Bala Cynwyd, PA

Offering an eclectic mix of historic and modern, Bala Cynwyd is a unique place -- starting with its unusual name and moving to its historic attractions and including its famous former residents (like basketball star Kobe Bryant). Bala Cynwyd was settled by Welsh Quakers in 1682. Originally, the settlement was called Pencoyd. Eventually, it transformed into two towns -- Bala and Cynwyd -- both named after places in Wales. The historic district wraps along Bala Avenue and Montgomery Avenue, providing quaint shops and restaurants along tree-lined streets.

The Cynwyd Heritage Trail provides residents with a two-mile, multi-use trail ideal for walking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. The Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation, which covers 12 acres, is another terrific destination. This park dates back to 1880 and features a pond, a stream, a formal rose garden, and a greenhouse. Directly south of Balay Cynwyd, the large West Fairmount Park stretches along the Schuylkill River and includes walking trails, the Belmont Grove, the Underground Railroad Museum, and the Centennial Arboretum.

For even more attractions, museums, theaters, and historic sites, residents can travel to nearby Downtown Philadelphia, less than six miles southeast.