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.
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.
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
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.
