Kennett Township offers rural scenery close to restaurants and bars
Kennett Township wraps around Kennett Square , a borough widely called the "Mushroom Capital of the World." The township’s makeup includes upscale homes and several mushroom and horse farms. “The southern Chester County area is just very bucolic,” says Michele Berardi, a spokeswoman for Kendal Crosslands Communities. Along with its rural scenery, the township of about 9,000 people has some well-rated schools and proximity to destinations like Kennett Square and Longwood Gardens. Kennett Square has a vibrant and walkable downtown that many visit for its restaurants, bars, boutiques and festivities. “You have everything at your fingertips,” says Elin Green, a Realtor with Beiler-Campbell Realtors. “You’re close to all these wonderful community events. You’re in a good school district, and it’s conveniently located for commuting and for those who work in Philadelphia and Wilmington .”
Housing includes townhouses, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals
Residents here live near open lands or in several smaller communities, including townhouse developments. Tall and mature trees line roads and surround many of the area’s homes. Housing mainly consists of ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals, many of which come with manicured landscapes and flower beds on lots ranging from under a quarter of an acre to about 3 acres. Homes under 3,500 square feet mostly sell from about $390,000 to $730,000. Homes with bigger footprints run between $750,000 and $1 million, while a few of the largest ones sell from $1.2 million to $3.7 million. Several townhouses run between $310,000 and $590,000. The township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Restaurants serve Italian cuisine, custom ice cream and wines
Although Kennett Square has many dining options, the township has a few restaurants, too. La Mia Pizzeria is a casual spot popular for its warm pies and mix of cold cuts and hot sandwiches. Giordano’s offers another place for pizza and serves a blend of American and Italian cuisine. Patrons can catch up on the latest sports highlights and news as they eat their pastas, clams and steaks. The Hangry Bear Creamery has frozen desserts and lets patrons order custom-made ice creams. Otherwise, downtown Kennett Square is the area’s main dining destination. Businesses in the vintage buildings around State Street include the Wayvine Winery & Vineyard’s tasting room. Just north of the township, Giant and Walmart offer grocery and retail shopping.
Community is getting a new Greenwood Elementary School
Students may start at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center and Greenwood Elementary School, both of which get a B from Niche. The district is building a new Greenwood Elementary, a project expected to be done by the 2026-2027 school year. Kennett Middle School receives a B-plus, while Kennett High gets an A-minus. The high school offers the new Kennett Future Ready, a pilot program offering opportunities like dual-enrollment courses and internships.
Longwood Gardens and Nixon Park offer activities and attractions
Part of Longwood Gardens falls in the township, putting many here close to a horticultural destination. Longwood has ornate and historic architecture and numerous plants, all of which live in distinct parks and conservatories. Visitors may see anything from fountain shows to sugar maple trees, pools of waterlilies and mum baskets. For sports, passive recreation and community events, there’s the 110-acre Anson B. Nixon Park. Amenities at this park with a dense tree canopy include tennis and basketball courts, walking trails and a disc golf course. Annual events there include May’s Trout Rodeo and a free summer concert series.
Kennett Square honors its nickname with mushroom events
Crowds fill downtown Kennett Square in September for the annual Mushroom Festival. Attendees may try out mushroom soups, visit an exhibit to see how the fungus grows, participate in a cooking contest and see a classic car show. Children may play in bounce houses and pose for photos with Fungus, the event’s beloved mascot. Many return to the borough at the end of the year for Midnight in the Square, which features a fun play on the famous Times Square ball drop. Instead of a ball, spectators see a brightly lit mushroom made of stainless steel. “They have street vendors and people are out and about,” Berardi says. “It’s a fun family type of event on New Year’s Eve.”
U.S. 1 and Old Kennett Pike serve commuters
Residents here usually drive to commute, and they have access to a few highways. U.S. Route 1 goes to Philadelphia, about 40 miles east. Delaware commuters can take the Old Kennett Pike to Wilmington, 10 miles south. Also about 10 miles south, ChristianaCare’s 321-bed Wilmington Hospital offers one of the nearest facilities for emergency care. The township is 30 miles west of the Philadelphia International Airport, the region’s hub for commercial flights.
