Longwood Gardens and Winterthur: A Brandywine Valley Day Trip from Maryland

The Brandywine Valley, straddling the Pennsylvania–Delaware line just north of Wilmington, is home to some of the most celebrated gardens and estates in the country, many shaped by the du Pont family. Two stand out: Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, with its conservatory, fountains and seasonal displays, and Winterthur, near Wilmington, Delaware, a country estate with a renowned museum of American decorative arts surrounded by naturalistic gardens.

Both are a comfortable day trip from Maryland, and they sit close enough together to combine. This guide covers what each offers, how to plan around timed tickets and seasonal crowds, and how to get there from Baltimore, Annapolis or the DC area without the I-95 drive.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is one of the great horticultural displays in the United States, with formal and informal gardens, woodlands and meadows, a vast conservatory with indoor gardens open year-round, and spectacular fountain displays. It was developed by Pierre S. du Pont in the early 20th century and is now a public garden.

Plan to spend at least half a day. In spring, the gardens are filled with bulbs and flowering trees; summer brings fountain shows and evening events; fall has its own seasonal displays; and the holiday season, A Longwood Christmas, transforms the gardens with lights and decorated conservatory displays. The conservatory makes Longwood worth a visit even in winter.

Timed Tickets at Longwood

Longwood requires timed admission tickets, and popular days, especially during the holiday display and on spring weekends, often sell out in advance. Buy tickets online before you go, and check Longwood's official website for current hours, ticketing and seasonal events.

Winterthur

Winterthur was the country estate of Henry Francis du Pont, a collector of American decorative arts and a passionate gardener. Today, it's a museum, garden and library. The house displays an extraordinary collection of American furniture, textiles and decorative objects, seen on guided tours, and the surrounding garden is designed to look natural, with blooms that change through the seasons. Families with children will enjoy the Enchanted Woods, a fairy-tale-themed children's garden.

Winterthur also hosts seasonal events, including a holiday display. As with Longwood, check the official website for current tour options, tickets and hours, and book ahead for popular dates.

Can You Do Both in One Day?

Yes, with an early start. Longwood and Winterthur are typically 20 to 30 minutes apart by road. A realistic plan is a morning at one, lunch, and an afternoon at the other. Many visitors start at Winterthur for a morning house tour and garden walk, then spend the afternoon and early evening at Longwood, especially during the holiday season, when Longwood's lights are best after dark.

If you'd rather go slowly, choose one estate and add a smaller nearby stop, such as the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, known for its collection of Wyeth family art, or lunch in Kennett Square, known as the mushroom capital of the world.

Other Brandywine Valley Stops

The valley has more than two estates. Nemours Estate, near Wilmington, is the former home of Alfred I. du Pont, with a mansion and formal French-style gardens. Hagley Museum and Library, on the Brandywine River, preserves the site of the du Pont company's original gunpowder works, with restored mills and the family's first home. Both pair well with Winterthur for visitors interested in the du Pont family's history. Check each site's official website for opening seasons, tours and tickets, since some have limited schedules.

Getting There From Maryland

From Baltimore, the trip typically takes around an hour and a half via I-95 north through Harford and Cecil counties and into Delaware, then local roads into the Brandywine Valley. From Annapolis, Washington or the Maryland suburbs, add the drive up I-95 or the BW Parkway to Baltimore, so plan for two hours or more depending on traffic. The route includes toll facilities on I-95 in northeastern Maryland and Delaware, which are disclosed with your quote.

I-95 through northeast Maryland and Delaware can be slow on Friday afternoons, summer weekends and holiday travel days. Leaving early gets you ahead of the traffic and maximizes your time in the gardens.

A Sample Day

Early morning: depart Baltimore, Annapolis or the DC suburbs.
Mid-morning: arrive at Winterthur for a house tour and garden walk.
Lunch: at Winterthur, nearby Centreville or Kennett Square.
Afternoon: Longwood Gardens' conservatory, gardens and fountains.
Evening: Longwood's holiday lights in season, then the drive home.

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes; both estates involve a lot of walking, some of it on slopes and gravel.
Layers and a rain jacket, since you'll move between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Your tickets, downloaded to your phone or printed.
A phone charger for the car, since you'll be taking photos all day.
A warm hat and gloves for an evening at Longwood's holiday display.

Seasonal Tips

Spring is peak season at both estates, with bulbs, azaleas and flowering trees, but it's also busy, so buy tickets early. Summer is hot, and many visitors plan for indoor time in the conservatory during the afternoon. Fall is quieter, with changing foliage. The holiday season is the most popular time to visit Longwood, and evening tickets can sell out weeks ahead; dress warmly for walking outdoors after dark.

Why a Chauffeur Makes Sense

A Brandywine Valley day is a long one: two or more hours of driving each way, two large estates, and often a late finish after the holiday lights. Hourly chauffeur service keeps one car and chauffeur with you all day, so you can leave coats and purchases in the vehicle and move between estates on your schedule. And no one in your group has to drive home on I-95 after dark.

For a couple, a Mercedes E-Class or BMW 7 Series sedan is comfortable; for a family or a small group of friends, a Chevrolet Suburban or Lincoln Navigator. Garden clubs, church groups and extended families can travel together in a Mercedes Sprinter, which carries up to 13 passengers. If you're also heading on to Philadelphia, our Baltimore-to-Philadelphia service covers that route.

To plan your trip, call (877) 609-1919 or send your plans through our booking form. Every trip is quoted as a flat rate before you confirm, with tolls, parking and gratuity disclosed up front.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Longwood Gardens from Baltimore?

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is typically around an hour and a half from Baltimore via I-95, depending on traffic. From the DC area, plan on two hours or more.

Do you need tickets in advance for Longwood Gardens?

Longwood requires timed admission tickets, and popular dates such as the holiday display and spring weekends often sell out. Buy online in advance and check the official website for current details.

Can you visit Longwood Gardens and Winterthur in the same day?

Yes. The two estates are typically 20 to 30 minutes apart. A morning at Winterthur and an afternoon and evening at Longwood is a popular plan.

What is Winterthur known for?

Winterthur, the former estate of Henry Francis du Pont near Wilmington, Delaware, is known for its museum of American decorative arts, its naturalistic garden and the Enchanted Woods children's garden.

What vehicle is best for a garden club day trip to Longwood?

A Mercedes Sprinter seats up to 13 passengers and keeps a group together for the whole day. Smaller groups are comfortable in a Chevrolet Suburban or Lincoln Navigator.