Norristown

Norristown is a small residential borough in Montgomery County, in the Philadelphia-Camden metro area. The town is about 6 miles outside of Philadelphia, between two greater communities of King of Prussia and Plymouth Meeting.

This article also covers the nearby communities of Bridgeport, Gladwyne, Jeffersonville, Conshohocken and Lafayette Hill.

Understand
It is considered the county seat or administrative center of Montgomery County nestled alongside the Schuylkill River. It was home to 34,000 people in 2019.

Norristown was named after Isaac Norris, who was mayor of Philadelphia in 1724 and was named trustee of the province of Pennsylvania in the will of Willaim Penn. Before Penn faced legal issues involving his arrest in 1706, Norris brought the land from Penn which subsequently was named after Norris after the purchase. In his lifetime Norris was greatly successful in politics and business which he carried over in the development of Norristown. Today, with a number of old cigar and lumber factories still standing, Norristown shows much of the aftermath the rich history in agriculture manufacturing that began there, but is no longer prominent.

To understand Norristown is to understand its residents. Many people have a misconception or false stereotype about Norristown and its people, yet none of these ideas are true. Because it is a suburb of Philadelphia many outsiders assume that it is a rural area occupied by suburban neighborhoods. But because the diverse ethnic population has always been larger than that of surrounding townships (Methacton, East Norriton, Upper Merion, etc.), many people mistake the town for a "ghetto" where "other" races reside. This concept is supposedly reflected in the learning ability of the students and job opportunities for the residents, because all are working class.

Norristown is a center for emerging diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The students of the schools in the Norristown Area School District are above average, with over half ranging from proficient to advanced in math and reading assessments. The crime level is very low and though do not keep your door unlocked at night. It is a safe community in which to raise a family. The town is very family-oriented and is mostly residential, with several business districts scattered throughout, particularly on Main Street between Swede and Markley Streets and on Marshall Street west of Markley Street. Main Street is the central east-west corridor in town, and Markley is the main north-south route.

Norristown hosts major annual celebrations such as Community Day and the Food Family and Fun Festival. A farmer's market operates on Main Street near the County Court House on Thursday afternoons in the summer.

Get in
The main east-west route to Norristown is Ridge Pike, also known as Main Street within the boundaries of Norristown and part of West Norriton Township. (Ridge Pike is the same as Ridge Avenue once it enters Philadelphia.) The main north-south routes are US 202, which becomes Dekalb Street once it enters Norristown northbound from King of Prussia. The alternate route is Markley Street, which runs both north- and southbound in Norristown.



Get around
Most people own their own vehicles, but a large percentage rely on public transportation run by SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (www.septa.org). The main transportation hub in Norristown is the Norristown Transportation Center at the intersection of Lafayette and Swede Streets. SEPTA offers three public transportation choices to and from Norristown: buses from most surrounding towns and Philadelphia, the Manayunk/Norristown regional rail line to Philadelphia, and the Norristown High Speed light rail line, which travels from Norristown to the Main Line (Bryn Mawr, Haverford, etc.) to 69th Street in Upper Darby and continuing on to Philadelphia via the Market-Frankford El.

See
Norristown has a long historic background. The settlement was established with a few homes and businesses in the late 1700s and was incorporated as a borough in 1830. It one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania. On the Schuylkill River, Norristown was named a Central Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It features 19th- and 20th-century structures, both homes and industrial buildings. Most of the original 1784 Town of Norris is included in the old business and government center, whose focal point is the Montgomery County Courthouse. The past and present vitality of the borough's core is indicated by the variety of buildings in this part of the District: the County jail, the YMCA, the mid-19th-century Odd Fellows Hall, three historic 19th-century churches, and a number of old commercial buildings.

One of Norristown's main modern attractions is the Elmwood Park Zoo on Harding Boulevard. The zoo is clean, safe, and a manageable size to take in for an afternoon. Visitors can get close to the animals (most of which are North American species). The otter exhibit is a particular favorite with children. There is a walk-through butterfly exhibit where butterflies fly about freely and land on your clothes.



Do
Norristown is not a very happening place when it comes to activities, although the Marshall Street shopping corridor can get very lively, with many stores and restaurants open relatively late. Because Norristown is mainly residential, most people find their entertainment just beyond the borders.

On the Schuylkill River Trail, Norristown also provides excellent walking and bicycling routes to Valley Forge National Park (approximately 3.5 miles) and eastward to the attractions of Manayunk (11 miles) and the Philadelphia Art Museum (approximately 18 miles).
 * Tees Golf Center, 707 Conshohocken Rd, Conshohocken. miniature golf, driving ranges, batting cages, golf lessons, and an extreme skate park.
 * Tees Golf Center, 707 Conshohocken Rd, Conshohocken. miniature golf, driving ranges, batting cages, golf lessons, and an extreme skate park.
 * Tees Golf Center, 707 Conshohocken Rd, Conshohocken. miniature golf, driving ranges, batting cages, golf lessons, and an extreme skate park.

Buy
In the general area of Norristown there is much to do especially spending wise. With the King of Prussia Mall in close range of the area there is always a lot of people who tend to take their money into the area. The large population creates a great influx of new stores and retail lots that create a nice revenue to the county. Places like Designed Treasures are a great example of some of the great shopping that can be done in Norristown.

Eat
Food is never hard to come by in Norristown. It is hard to go wrong with the wide variety of ethnic cuisines. The opening of so many new restaurants has established Norristown as a food-lover's dream. Here is a break down of some of the different choices you have if you are looking into dining in the Norristown area:

Mexican

Italian

American
 * Local pizzeria Franzone's (Dekalb Street, Bridgeport) has established a loyal customer bases for decades.
 * Local pizzeria Franzone's (Dekalb Street, Bridgeport) has established a loyal customer bases for decades.

Nearby

Drink
The bar scene in Norristown is one of depth but also one of up rising. Bars were not very common in the area in the past. There are some hot spots, like any town, that bring in the money and the customer base. These bars are top notch and do their jobs. With an abundance of cab companies, train stops, and bus availability there is definitely a big need for good and enjoyable drinking areas or bars. Some solid choices include:


 * Steppy's Sports Bar & Grill - +1 610 272-6547
 * Black Horse Tavern- +1 610 279-1928
 * Papa Guidos 637 West Main Street, +1 610 275-7272

Sleep
A wider variety of nearby hotel options are available in King of Prussia and Plymouth Meeting.



Go next
Norristown is nestled between King of Prussia and Plymouth Meeting, no more than 15 minutes from either. These two towns are major entertainment and shopping districts in the area.

Norristown is a quick drive or train ride from Center City Philadelphia, which offers a wider variety of food, shopping, and cultural activities than the malls.