Weekend in Media

Just 13 miles west of Philadelphia and east of West Chester, the Borough of Media is easily reachable by car or train — it’s conveniently located off the Media/Wawa line. And better yet, it’s delightfully walkable once you get situated.

Bustling State Street is full of tempting restaurants, quaint shops and easy diversions. A short drive out of town in either direction will land you among the wildflowers, alongside the cooling waters of Crum Creek or on a blanket as live bands play.

A very short history: The Borough of Media began as a tiny hamlet tucked between hundreds of acres of farmland. In 1850, four farms were purchased and combined to form Delaware County’s new capital. In no time, the borough would embrace its role as county host, welcoming well-to-do Philadelphians to its newly constructed hotels.

But like many area towns, Media saw businesses and pedestrians disappear from its streets around the middle of the 20th century, only to see them return 50 years later. Today, Everybody’s Hometown is buzzing with activity and hidden gems.

Any way you go, it makes for a charming weekend escape. Here’s a sample itinerary.

Friday 2 p.m. — Check In

If you’re looking for a unique Media experience that combines not only the borough’s history but its love of good food, look no further than the Gifford-Risley House on North Monroe Street Built in 1877, this Gothic Revival Victorian was bought and restored by owners Monika and Z Rehoric in 2015. Five years later, they opened it to the public as a charming bed-and-breakfast.

Choose your room based on architectural preference — the romantic trimmings of Victorian design, the understated elegance of Arts and Crafts or the lavish opulence of Renaissance Revival are all available. In the morning, take your home-cooked breakfast to the glass-encased solarium for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

5 p.m. — Get to Know the Natives

Once you’re settled, it’s time to get to know your surroundings. If you are lucky to time it right, head over to Monroe Street for the Media Arts Council’s Twilight Music Series. This free outdoor concert happens only once a month during the summer (Aug. 1 or Sept. 13), but it’s well worth a visit if it works out.

If you’re less lucky, no worries. Mingle with the locals at Off the Rail’s popular Happy Hour. Order an icy brew and an app while you cheer on the Phils. Or if the weather is nice, enjoy them on the rooftop patio while you take in the State Street action below.

7 p.m. — Get to Know State Street

State Street, which runs parallel to Baltimore Pike, is Media’s main street. Bookmarked on one end by the famed Media Theatre and Veterans Square, and the unique Chateauesque-style Provident National Bank on the other, State Street is full of quirky shops, signature restaurants and popular coffee houses.

Pop into Three Potato Four for a selection of nostalgic gifts or browse the latest titles at the dreamy Bookish Notions. Have an audiophile in your family? Then The Greatest Hits, around the corner on Jackson Street, is a must.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, settle down at any of the downtown’s two dozen restaurants. Enjoy fresh oysters under dramatic arched windows at Spasso Italian Grill. Follow with the homemade pasta. Or keep it classic with a perfectly seared steak and a crisp martini at Stephen’s on State, also serving up live music every Friday and Saturday night. Not up for a production? Brick & Brew’s hand-tossed fig and feta pizza and a relaxing Zencha cocktail are perfect when all you want is to chill.

Saturday 9 a.m. — Ease into the Morning

The Garden Cafe on Jackson Street is tucked under a green awning with the word “garden” printed in white. It’s easy to miss, but worth the backtrack if you do. Try the French quiche or breakfast wrap for a meal that will keep you sustained all morning. Craving something sweet? The made-to-order Belgian waffles are also delish.

When you’re ready, take your oat milk latte or freshly brewed La Colombe dark roast and head over to Plum Street Park. This new pedestrian-first park has been in the works for months now. Once complete, it will feature native flowers, cafe tables and a water feature.

If construction is not complete yet, head south on Olive Street to the newly renovated Philip Green Park and plan the rest of your morning while taking in views of the stream below from the new overlook plaza.

Noon — Take a Hike

While the population density has ticked up over the centuries, Media hasn’t entirely relinquished its agricultural past. Hildacy Preserve on Palmer’s Mill Road was formerly farmland. Tyler Arboretum on Painter’s Road is what remains of original European settler Thomas Minshall’s estate. But before we explore the area’s natural bounty, head to Bittersweet Kitchen on Orange Street and order a couple of the classic chicken salad sandwiches to go.

Once an operating farm, the fields of Hildacy Preserve have been converted to meadows and planted with native grasses. Three-and-a-half miles of hiking trails carve through the 55-acre property. So pick your pleasure — meadows, woodlands or the banks of Crum Creek. All hikes are rated easy to moderate.

Tyler Arboretum is another popular destination for nature enthusiasts. Head over now to see the Franklinia, hydrangeas and meadow wildflowers in full bloom. Wait until September if you want to savor the early conversion of summer’s yellows and purples to fall’s golds and reds.

5 p.m. — Cheer the Weekend

With your steps in for the day, head back to State Street and into the air-conditioned comfort and moody sophistication of La Catrina for Mexican cuisine. Take advantage of the Happy Hour menu to tuck into a couple of pork tacos or order a plate of the house nachos for the table. Don’t skip on the pitcher of margaritas.

It’s the weekend, and you’ve earned it!

7:30 p.m. — Live Music at Rose Tree Park

Located just north of State Street, the scenic and robust (the park is a generous 122 acres) Rose Tree Park is always worth a visit. But in the summer, that allure grows with near-nightly concerts. Started at the outdoor amphitheater in 1975, the annual music series hits the 50-year mark this summer. Concerts take place nightly, Wednesday through Sunday, through August 10. Shows are free. Just note, it’s a different kind of BYOB — bring your own blanket (or chair).

9 p.m. — Dine Like a King

Among the traditional Chinese menu staples, like shrimp chow mein and sweet and sour chicken, sits a dish fit for a king. A popular staple of the imperial courts of the Ming Dynasty, the Royal Peking Duck is renowned for its crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Served with homemade pancakes and all the authentic trimmings, it also happens to be a specialty of the Peking Media Restaurant on West State Street.

Sunday 11 a.m. — End with an Epic Brunch

You came. You shopped. You dined like a Chinese king, now it’s time to sit back and relive it all over one more epic meal.

The brunch at Azie on West State Street is the stuff of legends — a blended Asian-American all-you-can-eat buffet topped off with a complimentary mimosa for just $28 a person. Start with the crab and cream cheese spring rolls before sampling the freshly made French toast, or perhaps you’d prefer a made-to-order omelet or a New York strip steak? Pad Thai? Sushi? No matter. It’s all here.

Just one more thing to regale your friends with when they inquire about your weekend in Everybody’s Hometown.

For more, check VisitMediaPA.com.

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