Across County Lines

Leaves are changing, there’s a chill in the air, and neighborhoods show off their spookiest decor. Autumn has arrived in the Brandywine Valley, and there’s no better time for a pleasure drive.

’Tis the season to hit the roads across County Lines country. Discover painted vistas, fall festivities and charming towns. Plus, on Chester County Day, October 5, peek into some of the county’s fine historic homes on a self-driving tour — more on that in our September issue.

Let us be your guide to all the shopping, dining, events and family fun along the way.

West Chester

We start our tour in the heart of Chester County — West Chester, the county seat. Take a stroll down brick sidewalks to find locally owned shops and over 65 tempting restaurants. You’ll also discover that this award-winning downtown has become a hub for arts and culture.

Visit on First Friday, October 4, for the Fall Gallery Walk. This self-guided art tour features two dozen stops, including local art galleries like Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery and Graham Painting Studio (the newest), plus special one-night-only venues like Pine + Quill and Hop Fidelity. It’s a great way to sample West Chester’s art scene — and find artwork to take home. While you’re there, grab freebies from the Founders Brewing Co. tent across from Sedona Taphouse.

Or explore the local art scene at your own pace with the new West Chester Art Loop map. Download it online or pick up one at a participating location, then plot your self-guided tour of downtown West Chester’s galleries and public murals. Map and more at DowntownWestChester.com/Art-Loop.

Feeling inspired? Create your own art at Nightingale Materials’ beginner-friendly workshops and classes. Register online for their Watercolor House Portrait Workshop (October 5) or Oil Painting 101: Still Life (October 20), or bring the little ones for Saturday Morning Kids Craft (October 5), no signup needed. Then pick up more art supplies to keep the creative juices flowing.

Not only are visual arts thriving in West Chester, performing arts are big, too. From music to theater to film, there’s always something to see at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center. This month, see singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright II on the 6th, the Kennett Symphony on the 13th or “Chillin’ with the Villains: A Creepy Cabaret” on the 20th. On Movie Mondays, $5 gets you a ticket, popcorn and a chance to see films like “October Sky” or “Hocus Pocus.”

With West Chester University back in session, the campus is hopping! Mark your calendar for Homecoming & Family Weekend, October 25 to 27, and see the Golden Rams face Millersville. The Department of Theatre & Dance presents “Be More Chill,” a sci-fi tale set to a poprock score, October 17 to 19. And performances from the Wells School of Music include the Fall Choral Festival (October 22), Wind Ensemble concert (October 27), plus the Fall Student Showcase at the new Turks Head Wines Tasting Room on October 24.

And look forward to two fan-favorite downtown events. The West Chester Chili Cook-Off is back with a new host on October 6, and the Hometown Christmas Parade returns on December 6.

Western Chester County

Our tour heading west highlights three towns. Start at the Downingtown Farmers Market, Saturdays from 9 to 1 at Kerr Park. Take your pick of locally grown fruits and veggies, fresh meats and cheeses, breads and artisan goods, all while enjoying live music.

Next, make your way to Lancaster Avenue for more food and drink. Pair Sonoma Valley wine with bites from Kennett’s Sweet Amelia’s at R Five Wines. For connoisseurs, register for a cheese tasting with The Farm at Doe Run’s Olivia Haver (October 9) or Let’s Get Nerdy About Syrah BarSide Chat (October 12). Down the street, Dressler Estate is working on their new tasting room and cidery. Follow them on social media @DresslerEstate or subscribe to their newsletter for updates and pop-up taproom events.

You can fuel up at one of Exton’s eateries. Choose scratch-made Italian dishes at Ron’s Original Bar & Grille or farm-to-table fare and craft beer at Suburban Restaurant & Beer Garden, then pick up a sourdough loaf from Good Girls Bakery.

Then it’s time for shopping at Eagleview Town Center. Find the latest fall reads at Wellington Square Bookshop, locally produced goodies at the Eagleview Farmers Market (Thursdays, 3 to 6:30) or artisan wares at this month’s Craft & Mercantile night market, October 18.

More fun awaits in Chester Springs. Get in the spirit of the season at Milky Way Farm, open weekends for pumpkin picking and fall festivities. Stroll or take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, wander through the corn maze, visit farm animals and end with a scoop of farm-fresh ice cream from the onsite Chester Springs Creamery.

After you’ve worked up an appetite picking pumpkins, eat at one of the area’s excellent restaurants. Enjoy locally sourced, seasonal fare at Life’s Patina Co. Mercantile & Cafe, recently opened in the Jenny Lind House at Historic Yellow Springs. Try the new White Dog Cafe in the historic Vickers Tavern space, or quench your thirst at The Stables Kitchen & Beer Garden, with 20 rotating beers on tap, wood-fired pizzas and weekly live music. On October 12, The Stables celebrates Oktoberfest with around a dozen surprise breweries and funky beats from their DJ.

Finally, take a detour to renowned Birchrunville Store Cafe, celebrating 25 years of fine dining in the countryside — provided you make reservations in advance!

Southern Chester County

Make your way to the southern tip of the county for idyllic scenery and more family fun.

First, no trip to southern Chesco is complete without a visit to Longwood Gardens. There’s still time to see the Festival of Fountains, through October 27. Adele fans will love Festive Friday, October 18, with “Set Fire to the Rain” themed fountain performances, concessions, entertainment and more.

Though the Chrysanthemum Festival is on pause for 2024, Longwood Reimagined is coming soon. The garden’s largest expansion, including the 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory, opens to the public on November 22. Get tickets early!

Next, head to downtown Kennett Square for fall fun this month. On October 5, sample your choice of over 175 beers from 80 breweries at Kennett Brewfest. Or dress the kids in their Halloween costumes to collect treats on the KSQ Candy Trail, October 27. Then visit Kennett’s shops and restaurants during the final Third Thursday on State Street on October 17. The street will be closed for outdoor dining, live music, extended shopping hours and other fun activities.

In the mood for wine? Visit West Grove’s Casa Carmen Farm & Winery, recently opened on a historic William Penn property. Explore the farm, hang out on the lawn or enjoy seasonal tapas paired with wine and vermouth in the tasting room.

Or, just over the border in Delaware County, visit Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford. On October 12, join them for their first-ever Harvest Festival, featuring pumpkin spice sangria and apple cider donuts, food trucks, an artisan market, live music, face painting and a hay maze for kids.

At the end of the month, spooky vibes abound at The Great Pumpkin Carve, October 19 to 21. Hosted by the Chadds Ford Historical Society, this longtime local tradition features over 70 giant pumpkins carved by local artists, plus a kid-friendly haunted trail, food and drinks, raffle prizes and live music.

The Main Line

Take a drive down Route 30 in Philly’s western ’burbs and you’ll find yourself on the Main Line. Drive down winding side streets and admire grand old mansions, then check out the inviting towns along the way.

First, celebrate 50 years of professional theater with People’s Light in Malvern. See “The Porch on Windy Hill,” a new play set to authentic bluegrass melodies, through October 13. Up next is “Peter Panto,” a fun-filled holiday tradition based on the classic tale. After the show, grab a bite at their onsite restaurant, The Fern & Fable.

Get into the groove at the Main Line Music Festival, September 28 at Wilson Farm Park in Wayne. Formerly the Paoli Blues Festival, this free, relaxed music festival is back with a new name and more local musicians and vendors, food, dancing and kids activities.

While in Wayne, find your next read at Main Point Books, an independent bookstore chock-full of book signings and book club meetings this month. On October 8, they’re celebrating National Cookbook Month with five cookbook authors: Dr. Janet Chrzan, Aliza Green, Joy Stock, Deanna Segrave-Daly and Fran Costigan. Be sure to RSVP online.

Speaking of food, the Main Line is abuzz with new dining destinations. Start your morning with a PSL (that’s pumpkin spice latte, for the uninitiated) from The Buttery Cafe, the Malvern Buttery folks’ new coffee shop at the Malvern train station. Then head east to Berwyn for Japanese cuisine at Motto Sushi & Ramen.

In Wayne, look forward to two new restaurants: Maison Lotus, a sister restaurant to The Blue Elephant (also worth a visit), and Testa Rossa, the upcoming Italian American kitchen from Fearless Restaurants (White Dog Cafe, Autograph Brasserie). Craving Italian now? Try the revamped Il Fiore in Bryn Mawr (formerly Fiore Rosso), with its warm atmosphere and upscale takes on Italian classics.

Delaware County

Cross the county line to Delco, where there’s plenty of fall fun. From haunted tours to lively plays and musicals, our neighbors have something for everyone.

First, head down West Chester Pike to Newtown Square. Get into the spooky spirit at Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead (formerly Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation). By day, the farmstead educates visitors about 18th-century farm life. By night, join Shades of Sandy Flash, October 19 and 26, lantern ghost tours featuring a theatrical performance of the legend of Sandy Flash, a Revolutionary War traitor.

While in town, get started on fall planting and pick out mums for your porch at Mostardi Nursery. Then quench your thirst with craft brews at the Tired Hands Beer Park. Back for its second season, the 15-acre park hosts a colorful beer garden, food trailer, disc golf, kids zone and lots of trails. Check social media for live music, Makers Market and other event info.

Speaking of trails, Delco has great spots for fall hiking and leaf peeping, including two of Natural Lands’ nature preserves, which are free and open to the public. Trek alongside Crum Creek and listen to the birds chirp at the 55-acre Hildacy Preserve, or stroll through fields where Wawa Dairy cows once grazed at the 75-acre Wawa Preserve. To find more trails, parks and preserves, check out Visit Delco’s Trail Finder, and earn swag for you and your pooch with their Trails & Tails program. More at VisitDelcoPA.com/Trails.

Next, take a trip to “Everybody’s Hometown,” Media. Stop by the State Street Fall Festival, October 6, for food, music, artisans and a kids zone.

Then stick around for dinner and a show. Though Dining Under the Stars may be over, Media’s restaurants are always worth a visit. Sample cuisine from across the globe at Departure, the borough’s newest restaurant. Or check out our 2024 Best of the Best picks — find them on our website.

Media has two great choices for performing arts. On State Street, the Media Theatre performs “Legally Blonde,” October 4 to 27, plus a special one-night-only concert, “Dracula, the Musical” on October 28. Just outside town, the historic Hedgerow Theatre Company hosts the regional premiere of “Robin & Me: My Little Spark of Madness,” October 9 to 27.

Wilmington

In the home stretch, take a drive on Route 52, aka the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway. Cross the state line to Wilmington, where fall foliage, historic theaters and inspiring museums await.

First, climb aboard the Wilmington & Western Railroad for a scenic train ride through the Red Clay Valley. Immerse yourself in fall colors on the Autumn Leaf Special, running through November 3. Kiddos will love evening rides on the Hayride Express (Fridays in October), an original railroad flatcar filled with hay, or alongside a friendly witch on the Halloween Express (October 27).

Then head downtown to catch a show at The Grand Wilmington. At Copeland Hall, the Rock Orchestra performs “Chicago,” including a full performance of “Chicago Transit Authority,” on October 12, and First State Ballet Theatre performs “Romeo & Juliet” on October 19 and 20. Plus, see “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical” at The Playhouse on Rodney Square, October 11 to 13.

Or take a trip to one of Wilmington’s renowned museums. At the Delaware Art Museum, see “Jazz Age Illustration,” surveying popular illustration in the U.S. between 1919 and 1942, opening October 5. The Delaware Museum of Nature & Science brings the ancient past back to life with “Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs,” opening October 12. Plus, kids can make potions, meet beasts and test their skills at the Science of Sorcery event, October 12 from 6 to 8.

And fall is a fine time to visit Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to enjoy the 60-acre historic gardens, 1,000 acres of rolling hills, meadows, woodland paths and trails. Plus a new museum exhibit opens October 1. “On Tour: Lafayette, America’s Revolutionary Rock Star” commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Revolutionary War hero’s farewell tour — they say he was bigger than Taylor Swift or The Beatles.

This fall, take time to explore the places that make our corner of the country so special. Adventure awaits!