When to Go

Each season provides plenty of reasons to visit the Brandywine, which is about 45 minutes' to an hour's drive from Center City Philadelphia; Bucks County is about an hour north. Spring and summer bring a Technicolor display of flowers at Longwood and verdant green to the Brandywine Valley countryside, Valley Forge National Park, and Bucks County. The chance to witness some spectacular fall foliage and crisper weather is a compelling case for an autumnal visit, although the spectacular holiday light show at Longwood and the chance to relax by a cozy fire at a charming inn are reason enough to come during the cold-weather months. Christmas brings holiday festivals to Bucks County as well, including the annual reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware. You can easily make day trips to any of these regions from the city, but be sure to avoid traveling west on I–76, and to a lesser extent, north or south on I–95, during rush hour. Weekends, spring through fall, tend to be the busiest season for visitors.