlighting local restaurants, and an Out & About event in October honoring National Coming Out Day and highlighting LGBTQ+ organizations, entertainers and local vendors.
EAT & DRINK
Take a bite out of eccentric burgers at Lucky’s Last Chance, or savor tacos, burritos, nachos and more at Taqueria Amor just across Main Street. You’ll find one of the city’s newest and most in-demand pizza shops, Pizza Jawn, further east on Main Street, but be sure to place your order well in advance – orders go live on their website one week out. Savor Sichuan dishes from Han Dynasty or warm up with a bowl of pho at Main Street Pho. Dine outdoors in a once vacant lot turned garden oasis at the lush PHS Pop-Up Garden. Cool down in the summer months with water ice and ice cream from Chloe’s or C&C Creamery (affectionately referred to by locals as The Custard Stand). Other local favorites and neighborhood staples include Winnie’s Manayunk and the Couch Tomato Bistro and Café.
You’ll also find a collection of bars and craft breweries throughout Manayunk that are open late into the evening. The Goat’s Beard serves a new American menu with an impressive mix of local ingredients, beer, and spirits. The unsuspecting Union Tap House just off Main Street is known for its wings and fantastic draft beer list. The aptly named Manayunk Brewing Company churns out a rotating selection of craft beer to complement an expansive menu of pizza, sandwiches, soups, sushi, and more, all of which can be enjoyed inside the massive taproom or on the outside patio overlooking the canal.
Venture to neighboring Roxborough for a cheesesteak from Dalessandro’s, which is widely regarded as one of the city’s best by cheesesteak connoisseurs. Just across the street from Dalessandro’s, Chubby’s serves as another great cheesesteak option, often with shorter lines. Nearby, you can enjoy handmade pierogis from The Pierogie Kitchen or grab a drink at Henry James Saloon or Ridge Avenue microbrewery New Ridge Brewing Company. Pick up a tomato pie — a local Philadelphia delicacy — from Marchiano’s Bakery or grab hoagies from T&F Farmer’s Pride.
Cover photo by JPG Photo and Video, courtesy of Manayunk Development Corporation.
