Over the weekend Philadelphia had a lot of rain but that didn’t stop me and my youngest daughter from having an amazing time at Longwood Gardens. The last time I was there I was a child myself. Longwood Gardens is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature. Even in the rain it’s one of the most peaceful places to explore.
Before you go to Longwood Gardens
Tickets are necessary so I suggest getting them before you go. Also timed tickets are available. So make sure that you select the time and date that you desire to go. Tickets are necessary when visiting. If you attempt to get tickets without getting them before you arrive you could possibly not gain access. There is no re-entry once you enter. You can come in about 30 minutes before or after your start time. Earlier arrival times are not allowed. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking. There are scooters and wheelchairs available for purchase. Keep in mind in some of the locations scooters will not be able to have access to those locations.
Longwood Gardens are open rain or shine. As I stated when my youngest and I went it was a full on rainy day. There are ponchos and umbrellas for purchase. I would suggest having your own. There is also no outside food but the food as I will discuss below is really delicious with many options for all.
Something for All at Longwood Gardens
Since I wanted my daughter to lead the way she took the map and took us around the grounds. Even in the rain, it was nice to skip and walk and learn about the different plants and flowers. It was such a peaceful way to spend time. So yes kids can and do enjoy themselves. There is also a children’s indoor garden too. I tried to get my daughter to visit but she wanted to see the big people plants. This means I will have to go back to get a good look around. However we did do the Family Nature walks and it was a great place to see the awe of the grounds.
Chrysanthemum Festival
This is taking place now until November 12th. If you have never seen a Chrysanthemum they are absolutely beautiful. Seeing them in full display and so colorful and usually attached to hairy bases. My daughter explored the many types and the staff onsite let us know that there are 13 kinds. They make the perfect fall flowers with their hues and fullness.
Eating and Drinking at Longwoods Garden
It was good to unplug and take in the beauty that was around us. We were there for hours so it was only right that we worked up an appetite. I was pleasantly surprised of how good the food was. The full cafeteria offers the best options. From food like family favorites featuring kid approved chicken fingers, mac and cheese and more. I enjoyed a vegan soup bowl made with sourdough bread. It was hot and so perfect for a semi cold and rainy day. For those who love an adult beverage there is wines, beers, and spiked hot chocolates. FYI, be prepared that the portion sizes are large. I had to get a to go container to accommodate my daughter’s food.
One of the best parts of eating at The Cafe was how helpful the staff was. I was create with smiles. When I had questions no one gave me an attitude. That speaks volumes. It helped me when I needed to get up several times to help my daughter with her options and more.
There is a beer garden. It wasn’t open while I was there due to the rain but it has so much seating. Even in the rain it was a welcoming space too. You are also more than welcome to bring your food outside and eat again weather permitting.
So much to Explore
There are 6 districts and we attempted to stop at each. Each of the districts provided something to see. It was like being in an oasis tucked away. Longwood is about 30-40 minutes from home but it provided that quiet feeling that I felt when I lived in Lancaster. This is why it’s definitely a good idea to make sure you have comfortable walking shoes so you can enjoy your time and be comfortable. There are so many gardens but the one that stood out to me that made me go back to being a kid was the orchid house. This is when I realized how much I loved this flower and wanted to incorporate them into my wedding.
You will oh and awe at almost every turn. I will definitely be back. We ended our time before leaving at the Fountain show. Although its best to see this at night we enjoyed the flow of water shooting up. It is absolutely breathtaking even during the day.
Suggestive Longwood Gardens Visits:
- Great solo stroll-you do not need a crowd to go and walk the grounds at your pace
- Date night or even first date-nothing says getting to know someone like a stroll looking at nature and having lunch, dinner, or small bites and a beer/wine
- Girls/Guys Group meetup-great place to catch up
- Family friendly
- Everyone-honestly all who love nature will enjoy their time
What to expect at Longwood Gardens
In addition to nature’s backdrop are cultivated shows both indoor and outdoor including live music at the beer garden. One of the biggest events coming up is A Longwood Christmas. They have so many activities happening during this time. Make sure you check it out.
So will I be back at Longwood Gardens? Absolutely. I plan to take a solo trip so I can see things I didn’t see the last visit as well as I want to bring the family for A Longwood Christmas. Make sure you get tickets for you and your family. It is located at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square PA 19348 and that’s about 30 or so minutes from Philadelphia. Parking is free so that’s one less thing to worry about. Enjoy your time. Also Longwood Gardens is the perfect gift to give someone an experience vs gifts in my opinion.
