Why We ♥ Media

There’s a reason Media is known as Everybody’s Hometown. As the Delaware County seat, this walkable borough packs an impressive mix of acclaimed restaurants, independent shops, arts, parks and community spirit into less than a square mile. And it just keeps getting better.

This summer, borough leaders approved “Media 2035,” a new comprehensive plan that charts the next decade of growth while preserving the historic charm, vibrant downtown and welcoming character that make Media so special.

Here are eight reasons we can’t get enough of Media — plus a few more reasons to explore the rest of Delco.

♥ 1. Dining Under the Stars. We love Media’s dining scene all year round, but there’s something magical about those summer nights when our favorite eateries spill out onto State Street for al fresco dining. Now in its 19th season — Media was waaaay out in front of West Chester and Kennett Square with this idea — Dining Under the Stars has become a much-anticipated tradition, with over two dozen restaurants participating every Wednesday from May to September.

There’s something for all tastes — wood-fired pizzas from Ariano, mouth-watering tacos from Dos Gringos, savory soup dumplings from Dim Sum Mania, seafood specials from newcomer Maris and much, much more. Add in live music and dancing, balloon art for the kiddos, and classic Corvettes in Veterans Square for a season of unforgettable evenings.

♥ 2. Shopping local. As America’s first Fair Trade Town, Media has long been known for locally owned stores and ethically sourced goods. But alongside mainstays like KUTA and Earth & State, several new shops have popped up around State Street in recent years. Three Potato Four is your one-stop shop for quirky gifts — along with Media and Delco-branded swag — while sister store Greatest Hits is a treasure trove of vintage books and records, including rare finds and Japanese imports.

Search Bookish Notions’ shelves for your next beach read, then pick out something special for your home at Chosen Tweed. Fashionistas will love browsing the latest finds at Sonny’s Vintage Clothing, while crafters can stock up for their next project at the newly expanded Homesewn — now in the former Ten Thousand Villages space on the corner of State and Olive Streets.

♥ 3. Catching a show at the Media Theatre. For nearly a century, the Media Theatre has been a State Street landmark. Originally a vaudeville house and cinema, it showed its first film in August 1927. Today, the Media Theatre is a thriving performing arts center, hosting professional productions, youth performances and special events — though movies made a comeback this summer on Mondays and Wednesdays in July.

This month, see a special performance of “No Longer Bound: The Musical,” August 1 and 2, and the Youth Ensemble’s rendition of “Mean Girls,” August 14 to 23. And for the 2026–27 Broadway Series, which kicks off in October, there’s “Murder for Two.” For more live theater, the storied Hedgerow Theatre Company, whose alumni include Keanu Reeves and Austin Pendleton, is right outside town.

♥ 4. Getting a drink with friends. Whatever you’re sipping, Media’s lively bar scene has a drink for every vibe. Order a caramel macchiato martini at Departure, sip a whiskey sour at Brick & Brew, or try the viral soft-serve margarita at The Towne House’s Idlewild patio. More of a beer person? Pour over craft brews made onsite at Sterling Pig, share a bucket of domestics during the big game at State Street Pub, or pair a pint of Guinness with live Irish music at Sligo.

You can take in State Street from above at one of Media’s rooftops with a drink in hand — sake at Azie, a Surfside at Off the Rail or, for the NA fans among us, an iced latte at Cafesphere. Wherever you raise your glass, toast to a night well spent in Everybody’s Hometown.

♥ 5. Jamming out. Media’s bars and restaurants are rockin’ with live music all year long — from tribute bands and open jazz jams at Shere-E-Punjab to local acts and karaoke at the new speakeasy Martinique Deux. But in warm weather, Everybody’s Hometown takes the tunes al fresco. From May to October, the Media Arts Council presents its annual Twilight Music Series: free concerts on the community center lawn, paired with Sterling Pig beer. On August 15, check out Americana and roots-rock band Red Means Run.

Plus, mark your calendar for the return of Media Porchfest, September 19, bringing live music and good vibes to the borough’s yards and porches. And of course, the Rose Tree Summer Festival has been a Delco tradition for over 50 years — this month’s concerts at Rose Tree Park’s amphitheater include reggae, disco, a barbershop quartet, luau show and the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus for something completely different.

♥ 6. Basking in the great outdoors. If you’re looking to get in touch with nature, Media Borough has several beautiful parks to choose from. Cool down in the shade in wooded Houtman Park, take the kids to the playground at Barrall Community Park (next to Media Elementary School) or explore the 33-acre Glen Providence Park — Delco’s first and oldest park.

Outside town, Natural Lands’ Hildacy Preserve offers scenic hiking through meadows, woodlands and along Crum Creek. And, abutting Ridley Creek State Park, the 650-acre Tyler Arboretum is one of the oldest public gardens in the United States — home to historic trees (including four state champions — the largest of their species), seasonal gardens and 17 miles of hiking trails.

♥ 7. Learning something new. Strolling through downtown Media, look for three hidden-gem museums. On the lower level of the historic Media Armory — now home to Trader Joe’s — find the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum. This small-but-mighty museum aims to tell the story of America through the eyes of those who served. Exhibits include a life-size diorama of D-Day, a miniature movie theater and an interactive paratroopers kiosk, where you can try on a parachute backpack.

In a historic building on the corner of Jackson Street and Veterans Square, the Delaware County Institute of Science, founded in 1833, houses a natural history museum and scientific library. Highlights include mounted birds and animals, an herbarium of local flora, Native American tools and pottery, and science equipment from the late 1800s. And on Lincoln Street, the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House honors the first Korean to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.

♥ 8. Treating ourselves. What better way to end a day in Everybody’s Hometown than with a sweet treat? If you scream for ice cream, look no further than Scooped for a rotating selection of homemade flavors — including the popular Cookie Monster, a bright-blue combo of cookie dough and cookies and cream — plus vintage vinyls. More of a cookie fan? Cookie Plug promises the thickest, “phattest” cookies around, from O.G. chocolate chip and Snooperdoodle to stuffed Dubai chocolate and Purple Haze (think red velvet, but electric purple).

Candy lovers have two mouthwatering options: 350 varieties of nostalgic faves at Game on State (stay for the classic arcade games) or homemade chocolates and confections at Bevan’s Own Make Candy — family owned and operated for over 65 years.

More to Love in Delco

Media may be the county seat, but Delaware County has its own drawing power. Here are just a few things we’re excited about lately.

• Upper Darby Summer Stage. Since 1976, Upper Darby Summer Stage has helped young performers discover the magic of theater — and developed the talents of a few celebs along the way (Tina Fey, Monica Horan, “Superman’s” David Corenswet). Now in its 51st season, over 800 young people from across the region come together to create eight high-caliber productions each summer. New this year: the “Senior Stage” program for actors over 55 and a new location. Due to construction at Upper Darby High School, Summer Stage is being held at Haverford High School for the 2026 season.
• A thriving arts scene. Delaware County is a hub for visual arts as well as performing arts, boasting two top-notch art centers and a renowned museum. In Wallingford, the Community Arts Center hosts classes and workshops for all ages, plus special exhibitions — look forward to the Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition, coming in February. And the Wayne Art Center, home to the acclaimed Wayne Plein Air Festival, is exhibiting adult student works through August 14. Of course, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford showcases works by the Wyeth family and other Brandywine School artists.
• Sports stars. Delco has been making sports headlines lately! At Subaru Park in Chester, see the Philadelphia Union’s homegrown phenom Cavan Sullivan — the youngest player to debut for a major American sports league. Speaking of soccer, two Delco natives graced our screens during the FIFA World Cup this summer: Media’s Auston Trusty and Wayne’s Matt Freese. And, if you caught the MLB All-Star Game, hosted in Philly last month, you may have spotted Bonner grad Kevin McGonigle — the first Detroit Tigers rookie to make the team since 1976.
• Visit Delco’s Ice Cream Trail. This summer, get rewarded for treating yourself! Download Visit Delco’s Ice Cream Trail Pass and earn points at participating scoop shops, including The Salty Cow in Glen Mills, Sweet Spot Gelato in Newtown Square and Vera’s Water Ice in Springfield. Redeem your points for swag — a bucket hat, metal ice cream scoop, baseball helmet-shaped ice cream bowl. What’s sweeter? VisitDelco.com/Passes/Ice-Cream-Trail
• A Delco TV crossover. Seeing stars lately? Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali have been spotted around the area, including in Drexel Hill, filming the second season of Brad Inglesby’s Delco-centric crime drama “Task.” And last month, we heard that actress Julianne Nicholson, who played Lori Ross on “Mare of Easttown,” will be reprising her role in the upcoming season of “Task.” Sounds like a “Mare” crossover is in the works!