A Longwood Gardens Christmas

Grammy G and family spent a glorious winter afternoon in late December experiencing the spectacular Christmas lights display at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, located one hour southwest of Philadelphia in the beautiful rolling hills of Chester County. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit Longwood Gardens, do yourself a huge favor and plan a road trip today! Established in 1906, Longwood was conceived and developed by industrialist Pierre duPont starting with a 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk, evolving into 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and a conservatory, which is now being reimagined into yet another level of excellence.

As their website states proudly and rather modestly, at the Longwood Christmas you will “….experience a bevy of bright, numerous nostalgic moments and dazzling, vibrant light displays.” Our family’s party of ten ranged from seniors to children and all enjoyed every moment in a non-rushed and comfortable pace. Advance tickets are required, but Longwood makes the booking process really easy and, once you are on property, prepare to be dazzled.

We started our visit in the huge Conservatory indoor space which was totally and completely immersed in holiday spirit with plantings celebrating the season from vibrant poinsettias, massive hanging cacti in perfect bloom, and countless other horticultural specimens too numerous to mention. Walking through the main building, we enjoyed the behind-the-pipes organ display and history of the Longwood Organ made of more than 10,000 pipes described as the “largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting.” The brightly lit Community Christmas Trees were engaging, as well as the retro-inspired indoor holiday living room scene replete with silver trees, martini glasses and mid-century camp.

Our next stop was dictated by hungry tummies so we had a delicious lunch at Longwood’s Café just steps away from the Conservatory where you will find an informal and comfortable self-serve eatery with options ranging from the requisite chicken tenders and fries to local comfort food showcasing Kennett Square’s finest, world-renowned mushrooms. Stomachs full, we walked through the many light displays placed perfectly throughout the gardens with sparkling orbs in the meadows, a miniature train display, giant Moravian stars dominating grassy fields, larger-than-life Christmas bulbs suspended in ponds, enchanting lighted walkways and archways, bedecked tree houses and play areas for kids of all ages, and millions of LED lights illuminating trees so tall you have to crane your neck upward and ask how in the world did they got those lights up there?!

After about four hours or so, we happily wrapped up our Longwood Christmas visit with memories of lights that danced across our grandkids’ shining faces with sincerity and wonder.

Check out more information and to book your visit their website at Longwood Gardens.

Maine