Willow Grove, PA

Willow Grove began with a land grant bestowed on Dr Nicholas More by William Penn. The music and entertainment culture reigned supreme in the early 20th century with the construction of Willow Grove Park, an amusement park that would host such musical talent as Phillip Sousa over its 80 years of operation.

The area is also home to the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, located in neighboring Horsham, which commemorates the people who served at the Willow Grove Naval Air Base. Here you can see over 40 different exhibits, featuring such artifacts as missiles, ejection seats and even aircraft.

Art lovers can find much to enjoy at the annual Manayunk Arts Festival. Wander the tri-state area's largest outdoor art event, along with 200,000 collectors and designers. Sample the wares from over 300 different featured artists, with artistic mediums used including ceramic, jewelry and painting.

Living in Willow Grove provides access to a broad range of different types of American and international cuisine, perfectly capable of satisfying virtually any type of craving you may experience.

Serving a unique blend of French and Asian fare, the Colonial Quy-Bau restaurant offers award-winning service with a taste unlike any other. Start off your meal with their signature Golden Bags, stuffed with a tasty combination of shrimp and crab meat. Entree favorites include representatives from both seagoing fare and land-based delicacies. Take the Seafood Medley, an assortment of seafood that includes shrimp, salmon, New Zealand mussels and scallops in a roasted garlic brandy Thai basil sauce, or stay on the land with the 16-ounce Black Angus Rib topped with ground mustard.

Sushi lovers can revel in the award-winning fare offered at the Ooka Restaurant. Choose from an assortment of dinner entrees, including the spicy salmon or tuna rolls served with Miso soup and a garden salad.

Willow Grove's close proximity to Philadelphia offers many choices ranging from the wildly exciting to a quiet drink at the pub. A perfect blend of a casual neighborhood tavern, the best place to watch your favorite team or a chance to see some live local music talent would be Big Heads, conveniently located on York Rd. Pints starting at $2 every happy hour, karaoke Wednesdays and live local bands on Saturday nights all gather into one perfect place to spend a fun evening.

Willow Grove is located less than five minutes from the Philadelphia Turnpike, providing easy access to the surrounding suburbs and the city of Philadelphia. Rt 611, one of the area's largest arteries, passes through the center of Willow Grove, providing a toll-free alternative for most destinations.

With its quiet, residential streets, Willow Grove is the perfect place for either a walk or bike ride. The road is happily shared by local commuters, providing a safe and enjoyable bike ride both day and night. Cabs are readily available from Bux-Mont Transportation Services, which is located right in Willow Grove, just make sure to call ahead as hailing one from the streets can prove difficult. If you prefer the convenience of Uber, a ride is available at the push of a button.

Public transportation is available through SEPTA through bus stops scattered throughout the area, as well as the Willow Grove Station located on Davisville Rd. These routes include the 22 and 55 buses, as well as the train service provided by the Warminster Regional Rail.

Given its rural and residential surroundings, outdoors enthusiasts will have no trouble in feeding their love of nature at one of the many parks in the surrounding area. Masons Mill Park, located in Huntington Valley, offers over 76 acres of activity and scenery. Grill up some burgers, pitch some horseshoes or even brush up on your archery skills, all available in quantity at Masons Mill Park.

Crestmont Park,, located right off Old Welsh Rd, caters to an assortment of sports enthusiasts looking to get some casual playtime in. Full basketball courts, multiple tennis courts and even a natural ice skating area, are just a few of the amenities that cater to athletes of all ages.

If you want a full day spent on the nature trails either walking or riding a horse, and do not mind a small drive, Tyler State Park located in Newtown cannot be beat. With over 1,700 acres to frolic in, chock full of trails, creeks and forest, you will have difficulty experiencing everything in one day. With its lack of admission fee, you can bring your family to Tyler State Park as many times as you like without breaking the bank.

Willow Grove's scenic beauty does come at a cost, with the average cost of living topping the state average. The average one bedroom apartment in Willow Grove costs 40 percent higher than the state average at $1,020

Public transportation costs will run around $2.25 for a standard bus fare. However, train tickets are charged by zone, with fares costing between $3.75 and $10. Gas prices come in slightly higher than the national average at an approximate 7 percent increase. Expect to pay around $4 for a pint of beer at a local pub.

The town of Willow Grove truly shines when it comes to shopping, hosting one of the largest malls in the area, Willow Grove Park. Willow Grove Park boasts over 130 different stores. If you need to throw a party for your little girl, head to Club Tabby on Park Avenue. This place plans character-themed birthday parties and other special events, but you don't need a special occasion to have fun here. Make any day special for your little one by visiting the glam station, where she can get a movie or rock star makeover. National and local grocery chains such as Giant Food, Fresh Market and Nature's Harvest provide plenty of options.