Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway
Chateau Country: Explore the du Pont Legacy Trail
| Departure: | Hotel du Pont and du Pont Theatre, Delaware |
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| Destination: | Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
The du Pont Legacy Trail epitomizes two centuries of du Pont history and culture. Magnificent country estates, quaint historic villages, ornate gardens, the finest collection of American antiques, and the birthplace of America's industrial heritage can be seen along the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway. Every season offers a wide variety of activities, tours and displays, but outdoor gardens are best in warmer seasons. A two-day visit covers five major attractions.
Day 1
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Start: Hotel du Pont and du Pont Theatre
The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway begins here, at the Hotel du Pont and du Pont Theatre in downtown Wilmington. The hotel is famous for its luxurious accomodations. The du Pont Theatre presents the "Best of Broadway" shows September through May.
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Stop 1: Hagley Museum and Library
Directions from previous place: From the du Pont Hotel take Route 52 North. Turn right onto Route 100/141 at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Church. Go to the first light and turn right on Route 141. Go a few hundred feet to the Hagley entrance on the left.
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 11 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours Hagley Museum and Library sits on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River. It is the site of the du Pont gunpowder works and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
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Stop 2: Delaware Museum of Natural History
Directions from previous place: Leaving Hagley Museum's main entrance, turn right on Route 141. Take a left at the light onto Route 100 at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Church. Take a right at the light to get back on Route 52 North. (Route 100 dead ends at the light.) Continue north on Route 52. The museum is on the left just before Winterthur Museum and Gardens.
Distance from Previous Site: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 6 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The Delaware Museum of Natural History was created by John du Pont. Museum highlights include an African watering hole, a Great Barrier Reef exhibit, and life-sized dinosaur skeletons. Children will enjoy the learning adventures in the Discovery Room.
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Overnight Point: Montchanin
Lodging is available in the city of Montchanin.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 5.7 miles / 9.1 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Winterthur Museum and Country Estate
Directions from previous place: Winterthur is across the byway from the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Leaving the musuem entrance, turn left onto Route 52 North. The entrance to Winterthur is just ahead on the right.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 minute Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours Henry Francis du Pont remodeled his boyhood home into this 175-room, 7-story mansion full of American furniture and decorative arts. The 979-acre estate has a naturalistic landscape, garden, and ‘Enchanted Woods’ children’s garden. Here, visitors can discover the enormity of the du Pont wealth and legacy.
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End: Longwood Gardens
Directions from previous place: Longwood Gardens is in Pennsylvania, just beyond the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway. Leaving Winterthur's main entrance, turn right onto Route 52 and go north to the Pennsylvania state line for 3 miles. Continue on Route 52 in Pennsylvania for 1.75 miles to Route 1. Turn left on Route 1 and travel for 0.75 miles. Longwood Gardens is on the right.
Distance from Previous Site: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Encompassing over 1,000 acres, Longwood Gardens is larger than Central Park and is world-renowned for its magnificent horticulture. Visitors can explore numerous gardens with fountains, ponds, and landscaped meadows. Longwood Gardens also features a massive conservatory filled with exhibits.
