Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

The suburbs of Philadelphia and Wilmington have merged, but one pastoral area along the Brandywine River has been protected from over-development. The area is sometimes called "Chateau Country" due to the large homes here. Route 100 from West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Westover Hills, Delaware, follows the river and is very scenic. Route 52 from Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington is also scenic. Many of the museums and historic features are along these two routes, but you will need to take side roads to a few more.

Many hotels and the usual suburban restaurants and shopping malls are not far away on US-1 and US-202. There is plenty more to see and do in the greater Philadelphia and Wilmington area.

Location

Southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware
Around the Brandywine River
I-95, exit 7, northwest on Route 52
Or, I-76, exit 312, south on Route 100
Map

Museums

American Helicopter Museum (West Chester, PA)

www.HelicopterMuseum.org* 610-436-9600

Auburn Heights Preserve (Yorklyn, Delaware)

Museum, steam cars, 1/8-size steam railroad Photos

www.AuburnHeights.org 302-239-6379

Brandywine River Museum (Chadds Ford, PA)

Landscape paintings
(Wyeth and others)

(Click photo to enlarge)

www.BrandywineMuseum.org* 610-388-2700

Delaware Museum of Natural History (Route 52)

(admission fee) www.DelMNH.org 302-658-9111

Hagley Museum (Westover Hills, DE)

www.Hagley.org* 302-658-2400

Rockwood Museum (Wilmington, DE)

1851 manor (tours) 302-761-4340

Winterthur (Montchanin, DE) (admission fee)

Former mansion of Henry Francis du Pont (tours)
100 rooms
Each room decorated in a different style (1640-1860)
Surrounded by 985-acre gardens
www.winterthur.org 800-448-3883

(and others)

Gardens

Longwood Gardens (1,050 acres) (admission fee)

Former country retreat for Pierre du Pont
Conservatory, fountains, topiary
www.longwoodgardens.org 610-388-1000

Winterthur (985 acres) (free admission to gardens)

(Montchanin, DE )

www.Winterthur.org 800-448-3883

Other features

Antiques shops
Art and craft galleries
Bed and breakfast inns

www.brandywinevalley.com/pyv.htm

Book shops
Boutiques
Brandywine Creek State Park (Delaware)
Campgrounds and RV parks

Check Woodall's guide

Country craft shops
Hotels and vacation rentals in this area

Advantage rate

HotelDiscount

Family Vacation Rentals

Marsh Creek State Park (Downingtown, PA)

610-458-5119

Theatres (live performances)

West Chester Railroad (West Chester, PA)

610-430-2233 or 302-995-2222

Wineries www.BVwinetrail.com

Nearby

Franklin Mint and Museum (and store)

(Franklin Center, PA) www.FranklinMint.com

Old New Castle (South of Wilmington)

Riverfront Wilmington (downtown Wilmington)

Shops, Riverwalk, Riverfront Park

www.RiverfrontWilmington.com

Valley Forge National Historical Park

(Valley Forge, PA) www.NPS.gov/VaFo

Festivals

July: Independence Day celebration (fireworks)

(Longwood Gardens)

September: Mushroom Festival

(Kennett Square, PA) www.MushroomFest.com

Fall: Chrysanthemum Festival (Longwood Gardens)

October: Chester County Day (West Chester, PA)

(first Saturday in October)

Tour historic homes, gardens and landmarks.

(Many more. See: www.BrandywineValley.com)

Recommended stay

2-3 days (not including Philadelphia, Wilmington, or

Old New Castle)

Tourist information, Delaware

Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors

Bureau: 800-422-1181

Delaware Development Office

800-441-8846

Tourist information, Pennsylvania

Brandywine Valley Tourist Information Center

800-228-9933

Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau

www.BrandywineValley.com 800-228-9933

Delaware County Convention and Visitors Bureau

800-343-3983

One-stop reservations (Airlines, hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises, last-minute deals, etc.)

Car rentals

Budget

Enterprise

Thrifty

Maps, trip planning, driving directions, etc.

Printed travel maps or download
and print. Rand McNally and others.
Driving directions, wall maps,
globes, nautical charts, atlases

Download high-res hiking and mountain
biking trail maps, topographic maps,
guidebooks, etc. Free trial subscription

Barnes&Noble
Many travel books and
guides. Fodors, etc.

National Geographic travel
guides, maps, atlases, etc.

Amusement park tickets

Discount theme and water park tickets

Southern California theme parks

Orlando theme parks and many more

Discounts for U.S. veterans and active duty

Join Veterans Advantage and get discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound, hotels, car rentals, etc. Save up to 70%. Magazine. Many benefits.

Spas and other experiences

Locate vacation spas, connoisseur spas, medical spas, weight-loss spas, discounts, gift certificates, Spafinder Magazine, gifts.

Spas, balloon rides, wine tasting, hang
gliding, rafting, adventures in and near
major US cities. Packages make good gifts.

Luggage and gear (Click buttons)

More travel accessories (Click to see separate page)

Pennsylvania calendars, books, etc. (see ads in blue to the right)

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The information above may not be up-to-date.
Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 01/12/2006 .

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