Newtown

An exuberant suburb of Philadelphia, full of history, entertainment, delectable cuisine, and unique shopping.

Welcome to Newtown

Named “the coolest small town” by Yahoo! Travel, Newtown provides a quaint small-town atmosphere. The community was founded in 1684 by William Penn for country homes owned by Philadelphia residents. The area grew quickly, and continued to be a historically significant site, housing General and future President George Washington during the American Revolution, artist Edward Hicks, and more.

Now the town is popular with people who work in cities such as Philadelphia, Princeton, and NYC but want to live with a bit more space and a bit less urban noise while offering accessibility to major cities. Newtown is home to several community events throughout the year, delicious restaurants, and charming shops in the revitalized downtown area. Additionally, history buffs and students alike will love the sheer volume of historical landmarks and museums at their fingertips.

What to Love

• Revitalized downtown with amazing boutique shops and restaurants

• Preserved historical landmarks

• Family-friendly, community-centric atmosphere

• Top-rated schools

• Accessibility to cities such as Philly, Princeton, and NYC
  

Local Lifestyle 

Just outside Philadelphia, Newtown is a small town with great respect for its history and a love for modern entertainment. It has successfully merged the two contrasting vibes into a lively, charming community. Families love not having to travel far for day-to-day needs but still having the city just a short drive away for periodic family outings.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Newtown has a number of fantastic restaurants to dine at. Cafe Con Leche is known for its vegetarian dishes, such as the vegan burrito or portobello panini, a local hidden gem for dining in or taking out. For pub food and an incredible beer selection, Issac Newton’s is an excellent option, featuring a bacon bao bun, buffalo cauliflower, and short rib grilled cheese, as well as an assortment of beers from ale to stouts. With stone walls and rustic wood beams, this eatery has a quintessential Newtown feel.

Located in an old renovated barn, La Stalla brings Italian family recipes to a cozy environment. The linguine con vongole brings fresh seafood to the plate with a flavorful white wine sauce, whereas the stuffed eggplant parmigiana is a phenomenal display of cheesy deliciousness. For an upscale night out, head to Rocco’s at The Brick. Their extensive raw bar starts the meal with oysters, clams, and ceviche, then moves on to an entree – they offer perfectly seared steaks, fresh seafood, and sandwiches elevated with fresh ingredients and updated recipes. Known for having some of the best food in town, it’s hard to pick a favorite dish, so instead, make it a goal to try everything on the menu. Another local favorite is Newtown Brewing. This is a great spot for groups to get together, as it serves local craft beer in a laid-back atmosphere, with food trucks and yard games like shuffleboard.

Finish dinner out with a stop at Zebra Striped Whale. This locally-owned ice cream shop was modeled after a children’s book (written by the owner) and is known for its Coldstone Creamery-style custom mix-ins. 

There’s no shortage of shopping in Newtown, such as 25 South, Blossom, Head over Heels, and Adorn Me, plus more mainstream options such as Anthropologie, Gap, Lululemon, and Athleta. Fresh ingredients and local artisanal products can be picked up at the Newtown Farmer’s Market. Open Thursday through Saturday, this market is indoors, and features stands with fresh meats from Amish country, fresh fish, a fresh produce stand, and much more.

Things to Do

Newtown has a passion for special events, and there are a few that no resident misses unless absolutely necessary. Newtown Welcome Day invites the entire community out for a street fair with live music and dance performances on three stages, delicious food, and fun booths from local vendors. Market Day harkens back to Newtown’s origins by remembering how colonial farmers came together to sell their meat and produce. Now the event lets local artisans show off their skills and products and includes demonstrations and re-enactments of colonial-era craftwork. For the adult set, Newtown Brewfest offers the opportunity to try beers from local breweries while listening to live music.

The Newtown Theater is a local landmark that ensures residents have access to quality community theater, as well as live music and comedy performances. Past plays have included Matilda, Cinderella, and more.

For those seeking an active lifestyle, Tyler State Park offers access to miles of hiking trails through the Pennsylvania forests, while Newtown Athletic Club provides exercise classes, pools, a lazy river, and a basketball court. The community also has numerous other fitness options, including Orangetheory, Club Pilates Yoga LIT, and Barre3.

Schools

The Newtown Area is served by the Council Rock district, which features a number of the top-rated schools in Pennsylvania. The school district offers a fantastic interactive map that allows you to search a given street address to indicate the assigned district school.

CR North (Council Rock North)

• Newtown Township and Newtown Borough (Newtown- 18940)
• Upper Makefield Township (Newtown-18940, New Hope 18938, Washington Crossing- 18977)
• Wrightstown Township (Wrightstown/Newtown- 18940)
• Some parts of Northampton Township (Richboro- 18954)

CR South (Council Rock South)

• Northampton Township (Holland- 18966, Southampton-18966, Richboro-18954, Churchville- 18966 or 18954)

Private School Options in Newtown

• George School, 9-12, Quaker private school that incorporates community service into the curriculum

• St. Andrews, PK-8, highly-lauded Catholic private school

• Shir Ami, Private Jewish Early Learning Center Preschool, Kindergarten, and Infant Center