Hippie Heaven: Explore a Hippie Town Near Philadelphia
When most of us go to the suburbs of Philadelphia, we shop in Doylestown or stroll around the streets of New Hope or West Chester. It’s rare for us to venture outside of our Philadelphia bubble for a day excursion, but there’s one town in Delaware that you might not realize is well worth the drive down 95.
Arden, a little village near Wilmington, is a utopian community that may be the most hippie town near Philadelphia. Spend the day in this one-of-a-kind village embracing your inner flower child.
The majority of the homes were erected between 1909 and 1910, and many have preserved their tranquil names. See if you can find Friendly Gables, The Lodge, Rest Cottage, Green Gate, The Second Homestead, or The Fels House.
And yes, that is spelled “gild.” Stephens and Price envisioned a simple life, therefore they simplified spelling throughout the community. The Gilds are divided into four categories: dinner, Shakespeare, gardening, and concerts. The Library, Poets, Georgian Devotees, Folk Dancers, and Singers all have their own Gilds. The Arden Club, which serves as an event space for many of these community groups, is the town’s focal point.
The Famous Heads
Upton Sinclair, Harry Kemp, and even Joe Biden have lived in this tight-knit town. The community is still operated on Utopian ideals, with land considered rented rather than owned, and green space everywhere you turn.
Each Gild, together with many local artists, gathers to demonstrate the calm Arden lifestyle. There are performers, merchants, food trucks, and live performances.
Arden’s charming, cozy concert hall hosts local and national touring acts. If you can catch a show here, the intimate setting will make you feel like you’re genuinely a part of the performance.
These plays are refined by the dedicated actors who work so hard to deliver a memorable presentation. The Bard would be proud!
Dinner is served every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. promptly. The Dinner Gild does not perform during the summer, therefore you must see them between October and May. The weekly menu can be found on the Arden Club’s website here. Make a reservation by the Thursday before your desired dinner. Call (302) 792-7139 to reserve your seat. If you are not an Arden Club member, your supper will cost $13, and if you are over 21, you are welcome to bring your own wine!
Final Words
Plan a day trip to Arden if you want to reconnect with your tranquil, community-loving hippy side. To learn more about the town and stay up to date on current events, visit the Arden Club website here. You will not find a more hospitable village anywhere!