Wayne: Lush Gardens, Victorian Charm & Seriously Good Eats

Can’t-Miss Experiences

1. Discover a garden paradise

Once the private home to the Rosengarten family, the Chanticleer estate came into full bloom in 1990. Seven horticulturalists and 14 gardeners and groundskeepers manage a beautiful sprawling expanse — spanning meadows, a creek and woodlands — open to the public from May to Labor Day, and again select weekends in the fall.

The themed gardens include a Tuscan countryside-inspired serpentine and a cutting garden of hundreds of tulips or zinnias, depending on when you visit. Guided tours of the house can be booked ahead.

  — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

2. Take a hike

Much like Chanticleer, the Willows Mansion once housed a wealthy family in grand style and now welcomes visitors. The house itself — reimagined as a community hub with nonprofit support — hosts classes and workshops. The surrounding Willows Park Preserve encompasses trails and an arboretum with hundreds of trees, including some from the early 1900s.

The multi-use Radnor Trail runs a 2.5-mile stretch of the P&W railroad track. Jog or bike the flat track and view markers at the old train stops along the way.

3. Buy some treats

Though it’s located in Delaware County, Lancaster County Farmers Market was named for its original Amish vendors who traveled from Lancaster along Route 30 to Wayne. Look for Amish vendors selling barbecue and produce, as well as stalls specializing in items like empanadas and pasta.

4. Go to town

Several blocks of retail on Lancaster Avenue and the Eagle Village Shops center make Wayne a shopper’s hotspot, especially for gifts and homewares.

Much more than a florist, Valley Forge Flowers’ delightful compound includes gifts and lifestyle goods, plus a cafe on-site.

Stock up on cute candles and rustic furniture at Nest Home Decor, or browse high-end tableware and homegoods at The Little House Shop — one of Wayne’s oldest boutiques. Find men’s fashion at The Tiger Shop, or explore chic apparel and accessories at Louella.

Plus, readers unite at Main Point Books, a cozy independent spot with helpful shopkeepers and a wide selection.

5. Taste something new

Known for its restaurant scene — including a Restaurant Row on North Wayne Avenue — Wayne wines and dines with the best of them.

The stylish new-Italian brasserie Rosalie serves cocktails and house pizzas, as well as brunch in the Wayne Hotel. Slip into the midcentury, pan-Asian vibes at The Blue Elephant. Opt for an intimate and creative tasting menu at At the Table. Or explore French-Vietnamese cuisine (with a speakeasy) at Maison Lotus.

Spice up your life with noodles at Dan Dan, have a full tea party (with Cornish pasties and Bakewell tarts) at A Taste of Britain, or get your caffeine French-style at Matines Cafe.

Where to Stay

Walkable from town and the train station, the Wayne Hotel beckons with 40 guest rooms and onsite dining. The Radnor Hotel, a short drive away, shares the same ownership as the Wayne Hotel, offering 167 rooms and a spa/salon.

  — Photo courtesy of Wayne Hotel

Local Tips

Ready to experience the area firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Ride the SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail line from Center City to the Wayne Station and walk a couple of blocks into town.
• Get to know the creative side of this town at the Wayne Art Center, which holds classes, lectures and exhibitions. The Center also sponsors the Plein Air Festival in May, celebrating outdoor painting with a juried exhibition of national artists.
• If traveling to Wayne by car, you can make use of metered parking on the street and in lots off Lancaster Avenue.

  — Photo courtesy of Devon Horse Show

• For over 100 years, the Devon Horse Show has been wowing fans of equestrian sport with its exhibitions and county fair held in May. The Devon Fall Classic, a scaled-down version, takes place in September.
• A few minutes away by car, Villanova University’s NCAA Division I teams include men’s and women’s basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and swimming and diving.
• One of the town’s wealthiest debutantes, Hope Montgomery, later inspired George Cukor’s Oscar-winning 1940 film The Philadelphia Story.