The Merion Golf Club hosted the US Open last year bringing with it the celebrities of the golf world as well as thousands of fans and media to the small town of Ardmore, Pennsylvania (a suburb outside of Philadelphia).  Ardmore is one of many towns collectively referred to as “The Main Line“.  The Main Line is host to many affluent zip codes, prestigious private schools, universities and a few famous alums, such as Kobe Bryant.  Hosting the US Open is a fantastic way to showcase Philadelphia and our suburbs.

If you are visiting the Main Line for the US Open -welcome!  I thought I’d share a few of my favorites on the Main Line if you have a chance to explore the area during your visit.

Restaurants

the Open Table app is your best friend, download it now and make a reservation!

Steak – Fleming’s Radnor  – great steaks and service.  Love their happy hour specials – 5  food/wine/drink items for $6 each until 7 pm available in the bar only, not main dining room. Private rooms available for larger parties.

Hotel Bar/Restaurant – Wayne Hotel, Paramore Restaurant – I’m a fan of the burgers and the Sunday brunch. In good weather, sit on the front porch of the hotel.

Restaurant with a split personality: Savona and Bar Savona,  Gulph Mills (West Conshohocken)  -service is fantastic, the wine list impressive and the desserts indulgent. Private room available for groups.  Outdoor patio for BarSavona patrons

• Savona -elegant dining, farm to table foods.  
• Bar Savona, regional Italian in a casual atmosphere 

Belgium Beer Bar – Teresa’s Next Door Bar in Wayne (no reservations, no OpenTable) wonderful food, long list of beers.  One entrance and host stand – two restaurants – go left for Italian, go right for the bar.

Farm to Table American – White Dog Cafe, Wayne – the freshest of ingredients locally sourced.  With two locations, one on the Main Line, one in University City, Philly.

Casual Dining

Du Jour Cafe, Haverford Square (next to train station) – flatbread pizzas, sandwiches, entrees.  breakfast everyday

Pizza – Peace A Pizza, various locations on the Main Line – one shares space with Hope’s Cookies in Rosemont

 

Shopping/Malls: Clothing is TAX FREE in Pennsylvania

Suburban Square in Ardmore browse the many boutiques, farmers market, Corner Bakery cafe, Macy’s and Apple store

King of Prussia Mall – over 400 stores with a plethora of everything imaginable -Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales as well as chain restaurants such as Morton’s, Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory and Legal Sea Food to name a few.

Run, Hike, eat cookies and find inner peace

Valley Forge National Park with history to explore and over 28 miles of trails to hike, bike, ride, walk, etc.  Easy to forget how close to the city you are here – there are guided tours or you can explore on your own.  Entry to the park is free.

Cookies – Hope’s Cookies, Rosemont – with over twenty varieties of flavors, you will fall in love with these cookies, like i did over twenty years ago.  The store now has ice cream to make an amazing cookie sandwich.  Baked fresh daily, these are the cookies I judge all other cookies against. A great treat to bring home to the family if they don’t want the tshirt.

Yoga – Verge Yoga, Wayne – with more than 15 classes a day, you are sure to find your inner peace here – $18 per class. Note that the regular classes are hot but apparently not the “hot” yoga classes (obviously i am a beginner!)

Enjoy your time on the Main Line and in Philadelphia.  If you have any questions or need more suggestions,  contact me  and I will be happy to help.