James Matthews House (Twin trundle w/ cat hosts!)

Welcome to our historic Germantown home, the James Matthews House! This room comfortably sleeps 2 with a twin trundle bed - the 2nd twin bed rolls out when needed. The full bath across the hall is shared with one other room. We are in NW Philly, a quick trip from Center City and all the City of Brotherly Love has to offer. Much closer, you’ll find Wissahickon Valley Park, a unique urban forest with trails for running, hiking, biking or birdwatching. Molly and Dan, along with their 3 cats (Maxine, Kenzo, and Punky) live in this property and have 4 guest rooms. This is the listing for our twin trundle; this room is more centrally located in relation to our other guest rooms so can be the perfect setup if you’re traveling with kids old enough to sleep in a room on their own (see our combined listing for this room plus the queen bedroom next door in our host profile). This room has a twin bed with a second twin bed underneath that easily rolls out (on wheels) to comfortably sleep two people. In addition to the shared full bath across the hall, there is a community half bath on the first floor. You are also welcome to explore and use the house common areas- indoors you can relax in the large living room (includes a TV), play the piano in the drawing room, or sit in front of the dining room gas fireplace. The dining room is where grab-and-go breakfast and snack items are along with a mini-fridge stocked with ice, drinks and yogurt, Keurig coffee station, tea with hot water machine (instant oatmeal packets provided too), a microwave, and toaster oven (a larger one with air fryer functionality). Any extra space in the dining room mini-fridge is also available for your personal use. As a special treat on the weekends, your host Molly (who loves to bake) provides fresh baked goodies. Please let Molly know if you have dietary restrictions and she will work to accommodate (she has become quite adept at vegan baking and finally found some go-to gluten free goodies too). If you need to do laundry, let your hosts know, and we will show you how to access the basement laundry facilities (yet another fridge for guest use is available here too). Outdoors, take a meal or relax on the glider on the front porch. Let your hosts know if you’re interested in the outdoor fire pit, and we will build a fire - maybe after you’ve taken a soothing dip in the hot tub! Please reserve a time to use the hot tub with your host – this allows us to ensure the hot tub is properly treated and cleaned after every use and only one group will be using the hot tub at any given time. We welcome you to enjoy the yard and gardens. We have vegetable and herb gardens, a rain garden, and we are building up our native plants all over to attract and support more pollinators and birds. We love our gardens and will talk your ear off about it if you let us! Free street parking is available across the street and is generally easy in the evenings and on the weekends. Off-street parking in our driveway is available for an additional fee (and can be added anytime, including after your arrival). We have several buses that drop off within a block of the house (the X, H, XH being the closest and the 23 being the easiest though a bit slow going from Center City). We are within walking distance (~ ½ mile) of both the Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail train lines. Guests access the house through the door on the front porch. You will be given a personal door code that unlocks the main door. All guest rooms are on the 2nd floor. You enter the house from outside into the dining room and then will need to walk through the living room to get to the stairs. This room is at the end of the 2nd floor front hallway, on the left. No access to 3rd floor, kitchen, and 2nd floor office- please respect private areas and do not enter. This also pertains to guest areas that may be designated private for a specific guest room (e.g., assigned bathrooms). We live in the home, but we're also working our day jobs during the week. We try to respond to texts/emails as quickly as possible when we're not at home. Since we live in the house, we're always available, but we do ask that quiet hours are observed from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am. Take a quick trip to Center City and all the City of Brotherly Love has to offer, or walk ¾ of a mile to Wissahickon Valley Park where you’ll forget you’re in the city with abundant trails for running, hiking, biking or birdwatching. Walking distance (15 minute walk or less) Food: Salam Cafe (Ethiopian/Mediterranean with a convenience store in the back), Giovanni’s Pizzeria, Maker Artisan Pizza, Al Sham Restaurant 4 (tasty halal food with eat-in option), Wendy’s, Burger King Coffee shops: Uncle Bobby’s Coffeehouse, Germantown Espresso Bar, Ultimo Coffee, Dunkin Donuts Schools: Philadelphia School for the Deaf, Germantown Friends School, Greene Street Friends School Historic sites: Deshler-Morris House (Germantown White House), Wyck Historic House and Garden, Germantown Historical Society A little farther (~1-2 miles, a longer walk or quick bike ride): Historic RittenhouseTown (home of the first papermill) Forbidden Drive, 2018 Trail of the Year by the PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources Kelly Drive Young American Cider Attic Brewing Wissahickon Brewery Schools: Jefferson (formerly Philadelphia University), Drexel Medicine, LaSalle University, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts Quick and easy to get to by transit or car: Schools: Temple University, University City (Drexel, UPenn), Eastern, St Joe’s Laurel Hill Cemetery Art Museum area (Phila Art Museum and Rocky statue, The Barnes, Franklin Institute, Natural History Museum) Old City (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House - the center of historic Philly) We are happy to share tips on where to go around the neighborhood and Philadelphia and how to use our local transit, SEPTA, should you be looking for the most affordable option to get around. Coming to Philadelphia to run a race? Ask us about our complimentary start line drop-off service and race day late check-out (availability must be confirmed with hosts in advance). We are happy to share tips on where to go around the neighborhood and Philadelphia and how to use our local transit, SEPTA, should you be looking for the most affordable option to get around. Also happy to provide routes for running, walking, or to get onto one of the Wissahickon trails. We are near lots of transportation options to get you where you want to go! Regional Rail- the Chestnut Hill East and West regional rail lines are within walking distance (0.5 mile), and Wayne Junction is only 1.1 miles away from our home. 6 trains run through Wayne Junction, but the most notable one is the Airport line. Bus - Rt 23 stop 2 blocks away and takes you to the Broad Street subway line or all the way into Center City. Lyft and Uber are an option, though they are recovering somewhat slowly from the pandemic. You may wait longer and pay more for these options. Also happy to provide routes for running, walking, or to get onto one of the Wissahickon trails. Please note this is 200+ year old historic home and much of the home reflects that with restored antiques being used throughout as much as possible, including permanent fixtures such as the bathroom mirrors. Restored antiques are often left with some character flaws and are not dirty. Original pieces are meant to be enjoyed and the flaws remind us that these are not reproductions but pieces that have endured several decades.