Hotels in West Chester: Aviation, Museums and History

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

West Chester brings together very different reasons to visit: hands-on aviation, the history of Chester County, an extensive Historic District, wetlands in Everhart Park and a scenic train ride. When choosing what to do, consider both your interests and practical planning details: a festival takes place on a recurring date, and the train ride has a set duration.

Hands-on Aviation

The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center is a family-friendly aviation museum in West Chester, Pennsylvania. In the exhibits, you can climb aboard many rotorcraft and experience what it is like to actually pilot them. Climbing aboard and trying out the controls add a hands-on element to a museum visit. If you are choosing a particular theme, this is a clear focus that differs from the regional-history perspective of the Chester County History Center.

Chester County at the Museum

The Chester County History Center (CCHC) in West Chester tells the story of Chester County, from its roots and beginnings through its development, in its permanent exhibits. The museum collection includes more than 70,000 objects. This gives you two different ways to explore the same museum: the permanent exhibits trace the historical arc, while the size of the collection offers another perspective on the museum’s holdings. For a stay focused on regional history, the CCHC offers a different emphasis than the aviation museum.

Historic District and Guided Insights

The West Chester Historic District was expanded in 2005 and encompasses nearly 80 percent of the Borough of West Chester. This scale shows the district’s geographic reach and offers a broad perspective on West Chester’s history.

As part of Chester County’s “Town Tours and Village Walks” program, volunteers lead visitors each year and showcase West Chester’s historic, architectural and cultural resources. This gives you a guided perspective on several aspects of the town. Check the current tour dates before your trip to make sure the timing works with your stay.

Everhart Park: Wetlands and an Arts Festival

Today, Everhart Park’s wetlands occupy the former site of the pond created in 1909. The park thus reflects a change in its landscape: the pond belongs to the site’s past, while wetlands shape its present-day landscape. The May Day Festival of the Arts is also held there every year on the first Sunday in May. Here, a landscape feature and a recurring arts event offer different reasons to visit.

West Chester Railroad

The West Chester Railroad offers 90-minute round trips between Market Street in West Chester, Chester County, and the village of Glen Mills, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The duration makes the ride a clearly defined activity. If you would like to include it in your stay, check the current train schedule in advance; the round-trip duration also gives you a concrete timeframe for planning your day.

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Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Coatesville, Honey Brook, Malvern, Phoenixville, Exton, Paoli, Kennett Square, Downingtown

For the main travel overview: Chester.