COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Villanova is part of a thriving and robust community that features several options for dining, entertainment, culture and a vast network of parks and recreational activities.
Local Initiatives
Villanova invites you to participate in two new initiatives in the local community:
- Shop Small Business: Many of the items you might typically buy online or at big box stores are available at your local shops as well. Buy local and support small business owners!
- Take Out Tuesday: Most restaurants have found a way to continue serving during this difficult time, and many have expanded curbside pickup or delivery options. Now is the perfect time to order from your favorite restaurant, or to try somewhere new!
Most restaurants have innovated how they serve customers, and many have expanded curbside pickup or delivery options. Now is the perfect time to order from your favorite restaurant or to try somewhere new!
LOCAL TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES
Numerous businesses are within walking and driving distance to Villanova's campus. Places like Lancaster Avenue, Suburban Square in Ardmore and the Villanova Center adjacent to campus offer countless options for sipping coffee with friends, grabbing ice cream, shopping and more. King of Prussia and the City of Philadelphia are short driving distances away from Villanova’s campus and offer day trip opportunities such as visiting museums or catching a professional sports game. Start finding your favorite spots!
Ardmore and Suburban Square
Suburban Square, located in Ardmore, is a pedestrian-friendly, densely packed retail area. Suburban Square is home to many different businesses including a Farmer’s Market, Trader Joe’s, a 70,000 square foot LifeTime Athletic and countless retail stores and restaurants. There is plenty of outdoor seating which allows for family-fun events including Ardmore Restaurant Week, Oktoberfest and a chili cook-off.
Ardmore’s signature Clover Market is held three weekends in the spring and two weekends in the fall featuring vintage goods and artisan wares.
Ardmore can be accessed via the Ardmore stop on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line.
Bryn Mawr
The town of Bryn Mawr runs along Route 30 in the heart of the Main Line where you'll find many family-owned businesses, boutiques, restaurants and more.
Bryn Mawr can be accessed via the Bryn Mawr stop on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line.
Wayne
Wayne is one of the many wonderful shopping and dining towns along the Main Line. Located in Radnor Township, guests can stroll around town and enjoy a wide selection of fashion boutiques, restaurants, spas and other merchants. With more than a dozen restaurants and bars located along Restaurant Row, there is something for all palates.
Wayne can be accessed via the Wayne stop on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line.
King of Prussia Mall
The King of Prussia Mall is the second-largest shopping mall in the United States and located just six miles from Villanova. Featuring a diverse mix of over 450 stores, the King of Prussia Mall has something for everyone. Additionally, a variety of dining options are available at three food courts and multiple sit-down restaurants in and around the mall.
The King of Prussia Mall is located at the junction of Routes 202, 76, 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and can also be reached via public transportation.
King of Prussia Town Center
King of Prussia Town Center is a retail center located at The Village at Valley Forge, a large-scale development project comprised of Wegmans, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and five new residential developments.
Major retailers including Nordstrom Rack, Ulta, REI and LA Fitness surround a vibrant Main Street lined with a mix of dining, retail and service providers. You can find open green space with various outdoor events throughout the year at the Town Center.
Valley Forge Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War which took place from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. Today, the National Park Service preserves the site which sits on 3,500 acres of land and contains historical buildings, recreated encampment structures, memorials, museums and recreational facilities. The Park has over a million visitors each year and provides 26 miles of hiking and biking trails that are connected to a robust regional trails system. Wildlife watching, fishing and boating on the nearby Schuylkill River also are popular.
Valley Forge Park cannot be accessed by public transportation.
Philadelphia
The birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Philadelphia is full of museums, vibrant parks, national historic sites and famous food. Take time to check out a Phillies baseball game, visit the Liberty Bell in Old City and try Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteaks!
Philadelphia can be accessed through various public transportation outlets via SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line, the Norristown High Speed Line and various buses. The Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line provides the most direct access to Center City Philadelphia.
Manayunk
Located 10 miles from Villanova, Manayunk is nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River, the Manayunk Canal and Tow Path. The commercial district is lined with renovated Victorian storefronts and mill buildings giving visitors an urban experience with small-town charm. Manayunk is home to countless restaurants and shops and known for its fun outdoor events such as the Street Food Festival, Dog Days of Summer, Manayunk Arts Festival and more.
RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL ACCEPTING WILDCARD
Villanova Wildcard
Villanova’s Wildcard is a one-stop-shop for convenient, efficient, mobile and secure access to all card-related services—personal identification, facilities access, debit transactions, meal plan administration, banking relationship management and mobile transaction processing.
Nova Bucks are funds that are deposited onto your Wildcard at any time via cash, check, debit and credit cards and allows students to enjoy the convenience of purchasing power at Villanova and in the surrounding community without carrying cash or cards. For a list of participating businesses that accept Nova Bucks, visit the Wildcard website.
Additional Resources
We want to provide the best experience possible for our students and community members. Below are helpful resources and tools to get started with off-campus housing needs.
