Villanova University
Located 12 miles west of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Villanova is a private research university and the only Augustinian Catholic University in the nation.The 260-acre campus is home to 6,500 undergraduates and an additional 3,500 graduate and law students. The Villanova Wildcats, always well known for their successful men's basketball program, just won the 2018 NCAA National Championship. The town of Villanova is part of Philadelphia’s vibrant Main Line suburbs, named for the towns that were built along the “Main Line” of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Three rail stops on campus provide quick access to all that the city of Philadelphia has to offer from a thriving food scene to professional sports teams to world-class art institutions.
Visitor Information: Tour Villanova
Note: Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs have many excellent restaurants, this itinerary focuses on the three towns closet to campus: Villanova, Radnor, and Wayne. The lovely town of Bryn Mawr is less than a ten-minute drive down Lancaster Avenue with many excellent choices as well, click here for our itinerary which includes Italian favorite Enoteca Tredici and the hip, industrial space of La Colombe for coffee.
Transportation: The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located approximately 20 miles from the Villanova campus. From the airport you can rent a car, take a taxi or uber, or hop on the Septa Train to the Villanova campus. Note: you need to change at Philly’s 30th Street Station, for more information click here. Amtrak travels in and out of Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. As stated above; you can travel to campus via SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line to the Villanova stop. This train runs approximately every 30 minutes between Center City & Villanova.
Stay: The Inn at Villanova University is the most convenient option, located less than 2 miles from Main Campus and recently renovated by the University in 2017. Click here to reserve your room with a special discount for Office of Admission visitors, be sure to use the Corporate/Promotion Code: ADMIS. (Subject to availability). Also close by, families highly recommend The Radnor Hotel and The Wayne. Looking for value, book a room at The Americas Best Value Inn in Norristown or the Motel 6 Philadelphia - King of Prussia.
Campus Transformation: After almost three years of construction, Villanova’s Brand new 225 million dollar Lancaster Avenue project has transformed campus, turning former parking lots along Lancaster Avenue into stunning new spaces. There are residence halls, a state of the art fitness center, a full service restaurant and grill called The Refectory, plus Parliament Espresso and Coffee Bar. Scheduled to open in the spring will be the new Performing Arts Center.
Coffee: For a caffeine fix before your tour there are four locations of Holy Grounds on the main campus. There is also a Starbucks on East Lancaster Avenue. Students love Rosie's located right in Villanova. (361 North Spring Mill Road, Villanova). In nearby Wayne, a local morning fixture for coffee and quick bites is Gryphon Coffee. (They also have good soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch later in the day.)
Breakfast: First Watch right in Villanova is a morning favorite with an extensive menu of classic breakfast items. Their elevated egg sandwich has legions of fans, but many health-minded students opt for the avocado toast or superfoods bowl. Another popular morning choice is Le Pain Quotidien in Wayne.
Lunch: For a quick meal of pizza, hoagies, and Philly’s famous cheese-steak join the students at Campus Corner, a classic Villanova spot. (If you really want to see student life in action head back here late night, its open till 3 am on the weekends.) Another popular pizza joint is Jules Thin Crust in Wayne. Who doesn’t love a place decorated with dog motifs - Wayne’s White Dog Café delivers excellent, elevated comfort food to happy students and locals alike, a popular Main Line destination since 2010. Many think the Silverspoon is a hidden gem, a small, cozy BYOB restaurant in Wayne featuring seasonal, market-driven American lunchtime fare of omelets, salads and soups. For Japanese fusion book a table at Azie. A bright and chic space, Cornerstone Artisanal Market and Bistro is a popular choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner. In the mood for a burger, head to Smashburger in Radnor. Also in Radnor, design your own stir-fry or salad at healthy bent Honeygrow.
Dinner
Casual: DanDan is a modern bi-level eatery serving regional Chinese fare such as dan dan noodles, veggie dishes, and other Sichuan/Taiwanese specialties. Adventurous foodies will love the tantalizing menu at Teresa’s Next Door almost as much as the diverse selection of beers and whiskeys. Arde Osteria is another popular Italian, also with a wood-fired oven.
A Step Up: A la Maison is a solid choice for classic French bistro dishes. Margaret Kuo’s authentic upscale Chinese is a pricey place for special occasions well known for their excellent Peking duck. Transport to Greece at Radnor’s Estia Taverna or dine at Autograph Brasserie, featuring an American menu of steaks, seafood, and pasta.
Sweets: For ice cream and other treats indulge at The Wayne Bar.
Continue the Tour: Nearby, visit Haverford College and Bryn Mawr or head to Philadelphia to tour UPenn and Drexel.
Local Attractions: Villanova’s campus is adjacent to Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, Philly’s newest public garden, which just opened its gates on May 13, 2018! If you love shopping, visit the King of Prussia Mall – the largest mall on the East Coast. For history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts, Valley Forge National Historical Park is a must, a 25-minute car ride from campus. Valley Forge is famous as the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The park also provides 26 miles of hiking and biking trails, for those who want to get moving!