Wayne, PA, is a frequent entry on Best of the ’Burbs lists. This upscale Main Line town with a walkable downtown has a rich history dating back to the Lenni Lenape. Settled by the Quakers in the 1600s, it’s now home to landmarks like the Art Deco Anthony Wayne Theater (above) and the Valley Forge Military Academy.
Go: Wayne’s about a half-hour west of Philly, whether you’re driving the Schuylkill or taking SEPTA to Wayne Station.
Create: The first art center on the Main Line, the Wayne Art Center has built a community around its enviable galleries and roster of artsy classes and camps. (413 Maplewood Ave.)
Eat: The small Crêperie Béchamel serves up filled pancakes that range from savory (mushroom and gruyère, chicken with roasted asparagus and cashew pesto) to sweet (caramel s’mores, chocolate strawberry). A gluten-free batter’s available. (11 Louella Ct.)
Shop: The small, family-run Lucky Duck Toys has an impressive stock of 10,000 imaginative playthings well past the fare found in big-box aisles.(106 E. Lancaster Ave.)
Smell the roses: Kids 12 and under can explore all 37 exquisite acres of Chanticleer’s estate gardens for free. Kidbit: Chanticleer is the inspirational site of a duo of YA novels, Beth Kephart’s Ghosts in the Garden and Nothing but Ghosts. (786 Church Rd.)
Snack: With a delicious spin on the term “belly up to the bar,” the Wayne Bar across from the station specializes in donuts and hand-crafted, small-batch granola in the morning hours, French pot-made organic ice cream from afternoon through evening. (134 N. Wayne Ave.)
Color and kick back: Beyond its normal drop-in-and-paint-pottery appeal, Color Me Mine schedules monthly Kids Night Out events. They stay, paint and eat pizza while you enjoy an adult evening guilt-free. (109 W. Lancaster Ave.)
Want to make a day of it in other great local towns and neighborhoods? Check out our other Take the Kids features.
Delaware: Bear | Clayton/Smyrna | Newark | Rehoboth Beach | Riverfront Wilmington
New Jersey: Cape May | Mt. Laurel | Lambertville | Voorhees
Pennsylvania: Doylestown | Fairmount Philly | New Hope | West Chester
