Longwood Gardens
World-class gardens that actually work with a stroller and a toddler.
1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348 · ~30 min from downtown Wilmington
Hours
10 AM – 9 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Fri | 10 AM – 9 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Sun | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Mon | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thu | 10 AM – 6 PM |
Last checked 2026-08-24
- Cost
- $35 weekday / $38 weekend; A Longwood Christmas (Nov 20, 2026–Jan 10, 2027): $45 non-peak / $52 peak adult · $20 weekday / $22 weekend (ages 5-15); A Longwood Christmas: $25 non-peak / $32 peak child
- Best for
- 3+
- Indoor / outdoor
- Outdoor
- Typical visit
- 2-3 hours with young kids (Longwood suggests 3.5-4 hours for a full visit)
The Indoor Children's Garden and the fountains make this a real destination; timed tickets mean you plan it rather than drop in.
The Quick Version
- • Plan 2-3 hours — longer if your kids love water features or the indoor conservatory.
- • Strollers are welcome, most garden paths are wide and paved, and rentals are available at the Visitor Center.
- • The Indoor Children's Garden (year-round) is the big draw for little ones, plus seasonal outdoor water features.
- • Parking is free and plentiful, but weekends fill up — arrive before 10:30 AM.
- • New as of late 2024: 32,000 sq ft West Conservatory, restored Waterlily Court, Bonsai Courtyard, and the rehoused Cascade Garden — the biggest expansion in a century.
What's New
Longwood Reimagined opened in late 2024 — a 17-acre expansion that's the most ambitious upgrade in Longwood's history.
- • West Conservatory — 32,000 sq ft of Mediterranean-inspired gardens under glass, with pools, canals, and fountains. A new family destination on rainy or hot days.
- • Cascade Garden — historic Roberto Burle Marx tropical garden, relocated intact in a first-of-its-kind move for North America. Visually striking for older kids.
- • Bonsai Courtyard — outdoor gallery with 100+ year old specimens, plus 50 new bonsai donated from The Kennett Collection.
- • Waterlily Court — redesigned as an outdoor room and repositioned as a central gateway between the gardens.
- • 1906 Restaurant + event venue — new public restaurant overlooking the Main Fountain Garden, with reclaimed wood from Longwood trees. Reservations recommended.
- • The Grove — expanded educational hub with state-of-the-art studios, virtual learning spaces, and a library.
- • Orchid House — century-old structure restored and reopened with a new glass roof and gallery-like display.
Best Ages
3+
Plan For
2-3 hours with young kids (Longwood suggests 3.5-4 hours for a full visit)
Adults
$35 weekday / $38 weekend; A Longwood Christmas (Nov 20, 2026–Jan 10, 2027): $45 non-peak / $52 peak
Kids
$20 weekday / $22 weekend (ages 5-15); A Longwood Christmas: $25 non-peak / $32 peak
What to Expect
Longwood is genuinely world-class and surprisingly family-friendly. The scale can feel overwhelming on a first visit — don't try to see everything. Pick two or three areas and take your time. The outdoor gardens are beautiful but spread out; the indoor conservatory is the anchor and works in any weather.
With little kids, your visit will center on the Indoor Children's Garden (year-round, inside the Conservatory) and the main fountain garden, plus seasonal outdoor water features. The rest is beautiful walking — which is great if your kid is in a stroller or carrier, but less great if they want to touch everything (the gardens are look-don't-touch).
The vibe is calm, spacious, and well-maintained. Staff are friendly. It's a place where you can exhale a little — the paths are wide enough that a meltdown isn't a scene.
Who It's Best For
Toddlers love the water features and wide paths. Preschoolers thrive in the Children's Garden. Kids under 2 will enjoy the ride but won't get much from the gardens themselves. Elementary-age kids appreciate the fountains, treehouses, and conservatory.
Highlights
Indoor Children's Garden
Ages 2-8The star attraction for families — and it's open year-round inside the Conservatory. Interactive water features, a cove garden, a secret room, and a maze. Kids can splash, explore, and run. Budget at least 45 minutes here.
Main Conservatory
All ages4 acres under glass — orchids, tropical plants, ferns, bonsai, and seasonal displays. The Children's Corner has hands-on elements. Climate-controlled, which makes it the go-to on hot, cold, or rainy days.
West Conservatory (NEW 2024)
All ages32,000 sq ft of Mediterranean-inspired gardens with pools, canals, and fountains. Opened as part of Longwood Reimagined. Worth budgeting an extra 45 minutes — it's the new headline indoor experience and pairs well with the Children's Garden for splash-prone kids.
Cascade Garden (NEW 2024)
Ages 5+Roberto Burle Marx's tropical waterfall garden, relocated intact from its original site — a first-of-its-kind preservation move. Visually dense and atmospheric; older kids will linger, toddlers will want to keep moving.
Main Fountain Garden
All agesSpectacular fountain performances (check the daily schedule at the Visitor Center). The scale impresses even toddlers. Evening illuminated shows in summer are magical but may be past bedtime.
Treehouses
Ages 3-10Three treehouses, all popular with little kids year-round: the Lookout Loft near the Meadow, the Canopy Cathedral near the lake, and the Birdhouse near the Café. They're easy to miss if you don't look for them on the map.
Italian Water Garden
Ages 5+Quieter, photogenic, and a nice stroller walk. The symmetry and reflections captivate older kids. Less crowded than the main fountain area.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • The Idea Garden and trial gardens — these are for serious gardeners, not toddler entertainment.
- • Trying to see the entire property in one visit. You'll burn out and so will the kids.
- • Evening fountain shows if your kids are under 4 — the wait is long, it's past bedtime, and the crowds are thick.
- • The formal rooms in the historic Peirce-du Pont House — beautiful, but a 'don't touch anything' situation.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$35 weekday / $38 weekend; A Longwood Christmas (Nov 20, 2026–Jan 10, 2027): $45 non-peak / $52 peak
Kids
$20 weekday / $22 weekend (ages 5-15); A Longwood Christmas: $25 non-peak / $32 peak
Under
Under 5 free
Timed tickets required — book online in advance, especially weekends and holidays. Premium events (A Longwood Christmas, fireworks) priced separately.
Membership tip: A family membership pays for itself in 3-4 visits. Also gets reciprocal admission to 300+ gardens nationwide through the American Horticultural Society. Check current rates at longwoodgardens.org/membership.
Getting There
Parking
Free. Multiple large lots off Route 1. Follow signs to the main visitor entrance.
On busy weekends, the closest lots fill by 10:30 AM. The overflow lot is a short walk. There are accessible spots near the entrance.
Entrance
Main Visitor Center entrance. Grab a map — it's a big property (more than 1,100 acres, though the garden areas are a manageable ~200 acres).
Parent Logistics
Excellent stroller access on the main routes: most garden paths are wide and paved, the conservatory has an elevator, and the map marks a suggested wheelchair route. Single and double stroller rentals at the Visitor Center ($10/$15), first-come, first-served. Bring your own if you can — rental supply is limited on busy days.
Multiple restroom locations: Visitor Center, Conservatory, East Conservatory Plaza, near the Beer Garden, and by the Children's Garden. All clean and well-maintained.
Changing tables in most restroom facilities. The Visitor Center restrooms are the most spacious.
Mixed. The conservatory is fully covered. Outdoor gardens have tree-lined paths in some sections, but the meadow and fountain areas are exposed. Bring hats and sunscreen in summer.
Food & Snacks
1906 restaurant (sit-down, reservations recommended), the Cafe (counter-service sandwiches, salads), and seasonal outdoor food stands near the Beer Garden. The Beer Garden serves local craft beer and wine — a real perk for parents.
Snack strategy: The Cafe is solid for a quick lunch. Prices are what you'd expect ($12-18 for a meal). Coolers and outside food aren't permitted inside the gardens, though individual water bottles are fine. To picnic, use Longwood's picnic area, a short drive across the street, open seasonally from mid-April to late October.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Check the fountain show schedule before you go — they run at specific times and are worth planning around.
- ✓ The Beer Garden is a legitimate perk. One parent watches kids on the nearby lawn while the other grabs a drink.
- ✓ Bring a change of clothes — the Indoor Children's Garden has water features and kids will get wet.
- ✓ The gift shop is excellent but positioned right at the exit — brace yourself or plan a budget.
- ✓ Weekday mornings in September are the best-kept secret: summer crowds are gone and the weather is perfect.
- ✓ Download the Longwood app for an interactive map — it's actually useful, unlike most venue apps.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are the sweet spot — smaller crowds, cooler temps in summer. Saturday mornings fill fast. Sunday afternoons are the busiest.
Seasonal Notes
Spring (April-May) for tulips and blooms. Summer for the Children's Garden water play and fountain shows. Fall for chrysanthemums, plus the Garden Railway (fall and the holiday season), a model railway kids love. Winter for A Longwood Christmas — spectacular but crowded; book timed tickets early. Note: the gardens are closed Tuesdays during the warm-weather season — confirm the current schedule at longwoodgardens.org/visit.
Rainy Day?
The conservatory alone is worth the trip on a rainy day. Four acres of indoor gardens, the Children's Corner, and the Cafe are all under cover. Budget 90 minutes indoors easily.
While You're in the Area
Kennett Square's main street has good lunch spots (Talula's Table for a splurge, Lily Asian for casual). Longwood is 10 minutes from Winterthur if you want a two-venue day — though that's ambitious with little ones.
Upcoming Events
Spellbound Weekend
Oct 23 · Oct 24 · Oct 25
Families can enjoy a nighttime event at Longwood Gardens featuring a special Friday Illuminated Fountain Performance that combines projections from the 1922 film Nosferatu with live organ music. The evening includes themed family activities, carillon music, and optional reserved seating for the fountain show. Admission is free with paid gardens entry, and timed tickets are required.
More infoLive Music in the Beer Garden
Oct 23 – Nov 1 (6 dates)
Families can sit and enjoy live music in the Beer Garden at Longwood Gardens. Performances are held in the evening and are subject to weather conditions.
More infoGarden Railway
Oct 24 – Nov 27 (25 dates)
Families can observe large-scale model trains, including steam, diesel, electric, and specialty engines, as they travel along nearly 500 feet of track. The railway display is set amidst various plants, including textural foliage, flowering plants, and woody plants, creating a miniature world.
More infoHarvest Displays
Oct 24 – Nov 3 (10 dates)
Families can stroll through Longwood Gardens to view seasonal displays featuring pumpkins, gourds, chrysanthemums, and late-blooming annuals arranged in themed vignettes. The displays are located in the Rose Arbor, Peirce-du Pont House Plaza, and Idea Garden, offering photo opportunities amid autumn foliage and festive decorations.
More infoStorytime
Thu, Oct 29 at 11:00 AM
Families will gather beneath the London plane-trees in the West Conservatory Plaza for a 30-minute session of seasonally inspired stories read aloud by Longwood educators. Children ages 2–5 and their caregivers will enjoy two to three books, followed by time to browse a curated selection of children's books together.
More infoA Longwood Christmas
Nov 20 – Nov 27 (8 dates)
Families will walk through a seasonal light display featuring thousands of illuminated decorations, including large trees adorned with starlight effects and transformed indoor spaces like the Music Room and Exhibition Hall, which are reimagined as celestial-themed environments. The experience includes immersive holiday-themed installations and outdoor garden pathways lit in festive arrangements.
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