Welcome to The Main Line!
The crown jewel of the Greater Philadelphia area
Philadelphia’s Main Line is an upscale and historical area of the suburbs. This collection of historic communities runs along the boundary of the once-prestigious Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line from downtown Philadelphia. The Main Line consists of these 18 communities: Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, Paoli, and Malvern.
When most people think of The Main Line, they think of the iconic and historic homes/mansions, the wealthy “old money” towns, and the communities that feel like small villages despite their close proximity to Philadelphia. In the early 1800s, the Pennsylvania Railroad built its main line through the region as part of the Main Line of Public Works across the state. The railroad encouraged development by building way stations in the area outside Philadelphia, attracting the social elite of Philadelphia who already had country homes in the region. And thus, The Main Line was born.
You’ll fall in love with the idyllic way of life, rolling hills, and gorgeous homes in this area. Come see why The Main Line is the crown jewel of Greater Philadelphia.
What to Love
- Upscale luxury at its finest; these towns are steeped in high-end amenities
- Large lots, plenty of land
- Exclusive community and affluent community
- Suburban yet still close to downtown Philly
Local Lifestyle
Residents of the Main Line are affluent, hard-working, and often grew up in this area; many town alumni return to the area to raise their own children. Young parents and growing families love the access to fantastic education opportunities, the wealth of private school options, and the quiet, idyllic setting to raise their kids. Many people in the area belong to a country club and there are many avid golfers in the community.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There are such a plethora of fantastic eateries in the Main Line, you’ll have a hard time deciding where to go each weekend! Here are some of our favorites:
- Tired Hands Fermentaria (Ardmore) is one of the biggest nightlife destinations in Ardmore with dining and craft beers.
- White Dog Cafe (Wayne) is a buzzy spot to grab dinner or drinks with friends
- Autograph Brasserie (Wayne) – a gorgeous spot with upscale decor and fantastic food
- Tin Lizard Brewing Company (Bryn Mawr) is a two-story microbrewery and BBQ joint that’s always packed and a popular nightlife scene.
- Enoteca Tredici (Bryn Mawr) is one of this hip town’s most popular restaurants. Enjoy the wine bar with small plates and catch up with friends.
- The Flying Pig Saloon (Malvern) is a popular neighborhood pub with craft beers and a fun atmosphere.
- Ripplewood (Ardmore) is a whiskey lover’s delight!
- Azie on Main (Villanova) - craft cocktails and Italian/French cuisine
- Nick Filet (Paoli) is the home of the famous filet mignon sandwich and also serves lobster rolls, surf & turf sandwiches, and more.
- 333 Belrose Bar & Grill (Wayne) is an award-winning Main Line restaurant with creative American cuisine and seafood served in an art-filled space.
- Fraschetta BYOB (Bryn Mawr) is one of Bryn Mawr’s famous BYOB Italian eateries with a rustic setting and BYOB policy.
For shopping, Suburban Square is a large outdoor shopping center that is fully equipped with luxury shops and common retailers such as Apple, Eileen Fisher, Free People, Kendra Scott, Drybar, Lilly Pulitzer, Nike, and Lululemon.
And of course, the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is a very popular spot on Saturday mornings for locally-sourced goods, produce, and dairy items.
Things to Do
Some other great things to do are:
- Ardmore Music Hall (Ardmore) is a premier music venue in Ardmore featuring major concert tours and regional acts.
- Bryn Mawr Film Institute (Bryn Mawr) is a popular community-supported venue that shows first-run, international, and independent films.
- Reel Cinemas Narbeth Stadium 2 (Narbeth) is a small-town theater and local favorite with reasonable prices, concessions, and food.
- Devon Horse Show (Devon) is the country’s largest outdoor horse competition which has been held in Devon in May/June since 1896.
- Devon Yard (Devon) is an upscale outdoor shopping center, event space, and local hangout.
- Historic Sugartown (Malvern) is a restored 19th-century village that was a commercial and municipal hub in the 1800s.
- Wynnewood Shopping Center (Wynnewood) is one of the region’s top destinations for shopping with groceries, big-name retailers, and restaurants.
- Grand Slam (Malvern) is a family-friendly entertainment center with mini-golf, arcade games, laser tag, and batting cages.
Schools
One of the biggest draws to the Main Line area is the wealth of schooling options for grade-school children: there is no shortage of top-ranked public and private schools in the area.
For college-level education, the area is home to Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, Harcum College, and of course, Villanova University.
