Visit the About the Area page that prospective students can view - it’s just as useful for you too!
Living in the Philadelphia Area
We are located only 25 miles from the city of Philadelphia, and public transportation is available. There are a number of things to do while in the city. Don’t forget to check out the visitor center for must see places and must do activities.
The King of Prussia Mall is located only 15 minutes away, and has over 400 stores and restaurants. In the opposite direction, but again only 15 minutes away, is the Philadelphia Premium Outlets, which is home to many more stores, and always has great discounts and deals.
Closer to Home
Collegeville offers a number of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
The Collegeville Shopping Center is located right down the road on Route 29 (exiting left out of the college) and features a Kimberton Whole Foods Market.
The Marketplace Shopping Center is adjacent to the Collegeville Shopping Center and features a Redner’s Warehouse Market, cleaners, Great Clips for Hair, and a variety of restaurants. Just past this shopping center is a CVS pharmacy located at the intersection of Route 29 and Park Ave.
The Providence Town Center is located a few minutes down the road from the Marketplace Shopping Center and is full of great places to shop, dine, and enjoy some time with friends including: DSW, Best Buy, Staples, Home Goods, Wegmans, the Movie Tavern - which is a movie theater as well as full service restaurant, Olive Garden, P.F. Changs, Red Robin, Starbucks and many more.
Exiting right out of the college onto Main Street will send you towards the Trappe Shopping Center at 1st Avenue and Main Street in Trappe. This shopping center houses a Dollar Tree, True Value, Escape Trappe and other various shops.
Continuing down the road away from Campus at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Township Line Road, you will find a large shopping center with a Giant, Target, A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts, and many others.
For a local, downtown and intimate shopping experience, try Phoenixville (south on Route 29) or Skippack (north on Route 113) for gifts, furnishings, antiques, specialty foods, restaurants, and bars. Downtown Phoenixville also houses the infamous Colonial Theatre which opened its doors in 1903. The theater features a reenactment of a scene from the 1958 science fiction classic, The Blob.
Restaurants
Collegeville features quite a few options for every price range.
Along Main Street, you will find Chow, My Friend’s Tavern and the Collegeville Diner. Next to the diner in the Collegeville Station where you will find Bonjung Japanese Restaurant and Troubles End Brewery.
Marzella’s Pizzeria is right across the street from the college.
Shagun Indian Restaurant, Great Wall, and The Pizza Stop are in the Collegeville Shopping Center. Thai Basil Bistro, China Jade, Roccos and Tortugas Mexican Eatery are located in the Marketplace Shopping Center.
More informal options include McDonald’s in the Collegeville Shopping Center, Dunkin’ Donuts and Wendy’s in the Marketplace Shopping Center. Also, do not ignore Wawa on South Collegeville Road, more than a convenience store, Wawa holds a special place in the hearts of many who would argue their sandwiches are the best around.
For those of you who consider coffee as food, the nearest places for good coffee are Steel City Coffee House and Soltane Cafe, both located in Phoenixville.
For more information on local restaurants, please visit the Collegeville Economic Development Corporation’s website that contains a restaurant guide.