What do you do after Longwood Gardens?
Photo of tulips by madhu prasad from Pexels
Updated 2024.07.23
Longwood Gardens is one of the best places to visit for garden inspiration in the USA, not just in the Philadelphia area.
At Longwood Gardens there is not one garden season, not two, but five - winter, spring, summer, autumn and holiday.
Each of these garden seasons offer something different to delight the senses.
So while you may think spring is the best season for gardening, in our eyes, it is always a great time to visit Longwood Gardens.
Whether you are visiting Longwood Gardens in the winter, spring, summer, or anytime in between, the surrounding area is a cultural hotspot with plenty of attractions.
So after your trip to Longwood Gardens, consider visiting one of the below nearby attractions to round out your day:
7 Awesome Places To Visit After Longwood Gardens
Photo of red and yellow tulips by Siegfried Poepperl from Pexels
1 - Visit Kennett Square
Kennett Square is a historic Pennsylvania small town with a main street within a short driving distance from the Longwood Gardens main gate. Stop by for a coffee, lunch, and light shopping.
Remember to bring a bit of change though, as there are ample meters for parking, the last time we checked they take coins, not cards.
2 - Check out The Mushroom Capital
The Kennett Square area is locally famous for being the mushroom capital of the world.
Due to the area's temperate, humid climate, and an abundance of local fertilizer, farmers grow mass amounts of mushrooms here and you can buy them in various forms.
3 - Wander around the Pennsbury - Chadds Ford Antique Mall
If you love finding hidden gems, you will love this place. This antique mall has vendors offering anything from antique maps, to crystals and fossils.
While the pictures may have you think it is only one story, this antique mall is on a hill. There are two stories, and you can really spend quite a bit of time inside.
4 - Relax at Chaddsford Winery
Chaddsford Winery is right next to the antique mall. They offer fun entertainment, tastings, and gifts for wine lovers, all in a scenic big red farm style barn, set a bit off the road.
They have expanded and have more than one location now, so when looking up directions, make sure to search for the original Chadds Ford location, at 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317.
5 - Satisfy your green thumb at Chadds Ford Greenhouse
If you have the itch to purchase something after leaving Longwood, this is where you ought to stop to get those seeds in the ground.
While we have already written about this wonderment of a greenhouse in our post, 7 Best Garden Centers in the Greater Philadelphia Area, Chadds Ford Greenhouse is worth mentioning again because it is that great.
Like the winery, it is set a bit off the main road - you have to go down a gravel road and cross a small bridge to get there, but it’s nothing an adventurous spirit and a positive attitude can’t handle.
6 - Dine at The Gables At Chadds Ford
The dining rooms, inside and outside, at The Gables have a certain ambiance that cannot be denied.
If you love finding restaurants in part to experience new architecture, this place is worth your reservation. It’s best if you have some time on your hands to allow for wait service.
7 - Get a cup of soup at Brandywine River Antiques Market
The Brandywine River Antiques Market sells antiques and they have some of the best mushroom soup in the area.
This antique mall is located in a 14,000 sq. ft. historic 19th century Chester County bank barn.
You can have a snack and use the restroom. Then afterward, enjoy browsing 40+ vendors in this historical all-in-one spot.
What do you do after Longwood Gardens? text overlay photo of red and yellow tulips by Siegfried Poepperl from Pexels
One final note, before you get in your car and go right now: before visiting any of these spots, check the hours.
Longwood Gardens is still operating in a post-Covid world, and they continue to do timed reservations for admission tickets, plus some of these destinations are weekends only, or the shop owners are keeping shortened tourist guided hours.
Checking the hours of operation for any of these spots before you go can help you route your trip, and choose the best reservation time for viewing the gardens, to make sure you get every must-stop in before going home for the day with a smile on your face.
So, now that you have some ideas to round out your day trip to Longwood Gardens, which one of these destinations is first on your list?
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