Main Line-Delaware - Newtown Square, PA Area Guide

The Pennsylvania Railroad constructed its main line through the area in the early 19th Century. Wealthy families in Philadelphia established estates along the line, often while maintaining a separate residence within the city. While multi-million dollar homes remain a common feature in the area, more modest residences for upper-middle-class families now predominate.

Delaware Valley denizens may find focus for their artistic energies through the Wayne Art Center. Created in 1930 as the first art center in the area, this establishment provides instructions in painting, sculpture, music, cooking and theater. Over 5,000 students per year expand their horizons with close to 500 classes and workshops. For over 20 years, local residents have celebrated the Radnor Fall Festival, with music, magic acts, dog shows and all-around autumnal family fun. The Radnor Fun Run has attracted charitably-inclined Radnor runners since 1977, raising funds and awareness for the National Lung Association.

While locals can easily hop on the train into Philly to sample the diverse cuisine and nightlife offered in the city, they can find plenty to eat and do closer to home. Pie in the Sky Pizzeria offers so much more than just pizza. The lactose-intolerant can still enjoy a slice of tomato pie, while turophiles might opt for a white pizza or the four-cheese pie, with mozzarella, cheddar, jack and feta. Add some variety with a Mexican pizza, some stromboli or Pie in the Sky's award-winning cheesesteaks. For a nice outdoor deck on which to enjoy your food and drink, check out the Great American Pub in Wayne, home of cheese steak spring rolls. Other favorites include the slow-roasted pork, roast beef, and turkey sandwiches. Insomniacs enjoy 24-hour diner fare at Minella's Diner, open every day of the year except Christmas. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner, any time of day or night. You can even order online for dining in or pick-up. Fresh-baked desserts tantalize diners around the clock. The chocolate-frosted whipped cream cake is especially tasty at 3:00 a.m.

Commuters can take advantage of the Paoli/Thorndale Region Rail line at the Villanova, Radnor, St. David’s and Wayne Stations for transit to points west or eastbound into the city. No Amtrak stations lie within Delaware County proper, but travelers can access these services in Ardmore or Paoli lying just a little west and east, respectively.

A high volume of commuters travel in and out of the city on the train. With the exception of St. David's, all the stations have ample parking facilities, and travelers can usually drive right to the station and park before hopping on the train for a relaxing commute to work.

Those who prefer to drive can get to Philadelphia via Lancaster Avenue (Route 30), the main regional thoroughfare. Bikes are almost completely absent on this very busy street, but you can often find a route along the smaller side streets to get you where you need to go locally. Some commuters bike to the train, which is equipped with bicycle racks. Much of Route 30 in this region has no sidewalk, so you might need to plan an alternate route along the back roads for safe pedestrian travel. This suburban community does not have a high demand for taxi service, so you’re unlikely to flag one down, but all it takes is a phone call to Uber or the County Cab Company to arrange for pickup. Both include all of Delaware County within their service region. For travel north and south, motorists can access Route 476 which runs right through the heart of this area. Route 30 continues west across the entire country, but traffic is heavy and for non-local trips, travellers usually opt to take 476 up to Route 76. Those travelling by car into the city are also apt to take 76. While less direct, this highway lacks the many stoplights and intersections common along Lancaster Avenue.

It’s no coincidence that the Main Line in Delaware County contains scenic parks. The affluent families who settled the community wanted the best of both worlds-the economic and cultural advantages the city offered, along with the trees, streams, and green space less available within the urban sprawl.

The largest of these in the area, Skunk Hollow Park, covers 93 acres. No vehicular traffic runs through the park, but several streams do. Anglers of all ages take full advantage of these waterways and the two small lakes within the park. Dogs are permitted and frequently run alongside their jogging owners, children are welcome and there is no fee.

Cyclists gravitate toward the Radnor Trail. Stretching for 2.4 miles, this fitness trail welcomes walkers, joggers, skaters, and cyclists from dawn to dusk, with no admission fee. Dogs are permitted, as long as they are leashed, and park-users are generally very courteous and responsible with animal waste and control. The trail runs through or near several small parks, including the Friends of Radnor Trail Park, site of an annual Arbor Day event. Tree planting and inspirational speakers bring locals together to celebrate their community's commitment to a green future. The trail also runs alongside Encke Park, which features baseball fields, a playground, and a golf driving range right next door, giving residents plenty of opportunities to get outside and get their blood pumping.

For outdoor beauty that’s had a helping hand from human beings, visit Chanticleer Gardens. A private estate for over 100 years, Chanticleer became a public garden in 1993. Seven horticulturists oversee the maintenance of the grounds, working with nature to craft living sculptures out of the foliage and landscape. Chanticleer is home to thousands of plant species and visitors can learn as much as they desire about any of them through exhaustively detailed educational materials, available for consultation while visiting or to take home for a small fee. The garden is open from April through October.

Cost of living varies widely within Main Line Delaware County. Within Villanova, which straddles nearby more expensive Montgomery county, costs are significantly higher than the national average, though this figure is skewed by very high housing costs. In Radnor next door, overall costs are 17 percent higher. Median rent in 2009 for Delaware county as a whole was $766, while costs are higher along the main line, with rent in Radnor averaging $1,245.

Commuters can pay a daily fee of $1 for parking or purchase a monthly permit for $20 to park at the train stations. Train fare is $5.75 during peak hours, inbound toward the city in the morning, and leaving the city in the late afternoon and early evening. Regular commuters more often opt for a monthly pass, which is $163. Gas prices are about 8% higher than the national average. Premium craft beers fetch about $5 or $6, lower-end brews about $4.

While falling just outside of the county limits, many Delaware County residents take advantage of the King of Prussia Mall, the largest shopping mall in the entire country, with 2.73 million square feet of retail space and over 400 stores, just under two miles to the north.

Shoppers also have many local choices, with a high concentration along Lancaster Avenue, running parallel to the rail line into the city. Wayne’s Eagle Village Shops, located just off Lancaster Avenue, makes boutique shopping easy, with over two dozen retailers all located on elegantly landscaped grounds. Stores include the Little House Shop, in business for over 80 years, with a wide variety of inventory, including Herend and Juliska china, Simon Pearce glassware, lamps, stationery, and furniture. Stella, the shop’s adorable spokesdog, makes occasional appearances at the shop.

Just a short walk away is the Wedding Shoppe, offering bridal apparel and accessories from top designers, such as Angela Noran, Jenny Lee, and After Six, as well as the shop Menagerie, featuring clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, and other fashion accessories from well-known designers, such as Coralia Leets and Kara Ross.

Residents have plenty of options for groceries, including organic and local foods. Whole Foods Market lies just a quarter mile past the county line to the west. The Lancaster County Farmers Market is set up in Wayne, on Lancaster Avenue. This indoor market has brought food from farms in Lancaster County to the Main Line since the 1930s. The Market now includes products produced in Delaware County as well, including farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, and smoked meats and cheeses.