Main Line Teen Hangouts: Media and Swarthmore
Want to find new activities for your teenager? We sleuthed a handful of fun things for teens to do in the Media and Swarthmore burbs
Around Media and Swarthmore, teens organizing friend group activities can find interesting and exciting Main Line teen hangouts. Delve into our list to discover unique activities for teens in these suburban Philadelphia towns.
Where Teens Hang Out in Media and Swarthmore
Leafy and walkable, the charming towns of Media and Swarthmore invite you to stroll their downtown neighborhoods. In the surrounding areas, find plenty of green space to explore. Whether it’s the jangly play of arcade video games or the tranquility of hiking along a woodland creek, this area offers recreation for Main Line teens.
Game On State
Address: 20 W State St, Media, PA 19063
Contact: 610-566-7529 | Instagram: @gameonstate
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 12 – 7pm | Friday & Saturday, 12 – 9 pm | and Sunday, 12 – 6 pm
Why it’s fun: Packed with retro and modern video games and pinball, this arcade and candy shop offers unlimited play and more than 350 types of sweets.
For old-school, in-person fun for teens, drop into Game On State where they can play video games together. Inside this neighborhood arcade, players choose from vintage faves like Pac-Man, pinball, and table-top hockey. For more modern games, dunk your friends in the four-player NBA Jam or bust a move in Dance, Dance Revolution. Best of all, as a timed play arcade, no quarters are required. The onsite candy shop adds a sweet touch to the outing.
Ideal for: Ages 10 and up.
Admission: $10 per half hour and $15 per hour.
Ridley Creek State Park
Address: 1023 Sycamore Mills Rd, Media, PA
Contact: 610-892-3900 | Instagram: #ridleycreek
Hours: Open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset.
Why it’s fun: A vast, 2,606-acre state park features woodlands, meadows, and the meandering Ridley Creek, where teens unplug and connect with nature.
Put this Delaware County park in your list of fun outings for teens around Media and Swarthmore. In Ridley Creek State Park, teens can challenge themselves on rugged trails, learn about local flora and fauna, or simply enjoy a peaceful day by the creek. Amp up the fun with biking, horseback riding and picnicking. In the winter, park trails stay open for sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Ideal for: All ages
Admission: Free
The Creative Living Room
Address: 129 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Contact: 484-443-8224 | Instagram: @thecreativelivingroom
Hours: Open during program and event hours.
Why it’s fun: A communal space where artsy teens can express their creative side, cut loose, and socialize.
Founded by four teaching artists, The Creative Living Room (TCLR) is a haven for creative kids and teens. As part of their roster of programs and classes for families, TCLR offers organized teen hangouts. In their weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, players of all levels explore fantasy and role-playing, supervised by expert dungeon masters. Recent monthly social events for teens include Karaoke Dance Party, Magic Nite, and Improv Night. In the summer, themed weekly youth programs provide fun things for teens to do together as a group.
Ideal for: Ages 12–17
Admission: Prices vary depending on the class or event; check the website for details.
Media Theatre
Address: 104 E State St, Media, PA 19063
Contact: 610-891-0100 | Instagram: @mediatheatre
Hours: Open for performances, classes, and events.
Why it’s fun: Teens experience the magic of live performances with an outing to his classic, local theater in lively downtown Media.
Culture-conscious teens will love catching a performance at this vintage theater set amid shops and restaurants on State Street. When looking for things teens can do with friends, consider the Media Theatre’s mix of musicals, plays, and youth programs. Youth programs also let teens get involved in productions, building confidence, and performance skills.
Ideal for: All ages
Admission: Varies by show, typically $25–$45 for adults.
The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College
Address: 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Contact: 610-328–8025 | Instagram: @scott_arboretum
Hours: Dawn to Dusk, 365 days a year.
Why it’s fun: Free and open to the public, this 350-acre arboretum is a tranquil and stunning garden experience.
The Scott Arboretum comprises the Swarthmore College campus, considered one of the nation’s most beautiful college settings. Teens can hang out with friends and get a taste of college life while strolling gardens and wooded paths. Grab selfies in unique landscapes like the outdoor amphitheater, Crum Woods, and the redwood alley. Gardenistas and photography buffs will appreciate the seasonal gardens of rhododendrun, magnolia, peony, and roses planted by talented horticulture staff.
Pick up a self-guided tour map and walk the entire arboretum in about two hours. Picnicking is permitted, but carry out your trash.
Ideal for: All ages.
Admission: Free.
Linvilla Orchards
Address: 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063
Contact: 610-876-7116 | Instagram: @linvillaorchards
Hours: January 13 to March 8, 9 am – 5 pm daily | March 9 to September 26, 8 am – 6 pm daily | September 26 to October 30, 8 am – 8 pm, and until 9 pm on Friday and Saturday | Open daily November through December, excluding holidays; see website hours for more information.
Why it’s fun: This 300-acre, farm extravaganza features u-pick produce, barnyard animals, a farm market and bakery, and a roster of festivals and events.
From pick-your-own fruit adventures in the summer and hayrides and corn mazes in the fall, Linvilla Orchards has fun stuff for teens to do. Open most of the year, Linvilla is a great meet-up spot to connect with friends. Get a bite to eat, shop the farm market, pet the animals, and spend time outdoors exploring the farm. Teens can make a day of it at seasonal events like the apple, strawberry, and sunflower festivals, and the Food Truck Frenzy.
Ideal for: All ages
Admission: Free entry, pay for activities and purchases.
Teen-Friendly Main Line Activities
Discover exciting Main Line teen hangouts in Media and Swarthmore. From the vintage arcade vibes of Game On State to the natural wonders of Ridley Creek State Park, the area offers a variety of get-together ideas for teens.
Looking for teen Don’t miss our Tips for Main Line Teens Organizing Friend Group Activities.
Lead photo courtesy of The Creative Living Room.
