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Day 1  Day 2Day 3
Please ask your hotel about special rates for lodging the third night. This itinerary can be adjusted based on your plans or weather reports.
Day 1 - morning
Hagley |
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Day 2 - morning
Winterthur |
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Day 3 - morning
Longwood |
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Visit Hagley, which tells the story of life and industry in the nineteenth
century. |
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Stroll or take a narrated tram tour of the beautiful grounds of Winterthur
to experience H. F. du Pont's horticultural genius first-hand. |
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Be wowed by Longwood's property, which boasts more than 11,000 types of
plants and includes a four-acre Conservatory. |
Day 1:
Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel. Next, visit Hagley Museum and Library, where the du Pont story begins. Located on 235 scenic acres along the Brandywine River, at the site of the family’s first black powder works, Hagley tells the story of life and industry in the nineteenth century through exhibits, tours, restorations, and demonstrations. Check in at the Visitor Center, where you can view the orientation film and see the exhibits. Then take the shuttle bus along the river to Eleutherian Mills, the 1803 home of patriarch Eleuthère Irénée du Pont and his family. After the house tour, explore the barn and the nineteenth-century vehicles it houses, and stroll the French-style garden before walking or taking the shuttle bus back toward the site entrance.
You may disembark at Workers’ Hill, a cluster of restored buildings that focus on the social and family lives of powder mill workers. The Belin House, where several generations of company bookkeepers worked, is currently a restaurant where you can get a light bite.
Explore the Hagley Powder Yard to see how the waterpower of the Brandywine generated energy for the gunpowder-producing machinery that made the du Ponts their fortune. Working models, restored, equipment, and exhibits bring the past to life. A restored circa 1880 machine shop hums with activity. Nearby, an 1870 engine operates under live steam. Strolling along the Brandywine is lovely any time of year.
After leaving Hagley, visit art galleries along the Brandywine or in Greenville or downtown Wilmington, or drive north along DE Route 100/Creek Rd. into Chadds Ford to enjoy the local scenery. Return to your hotel for dinner, or dine in a local restaurant you find on your travels.
Day 2:
After breakfast, drive to Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, the former home of the late Henry Francis du Pont. The 175-room mansion is a world-renowned center for American decorative arts set amidst a spectacular garden. For a general overview, purchase a Galleries & Gardens Pass; there are also specialized guided tours for which reservations are highly recommended.
After the tour, have lunch on site at the Garden Cafeteria or Cappuccino Café, then tour the permanent and changing exhibits in the museum space known as Winterthur’s Galleries. Don’t miss the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, which is housed in its own gallery space.
Take the narrated tram tour through the garden, then stroll the beautiful grounds yourself to appreciate H. F. du Pont’s horticultural genius first-hand.
If you have time, drive north into Centreville or south into Greenville for shopping and gallery-hopping. If the weather is nice, a picnic and a stroll through one of our many parks or a canoe trip down the Brandywine is always a wonderful choice for those interested in nature. Then return to Wilmington for dinner at your hotel or one of the area’s many restaurants. The Riverfront, Trolley Square, Little Italy, and downtown areas offer a variety of dining options. Some locations have late-night music and dancing.
Day 3:
After breakfast, drive north into Pennsylvania to Longwood Gardens, named by National Geographic Traveler as one of America’s “50 Places of a Lifetime.” Longwood is known for its horticulture, with more than 11,000 types of plants growing on the 1,050-acre property, including four acres under glass in the Conservatory. Displays and floral highlights change throughout the year.
Have lunch at on-site Terrace Restaurant, which offers cafeteria-style and sit-down dining, then continue to explore this horticultural jewel. The late Pierre S. du Pont, Longwood’s founder, loved to entertain; this legacy continues with an extensive performing-arts program, fountain shows, and special events. Take advantage of this full calendar and see a performance if you have the chance.
Your ticket is good all day. If you want a mid-day break (especially in summer if you plan to return to Longwood Gardens for the evening fountain show), you may want to explore and have dinner in Kennett Square, Chadds Ford, or West Chester before returning to Longwood Gardens for several more hours. There are a number of wonderful antique shops, book stores, art galleries, and museums in this area along Route 1. There are many beautiful stretches of winding roads in this area referred to as Wyeth Country, home to three generations of the famous family of artists. |
