Please be patient, the video may take a few seconds to load.

Highways to Adventure 

When it's time to escape the stress or monotony of everyday life, pack the car...turn up the music...and set your GPS for Delaware County, PA - where we've got a 3 day/2 night Road Trip just for you! 

Each driving tour is a little different.  There's a tour designed for couples -- another for young families -- and soon we'll be adding several tours designed around a specific passion.



  • Are you into gorgeous gardens?  Or does your perfect road trip include hitting the 'greens' on a great golf course?
  • History buffs will find everything from famous battlefields to 17th Century log cabins, Octagonal school houses, a working Colonial Plantation...and that's just for starters.  
  • Maybe you're a galloping gourmet who's more likely to venture out for a fun Cooking Class Weekend
  • And if you're an artist or photographer, check out our new Sketch & Shoot tour - it could be a real portfolio-builder!

Whatever you love - it's a good bet we've got some of it right here, in Delco.

Access each tour from any direction...


Regardless of where you're coming from, all of the tours are designed in a looping pattern which means you can enter a tour from any direction and continue it back to the spot where you started, for an easy return home. To keep it simple, ALL OF OUR DRIVING TOURS BEGIN AND END WITH EASY ACCESS TO AND FROM I-95 and the PA TURNPIKE. However, the tours can also be accessed from virtually every direction, and many more highways.

To make it easy...


The actual names of each attraction, restaurant and hotel suggested in the tours - are  live links directly to their websites so you can quickly see and read all about each place without bouncing around on Google.

While most of the attractions are open year round (and at least 5 days a week), there are some places that close in the winter and a handful of sites offer tours only by appointment. Smaller historic sites manned by volunteer-only staff, tend to be open limited hours, but are glad to do tours by appointment.

Personalize your road trip - and we can help! 


Don't be afraid to break a few eggs and scramble up all the tours to create your own perfect getaway.  There are no rules here...just lots of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.  Plus don't hesitate to call our office if you have any questions or need more suggestions. We're pretty friendly in Delco. Another great reason to visit :)   

First Tour:

"Two For The Road" 


You bring the hand-holding, laughter and great conversation...we'll add the fun, food, wine and adventure.  Note: Minus the hand-holding (smile) this tour would also be fun for a couple of good friends or family members with shared interests.

What's not to love about visiting the studio lair of a famous American artist - or exploring a world class 1000-acre indoor and outdoor garden? Add a little wine tasting...a visit to one of the most beautiful secret gardens in North America (as named by Nat'l Geographic Traveler Magazine)...go shopping on the Main Line...topped off with an evening of fun & games at Harrah’s Casino overlooking the Delaware River.

DAY ONE 

Morning

From I-95, take the PA Rt. 202 Exit towards West Chester, entering Delaware County and the Brandywine Valley. Follow 202 to Rt. 1 in Chadds Ford - and make a left.  You will pass a sign for the Historic Brandywine Battlefield on your right, and almost immediately after, your first stop will be on the left:                                                      

The Brandywine River Museum of Art  – Explore a pretty astounding collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American art, housed in a renovated nineteenth-century mill with a dramatic steel and glass addition that overlooking the Brandywine River. It showcases the art and studios of 3 generations of Wyeths, as well as rare exhibits of works by other top American artists.

ARTIST LORE: In 1911, N.C. Wyeth purchased 18 acres of land in Chadds Ford with the proceeds from his illustrations for Treasure Island. Wyeth built his home and studio on a hill overlooking the valley—setting down roots which have nourished a family of extraordinary creativity for more than a century.

In addition to the Museum, there are tours of both Artist Studios and the Kuerner Farm, as well as an on site restaurant and beautiful wildflower gardens. Check to see what additional exhibits might be featured when your arrive.

Afternoon

Easily accessible from Rt. 1 in Chadds Ford there are two award-winning vineyards which offer regular wine tastings, and free summer concert events. Penns Woods Winery also offers Painting and Yoga Classes in their vineyard, as well as several crowd-drawing festivals, car shows and charity events each year.
Chaddsford Winery – This award-winning vineyard is the largest and best known in Pennsylvania, and their wines are enjoyed by enthusiasts around the country. Check their site for monthly festivals and events.
Penns Woods Winery – Voted Best Local Winery on the Main Line and Western Suburbs in 2014 and 2015!  There's loads of fun to be had in the vineyard throughout the summer...like Movie Nights, as well as Painting and Yoga Classes. How Zen is that! They also host festivals, car shows and gala charity events.


Evening


Check in to your hotel before dinner... Consider one of these fine B&Bs or Hotels just minutes from the attractions above:

Hamanassett Bed and Breakfast
Brandywine River Hotel
Sweetwater Farm at Grace Winery
Staybridge Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites
Holiday Inn Express



Then it's off for drinks, dinner -- and after dessert, why not sip a brandy and make a few new friends at the bar?

There are many outstanding Taverns and Restaurants.  But one popular place in the heart of Delco's Brandywine region is Brandywine Prime Seafood and Chop House which features a casual atmosphere in a renovated 18th Century Tavern. This is a hot spot for both locals and visitors, with a great chef, menu and reasonable wine list.

More restaurants nearby:
The Gables at Chadds Ford
Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
Harry's Savoy Grill and Ballroom
Foxfire at the Stone Barn
Krazy Kats Restaurant (in a former Blacksmith's Barn)


To explore additional hotel and dining options, search the complete Delco Lodging and Dining Guide Sections of this website. Another option would be to take Rt. 1N for about 10-15 minutes (from the Chadds Ford area) to our county-seat town of Media. Ride the trolley down State Street which features15 eateries representing a dozen different global tastes -- all deliciously intertwined with cool shops, a Broadway-style theater featuring live shows, plus art galleries, jewelry stores, and the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum and more.


DAY TWO

Morning/Afternoon


Put on your comfy shoes and head for world renowned Longwood Gardens -- 1000+ acres of gardens including half a mile of indoor gorgeousness. Get ready to see stunning outdoor fountains with summer concerts and winter ice skating...and when the holiday lights come on, thousands of people come to drive through this amazing winter wonderland! You'll end up spending hours here, so plan a late lunch on your way to the Delaware Riverside.

Late Afternoon Lunch

From Longwood you will take Rt. 1N past a cool rustic local restaurant, Hank's Place. Or keep driving until you reach Rt. 202 and turn right, going south towards Delaware.  Follow 202 until you see Pescatore's Italian Restaurant in a small shopping plaza on the right...or just a little further down the road on the left, is the Glen Eagle Shopping Center and the always popular Outback Restaurant.

        

Evening


Head for your hotel.  There are many iconic brands to choose from, all just minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport and our Riverside Casino and Stadium district. No matter what your budget may be, here are a few trusted hotels to consider:

Aloft Hotel at PHL
Renaissance Hotel at PHL
Doubletree Hotel at PHL
Wyndham Garden Hotel at PHL
Comfort Inn at Essington (near PHL)
Best Western Chester - at Widener University

Then relax.  Unwind. Freshen up for a fun night at Harrah's Casino and Race Track on the Delaware – with outdoor Harness Racing overlooking the river (8 months of the year) plus the hottest table games in the region, live entertainment, five restaurants, designer shops and more. This is the perfect place to unwind, cut loose and enjoy great food, fun, and music with gorgeous waterfront views of Philadelphia.

Sports fans may want to plan their visit around a Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Team game - or if there's something you want to see in center city, your hotel is just 10 minutes from Broad Street!

DAY THREE

Morning

Have coffee before hitting the road, but plan to have breakfast at a hugely popular diner on the Main Line in Wayne. Take I-95S briefly to 476N, then hop off at the Villanova/Lancaster Avenue exit. Go left towards Radnor - and Minella's Diner in Wayne will be about 3 miles or so up the road, on the left.

Everything you'd expect from a diner and more! Yummy breakfast foods, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, wraps, seafood, steak, plus Italian and Greek specialties. There's a full bar menu and your waistline will look the other way as your eyes glaze over at the OMG array of baked goods on display. As if it wasn't obvious by that first hand description...all baking is done on the premises and with plenty of TLC!

Then backtrack a mile or 2 to Chanticleer Estate Garden (on Church Road in Wayne.)  This is the only original 18th Century Main Line Estate that is open to the public, and it was recently touted by Nat'l Geographic Traveler Magazine as having one of North America’s most beautiful Secret Gardens.  It is petite in size, just 35 acres --  but it's a stunner that has been written about in books and is one of the highest rated gardens to visit on TripAdviser! (Open April-November)

Morning/Afternoon


Mosey back to Rt. 30 (Lancaster Avenue) and spend a few hours haunting the famous antique shops, interior design stores and fashion boutiques along the famous Main Line.  You’ll find everything from art to rugs, to jewelry and gifts.  There are several outstanding spas and even more fabulous restaurants for lunch.  BUT BE WARNED:  Many visitors succumb to temptation, purchasing baubles & bags, designer wear, art, beauty products and more. The good news? Traveling by car provides plenty of room for packages filled with treasures, gifts and goodies.

For lunch, consider one of these popular Main Line restaurants...

The Glenmorgan Bar and Grill in the Radnor Hotel - Known for it's great chef, contemporary setting and spirited American cuisine.
Paramour Restaurant An upscale bar and restaurant serving a sophisticated modern American menu. One of the hottest restaurants in the 5 county area!
Margaret Kuo's Restaurant A stunning Asian food destination featuring 2 restaurants...The Dragon's Lair Chinese Dining Room, and The Japanese Dining Room, exuding romance.
333 Belrose Restaurant Chef/Owner Carlo DeMarco was voted the 2010 Best Chef by Main Line Today Magazine.
A Taste of Britain A charming English Café and Tea Shop.


We hate to say goodbye... but after 3 days of touring, feasting, tossing dice, filling shopping bags and relaxing with new friends, you're probably ready to head for home.  Simply take Rt. 30E (Lancaster Avenue) to Rt. 476 (The Blue Route) which is just minutes away.  Go south on 476 to head for I-95 -- go north on 476 to head for the PA Turnpike.

Get Wild, Get Wet, Get Flown, Get Full!

From American's first Urban Wildlife Refuge, to canoeing down the Brandywine River or letting your imagine soar at the American Helicopter Museum  -- this tour is chock full of adventure and great food at family friendly prices.

1) We’ve included attractions that appeal to all ages - many of them with nominal admission prices, and some are even free.

2) The hotels listed are based on their location to the attractions.

3) Many of the restaurants listed in each area are kid-cool and budget friendly, but there are several notable and popular favorites mentioned as well.

REMEMBER:  There is a direct link to the web site of every attraction, hotel and restaurant on the tour so you can pick the perfect stops for you and your family.

The tour is designed in a loop that can be accessed from any direction, and leads back to your point of entry.  For the sake of ease, we start and end our tour from I95.

Ready – Set – Let's Go!

Day One
MORNING
Your first stop off I95 has got to be the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge .
Surrounded by more than 5 million people, this place is like a 1000 acre secret garden, enchanted forest and creature sanctuary.  All sitting in the middle of bustling International shipping lanes, huge state-crossing bridges, the Philadelphia Airport and glistening high-rise landscape of Philly.

There are 10 miles of hiking & biking trails, great fishing, canoeing and an award-winning 'green' Visitor Center with hands on educational exhibits and rotating displays.  This is just plain fun, and the bird watching is amazing. 

AFTERNOON
Head south on I95 to Rt. 476 N (The Blue Route).  Take the Media/Springfield exit and turn left towards Media on Baltimore Pike.  At the Intersection with Rt. 252, go right - then left onto State Street.

Featuring old fashioned trolley service, State Street boasts dozens of restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, a renowned live theater and historic sites like the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum. You'll also find lots of park benches, a town square, plenty of street parking, and 3 story parking structure on Olive Street.

Media Shops, Events & More
Often referred to as "America's Hometown" because of its charm, buzz and tree lined avenues, it is also the county seat so if you like taking pictures, head up to the Courthouse on Front Street. William Jennings Bryant once spoke from it's steps, and even the local take wedding pics and selfies on the steps of this grandiose 1872 marble structure.  And speaking of the courthouse steps, if you're there at lunchtime, get in line at Augie's 'Doggies' food truck.  We say if it's good enough for lawyers and judges, you KNOW the food is awesome!


Fun places in Media:

(Produces traditional theater shows and children's productions)
Delaware County Courthouse
Media Event Calendar
Margaret Kuos  (Kids love using chop sticks!)
Pinocchio's Restaurant (Every child gets pizza dough to play with while you wait for your meal)
Buddy's Burgers (Gotta try one of their amazing shakes!)
Berry Fresh Café
Iron Hill Brewery


Within minutes:
Hedgerow Theatre (Produces both traditional theater shows and children's productions)
Rose Tree Park (If you come in summer, they do 45 nights of free twilight outdoor concerts from mid-June to mid-August!)

Tyler Arboretum This is one of the oldest arboreta in the northeastern United States, with 650 acres of renowned plant collections, heritage and champion trees, historic buildings and 17 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows. The Arboretum is open to the public 362 days a year.

Fresco's Pizza Grill (Delicious burgers, pizza and entrees - with a funky decorated car for delivery orders!)

Nearby Hotels

Take Baltimore Pike (Rt. 1S) towards Springfield (about 10 minutes from Media)
Days Inn Springfield
Courtyard by Marriott Springfield (adjacent to Springfield Country Club and Public Golf Course)
Longfellow House B&B in Swarthmore (same direction on Rt.1S, but only about 5 minutes from Media)

Day Two

MORNING
Head South on Baltimore Pike, passing through Media.


Stop at Linvilla Orchards - one of the biggest family attractions in the region!  People come from 3 states to regularly enjoy their month-long celebrations of Bunnyland, Pumpkinland and Christmasland, not to mention dozens of fruit and vegetable festivals, car shows, and more!  There are hayrides, indoor mini golf, a bakery to die for, a petting zoo, gifts, a garden center and much more.

Further down Rt.1 S, stop at Ridley Creek State Park and The Colonial Plantation.  The park is famous for its fishing, plus hiking, picnic grounds, snow-shoe and cross country skiing in the Winter and more. The Plantation is an actual working farm, just as it was in the Colonial Era.  It hosts amazing battle re-enactments and festivals showcasing candle making, weaving, farming practices.

AFTERNOON
Continue taking Rt.1 S into the Brandywine Valley. There are great attractions listed below, but if you turn right on Rt. 202, consider having lunch at Jimmy John's Pipin Hot Sandwichs famous for its hot dogs and trains circling around the ceiling!
Another great place for lunch is Capriotti's Sandwich Shop at the Concord Town Center.  The entire staff at Destination Delco has enjoyed many a 'Bobbi' (Thanksgiving dinner on a roll) and "Cole-Turkeys" (mounds of daily roasted and carved turkey atop home-made, secret recipe coleslaw).  No words can describe the mouthwater-liciousness of these monster sandwiches and hoagies. 

The birth of this landmark sandwich shop is worth a closer look...


Lois Margolet grew up in Wilmington, DE, in a neighborhood known as Little Italy. She dreamed of opening her own sandwich shop, but there were least 7 sandwich shops within a 3 block radius.  In 1976, Lois got brave, quit her full-time job, borrowed money and purchased a boarded-up building on North Union Street in Wilmington, where the original Capriotti's Sandwich Shop still stands.

With the help of her brother, Lois built the business around the idea of roasting whole fresh turkeys overnight -- a concept no other sandwich shop in the area offered. Demand grew to the point where they were cooking 10 to 12 turkeys per night, serving sandwiches made-to-order with fresh roasted pulled turkey, the best quality meats and cheeses, and fresh rolls deliver daily. Several franchises and thousands of fans later, history is still being made at Capriotti's.


Now back to the tour....


Want to visit a place where you can sit down while traveling miles and miles?

It's time to get wet!  Head for Wilderness Canoe Trips or Northbrook Canoe for canoeing and tubing trips down the beautiful Brandywine River: not quite the rapids of Colorado, but a spunky little journey through the Brandywine countryside.


Or...if wet doesn't work for your family, maybe you can aim a little higher.  Take a ride down Rt.202 in the direction of the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center.  This is one of only a handful of museums dedicated to Helicopter flight and it features more than 30 vintage 'whirlybirds'.  There are amazing interactive exhibits and be sure to check their web site for days when they offer actual helicopter rides!

Snack happy members of your family will want to trek a little further to the Nottingham home of the Herr's Snack Factory where you can take free tours, sample treats and have a snacking-good time :)

Nearby Hotels:

Brandywine River Hotel
Holiday Inn Express
Hampton Inn & Suites
Staybridge Suites Glen Mills  (With kitchens for extended stays)
Inn at Grace Winery
Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast


Nearby Restaurants for Dinner:

Brandywine Prime Seafood & Chops (Renovated tavern with a great bar)
P.F. Chang
Ruby's Diner
Texas Road House
TGI Fridays
Pescatore's Italian Restaurant (with hand-painted wall murals throughout)
Outback Steak House
Bertucci's


After Dinner:

Explore the Shoppes at Brinton Lake, the Concordville Town Centre or head S. on Rt. 202 to Olde Ridge Village with quaint shops including GiggyBites, a canine gift shop featuring all kinds of fresh made doggy treats. Go a little further south on 202, to Bruster's Ice Cream in Glen Mills - that's where the locals go for the best cones and frozen treats.

Day Three

MORNING
A perfect place for breakfast would be Hank's Place - then consider visiting one of three famous attractions that together, probably draw almost 2 million visitors a year.  All are exceptional - but the Battlefield has limited hours so be sure to note when tours are being offered.

Brandywine Battlefield(Across the street from the museum below.) 

Brandywine River Museum of Art (featuring the works ad original studios of N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth as well as exhibits of other great American Artists)


Longwood Gardens, which is about 15 minutes south of the River Museum area, is world famous, encompassing 20 outdoor gardens and a 4 acre conservatory.  A beautiful Children's Water Garden is also a fun feature. And there is a cafe for casual dining. Plan to spend several hours exploring this amazing place.


AFTERNOON
If stay near Rt. 1, you can simply take Rt. 202 S back to I95.  If you have lunch on your mind, you'll pass virtually every fast food chain you can think of as well as popular restaurant favorites like Famous Dave's BBQ, Olive Garden , and Applebee's .



If you have the entire day to play before hopping back on I95 heading for home, why not visit Nemours Mansion or Winterthur Museum, Gardens & Library?  These impressive historic places are gorgeous both inside and out - and if you love interior décor or architecture, you may never leave.







This is a driving tour for those who love to motor around a kitchen, as much as they like to explore new places.  Unlike Food TV's Next Network Star, you don't have to pack your knives...just your imagination!


Along with details about the cooking classes and the 'sweet' accommodations at Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast, the second half of this driving tour offers suggestions for Friday afternoon and Sunday sightseeing -- all within 15 minutes of the B&B. From famous gardens and museums, to our global 'Restaurant Row' on the tree-lined avenue of State Street in Media - you'll find all the ingredients you need for a tasty, memorable visit.
Fountain view from the Dining Room

Let's meet your hosts.

Glenn and Ashley Mon own and operate Hamanassett.  When you meet them, you'll see for yourself why people keep coming back.  Their warmth, friendliness and commitment to service is unparalleled.  Traveling all over the country, they have lovingly decorated this mid-19th Century estate and it shows. From the Billiards room to your chosen suite, make no mistake -- you're in for a rare treat.

They also have mad kitchen skills and a consuming, spirited love of food.  Soon after they purchased the estate, our Destination Delco team was treated to one of Ashley's now FAMOUS breakfasts...and all of us have been back time and time again. 

When you have outstanding service -- a superb setting -- and breakfasts to die for -- it's not surprising that Hamanassett is one of the most awarded and written-about bed and breakfasts in the country. 

In the last 3 years, they have begun hosting unique culinary-themed 'cooking school' weekends that take your taste buds (and your kitchen prowess!) to a whole new level.
Learn gourmet tips, techniques and
secrets for preparing amazing meals!

From Presidential Dinners, to a French Country Bastille Day Feast, and the Final Dinner served on the Titanic -- this is a tour for passionate cooks and even more passionate eaters.  More themes are detailed at the end of this story.

While each of these weekends is limited to 10 people, hundreds have already prepared and savored famous and extraordinary meals themed to a particular time in history, a momentous event or special holiday.



And if by chance you can't make one of the scheduled weekends below, grab 8 food-minded friends and call Ashley to arrange a private, custom cooking weekend just for you. 

 

About the Cooking School


Student chefs showoff their work!
As mentioned above, Ashley and Glenn serve up not only the best, oh-my-gosh breakfasts you've ever had - but you will also share their gorgeous country-style kitchen -- and with direction from professional chefs, you will prepare amazing lunch and dinner feasts that you and your fellow students will then enjoy for an intimate, unique dining experience.

 

You don’t need to be a great cook!

Classes are geared for recreational cooks -- as long as you like to eat, you're in!  If you prefer, you can watch the class or don an apron and get up to your elbows in dough ;)


2015 Cooking School Weekends

November 6th & 7th  -- Holiday Fare!
This is the last scheduled weekend of the year, but the 2016 Spring & Summer Weekend Schedule is in the works and will be featured here in the coming weeks. 


'Holiday Fare' is the perfect way to launch your entire holiday season!
Hamanassett is gorgeous year-round, but starting in October, Ashley and Glenn begin decorating for the Christmas Holiday, both indoors and out. The effect is stunning, as their stately Tudor home transports you back in time, for a lavish, warm and wonderful Victorian Holiday experience. Everywhere you look there are vintage and antique decorations, a thousand lights, stunning holiday trees and gorgeous wreaths. 

It's the perfect backdrop for your hands-on culinary experience.
Everyone loves turkey and stuffing...but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine history and food in the preparation a genuine Traditional English Holiday Feast.   You'll learn new cooking techniques along with a few cool 18th century chef skills as you prepare everything from a buttocks of beefe, fish and fowl mostfaire, to Yorkshire Pudding and all the appropriate accompaniments including the traditional Christmas Pudding. You’ll also receive a personal pudding to take home for the holidays.


Click on the link below for Hamanassett holiday season photos and a Video Tour
Hamanassett Decorated for Christmas

Glenn may look serious, but
 he's lots of fun in the kitchen!

Cooking School Information & Schedule

  • Arrival and check-in, late Friday afternoon
  • 7pm...Host's Welcome Reception
  • Saturday morning you will share a big country breakfast with fellow weekenders
  • Followed by a Saturday Morning Class: Students prepare and enjoy a marvelous lunch
  • Saturday Afternoon Class: Students learn new recipes and cooking techniques while preparing the weekend's theme dinner
  • Then you are literally shushed out of the kitchen, to relax and refresh for the evening meal.
  • Saturday night students are elegantly served each course of the meal, accompanied by matching wines.
  • Sunday morning, you'll enjoy a sumptuous farewell breakfast
  • 10am check out

Cooking classes are limited to 10 people...and are $225 per person plus tax and gratuity. 

 

 

Your $225 cooking class fee includes:

  1. All classes conducted by professional chefs with specific training and experience in the cuisine being featured.
  2. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings
  3. Welcome Reception Friday evening
  4. Lunch and dinner on class day that has been prepared by you during the cooking class.  And each course at dinner is paired with a wine appropriate for that course. 
  5. Participants also receive class materials with recipes, tips and techniques along with a Brandywine Country Cooking School apron, plus tote bag and other surprise goodies. 

Rooms are priced separately:
Weekend package participants enjoy two nights’ accommodations (Friday and Saturday) at Hamanassett, but rooms are priced separately, as they depend on which room is chosen.

Hamanassett street address: 115 Indian Spring Dr, Chester Heights, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 459-3000
Note: Hamanassett features a Tesla Wall Connector and a universal station that can charge all electric vehicles free to all our guests.


Directions to Hamanasset, from I-95:

> Take the PA Rt. 202N exit towards West Chester. 
> In about 15 minutes or so you will take PA Rt. 1N for about 4-5 minutes. 
> At Darlington Road, turn left (1 min)
> At Indian Spring Drive, go left again, up the hill and into their driveway


FRIDAY & SUNDAY: Great Opportunities to Explore the Brandywine Countryside

Located in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, your Cooking School Weekend is not only fun in the kitchen...it allows plenty time to visit Penns Woods Winery  or Chaddsford Winery,  and at least one or two nationally renowned sites like Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum of Art.  All are just minutes from Hamanassett.
Christian C. Sanderson Museum
Longwood Gardens
History buffs, veterans and those who love to fly might prefer a visit to the Christian C. Sanderson Museum, a quirky but surprising home for all types of Americana, war memorabilia and rare Wyeth works of art.

Or the American Helicopter Museum where more than 30 helos are on display, along with armed services birds and dozens of huge, interactive exhibits.  Some weekends they even offer helicopter rides over the Brandywine.

And there's nothing more relaxing than spending a Sunday afternoon on State Street in Media.  This was America's first official Fair Trade Town - and is as charming a place as you'd ever want to see. Take Rt. 1N for about 5 miles.  Once you enter the town, turn left at the Towne House Restaurant.  Two blocks up is State Street. Turn right.  Park anywhere on the street, or in the parking building adjacent to the Towne House. ON SUNDAYS PARKING IS FREE!   Restaurants, Sites & Events in Media


Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in Media

  • Take the trolley, or just stroll down this shop-lined street that boasts 20+ restaurants and coffee shops as well as charming shops, gift stores and boutiques.
  • Catch a show at the Media Theatre --  a very cool, vaudeville-era stage now renovated and performing live Broadway shows
  • The PA Veterans Museum is housed in an historic Armory 
  • Or simply enjoy coffee and a decadent pastry on a park bench
  • Sample a handcrafted Margaritas at Diegos Cantina and Tequila Bar
  • Do an early dinner at La Belle Epoque Wine Bistro
  • Or tour all of our great Media eateries on our web site under RESTARAURANTS
Street Address: 115 Indian Spring Dr, Chester Heights, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 459-3000

PLUS: Hamanassett has a Tesla Wall Connector and a universal station that can charge all electric vehicles free to all our guests.


Directions to Hamanasset, from I-95:
> Take the PA Rt. 202N exit towards West Chester. 
> In about 15 minutes or so you will take PA Rt. 1N for about 4-5 minutes. 
> At Darlington Road, turn left (1 min)
> At Indian Spring Drive, go left again, up the hill and into their driveway


Information About Previous 2015 Cooking Class Weekends:


Dining on the Orient Express
Participants took a culinary “Grand Tour” of Europe and Asia preparing menus inspired by the Orient Express, which for over a century was the symbol of luxury travel.  A trip evocative of excitement, romance and intrigue, their “tour” featured cuisines associated with such exotic destinations as Paris, Venice, Vienna, and Istanbul, prepared using traditional methods.

French Country Cooking
A Celebration of Bastille Day with sumptuous French Country cooking. Using the freshest of ingredients, participants created a traditional menu that was enjoyed “En plein air” (al fresco) including individual pate de champagne to take home.

Last Dinner on the Titanic (one of their most requested classes!)
This was a return to the gastronomic extravagance of the Edwardian Era through the creation and consumption of the multi-course final dinner served in the First Class Salon on the fateful maiden voyage of Titanic.  Participants were welcome to dress in period attire for dinner.

  • Luncheon – Asparagus salad with champagne-saffron vinaigrette, chicken Lyonnais, peaches in chartreuse jelly
  • Dinner – Consomme Olga, poached salmon with Mousseline sauce, punch Romaine, Filets Mignons Lili, chateau potatoes, minted green pea timbales, Waldorf pudding, assorted fruits and cheeses.  Served with appropriate wines.
There's nothing like a Hamanassett
breakfast...nothing!

Brandywine Bounty -- “Field to Table”
As you know, the culinary world is all about Farm to Table. Glenn and Ashley offered a new twist on this natural food phenomenon – with a wild food and culinary adventure.

This past summer, participants joined Debbie Naha, MS, RD, a wild foods specialist, on a foraging trek in the Brandywine Valley to identify and gather edible ingredients, growing wild, to include in a sumptuous meal presentation. Half a day was spent exploring the grounds of the Newlin Grist Mill & 160-Acre Nature Park and Hamanassett to find ingredients used in the preparation of dinner service. Guests found out that purslane is not a weed – but a great wild spinach! Stinging nettles, while tough to handle, made an excellent soup.  And trout from the pond provided a tasty entrée.