Longwood Gardens takes first place on the list of the best day trips from Pennsylvania. Pierre du Pont created this series of show gardens covering more than 1,000 acres of woodlands and meadows in the late 1800s, and it is now one of the country's finest year-round horticultural displays. The complex contains a variety of gardens, both indoors and outdoors, including formal gardens, brilliant displays of flowering spring bulbs, children's gardens, water gardens, an arboretum of rare and exotic trees, a fruit garden, glass houses and pavilions, and a fantastic topiary garden. Longwood Gardens announced its $250 million Longwood Reimagined project in 2021, which includes a new 32,000-square-foot glass conservatory.

The Italian Water Garden, based on Villa Gamberaia near Florence, Italy, is perhaps the most spectacular. It was meticulously planned and designed by Pierre du Pont to create an air of serenity. The Topiary Garden is a magical world of meticulously sculpted yews that have been trained over decades to create the 20 different shapes. In November and December, the gardens are transformed into a magical extravaganza of colored lights in the evening. Fountain shows are set to music, and 500,000 lights illuminate trees, shrubs, and buildings. Because tickets are timed and limited, it is best to reserve ahead of time.

Google rating: 4.9/5.0

Phone: +1 610-388-1000

Address: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Website: https://www.winterthur.org/

Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, taking place from December 19, 1777, to June 19, 1778. The National Park Service preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment. Originally Valley Forge State Park, it became a national historical park in 1976. The park contains historical buildings, recreated encampment structures, memorials, museums, and recreation facilities.

The British had destroyed a vital supply center for Washington's army, and the Continental Congress had refused to fund new supplies. The park includes 3,500 acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands commemorating the Revolutionary War generation's sacrifices and perseverance, as well as honoring the power of people to band together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

Due to a lack of food, shoes, and clothing, the troops suffered nearly 2,000 casualties, but emerged as a strong and determined force under Washington's command. Exhibits, tours, and a film tell the story of this terrible winter, and you can walk the trails through the grounds of the encampment, where Washington's men built a village of 2,000 huts protected by miles of trenches and earthen redoubts.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0
Phone: 610 783-1000
Address: 1400 North Outer Line DriveKing of Prussia , PA 19406
Website: https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

The Hagley Museum and Library is located on 235 acres along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware. The river powered E.I. du Pont's gunpowder works, which became the largest American manufacturer of this explosive essential to the construction of railroads and other necessities for an expanding nation.

You can take a tour of these riverside powder works and learn about the process through informative signs and live demonstrations of the equipment. The workers' quarters are shown above, and you can also tour the du Ponts' home, Eleutherian Mills, which is furnished with family decorative arts and antiques. There are antique cars, wagons, carriages, and a cooper shop in the barn. There is so much to see in this sprawling complex that you should set aside at least a half-day. Buses connect the various areas, but the riverside grounds are stunning and well worth exploring on foot.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0
Phone: +1 302-658-2400
Address: 200 Hagley Road, Wilmington, Delaware
Website: https://www.hagley.org/

Brandywine Creek State Park ranks 4th on the list of the best day trips from Pennsylvania. Brandywine Creek State Park, located in northern Delaware's piedmont region, is known for its meadowland views and blue gneiss stone walls built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It has more than 14 miles of trail and a remnant old-growth forest. Flint Woods, the Carney Tract, Tulip Tree Woods, and FreshWater Marsh are all part of Brandywine Creek State Park. Chipmunks are frequently seen around the park's stone walls, which were used to mark property lines when the land was rich in agriculture.

Milling along the park's namesake creek was another popular industry that once existed on the park's lands. The rolling meadows support native pollinators, ground nesting birds, and rare native plants, some of which can be seen while strolling through the pollinator garden. Birders frequently see American Kestrels, Blue Birds, and Eastern Meadowlarks. Wilson's Run is stocked for anglers every year, and the sweeping meadows are ideal for disc golf.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0
Phone: +1 302-577-3534
Address: 101 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware
Website: https://destateparks.com/brandywinecreek

Nemours Mansion and Gardens ranks 5th on the list of the best day trips from Pennsylvania. Nemours Mansion in Wilmington, Delaware, rivals the Newport mansions in opulence and grandeur, and was a gift from Alfred du Pont to his wife Alicia. Nemours was their home until 1970, so unlike some over-the-top mansions, it appears quite livable, with furnishings and art arranged for use rather than display. That does not detract from the spectacular interior, which contains priceless antiques and art treasures. However, you may need to look for the latter, which is frequently hung unassumingly in a bedroom or hallway.

The Conservatory, Music Room, Dining Room, and Drawing Room are highlights, but don't miss the Bowling Alley, Billiard Room, and Mechanical Rooms, which feature ingenious early refrigeration equipment. The grounds, which include the most extensive formal French gardens in North America, are as impressive as the house itself, with multiple gardens, grand gates, colonnades, and pools. The mansion's second-floor terrace provides the best views of the intricately patterned parterre garden of immaculately trimmed boxwood.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Phone: (302) 651-6912

Address: 850 Alapocas Drive, Wilmington, Delaware

Website: https://nemoursestate.org/

The nation's premier museum of American decorative arts was built to house Henry Francis du Pont and his family's treasures. Many of the estate's 175 rooms have historic architectural features, and they are all furnished with the du Ponts' exceptional collection of antiques and decorative arts. In addition to the furnished rooms, galleries display additional objects from the nearly 90,000 collection. These are thematically organized to demonstrate historical styles and to compare artistic techniques, design, and materials. Furniture, glassware, ceramics, textile arts, metal work, paintings, and prints are among the collections, and the displays change on a regular basis.

The gardens cover 1,000 acres and are filled with plants and trees from all over the world. Plants are arranged in a natural setting to create a palette that changes with the seasons. The Enchanted Woods, a fairy-tale garden with a giant bird's nest to climb in, a fairy-flower labyrinth, a house carved inside a tulip tree, and a troll bridge, will delight children.

The Battle of Brandywine, fought on September 11, 1777, spanned more than ten square miles, or 35,000 acres, of which today's park encompasses the 50 acres where the Continental army camped prior to the battle. It was a pivotal battle in the American Revolution, as Brandywine Creek blocked British access to Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was meeting. The British, on the other hand, broke through and captured Philadelphia, a significant victory for them but one that did not end the war as they had hoped.

You can see the site of Washington's headquarters and take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, stopping at the Old Kennett Meetinghouse, Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse, Birmingham Hill, Sandy Hollow, and the 1704 Brinton House. The visitor center houses a small museum as well as a hands-on room where children can try out old tools and interact with artifacts.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Phone: 459 – 3342

Address: P.O. Box 202, Chadds Ford PA, 19317

Website: http://brandywinebattlefield.org/

Hersheypark is a family-friendly theme park in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, with roller coasters and rides, themed areas, entertainment zones, and dining options. Originally built as a recreation area for Hershey Chocolate Factory employees, Hershey Park is now one of the top Hershey attractions, with something for everyone. Founder's Way, which winds through the park from the main gate to a junction where Kissing Tower Hill, The Hollow, and Pioneer Frontier meet, is one of six themed areas at Hersheypark. Midway America and The Boardwalk are two other themed areas with themed shops, restaurants, rides, and attractions.

Hershey park has 15 roller coasters (and counting), including the first indoor, spinning glow coaster in the United States, Laff Trakk. The amusement park also has an outdoor water park and kiddie rides, as well as rides and attractions that the entire family can enjoy. When it's time to take a break, stop by Simply Chocolate and order one of the park's famous King Sized Shakes. The one-of-a-kind amusement park is especially magical during the holiday season when it hosts Hershey Sweet Lights, a 2-mile illuminated drive-through tour, and Christmas Candylane, where guests can sip hot cocoa and meet Santa and his reindeer.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Phone: +1 800-437-7439

Address: Address: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

Website: https://www.hersheypark.com/

Several day trip options are available west of Philadelphia in Lancaster County, which is home to the Amish, Mennonites, and other cultures collectively known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. It's a gently rolling farmland where Amish farms can be identified by their tall windmills and horse-drawn wagons and carts are common.

Shops in villages like Bird-in-Hand sell beautiful Amish handmade quilts, straw hats, baskets, and delicious local food specialties like shoo-fly pie. The Amish Village in Strasburg allows visitors to experience the Amish way of life by touring an 1840 farmhouse and a one-room schoolhouse, as well as taking a 45-minute scenic ride through the countryside dotted with Amish farms on the Strasburg Rail Road's century-old steam train.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg houses historic railroad artifacts as well as over 100 vintage locomotives and cars. Visit the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz for a hands-on pretzel twisting lesson, and the Quilt Museum in Intercourse to see beautiful examples of Amish handwork. Lancaster's Central Market is the country's oldest continuously operating farmers market, and you can learn all about country life at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, a living history village and farm.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0
Phone: 1-800-723-8824
Address: 501 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
Website: https://www.discoverlancaster.com/

A bridge across the Delaware River connects the twin towns of Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, making it easy to browse the clusters of antique shops and galleries that line both main streets. You're barely across the bridge into Lambertville when you come across the first three antique shops, and there are more around every corner. Another cluster, anchored by The People's Store, is two blocks away at Church and Union Streets. This collection of shops contains vintage finds, art, and serious antiques on multiple floors. The Golden Nugget Flea Market is located just outside the center on So. Main Street.

Lambertville's attractive center is marked by well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, including a train station, and is not just known for its antique shopping. Choose a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the tree-lined Delaware River Canal for a break between shops. Across the river in New Hope, there are nearly as many antique shops. Three shops on No. Main Street near the bridge sell Art Deco lamps, vintage clothing, and 1940s collectibles. Everything from garden sculptures and wrought-iron ornaments to creepy artifacts can be found on Bridge Street. Take a 45-minute ride through the Bucks County countryside on the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad to take a break from shopping.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0
Phone: N/a
Location: NJ, and New Hope, PA
Website: N/a