Top Things to do in
Top Hotels in Brandywine Valley
- 1. Inn At Mendenhall, BW Premier Collection
- 2. Hampton Inn Downingtown / Exton
- 3. Home2 Suites by Hilton Downingtown Exton Route 30
- 4. Brandywine River Hotel
- 5. Fairfield Inn & Suites Kennett Square Brandywine Valley
- 6. Holiday Inn Express Exton - Great Valley, an IHG Hotel
- 7. Fairfield Inn Philadelphia West Chester/Exton
- 8. Courtyard Philadelphia Great Valley/Malvern
- 9. Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 10. Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge/Oaks
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Top 9 Hidden Gems Things to do in , Brandywine Valley
Discover the best top things to do in , United States including Wharton Esherick Museum, The Woodlands at Phillips, Brandywine River Museum of Art, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Baldwin's Book Barn, Penns Woods Winery, American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center, Kennett Flash, Northbrook Canoe.
Restaurants in Brandywine Valley
1. Wharton Esherick Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Please note: ALL VISITORS MUST HAVE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS. Wharton Esherick was a sculptor who worked primarily in wood, readily extending his unique forms to furniture, furnishings, utensils, interiors, buildings, and more. His motto, "if it isn't fun, it isn't worth doing," is evident in the joyful expression of his work, inviting the eye and the hand. A National Historic Landmark for Architecture, his hilltop studio/residence, with more than 300 of his works on exhibition, has been preserved much as it was when the artist lived and worked there. The Museum is open to the public through guided tours for which reservations are required.
Reviewed By karenp2017
What a treat to tour the artist Wharton Esherick’s unique studio/home, where the building is as fascinating as the furniture and sculptures that it contains. Over a 40-year period, Esherick hand-crafted his home, designing and constructing everything from the carved cabinets to the puzzle-like floorboards to the amazing spiral staircase. Everything is smoothly shaped of polished wood, so lovingly finished that your fingers itch to touch - and here you can! Esherick’s furniture designs are organic and whimsical, but surprisingly practical, too, like the self-illuminating desk masquerading as a cupboard, or the hidden drawers built into a velvet settee. A knowledgeable docent led our hour-long tour (reserve online, $15 adults; $13 seniors) and guided us through the surprises and secrets of the house. As a bonus, the road we took to the Esherick Museum took us past several of the sites in the Valley Forge National Historical Park.
2. The Woodlands at Phillips
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
The Woodlands at Phillips is the retail store for Phillips Mushroom farms. We are in the restored family farmhouse dating back to 1828 offering a large variety of Phillips fresh mushrooms and "everything mushroom". Follow the path of mushrooms to our FREE Mushroom Growing Exhibit and Museum open year round. Check out our website and join our monthly newsletter. We also have an online store on our website.
Reviewed By CAMNYC1 - Wayne, United States
This was a really fun spur of the moment afternoon. Really interesting to see how mushrooms grow and learn about the history of Kennett Square mushrooms and especially the Phillips family. Gift shop is interesting and has unique gifts. It was wonderful to purchase a variety of fresh mushrooms to take back to New York! Staff was exceptionally helpful and nice. Definitely a stop to make time to visit! Would go back when visiting near Philly to get freshest mushrooms.
3. Brandywine River Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 802 reviews
Discover an outstanding collection of American art, including works by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, housed in a historic grist mill with glass-walled lobbies overlooking the scenic Brandywine. During the holiday season, experience the extensive O-gauge model train display, one of the largest in the country, with five trains running simultaneously on nearly 2,000 feet of track. Enjoy guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio and Kuerner Farm (April to mid-November). Museum shop and cafe.
Reviewed By Mira_Bihac
This Museum has works ,Art,s collection of three generations of the Wyeth family :beautiful portraits,landscapes, elegant still -life paintings.... Museum sits on 15 acre campus with trials to walk ,beautiful plants,and outdoor sculptures. You can also enjoy cafe with Windows offering breathtaking views. You can also admire museum shop with beautiful selection of gifts, books and jewelry.... Very pleasant,must see..
4. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By Outdoorgal5 - Nashville, United States
I'm from Tennessee and while we have old furnaces I never gave it much thought until my visit to Pennsylvania today on the back road with my friend. She took me to Hopewell National Historic Site what an interesting story as told by the enthusiastic Park Ranger Mary Z. You can how much she loves that place bc she brought the hard labored process to life. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, learning of the hard-working, hearts of America, men and women, black and white, side-by-side working towards a common goal, who forged the Iron and Steel industry. Make sure u watch the short film, very nice.
5. Baldwin's Book Barn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By tinar143
I can’t tell you how many times I have gone past this special book store. I have read newspaper articles about the store...all the while forlornly waiting for a spare minute from working myself half to death, or driving kids, or food shopping,etc. To go in and feast my eyes on all the books. Well finally.... I was driving by (in the midst of errands, and working during ‘vacation’) and I was impelled to turn around and go back to the store...it was a delicious adventure. As far as ‘libraries’ go this has an immense diverse collection, I was there for over an hour... pouring through the book collection, walking on barn wood floors, up staircases that beckoned to a secret cache, mazes of bookshelves, all labeled and categorized. Even though there is a map, I still needed the managers help to get to the third floor:) then there were more books and a curious door (probably for hay way back when) very Harry Potter storyish. I found a novel, nuke historian book, a Linus Pauling book, a old book with pictures of travels across the world from 1700s the book was maybe 1950, another history book about local scientists, a book on American Indians, and others. The book prices were reasonable. Very thankful for the store, a gem and national treasure. The manager was very great and knowledgeable( he knew Linus Pauling won the two Nobel prizes, one for Chemistry and one for Peace). Very fun when a store can inspire one to read and have an adventure too.
6. Penns Woods Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Penns Woods Winery is family-run & 100% Pennsylvania grown. Our Tasting Room in Chadds Ford, PA boasts relaxing vineyard views with exciting events each weekend including guided tastings, live music, food and wine pairings, classes and more! Our ultra-premium wines can be found in restaurants throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. We are conveniently located off of 202 just minutes from West Chester, PA, 15 minutes from Wilmington, DE and 35 minutes from Philadelphia, PA! Think Globally, Drink Locally.
Reviewed By Karen29Berks
We were looking for a local winery to visit before going to Longwood Gardens and I’m so happy we found Penns Woods! We were there on one of the first days reopening after Covid and the winery has done a wonderful job in adapting to the state requirements. We booked a tasting, which was held outside in a pavilion. They had a seating every few hours and the group (at socially distant tables) all went through the tasting together. We tasted 5 wines and the hostess talked about each one as we tasted. For our $25 tasting fee, we had 5 generous samples (much larger than a normal tasting), an individually packaged snack tray, and the full size wine glass to keep. I would definitely return!
7. American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, located in the land of industry innovators in the Philadelphia region, is the nation's premier aviation museum devoted exclusively to helicopters. Established in 1996, the nonprofit organization collects, restores and displays rotary-wing aircraft, including over 35 civilian and military helicopters, autogiros and convertiplanes.
Reviewed By N5556OVdavidl - West Chester, United States
After an active session at the swing set we arrived at the helecopter museum. The boys. 3 and 1.5 were immediately attracted to the copters. And so was I. We climbed in those copters we could and spent time buckling up and in buckling in the pilots seat. We were delighted that other children arrived in. the play room The boys played with the other kids Built blocks and played on the small copter over and over. Well worth the visit ( three hours). A good time was had by all What a treasure.
8. Kennett Flash
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By bluejay377 - Havre de Grace, United States
A very intimate setting that is comparable to enjoying a performance in your living room. This was our first time here, so this is our takeaway. First, Kennett Square is a small town with a huge one way street "complex" so navigating around was like navigating a maze. The venue is located in an alleyway off of a main street so it's easy to miss. We weren't sure of parking so we simply found a side street and parked along it. Kennett is a very safe town so there should not be any issues. This is a BYOB place for beer and wine only. No hard liquor is permitted. They did apparently serve pizza but it was on a cash only basis. It was rather comical to see people humping small coolers into the performance. In side there were long tables which ran perpendicular to the stage. Seats were equivalent to ones you would find at a church banquet, functional but not really comfortable. I was expecting a rather mediocre lighting and sound system. I must say I was very pleased with both the lighting and the sound. We went to see the incomparable, Steve Forbert. He seemed to be unhappy at times with the sound, but we would never have noticed an issue. It was that good. Kennett Flash is a not for profit organization focusing on bringing talent to the small community. Kudos for this organization and all their efforts. Having Steve Forbert perform is evidence that all their hard work and dedication pays off. This was, by far, one of the best concert experiences we have ever had. Such an intimate atmosphere without all the drama of a large crowd and fighting for viewing space. Steve played for almost an hour and 45 minutes, then came downstairs to sign and take pictures with the fans. He is an American treasure and as humble and as caring an individual as you will ever find. He treated each and every fan with respect and courtesy. A remarkable performer whom I hope more people are lucky enough to see sometime. We all need to support venues like this. We will definitely go back here in the future. From the top down, the staff and volunteers made us feel incredibly welcomed. You need to experience this place! Make sure you come with cash as they appear not to take cards any where on site.
9. Northbrook Canoe
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Canoe down the Brandywine River
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