Winter has been behaving strangely. Snow in December. Sixty degrees in February. And now, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, we’ll be wearing shorts in March. If spring comes as early and as hot as predicted, I’ll be heading back to Longwood Gardens in the small town of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Road Trip Stop

An hour west of Philadelphia (with no traffic) is the Disneyland of gardens. Or, more accurately, it’s like the Versailles of the Eastern Seaboard. Longwood Gardens is renowned for its breathtaking plant collections. The grounds span more than 1,000 acres. I’ve been twice and I still haven’t seen it all.

There are six districts to explore: Chimes Tower, Conservatory, du Pont’s house, Lakes, Main Fountain, and the Meadow and Forest. Each is unique, from the formal layout and highly manicured plantings of the Main Fountain Garden District to the sweeping vistas across natural lands in the Meadow & Forest District, you will be sure to find something new every time you visit.

The gardens have a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when industrialist Pierre S. du Pont purchased the land. You know, that DuPont the one that also managed General Motors and helped build the Empire State Building. Longwood Gardens was Pierre’s little side project that became so insanely massive that it became a historic landmark.

The Fountains Are The Draw

If you’ve seen the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, you know that distinct booming sound made by the fountains as they spray water hundreds of feet in the air. Well, at Longwood Gardens, it’s an explosion. The garden now boasts over 1,700 jets, streams, and fountains (more than the Bellagio).

At certain times of the day, you’ll witness the choreographed dances of water jets set to music and illuminated by colorful lights.

In addition to the Main Fountain Garden, Longwood Gardens also features other fountains throughout its extensive grounds, each contributing to the beauty and tranquility of the landscape. These fountains vary in size and design, ranging from intimate reflecting pools to grand water features.

If you go:

Timed admission tickets are required. Visit longviewgardens.org to select your time and purchase tickets.

There are a limited number of nearby hotels, from three- to five-stars. After an entire day of exploring, though, that Fairfield Inn bed is going to feel like heaven.

There’s is always something to see in every season. Visit in the spring to see vibrant tulips and cherry blossoms, in the summer for the massive fountain shows, in the fall for the changing foliage, or in the winter for the stunning holiday light displays.

Hero photo credit LongwoodGardens.org