Anonymous wrote:No outside food, you can tailgate in parking lot

You can’t leave once you enter, so we always eat when we arrive, in the parking lot, before entry time. Then have a snack ready when we return to car afterwards.
The only time I could return to car is if I had tickets to a separate event later in the evening.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you!

Is 1pm too early if we plan on staying till 9:15 for the show? Debating whether to have lunch outside somewhere there, go to the Brandywine museum first and then go into the gardens around 4:30

Eight hours in the garden is too many.

There is a cafeteria in addition to fine dining, and smaller kiosks where you can buy drinks. But you may want to eat elsewhere beforehand.

There is a huge parking lot. It fills at Christmastime but I don’t think summer gets that crowded.

Thank you!

Is 1pm too early if we plan on staying till 9:15 for the show? Debating whether to have lunch outside somewhere there, go to the Brandywine museum first and then go into the gardens around 4:30

We do day trips there a couple of times a year it is fine.

No outside food, you can tailgate in parking lot

Are we allowed to take food inside or are is the cafe inside opened at night too? I see 1906 fine dining but not interested in that.

What do you all do?

Also do you take picnic blankets or camp chairs for the illuminated fountain show at night.

Planning to be there around 1pm but is that too early if the show is at 9:15?

Should we see something else first and get there around 4pm?

How is parking?

It's a good deal - just read the restrictions (not many) and FAQs on the website before you go. It's a lot about the "extras" not being included/often available to add on.

Anonymous wrote:I like Nemours more than Winterthur and doing all 3 in a day would be a lot. Agree about the Brandywine museum - that's small, you could spend an hour or 2 there.

I think the fireworks shows at Longwood are a different ticket but the fountain tickets are the regular ticket. I'm not sure if they are still doing timed entry, so you may want to call.

If you really want to do them all, look into the Brandywine treasure trail. Maybe spend a night and do 2 a day.

https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/passport/

Thank you! How does the family passport work exactly? I see Longwood gardens website prices show $35/adult and $20/child so that totals $110. This passport for family is $99. The FAQ on this website says valid for one entry to each of the 12 attractions. Is that a mistake or are we actually allowed to use it for the whole family at each one of the 12 sites listed between May 25 and October 31st for just $99? I can see Longwood gardens this trip and go back another weekend to see something else? Seems too good to be true.

I like Nemours more than Winterthur and doing all 3 in a day would be a lot. Agree about the Brandywine museum - that's small, you could spend an hour or 2 there.

I think the fireworks shows at Longwood are a different ticket but the fountain tickets are the regular ticket. I'm not sure if they are still doing timed entry, so you may want to call.

If you really want to do them all, look into the Brandywine treasure trail. Maybe spend a night and do 2 a day.

https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/passport/

If you want to combine something with Longwood, the Brandywine Museum is just down the road. It has a lot of art by the Wyeths.

Winterthur is a fancy garden/grounds like Longwood but not as spectacular. It has an enchanted woods section for kids, but it isn’t as fun as Longwood’s children’s garden, IMO. I like Winterthur and you can tour the house, but going to it and Longwood in the same weekend would be a LOT of gardens. Would save for separate trips.

I haven’t been to Nemours. There is a children’s museum in Wilmington that’s fun.

Anonymous wrote:It's easy to spend several hours to a full day there is you are really trying to see everything. They change their exhibits a few times a year and do something special for Christmas. In the summer, there are fountain shows and I think fireworks on some nights. A day trip is possible at 2.5 hours away.

Thank you! Do we need additional tickets for the fireworks and fountain shows?

I also see Nemours estate and Winterthur enchanted woods nearby.

Anyone been to those places? Is it worth staying overnight to see all three

I wouldn't spend less than 3 hours at Longwood. 4 seems more realistic.

If you end up staying in the area longer, the Brandywine River Valley Museum is surprisingly good. Chock full of Wyeths.

It's easy to spend several hours to a full day there is you are really trying to see everything. They change their exhibits a few times a year and do something special for Christmas. In the summer, there are fountain shows and I think fireworks on some nights. A day trip is possible at 2.5 hours away.

Best time to visit? How much time do we need there if we go at a relaxed pace? Is a day trip possible if we live 2.15 hours away.