With This Local “Passport,” Check Out Some of the Area’s Must-See Arts, Culture and Gardens for Less
It can feel like we spend most of the year waiting for the spring and summer—and once they’re here, they fly by. Especially with all the energy that warmer weather brings to Philly, it can seem like there are too many things to do in too little time. Plus, when you consider how much there is to do outside of the city, too (cough, cough; our region is home to 2025’s Best Botanical Garden, one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Places to Go, and one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places) how are you supposed to make the most of your time off this season?
The short answer: Don’t just choose one spot. Thanks to some stunning renovations and refreshes, this year is a more exciting time than ever to visit multiple of the area’s fan-favorite arts, culture and gardens. Even better, with the right planning, hitting all the must-see attractions is simple, accessible and affordable.
That’s where the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport comes in. For one price, the “passport” is your ticket to 12 of our region’s finest spring and summer excursions, which run along the historic and beautiful Brandywine River. At $49 for an individual pass, it’s your most cost-effective way into these sights (offering $148 in savings). Savings are even bigger if you opt for a family plan, which includes two adults and up to three children, for just $99 (which means you’ll save up to $615).
Access to the passport’s attractions, which range from Longwood Gardens to Nemours Estate and more, runs from May 24 to October 31, 2025—and passports are available for purchase now. Here’s what to know about the must-visit spots along the Brandywine Treasure Trail and how to make the most of your spring and summer.
Your Passport to Arts, Science, History and More
From classic works of naturalist art to engineering marvels, the region has a distinct identity and spirit that has helped shape the course of American history and beyond. Here’s where to get a sense of how innovators and artists, from centuries ago to today, made a big impact right in our own backyard.
Brandywine Museum of Art
Located a few miles outside of Wilmington, Delaware, the Brandywine Museum of Art boasts an illustrious collection of American art, housed inside a 19th-century mill. The interesting architecture overlooks the Brandywine River and is lined with trees and flowers. Also worth checking out in the area: Kuerner Farm, a national landmark where you can tour the old home and farm where the celebrated realist painter Andrew Wyeth created many of his classic works.
Delaware Art Museum
With reimagined art galleries, a large and stunning sculpture garden and labyrinth, and rotating special exhibitions, the Delaware Art Museum features a unique museum environment and a wide collection of American and British works. They’re also known for festivals and classes that take place throughout the spring and summer, so you can add some interactive flair to your visit.
The Delaware Contemporary
If you’ve seen enough of the Old Masters, here’s where to go for a fresh, memorable experience. The contemporary museum houses work from regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists. It’s especially worth visiting in June during the West Street Art Festival, when you can enjoy indoor and outdoor art-based activities, performances, vendors, food trucks and refreshments.
Delaware History Museum
Located in an Art-Deco style building, this museum tells the many stories of Delaware’s past, from immigrant history to maritime heritage to agricultural roots. The museum is also home to the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, which features educational and compelling perspectives on the African-American experience in Delaware and the United States more broadly.
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Reopened in 2022 after a stunning reimagining, this hub for scientific and natural wonders is a haven for the nature enthusiast and science buff. There are also some interactive exhibits—such as the Global Journey Gallery, a giant floor map that allows travelers to explore our planet’s ecosystems (from the rainforest to the tundra to the savanna to the oceans) to make things fun for everybody.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Introduce yourself to the influential history of the du Ponts in the childhood home of Henry Francis du Pont. But this is far more than family history–the museum houses one of the country’s most important American decorative art collections, giving you an exquisite window into the height of American craft and design. The Winterthur Museum is also home to a 60-acre naturalist garden.
Hagley Museum & Library
Home of the gunpowder works of the du Pont family, this museum surveys the history of American engineering, and even features restored mills. Plus, the Nation of Inventors exhibit displays more than 120 patent models, which represent the origins of some of the country’s most innovative inventions—ranging from medical devices to transportation and more. And if you’re itching to appreciate some gorgeous landscaping and a colossal mansion, it’s also the site of the du Pont homestead.
Homes and Gardens on the Trail
If the du Pont estates whet your appetite for incredible properties and gorgeous gardens, here’s where you can take a deeper dive with your passport.
Longwood Gardens
You’ve heard of Longwood Gardens—and maybe you’ve even heard of its new upgrade, Longwood Reimagined, which features new horticulture, event spaces and more. With winding paths, views typically reserved for the grounds of old castles and manors, world-class theater shows, outdoor summer concerts and performances, and interactive classes, there’s no other place like Longwood in the country—which is why it’s a multiple-time winner of USA TODAY’s Best Botanical Garden, one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025, and the recipient of other major awards.
Mt. Cuba Center
Longwood isn’t the only place that a garden-lover should hit this season. Mt. Cuba Center, a 2020 winner of USA TODAY’s 10 Best, feels like a peaceful outdoor haven where visitors can explore wilderness, gardens, trees and ponds. The Dogwood Path is an especially beloved excursion, wandering along multiple different environments among thick mossy banks.
Nemours Estate
Odds are you haven’t seen many 77-room mansions—but Nemours Estate, the former home of Alfred du Pont, features all that opulence and more along 200 acres of French-inspired formal gardens, grounds and woodlands. Take a self-guided tour through sculptures, woodlands, vintage automobiles and more.
Read House & Gardens
In historic New Castle, this 14,000-square-foot house and garden is a National Historic Landmark that provides both a Colonial history lesson and a beautiful escape into elegant and natural views. It’s also located amid cobblestone streets, taverns, other historical buildings and a town green, so you’ll feel like you’ve been transported through time.
Rockwood Park & Museum
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Rockwood Park & Museum features a Rural Gothic mansion, Victorian house museum, and 72 acres of serene parkland. Get some steps in by wandering the various trails, and head into the museum for some insight into 20th-century life in Delaware. The park is also home to the Delaware Shakespeare Festival’s performance each summer, so stay for a picnic and a show.
Nearby Culinary Experiences
As you work your way along the trail, you’ll need to stay fueled up. Whether you’re looking for a mid-day snack or a meal to conclude the perfect day, here’s where to go.
Downtown’s Market Street
Downtown’s Market Street in Wilmington is the hotspot for culinary experiences—ranging from casual eats to elegant fare. It’s also walkable and central to many of the Treasure Trail attractions, so you can get some bar-hopping in or enjoy some casual snacking in between any of your chosen excursions.
Bardea Food & Drink
A James Beard Foundation award winner, this is one of the prime spots to hit when you’re in Wilmington—it’s an innovative approach to Italian cuisine that features everything from table share-size meals to lighter apps.
Buckley’s Tavern
From world-renowned artists to professional athletes to locals to visitors, Buckley’s has quickly become a favorite for all kinds of guests—likely due to its diverse range of offerings. It features a rooftop bar, cozy indoor environment and dining terrace, and serves everything from charcuterie to Shepherd’s Pie to steaks to seafood delicacies.
Centreville Place: Café + Market
Centreville Place is a breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack spot that serves classic recipes with upscale twists (their chicken sandwich is served with Brie cheese on a croissant). It’s the perfect place to fuel up before the day or for a lunch break in between excursions—and with indoor and outdoor options, you can enjoy the sun or take a break from the warmth with some AC.
Find Your Favorite Accommodations
You can not only explore great works of design and culture along the trail–you can stay in them. There are multiple historic and intricately designed options available for your reservation, as well as budget-friendly options to maximize your passport savings.
Hotel du Pont
Located in the downtown landmark du Pont building in Wilmington, this hotel blends sophistication with antique charm. It’s an ideal place to stay when you’re looking to explore nearby Winterthur, Longwood, Nemours, Hagley and more.
Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa
Montchanin is not only centrally located in Wilmington, but it’s an enchanting hotel stay—with award-winning restaurants, a pristine garden and grounds, luxury accommodations and a spa for a full resort feel—that’s the perfect respite from your days of exploring the Treasure Trail.
Inn at Whitewing Farm
Just minutes from Longwood Gardens and other Treasure Trail attractions, Whitewing offers countryside luxury in a picturesque setting, complete with a beautiful pond and opportunities for some fun at the inn, including tennis courts.
Sheraton Suites Downtown Wilmington
The Sheraton is the perfect fit for budget-conscious travelers seeking an ideal downtown location, walkability to some of the city’s must-visit restaurants, and a full-service, family-friendly environment.
To get started planning your trip across the Brandywine Treasure Trail today, click here.
This is a paid partnership between Visit Wilmington and Philadelphia Magazine