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SightseeingLocal Gem

Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley

· Wilmington, DE

Why you should go…

Wilmington, Delaware and the surrounding Brandywine Valley are known for grand du Pont family estates and gardens, close proximity to Philadelphia via I-95, and a growing riverfront dining and arts scene. The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes the area under the tagline 'Close to Home, Yet Worlds Away.'

  • #wilmington delaware
  • #brandywine valley
  • #dupont estates
  • #day trip
  • #philadelphia area

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Delaware Museum of Nature & Science

    Under $25

    Natural history museum near Wilmington with dinosaur, shell, and bird exhibits plus a planetarium.

    2.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

    $25–$50

    A former du Pont estate holding the world's top collection of American decorative arts, set in a 1,000-acre naturalistic garden.

    4.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Longwood Gardens

    $25–$50

    One of the world's great gardens: 1,100 acres of fountains, conservatories, and seasonal spectacle in the Brandywine Valley.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Delaware County

    Free

    A Philadelphia-suburb county nicknamed 'America's Garden County' for its public gardens and historic estates.

    13 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Chester County

    Free

    Rolling Pennsylvania countryside known as the Brandywine Valley, home to Longwood Gardens and historic Revolutionary War sites.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Foodie Favorite

    Pennsylvania Wine Country

    Free

    A statewide guide to Pennsylvania's wine trails, tasting rooms and vineyard events.

    23 mi awayMore like this