A Longwood Christmas – A Unique Holiday Day Trip from Philadelphia
Heading to the City of Brotherly Love this holiday season? Excellent choice – as the holiday spirit is alive and well with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the season. And, while there is plenty to see and do within the city limits, as long as you’ve travelled all this way – there is an opportunity just a mere 45 minute drive from the big city for a unique day trip from Philadelphia. The place is Longwood Gardens. The theme is Fire, Ice and Everything Nice. The opportunity to experience it – along with another fabulous attraction – Nemours Estate – comes courtesy of the destination experts here at Beyond Times Square thanks to A Longwood Christmas and Beyond, Featuring the Nemours Estate Tour. And the scoop on exactly what awaits you on this eight hour day trip is all outlined below for your reading pleasure – so take a gander and I’ll catch you on the flip side.
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About Longwood Gardens Christmas
Your first stop is a private tour of one of the great gardens of the world – Longwood Gardens. Longwood Gardens is over a thousand acres of botanical gardens that must be seen up close to be thoroughly appreciated. Trust me – I have been there myself and the pictures floating around the internet are stunning but there is nothing like seeing it in person. And while there is no doubt that it is beautiful any time of the year – during the holiday season it takes on a whole new magical persona. This year you can see it in its full Christmas glory starting November 19th and continuing through until January 9th.
As I mentioned in the intro, Longwood Garden’s holiday theme for 2021 is Fire, Ice, and Everything Nice – and it lives up to its name spectacularly. Picture this – one half million sparkling LED lights strewn throughout the grounds and its buildings, inviting fire pits placed at various locations to keep you warm and toasty as you tour the outstanding outdoor displays, Exhibition Hall – and indoor garden – teeming with Alpines standing tall over “ice” carvings etched into the floor, a train chugging along through a lavish landscape on the Garden Railway, the Open Air Theater spilling over with brightly hued waters dancing from its fountains and a myriad of other bright and beautiful surprises around every turn. Sounds like yuletide perfection to me!
Shopping at Longwood – The Garden Shop
There is absolutely no doubt that strolling through Longwood Gardens is going to inspire you to spruce up your own backyard and you’re in luck because you can get started while you are still there thanks to The Garden Shop. Purchase a plant or two – or ten – for instant gratification or invest in some seeds to plant and bring them to fruition with your own two hands. Indoor and outdoor greenery and blossoms are all available for purchase here. And if you need some tools to get the job done – they have those as well. Browse through collections by nationally known vendors like Campo de’ Fiori pots and A.M. Leonard Tools. And finally – be sure to support local small business owners by purchasing candles, soaps, paintings, teas, jams and more from area artisans.
Lunch at Longwood
All that walking is sure to work up your appetite and at Longwood Gardens you get not one, not two but three options on where to refuel! First up there is the full-service dining experience at the charming 1906 restaurant. Named for the year that the grounds of Longwood Gardens were developed, here you’ll find food that is locally sourced and filled with ingredients that are sustainable, fresh and seasonal. 1906 is open daily for lunch and dinner. Then there is a family friendly option – PB and J is on the menu! – called The Café. Serving up salads and sandwiches – along with hot entrees and delicious fresh baked desserts – you can dine indoors or outdoors, weather permitting of course. The Café is open all day, every day. And finally, there is the Beer Garden – pouring their signature craft brews thanks to a partnership with Victory Brewing Company. Pub fare is also “on tap” in the Beer Garden – think homemade pizza and sandwiches – along with a selection of wines and non-alcoholic beverages as well. Beer Garden is open for dinner on weekdays and lunch and dinner on weekends.
Nemours Estate
After a stroll through lovely Longwood Gardens – and the opportunity to grab a bite to eat and enjoy some shopping time – your day trip from Philadelphia continues with a stop at the exquisite Nemours Estate for a private, guided tour. Nemours Estate is a 77-room mansion located in Wilmington, Delaware – just a short ride from Longwood. Built in 1920 by Alfred I. duPont for his second wife, Nemours Estate sits on three thousand acres that also house spectacular gardens – the largest formal French gardens in North America – and a Chauffeur’s Garage where a collection of vintage automobiles is on display. While the mansion is a sight to behold anytime of the year – during the holidays it becomes a breathtaking display of sparkling holiday decorations. Among them are countless Christmas trees, flowers, wreaths, garlands and more – as well all twenty fireplace mantels divinely decorated and some of the family’s original decorations including a late 19th century German creche. And should you visit in the evening or on weekends, you may be treated to your favorite holiday tunes played live by local talent on the mansions Steinway Piano.
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Gorgeous gardens and a magnificent mansion – all decked out in celebration of the season – sounds to me like this day trip from Philadelphia is a fabulous way to get into the holiday spirit! But wait – there’s more! To keep that jovial atmosphere going you can pair this day tour with BTSQ’s Sights and Sounds of Christmas in Philadelphia experience to embrace even more festivity and fun! And of course, all this comes with door to door service and flexible timing, a private vehicle and savvy local tour guide and 24/7 access to our superior support team should you need it. So, give that amazing team of expert elves – oops – I mean BTSQ destination specialists a call today and get a jumpstart on joy! Happy Holidays!
