Biking
There are 21 miles of authorized biking trails in the park. The paved, 6.6 mile Joseph Plumb Martin Trail on the south side of the park connects the key historic and interpretive sites. On the north side, two miles of the paved, regional Schuylkill River Trail run through the park, with connections to sites in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. There also are 12 miles of flat, unpaved biking trails.

Hiking
The park contains 19.5 miles of designated, marked, hiking trails. The 6.6 mile Joseph Plumb Martin Trail connects the key historic and interpretive sites. The Horseshoe Trail begins near Washington's Headquarters and runs to the Appalachian Trail. Other hiking trails include such footpaths as the relatively flat River and Valley Creek trails, and the hilly trails on Mount Joy and Mount Misery. In addition, hiking is permitted in most open areas of the park.

Phoenixville Magazine

Important sights include the National Memorial Arch to the soldiers who endured that winter and the Monument to Patriots of African Descent, a bronze statue honoring the 5000 blacks who died in the war.

Schuylkill River Canal

Phoenixville Magazine

Built by the Phoenix Iron & Steel Co. in 1895 for the shore resort of Asbury Park New Jersey, the Ferris wheel stood on the Asbury Park's Boardwalk for 100 years

Phoenixville is hoping to turn it into a work of public art to help transform downtown into a cultural and entertainment center.

1-800-76-HISTORY, Start at the Visitor Center 6th & Market Sts, Phila. The Liberty Bell & Independence Hall are in the heart of this area.

National Constitution Center, this is the first museum in the world dedicated to honoring and explaining the U.S. Constitution.

The Independence National Historical Park comprises 40 buildings (half are open to the public) on 45 acres of Center City real estate. The entire park spans 2nd to 6th streets, from Walnut Street to Market Street. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, in its new pavilion, lie between 5th and 6th streets at Chestnut Street, and the Park has been overhauled, with new attractions, renovations, and landscaping.

Hours & Info ------- WALKING TOUR

The QVC Studio Tour is a one-of-a-kind guided walking tour through the fantastic world of electronic retailing. At this state-of-the-art broadcasting facility, guests will see and experience how QVC products are sourced, tested, brought to life on air, and delivered to millions of QVC customers. There are views into the studio through the tour, including a spectacular view from the Observation Deck. Standing 50 feet above the 20,000-square-foot broadcast area, guests may be able to watch QVC programs in progress and may even catch a glimpse of favorite host or guest! TOUR TIME & INFO

A tourist railroad along the beautiful Chester Creek Valley in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Offering a variety of nostalgic 90 minute train trips.

West Chester Railroad offers many different special events for our riders. Join in the fun!

Birthday Party - Rentals - Charters.

Market Street Station boarding location:
250 E. Market St. - West Chester, PA 19382

Historic Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Waterfront & Historic Parks

Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum 701 Arch St.; (215)574-0380. Established in 1976, the museum is a pioneer and leader in documenting and interpreting historical and contemporary collections reflecting African American culture. The museum serves more than 350,000 visitors annually. Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-6pm. Admission:

Arch Street Meeting House 4th & Arch Sts.; (215)627-2667. Built on land William Penn gave the Quakers in 1693. Information on history and Quaker beliefs; 14-minute slide show on Penn and a video on Quakerism available. Also, Quaker artifacts and dioramas on Penn. Thru April 30: Canes and Carvings - by Philadelphia Quakers. Mon.-Sat., 10am-4pm. donation.

Atwater Kent Museum, The History Museum of Philadelphia 15 S. 7th St.; (215)922-3031 Philadelphia's official history museum features the social history and popular culture of Philadelphia. Wed.-Sat., 10am-4pm. Admission:

Betsy Ross House 239 Arch St.; (215)627-5343. Restored two-story Colonial home where Betsy Ross lived when credited with making the first American flag. Tues.-Sun., 10am-5pm. Contribution.

Congregation Mikveh Israel 44 N. 4th St.; (215)922-5446. Second oldest congregation in the U.S., founded in 1740. Ben Franklin was one who contributed to the early building fund. Early members include Haym Salomon, Nathan Levy and the Rebecca Gratz family. Artifacts include Meyer Meyers Rimonim and George Washington's letter to the Congregation. Services: Fri. evening; Sat., 9am; Jewish holidays. One of four in the world utilizing Sephardic, Spanish/Portuguese Rite.

Elfreth's Alley and Mantua Maker's Museum House 126 Elfreth's Alley (off 2nd St. bet. Arch & Race Sts.); 215-574-0560. The oldest, continuously occupied residential street in the nation and a National Historic Landmark. A streetscape of 33 colonial and federal-style homes that were occupied by artisan-class craftspeople like blacksmith Jeremiah Elfreth. House #126 is the museum house that belonged to two 18th century dressmakers. The Mantua Maker's House open daily, 10am-4pm; weekends in Jan. Admission

Fireman's Hall 147-49 N. 2nd St.; (215)923-1438. Restored 1903 firehouse containing apparatus from 1731-1907. Badges, firemarks, helmets, tools and a fireboat pilot house. Stained-glass window depicts rescue efforts of the fire service. Gift shop. Tues.-Sat., 9am-5pm. Free.

Historic Olde St. Augustine's Church 243 N. Lawrence St.; (215)627-1838. Founded in 1796. Early contributors: George Washington, John Barry (father of American Navy) and Thomas Fitzsimmons (signer of U.S. Constitution). First foundation of the Augustinian Friars in U.S. Mon.-Fri., 11:30am-1:30pm; Sun., 8am-1:30pm. Free.

Historic St. George's United Methodist Church 235 N. 4th St.; (215)925-7788. Oldest continuously used United Methodist Church in America since 1769. Early colonial architecture. Housed are the Francis Asbury Bible, the John Wesley Chalice Cup and the Joseph Pilmoor Journal. Sun. worship, 11am; tours daily, 10am-2pm.

Independence Seaport Museum, Columbus Blvd. & Walnut St.; (215)925-5439 Explore America's maritime heritage through fun, interactive exhibits. Climb aboard Admiral Dewey's 1898 flagship USS Olympia and go beneath the water's depths in the WW II submarine USS Becuna. Watch artisans build wooden boats traditional to this region's waterways in the Workshop of the Water. Open daily 10am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission to museum and historic ship zone.

The Riverlink Ferry connects the Camden Waterfront to Philadelphia’s Penn Landing with regular daily service from May through September and weekends (Fri-Sun) in April. Departures leave Camden on the 1/2 hour and Philadelphia on the hour. For schedules, fares and more information visit www.riverlinkferry.org or call 215-925-LINK.

Old First Reformed Church, 4th & Race Sts.; (215)922-4566. One of the oldest German Reformed Churches, established in 1727. The charter was granted by Thomas and Richard Penn in 1765. The building is a restored 1837 Federal-style building. Sun. service, 11am. Tours by appointment. Floodlights make the spot a popular one even late into the night.

Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 412 Pine St.; (215)925-8051. Its 226th year, it is the only colonial Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Designed by Robert Smith, and home to John Adams and Dr. Benjamin Rush, the church sent 75 men to the revolutionary forces. William Hurry, who first read the Declaration, lies here. Sun. service, 10:30am.

Old St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 321 Willings Alley (bettween 3rd & 4th and Walnut & Spruce Streets.); (215)923-1733. Founded by the Jesuits, this is the site where mass was first legally celebrated in 1733. The current church was built in 1838. Masses: Mon.-Sat., 12:05 pm; Sat. vigil, 5:30 pm; Sun., 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am (High Mass).

Old St. Mary's Church, 252 S. 4th St.; (215)923-7930. First Cathedral of the Diocese of Philadelphia, established in 1763. The cemetery is burial place of Commodore John Barry; General Stephen Moylan; George Meade, grandfather of George Gordon Meade; Michael Bouvier, great great grandfather of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; Matthew Carey, printer and publisher. Also hosted George Washington, John Adams and other members of the First Continental Congress at Sun. Vespers, 1775. Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; Sun., 8am-1pm; Masses: Sat., 5pm; Sun., 9am, 10:30am, noon.

Penn's Landing, East of Columbus Blvd., between. Market & South Streets.; (215)923-8181. Waterfront area features historic ships; marina; cruise facilities; restaurants; a Great Plaza, the home of music events such as the Jam on The River. Also, free concerts and ethnic festivals with family skating, ice shows, exhibition hockey and festivals in winter.

Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce St.; (215)829-8796. The nation's first hospital, founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. Tour the hospital's historic sites including the nation's first surgical amphitheater and medical library. Self-guided tours. Group of 10 or more can arrange guided tours. Mon.-Fri., 9am-4:30pm. Free.

Philadelphia's Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Columbus Blvd. & Spruce St.; (215)546-9500 or (215)636-1666. Memorial dedicated in 1987 to honor the 642 Philadelphia residents that died during the Vietnam War. Recognized for its architectural style. Free.

Physick House, 321 S. 4th St.; (215)925-7866, (215)925-2251. Federal townhouse (1786) built by Henry Hill and home to Dr. Philip Syng Physick, ÒFather of American Surgery'' from 1815-1837. 19th-century garden, 18th and early 19th-century furniture, silver and porcelain. Sept.-May, Thurs.-Sat., 10am-2pm. Admission.
Powel House 244 S. 3rd St.; (215)627-0364. Georgian townhouse (1765) and formal garden. Residence of Samuel Powel, Philadelphia's first Mayor after the Revolution. 18th-century art, furniture, silver and porcelain. Sept.-May, thurs.-Sat., noon-4pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Admission.

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard St.; (215)627-1852. Elegant reproduction of a English Renaissance-style building, houses the nation's oldest denominational historical society. Features changing exhibits and a large portrait collection with paintings by Bass Otis and Rembrandt Peale. Library and archives available for research. Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-4:30pm. Free.

St. Peter's Church, 3rd & Pine Streets.; (215)925-5968. Colonial Episcopal Church (1761) virtually unchanged with rare layout, wine-glass pulpit, ornate organ case and original box pews, including #41 where the Washingtons sat with the Powels. Graveyard is the resting place of many national and local figures. (Church building closed thru Sept. for renovations.) Sat., 10am-noon, 1-3pm; Sun., 1-3pm (or inquire at office, 313 Pine St.).

Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce St.; (215)922-6590. A small group of Jewish families seeking a new, urban congregation took over the building in 1967 and became Society Hill Synagogue, a Conservative Congregation, a registered landmark. Fri. service, 8pm; Sat., 9:15am. Visitors welcome at other times. Free.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Washington Sq., 6th to 7th on Walnut St. The only tomb in the U.S. erected to the memory of the unknown Revolutionary War soldiers. Eternal flame installed in 1976. Washington Square is one of Philadelphia's original five squares. Free.

Ulysses S. Wiggins Park and Marina, Riverside Dr. at Mickle Blvd., Camden, NJ; (609)795-PARK. On the Delaware River adjacent to the NJ State Aquarium. Picnic or relax with an unparalleled view of the Philadelphia skyline. Free concerts and special events in the summer. Daily and seasonal boat slip rentals at the Marina. Call for reservations and event information.

United States Mint, 5th & Arch Streets.; (215)597-7350. Self-guided audiovisual tours of the world's largest mint. Coinage operation viewed from glass-enclosed gallery. The United States Mint at Philadelphia is open for public tours Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. The United States Mint is closed on Federal Holidays. All tours are free and self-guided; no reservations are necessary. Visitors can see actual coin production. Exhibits and audio/video stations provide information about the United States Mint and its history, coinage and current programs. The tour takes about 45 minutes. The visitors' entrance is on the corner of Fifth and Arch Streets. Adults will be asked to provide government-issued photo identification for security purposes.

American Swedish Historical Museum ,1900 Pattison Ave.; (215)389-1776. Built on land granted to Swedish settlers in 1653 and designed in the style of a 17th-century Swedish manor house. 14 galleries commemorating the arts, artifacts and contributions of Sweden and its people to America. Changing exhibitions, educational programs, Swedish language courses and traditional festivals preserve Swedish culture and history. Tues.-Fri., 10am-4pm; Sat.-Sun., noon-4pm. Admission:

Bellaire Manor, 20th & Pattison Ave.; (215)664-8456. One of the oldest homes in Philadelphia built in 1714 on original Swedish land grant. Constructed of brick in the Flemish bond pattern with early-Georgian architecture. Open by appointment.

Italian Market , 9th Street between. Wharton & Christian Streets.; (215)922-5557. This colorful corner of South Philadelphia is the world's largest outdoor market rich in history and traditions dating back 125 years to the Italian immigrant founders. There's plenty to do and see. Find imported and domestic products, kitchenware, fresh pastas, cheeses, spices, meats and dry goods. There's also a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mario Lanza Museum Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St.; (215)468-3623. Tribute to actor/tenor Mario Lanza where he received his first musical education. Lifesize bust, paintings, photos, clippings and telegrams detail Lanza's rise to fame. Vintage films shown daily.

Mummers Museum ,1100 S. 2nd St.; (215)336-3050. Mummers are participants in the Philadelphia New Year's Day Parade, a 10 to 12-hour celebration. Costumes are colorful and elaborate. This tradition dates back to colonial times and sanctioned by the city as a one-day celebration on Jan. 1, 1901. May-Sept., free outdoor String Band concerts Tues., 8pm. Open Tues.-Sat., 9:30am-5pm; Sun., noon-5pm except July-Aug. Admission:

Historic Bartram's Garden, 54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143; 215-729-5281. www.bartramsgarden.org This is America's oldest living botanical garden, a pastoral 18th century homestead surrounded by the urban bustle of Philadelphia overlooking the Schuylkill River. See the wildflower meadow, majestic trees, river trail, wetland, an unrivaled collection of American native trees, shrubs and flowers gathered by John Bartram, the father of American horticulture. Explore Bartram's 18th-century stone house, barn, greenhouse, dovecote and a cider press carved from river bedrock. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson have all been here.

BASICS
Maps of the 45-acre grounds are available at the information kiosk by the Bartram Barn and in the Museum Shop. Bicycles, pets, smoking, and picnicking are prohibited in the eight-acre c. 1728 botanic garden. Pets are welcome elsewhere on the grounds but must be leashed in accordance with city ordinances. Outside of the historic garden area, picnickers are invited to throw a blanket on the ground or dine at our picnic tables.  Beverages and snacks are available in the Museum Shop. A baseball diamond and playground are also on site.

HOURS
The grounds at Bartram's Garden are free and open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except City-observed holidays.
The Museum Shop is open and House Tours are offered 12-4 p.m. March through the second week of December. Closed Mondays, City-observed holidays, and the last week of the year.
DROP-IN HOUSE TOURS
Guided 45-minute tours leave the Museum Shop at 12:10 p.m., 1:10 p.m., 2:10 p.m., and 3:10 p.m. Reservations are not required for groups of less than 10 people.

Admission: $5 adult, $4 senior (62 & over) & student, children (12 & under) free.

GROUP TOURS
Guided 90-minute tours of the Bartram House and Historic Garden are available by advance reservation for groups (minimum of 10 people) any day except City-observed holidays and the last week of the year. Gourmet boxed lunches available if ordered in advance. Please call (215) 729-5281 to schedule group tours.
Admission: $8 adult, $7 senior & student. Please call 215-729-5281 to schedule group tours.
 
TOUR SEQUENCE
*Bartram House *Farm Buildings *Archaeological Digs *Historic Garden *Meadow *Wetland *Cider Press *River Trail *Special Trees

Plenty of free parking; buses welcome.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 33rd & Spruce Sts.; (215)898-4000. Featured as one of the "10 great" science museums in Discover Magazine. Highlights: a 12-ton sphinx and monumental architectural remains from the ancient Egyptian palace of Merneptah; mummies; Nigerian Benin bronzes; Sumerian cuneiform texts and the American Southwest. Admission:

Fort Mifflin on the Delaware, Island Ave. & Fort Mifflin Rd.; (215)685-4192. Site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle and later served as a Civil War federal prison. There are 13 restored colonial and 19th-century buildings to explore, dungeons, moat, a riverside picnic area and nature trails. Daily guided tours, uniform and weapons demonstrations and an audio play. Special events, educational programs and summer history camp. April 1-Nov. 30., Admission:

Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave.; (215)632-5330. A magnificent 18-acre estate with a 25-room mansion overlooking the Delaware River. Built in 1850, Glen Foerd is most noted for its Victorian architecture, grand staircase, Haskel pipe organ, Tiffany-style stained-glass skylights, antique furniture, formal art gallery and an original rathskeller. It is now the last surviving riverfront estate open to the public in Philadelphia. Call for year round guided tour. Admission:

Manayunk - Germantown - Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill 7900-8700 Germantown Ave.; (215)247-6696. Visit Chestnut Hill and discover a charming village only twenty minutes from downtown Philadelphia. Restaurants, art galleries, antique stores and many specialty shops line this cobble-stoned avenue. In October, look for the Fall for the Arts & Craft Festival and other events during a month-long celebration of the arts. In December, experience the splendor of an old-fashioned holiday season in Chestnut Hill.

Cliveden of the National Trust, 6401 Germantown Ave.; (215)848-1777. Cliveden (1763-67), scene of the Battle of Germantown in October 1777, is one of America's finest colonial homes. Descendants of original owner Benjamin Chew lived there until 1972. Today, visitors can walk the grounds where American soldiers fought and died, and tour the home of the family that kept the memory of that battle alive. A property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Open April-Dec., Admission:

Concord Schoolhouse, 6309 Germantown Ave.; (215)843-0943. Built in 1775, this one-room school house still has its original belfry and bell and the original school master's desk. By appt.

Manayunk's Main Street, (215)482-9565. Special events throughout the year, with easy accessibility from most suburban locations. Unique shops, galleries and quality restaurants, offer a casual to elegant atmosphere. Come enjoy this quality urban village which is one of America's oldest neighborhoods.

Pennsylvania Country Side

Bucks County River Country Canoe and Tube, Byram Rd., Point Pleasant (on Rt. 32, 8 miles north of New Hope, 1 hr. from Phila.); (215)297-8181. Tubing.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom ,3830 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown; (800)FUN-TIME. A 200-acre amusement and water park located in Allentown. The park features 100 rides and attractions, including 11 water slides and three world-class coasters. Easily accessible from Philadelphia, central and northern PA, New York, New Jersey; Baltimore; Washington, DC and Delaware. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is one of the most diverse amusement and entertainment experiences in the Northeastern U.S. Call for hours and admission.

Herr's Visitor Center, Rt. 1 & Rt. 272, Nottingham; (800)63-SNACK. Enjoy an inside view of the magical world of Herr's snack foods. Learn how the perfect potato chip is made or how cheese curls get cheesey! It's a perfect way to spend a free, fun-filled morning or an afternoon enjoying educational tidbits. Enjoy technological wizardry and tasty morsels. Tours available Mon.-Thurs., 9am-3pm; Fri., 9-11am. Advance notice suggested.

Historic New Hope and New Hope Borough Information Center, 1 W. Mechanic St., New Hope; (215)862-5880. Cosmopolitan village, along the Delaware River and Canal on the National Register of Historic Places. Renowned for arts, antiques, shopping, dining, lodging, theater and nightlife. Information center is an 1839 building that was the town hall and jail and now houses an art collection. Open all year.

Longwood Gardens, Rt. 1, Kennett Sq.; (610)388-1000. World's premier horticultural display on 1,050 acres offers manicured gardens, glass-enclosed conservatories, ancient trees, illuminated fountains, festivals, holiday displays, outdoor theater, 10,010 pipe organ, 400 performing arts events, summer water lilies, and Children's Garden. Oct. 1-25, Autumn's Colors; Oct. 26-Nov. 24, Chrysanthemum Festival; Nov. 28-Jan. 5, Christmas Display; Jan 18-April 11, Welcome Spring Indoors; Feb. 1-28, Focus on Longwood Photography exhibit; March 22-April 6, Easter Display. Open all year and many evenings. April-Oct. 9am-6pm. Call for admission prices.

New Hope Mule Barge, P.O. Box 164, New Hope; (215)862-2842. Experience canal life as it existed 150 years ago. Travel the picturesque Delaware Canal, a Pennsylvania State Park, on an old-fashioned, mule-drawn barge. Available for private parties and business affairs.

Pennsbury Manor, 400 Pennsbury Memorial Ln. (out of Tullytown, off Rt. 13), Morrisville; (215)946-0400. A re-creation of William Penn's plantation set on the banks of the Delaware River. Costumed guides, family events and children's programs. One-day group trips to Pennsbury and historic sites available. Tues.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., noon-5pm. Closed Mon. and some holidays.

Schuylkill River Canoe & Tube, Rt. 724, Monocacy (20 miles west of Valley Forge, 1 hr. from Phila.); (610)582-5800. Canoeing, tubing, rafting, kayaking, bike rentals, fishing and hayrides.

Sesame Place ,100 Sesame Rd., P.O. Box L579, Langhorne; (215)752-7070. Unique theme park for families with kids ages 3-15. Over 50 physical play and water activities, including the five-story-tall Sky Splash water adventure. Live entertainment featuring the Friends of a Feather exotic bird show or see your favorite Sesame Street friends in the "Big Bird & Company Musical Review." Open weekends May 4-5, Sept. 7-Oct. 13. Open daily May 11 - Sept. 3. Admission. (Water activities for adults and children require swimsuits.)

Shopping

The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall East; (215)625-0300. Opposite the Liberty Bell. Many come for its architectural beauty and historic value. The first commodities exchange built in the U.S. in 1895. The magnificent atrium, wrought iron staircases and Corinthian columns make a perfect setting while enjoying lunch selected from a wide variety of food shops. Gifts, souvenirs, greeting cards and memorabilia are available in The Shops.

Gallery at Market East, 9th & Market Sts.; (215)925-7162. Twenty international restaurants in Market Fair on lower level of shopping mall. Six additional restaurants in Gallery II and ten eateries at The Market on the mall level. B, L, D. $. No credit cards.

Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Arch Sts.; (215)922-2317. The best farmers market in America featuring 80 merchants under one roof and lunch dishes of every imaginable variety. The market is one of the most interesting places to visit in Philadelphia with 23 restaurants offering ethnic foods from Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts to Southern Soul Food and American Down Home cooking all prepared by the market's award-winning chefs. Mon.-Sat., 8am-6pm.

• Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau: (610) 834-1550
• Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau: 1-800-537-7676
• Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau: (717) 622-7700
• Brandywine Valley Tourist Information Center: 1-800-228-9933
• Reading & Berks County Visitors Bureau: 1-800-443-6610

Brandywine Battlefield Park, Rt. 1, Chadds Ford, The 52 acre park contains historic houses used as headquarters by General Washington and General Lafayette during the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War. Museum & gift shop. ushistory.org/brandywine/ 610-459-3342. A-2 off
West Chester Railroad, Market St., West Chester. Premier tourist railroad runs through Chester and Delaware counties featuring special events-murder mystery dinner trains, and charters. Call for schedule. 610-430-2233. A-2 off

Brandywine River Museum, Rts 1 & 100, Chadds Ford. A celebrated collection of American art including works by three generations of Wyeths. brandywinemuseum.org 610-388-2700

Exhibiting American art in a 19th-century gristmill, the Brandywine River Museum is internationally known for its unparalleled collection of works by three generations of Wyeths and its outstanding collection of American illustration, still life and landscape painting. Outdoors, wildflower gardens surround the museum in glorious color from spring through autumn.

Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. Site of Revolutionary War Hospital, a scenic 18th century colonial health spa, a Civil War orphan’s school, and the landscape school for the PA Academy of the Fine Arts, and now a center for historic preservation and the arts. yellowsprings.org 610-827-7414. A-1

American Helicopter Museum,1220 American Blvd. West Chester. Over 34 helicopters & 40 exhibits trace the history & future of rotor wing flight. Kids can climb aboard and take the controls. Tours. Birthday parties. Special events. Helicopter rides 4th Sat. helicoptermuseum.org 610-436-9600. A-2 off

Franklin Mint Museum, US Rt. 1, Franklin Center. A beautiful array of fine collectibles and celebrity memorabilia. Changing special exhibits. F. franklinmint.com 610-459-6168. A-2 off

Longwood Gardens, US Rte 1, Kennett Square, The world’s premier horticultural display garden on 1,050 acres offers 40 gardens, four-acre Conservatory, fountains, festivals and holiday displays. Open Daily , gift shop, restaurant, picnic facilities. www.longwoodgardens.org 610-388-1000.

Open every day of the year-and on many evenings-Longwood is truly the ultimate garden treasure. Here 1,050 outdoor acres and 20 indoor gardens present a never-ending cavalcade of exquisite bloom. Spring favorites include tulips and wisterias. Summer brings sweet roses and exotic waterlilies. In autumn, golden chrysanthemums celebrate the harvest season. The heated conservatory beckons in winter with poinsettias and welcomes spring months early with palms and pastel orchids.

Amid this floral splendor, seasonal festivals and concerts add yet another dimension to a garden visit. At night, thrilling displays of illuminated fountains in summer or festive lights at Christmas provide enchanted memories for years to come.

Waynesborough, 2049 Waynesborough Rd., Paoli; (610)647-1779. Country manor house built of Chester County stone in its original boxwood setting. On the Philadelphia Main Line, just five miles from Valley Forge National Park. It was home to major General Anthony Wayne, a national hero who served with George Washington in the American Revolution. It has been beautifully restored to reflect the lives of seven generations of Waynes. Tues., Thurs., 10am-4pm; Sun., 1-4pm, or by appt. Admission. Special group rates available with advance reservations.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate , Garden and Library Rt. 52, Winterthur, DE; (302)888-4600, (800)448-3883. Country home of Henry Francis du Pont, now houses a collection of American decorative arts made or used between 1640 and 1860 displayed in two wings, the Period Rooms and the Galleries. Almost 1,000 acres with native and exotic plants, ponds, woods and meadowland. Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., noon-5pm, last tickets sold 3:45pm. Admission: . Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days. Optional guided tours available.

 Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
200 S. Madison Street(302) 656-6466
Wilmington, DE 19806
The DCCA is one of the nation’s leading contemporary visual arts organizations and one of the largest contemporary art spaces in the region. The Wilmington Riverfront location, with 33,000 square feet of sophisticated but welcoming architecture, houses seven galleries, twenty-six artist studios, a gift shop, high-tech auditorium, a classroom and more. Nearly thirty exhibitions of regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists are presented each year. No matter how often you visit, you are bound to experience something new with this extensive exhibition schedule. Don't miss works from the nation's leading, cutting-edge, contemporary artists. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Whether visiting alone, as part of a tour or while attending an event, don't miss out on the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. At the DCCA, an experience awaits you.
 Delaware Museum of Natural History
P.O. Box 3937, Route 52 (302) 658-9111 24 hour information (302) 652-7600
Wilmington, DE 19807
Marvel at a life-sized model of a Giant Squid. Navigate across the Great Barrier Reef. Experience the interactive Discovery Room. Explore an African watering hole. Encounter Delaware's only dinosaurs on permanent display. It all awaits you here.

Open year-round after the completion of a $5-million facelift, the Delaware Museum of Natural History features special traveling exhibitions that change out three times a year and houses the second largest collection of birds' eggs in North America, and is ranked among the top ten for its collection of mollusks (shells.)

Discover the wonders of the natural world at the Delaware Museum of Natural History.

 Historical Society of Delaware
505 Market Street(302) 655-7161
Wilmington, DE 19801
Discover Delaware's past at the Delaware History Museum, a renovated art deco Woolworth five and ten cent store. The Delaware History Museum's unique three gallery setting features changing interactive exhibitions devoted to Delaware's history through displays of rare items of everyday life, costumes, children's toys, regional decorative arts and paintings. A nine-foot-tall folk art statue of George Washington greets you at the door of the large gift shop specializing in Delaware handcrafted items and souvenirs.
Hagley Museum & Library
P.O. Box 3630, Route 141(302) 658-2400
Wilmington, DE 19807

Discover 240 acres of history along the banks of the Brandywine River at Hagley, the original du Pont mills, estate, and gardens. Hagley provides a unique glimpse into American life at home and at work in the 19th century.

The museum offers a diversity of restorations, exhibits, and live demonstrations that appeal to visitors of all ages. Demonstrations include a massive water wheel, a vintage steam engine, a machine shop, and more.

On the hill above the powder yards is Eleutherian Mills, the charming Georgian-style 1803 residence of E. 1. du Pont. A French-style garden completes the world of this 19th-century mill owner and his family.

 Nemours Mansion and Gardens
P.O. Box 109, Rockland Road (302) 651-6912
Wilmington, DE 19899
Currently closed for renovations, Nemours will reopen in 2007.
Nemours, the estate of Alfred I. du Pont, named after the site of the du Pont ancestral home in north central France, offers the opportunity to enjoy European arts in a magnificent setting. Surrounded by 300 acres of gardens and natural woodlands, the Louis XVI-style chateau, built in 1909-1910, contains fine examples of antique furniture, oriental rugs,tapestries and paintings dating back to the 15th century.

Amid the splendor are fascinating aspects of the family's, life-style: vintage automobiles, a billiard room and bowling alley, ice-machine and bottling rooms. The French gardens, extending almost one-third of a mile along the main vista from the mansion,are classed with the finest found in America.

 Rockwood Mansion Park
610 Shipley Road (302) 761-4340
Wilmington, DE 19809
Journey up the wooded drive to Rockwood, and travel back in time to the Victorian era. This wonderful example of Rural Gothic architecture tells the story of Joseph Shipley, who created the estate, and the Bringhursts, a wealthy, turn-of-the-century family. Step inside the mansion and experience the luxuriant lifestyle of America's Golden Age. Cap off your visit with a stroll about the lovely Gardenesque grounds. The landscape, similar to an English park, features exotic trees, shrubbery and a ha-ha wall. The Butler's Pantry self-service café is available for lunch or coffee, and the Rockwood Conference Center hosts museum exhibits and rental facilities.

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