Every year, it feels like something is missing until we visit Longwood Gardens, a historical garden and grounds in Kennett Square, PA. With different themed events throughout the year, it’s become a tradition for my family to go to this Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania, attraction in any season. My kids are always thrilled to watch the trains go over the bridges and under the tunnels at the Garden Railway, admire the beautiful fountain shows in the gardens for the summer, and see the twinkle of over half a million lights for the holidays during A Longwood Christmas. We’ve found that the garden is different every season, making no two visits alike. Scroll down for info on what to do at Longwood Gardens, and if you want to stay local, there are plenty of gardens in NJ to visit as well. (featured photo credit: Eileen Tercha, Longwood Gardens)

Longwood Gardens: A Seasonal Delight

The fountains at Longwood Gardens are quite a sight, especially the fountain shows during the day and the illuminated shows at night. Photo Credit: Becca Mathias, Longwood Gardens

A historic beginning and thriving future

In the early 1900s, wealthy entrepreneur Pierre S. du Pont purchased the grounds to preserve them after learning that the original Quaker farmstead was being sold. He created his first garden, a 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk, and twenty years later, he built The Conservatory and opened the grounds to the public. Today, Longwood Gardens is known worldwide for its horticultural enrichment, and visitors come every year to view the indoor and outdoor horticulture displays covering 1,100 acres, divided among six areas, known as districts. Along with the outdoor gardens, The Conservatory District is the jewel of the gardens—it retains many of the original plants since its opening in 1927 and offers lush displays year-round in rooms that highlight the light and beauty of the building’s 19th-century architecture. We are always in awe of the fountain shows with dazzling displays at the Open Air Theatre or the Main Fountain Garden, which shoots out 35,000 gallons of water daily during spring and summer. 

The Chimes Tower is a historic bell tower next to a 50-foot waterfall. Photo Credit: Scott Hummel, Longwood Gardens

Spring blooms

As the weather turns warmer and blooms begin to pop, it’s a great time to visit the gardens from late March to early May, when everything turns to color. It’s the time for flowering trees, tulips dotting the walkways, and the gardens bursting back into life. The Open Air Theatre comes alive in April with a dazzling display set to music, and the Wisteria Garden alone is worth the visit in May to see the purple and white blooms. You also won’t want to miss the magnolias, ephemerals, and the Idea Garden (which now includes the redesigned Ornamental Kitchen Garden), with bulbs and artful botanical combinations opening up during the season. 

Acacia Passage is a colorful spot in the Conservatory. Photo Credit: Becca Mathias, Longwood Gardens

Summer at Longwood Gardens

Summer is magical at Longwood Gardens, where the flowers bloom all season, and over 1,700 jets of water shoot into the air during the Festival of Fountains from mid-May to late October. At night is when the magic happens—the fountains illuminate, and the light and water dance along to the accompanying live music. You can also stroll through the Rose Arbor or cool off in the Conservatory when you and the fam need a break from the summer heat and check out the largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting at Longwood Gardens. The organ comprises 10,010 pipes divided into 146 ranks, and its powerful sound echoes through the Conservatory. 

The Chrysanthemum Festival takes center stage in the Conservatory in the fall. Photo Credit: Larry Albee, Longwood Gardens

Fall at the gardens 

The changing colors of autumn at this Kennett Square site are worth the visit. Whether you are visiting for the Chrysanthemum Festival in late September to November or the Pumpkin Playground in October for interactive play and photos with the littles, the fall is full of fun. Another display not to be missed is the Garden Railway—this whimsical railway is always a highlight during our trip. It creates an air of excitement and thrills for all of us when we see the dozens of diesel engines, steam engines, locomotives, and specialty engines zooming around the tracks. Littles and bigs can anxiously watch as trains weave in and out of tunnels and peek out from behind buildings on over 500 feet of track. And for Thomas fans, take note—don’t miss everyone’s favorite train character and his friends zoom around the railway, which is a real treat.

The Children’s Garden is kid-friendly and full of fun surprises. Photo taken at Longwood Gardens

Just for kids 

Secret stairways, hands-on water features, draping vines, and hand-crafted sculptures are just some of the unique things you’ll find in the Indoor Children’s Garden, where kids of all ages (and adults, too!) can explore a garden made for fun. Longwood Gardens originally built the indoor garden in 1987, and now it’s become a major attraction. Pick up a paintbrush to “paint” the dragon’s teeth with water or “chase” the water up the fountains as the water hops from one spray to the next. Outdoors, your kiddos won’t want to miss climbing to the top of one of three tree houses, which will make you feel like a kid again. Longwood Gardens also has Discovery Boxes for purchase for ages 6-12, which include indoor and outdoor activities with materials and easy-to-follow instructions; boxes include anything from seeds to learning about insects in your own backyard. You can also print out activities with a bunch of coloring pages and activity sheets to do at home or bring to the gardens. 

Lanterns and lights fill Longwood Gardens for the holiday season. Photo Credit: Longwood Gardens and @longwoodgardens

The Conservatory is full of lush trees and plants all year long. Photo Credit: Becca Mathias, Longwood Gardens