Attractions and Places To See around Merchantville - Top 20

Merchantville is rich in history, featuring several notable districts and landmarks. You can explore the Victorian Homes throughout the borough, particularly in the The Oaks Historic District and the Cattell Tract Historic District, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Further afield, consider visiting the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, an architecturally significant building completed in 1873, or the Museum of the American Revolution to delve into the nation's founding history.

Yes, Merchantville offers several green spaces and is close to larger natural areas. Within the borough, you can enjoy Wellwood Memorial Park with its playground and sports facilities, or take a leisurely walk along the Merchantville Mile, a reimagined train track. Just minutes away, Cooper River Park spans 346 acres, offering a 3.7-mile loop trail, an Olympic-quality rowing course, and opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Other nearby options include Fish House Cove Nature Trail, Pennsauken Nature Trail, and Palmyra Nature Cove.

The Merchantville area provides various walking and hiking opportunities. For easy strolls, consider the Merchantville Mile within the borough. Nearby, you can find trails like the Newton Lake Trail, Cooper River and Maria Barnaby Greenwald Trail Loop, and Croft Farm Trail, all rated as easy. For more options, explore the hiking guide for Merchantville, which includes routes like the Summit trail - Blue square Loop.

Families visiting Merchantville can enjoy several activities. Wellwood Memorial Park offers a playground and open green space. The walkable downtown area features unique shops, including Aunt Charlotte's Candies, a classic candy shop in business for over 100 years. For a broader experience, the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia is a vibrant, family-friendly covered market with diverse food and goods.

Merchantville's walkable downtown is home to a thriving collection of unique stores and restaurants. You can visit Eclipse Brewing for craft beers, or dine at establishments like Blue Monkey Tavern and Park Place Restaurant. For a sweet treat, don't miss Aunt Charlotte's Candies. The reimagined historic train station, now called The Station, serves as a café and art destination, offering another great spot for food and community.

Beyond its Victorian architecture, Merchantville has interesting cultural footnotes. It has a connection to the early days of rock and roll, with the 'Rock and Roll Inn' established as a music venue in South Merchantville by 1943. The town also has a historical link to Martin Luther King Jr., who attended church services here in 1950 and experienced a sit-in at a nearby tavern due to racial discrimination.

Several attractions in the broader area are noted for their accessibility. The Reading Terminal Market is wheelchair accessible, offering a wide array of food and goods. The Liberty Bell is also wheelchair accessible, allowing visitors to view this iconic monument. Additionally, the Museum of the American Revolution is designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Yes, the region around Merchantville offers opportunities for cycling. While the borough itself is walkable, nearby areas provide dedicated routes. You can find gravel biking routes, including more challenging options like the Pennypack and Wissahickon Trails Loop or the Pennypack and Tacony Creek Trails Loop. For more detailed information and routes, refer to the gravel biking guide for Merchantville.

The Liberty Bell is a significant man-made monument bearing the inscription "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Historically, it was used to summon townspeople to hear news. It is notable for its iconic crack, which occurred with its very first ring in the 1750s. You can see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and it's possible to view it from the outside without waiting in line at the museum.

The Reading Terminal Market is a famous covered market in Philadelphia that has been operating since 1893. It's a vibrant destination where visitors can find a wide variety of food, household goods, and regional specialties. It offers diverse culinary delights, from artisanal treats to locally sourced fare, and is a great place to experience the city's culinary culture.

Merchantville is known for its beautiful Victorian homes, particularly within the historic districts like The Oaks and Cattell Tract. These districts showcase stately, early-twentieth-century suburban houses. Further afield, the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, is a magnificent and architecturally significant building completed in 1873, featuring a blend of Norman and Gothic styles and elaborate lodge rooms.

The Eastern State Penitentiary is a historical site that operated as a penal institution from 1829 for 141 years. It is notable for its innovative, star-shaped design and for housing prominent inmates like Al Capone, whose cell has been faithfully reconstructed. Visitors find it a very interesting and impressive museum, offering insights into its advanced prison system for its time and its influence on prison architecture worldwide.