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Brandywine Valley Events Calendar
At the end of this calendar of events is a suggested 1 - 6 Day Itinerrary to help in planning your visit to the Brandywine Valley. We also list Philadelphia events as we are only a 30 minute drive from the historic city of Philadelphia.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Guided Bird Walks
January, February and March - Satudays and Sundays 9 AM
Credit: USFWS Hummingbird |
The Refuge is home to a variety of wildlife despite its urban location. Birdwatchers have recorded over 300 species of birds in and around the Refuge. Migratory birds like warblers, egrets, sandpipers, and a large variety of ducks, within the Atlantic Flyway, use the refuge as a resting/feeding spot during spring and fall flights. In addition, deer, opossums, fox, raccoons, muskrats and many other small animals take refuge here. The marsh is one of the few places in Pennsylvania where the state-endangered red-bellied turtle and coastal leopard frog can be found. The refuge is a short 20 minute drive from Hamanassett.
Brandywine River Museum
US Rt. 1
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
610-388-8337
Visit Website For more information, please call 610-388-2700
 Escape to Longwood's Orchid Extravaganza
January 23 - March 31, 2010
Immerse yourself in a dazzling world of orchids as Longwood transforms its Conservatory into a lush oasis showcasing the divas of the plant world. More than 4,000 colorful and fragrant orchids drape from walls, flow from pedestals and adorn beds throughout the 4-acres of indoor gardens. See innovative displays, including a living orchid curtain and six phalaenopsis orchid topiaries, rise above the calm reflective waters in the Exhibition Hall.
Love Blooms at Longwood Gardens - Saturday, February 14, 7-11PM
When a dozen roses just isn't enough, surround your sweetheart with flowers, sweet desserts and luscious cuisine during this first of its kind event in the Conservatory. The exotic menu includes the flavors of truffles, braised mets, fresh seafood and plenty of chocolate! Champagne and specialty wines are included. Live piano music and dancing take this rom,antic evening over the top. Tickets: $150.00 per person; $275.00 per couple.
Twice As Nice
From March 9 - April 30, 2010, one ticket takes you to two great gardens for just $20! Experience Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, two glorious du Pont family estates for one great price. Purchase your ticket at either attraction.
Lilytopia – May 21 through 31, 2010
Inspired by the world-famous lily show at Holland’s Keukenhof, Lilytopia is Longwood’s newest annual event, transforming its majestic East Conservatory into a breathtaking showcase for the newest varieties of lilies developed by Dutch hybridizers. More than 10,000 stems are featured in innovative displays representing the newest European trends.
Longwood Gardens - throughout the year - Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance, 610-388-1000
Click here for more information on Longwood Gardens
Winterthur
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the exceptional exhibition Faces of a New Nation: American Portraits of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Winterthur is the only venue this select group of portraits from the Met, which represents many of the young country’s great artists.
Hagley Museum
For more information Click Here
Other Events
in or near the Brandywine Valley:
March - 2010
Weekends in March - Brandywine Valley Wine Trail Barrels on the Brandywine 610-444-3842.Click Here for more information
Ridley Creek State Park is a short 10 minute drive from Hamanassett and has many activities from which to choose.
With more than 2600 acres of woodlands and meadows, youwill want to visit many times. Next door to the park is Tyler Arboretum. You will find cross country skiing, picnicing, bicycling, dog walking, horseback riding, trout fishing (catch and release), sledding and tobogganing. The park is recognized by the Audubon Society as a significant birding site. Below are some of the activities you will find at the park: Twelve miles of walking trails pass through a variety of habitats throughout the central portion of the park. Bikes are not permitted on unpaved hiking trails, but the five-mile, paved Multi-use Trail along Sycamore Mills and Forge roads is designated for bicycles, joggers, walkers and cross-country skiers. (Park in lots #7, #11, #15 and # 17.) A 4.7-mile trail begins in Picnic Area #8. When the snow flies, cross-country skiers may use the hiking and multi-use trails when snow cover permits (and a large grassy slope by the park office is popular for sledding).
For more information call 610-566-1725.
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation - Ridley Creek State Park - Media
112 acre living history site located in the heart of Ridley Creek State Park, 10 minutes from Hamanassett. It authentically represents life on a farm in southeastern Pa. between 1760 and 1790.
The Plantation has been a working farm for over 300 years. It is restored to a late 18th century appearance complete with animals typical of the period and authentically clothed historical interpreters. On weekends from April to November, visitors can observe the farm family cooking over the open hearth, preserving foods, processing textiles, tending field crops and performing other chores necessary to survival in the 18th century world.
The plantation is open weekends and holidays from mid-April to mid-November.
West Chester Grower's Market May through December 20 every Saturday from 9-1. At the corner of Chestnut and Church Streets.
The West Chester Growers Market is a truly local market. Only handmade, or homegrown products, produced or harvested by the vendors themselves can be sold at the market. You’ll find flavorful farm produce, colorful cut flowers and bedding plants, free range meats, oven fresh bread, artisinal soap, locally produced cheese, homemade preserves & relishes and a variety of fresh baked goods to satisfy any sweet tooth. Their producers love getting to know their customers and are happy to share details about the products they grow and make. It’s this interaction that makes the market so special.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Courtesy of The Discerning TRAVELER
Day One: Start with a visit at the most popular attraction the the Brandywine - the magnificent gardens and conservatories at Longwood Gardens. Note: Brandywine Visitor Center is in front of Longwood Garden. Have lunch at Longwood Gardens, Bistro on the Brandywine, or for some local flavor Hank's Place then go to the Brandywine River Museum to see paintings of three generations of Wyeths as well as other noted Brandywine Valley artists. Take the tour of N. C. Wyeth's studio and/or Kuerner Farm. (Reservations for this tour are needed in advance.)
Day Two: At Winterthur Henry Francis du Pont's 196 room house museum with room settings representing American history from 1640 to 1840, you can take either a 1 or 2 hour (reservations needed) tour. Visit the museum, stroll through the gardens and visit Enchanted Woods, a 3-acre fairy tale garden. Have lunch at Winterthur or at Buckley's Tavern. Other options are a tour and tasting at VaLa Wineries (Hamanassett has made special arrangements for our guests) or at Chaddsford Winery and a tour of the Brandywine Battlefield. You can also purchase a Sip and Stay Passport which allows you wine tastings at seven Brandywine Valley vineyards. Most of the vineyards are near other attractions mentioned in this itinerary so you can do a couple each day. If you don't visit all seven, the passport is good for a year from purchase date so save it and come back.
Day Three: For some backroading to see the idyllic Chester County countryside take a driving tour through The Brandywine Hunt Country. When you arrive at Hamanassett we'll give you complete details.
Day Four: Visit Nemours Mansion and Gardens, a 70-room Louis XVI-style chateau and gardens. Reservations are needed. If possible, arrange to visit Mt. Cuba, a former du Pont family estate with the regions' finest woodland wildflower garden. Reservations needed.
Day Five: Go to New Castle (45 minutes south of Hamanassett) and start with a tour of the Read House. Visit the Amstel House and Dutch House. Have lunch at Jessop's Tavern. You can also visit Fort Delaware, where reenactors tell about life at this fort during the time it was used to hold Civil War prisoners. The boat to the fort leaves from Delaware City, a few miles south of New Castle.
Day Six: If the weather is warm, you may want to go canoeing or tubing on the Brandywine River. Alternatively walk around West Chester or Media for some shopping therapy, hit a few of the antique shops on Route 1 near Longwood Gardens, Other options are a tour of QVC studio, only 25 minutes from Hamanassett or the American Helicopter Museum.
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