In Delaware County, extensive natural areas meet art collections and historic sites. Exploring Delaware, you can focus on trails and waterways, American art, or the history of Chadds Ford and the Battle of Brandywine. The varied themes give you the flexibility to tailor your visit to your own interests.
Nature Trails, Water and Wide-Open Landscapes
The Delaware County Parks and Recreation Department manages nearly 1,000 acres of parkland, with scenic nature trails, picnic groves, playgrounds and sports fields. The county’s Primary Trail Network connects to the East Coast Greenway. At Ridley Creek State Park, the landscape covers more than 2,606 acres of woodland and meadows.
Designated trail lengths also vary: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum offers 10 miles of trails, as well as guided and self-guided nature walks. At Tyler Arboretum, trails stretch for 17 miles and include the ADA-compliant Scenic Loop. The arboretum also features historic trees and state record trees, as well as meadows, woodlands and gardens. This gives you the opportunity to explore nature trails with a variety of focuses.
At John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, you can also take to the water: visitors can kayak or canoe along a 4.5-mile tidal stretch of Darby Creek. If you’re interested in a specific trail distance, Chester Creek Rail Trail offers one clearly defined section: its central stretch through Middletown and Aston townships is 2.8 miles long. It was the first completed section of the trail, opening in late 2016, and follows Chester Creek along the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Chester Creek Branch, which dates back to the Civil War era.
Art and History in Buildings and Collections
At Ridley Creek State Park, Hunting Hill Mansion brings together two distinct building periods: the large English country house was added in 1915 to an original Pennsylvania stone farmhouse dating from 1789. The two dates show how older rural architecture and a later addition come together in one building.
Brandywine Museum of Art focuses on American art from the Brandywine region. The collection includes landscapes, still lifes, trompe-l’œil, illustrations and works by three generations of the Wyeth family. Guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, the N. C. Wyeth House and Studio, and Kuerner Farm are also available. Art and the places included in the tours offer different ways to experience the region.
The history of the Battle of Brandywine can also be traced through specific sites. Currently, admission to Brandywine Battlefield Park includes an 18-minute orientation film, access to the museum, and a guided tour of Washington’s Headquarters and the Gideon Gilpin House. It’s worth checking the latest visitor information before your visit. George Washington also used the Benjamin Ring home as his headquarters during the Battle of Brandywine. At Christian C. Sanderson Museum, eight rooms tell more than 200 years of American history, the story of Chadds Ford, and the story behind keepsakes of the American experience.
Crafts, Theater and Local Produce
At Newlin Grist Mill, a working gristmill is part of the historic Newlin Grist Mill and Park, which has a total of twelve historic buildings. Scheduled demonstrations showcase 18th-century skills and crafts, including woodturning, papermaking and candle making. It’s not just about the buildings, but also the techniques associated with them.
There are a variety of performing arts on offer: Media Theatre presents musical productions, intimate concerts and children’s performances. Hedgerow Theater offers a year-round calendar of diverse performances, classes and workshops. The annual Delaware County Summer Festival concert series takes place in the open-air amphitheater at Rose Tree Park.
Agriculture and wine are also among the things to discover. Linvilla Orchards is a 300-acre farm that has been operated by the Linvill family for more than 100 years. Visitors can pick fresh fruit and vegetables there. Penns Woods Winery makes wines from Pennsylvania-grown grapes; the property includes a rustic tasting room and outdoor seating amid the vineyards.
Discover more destinations: Media, Chester, Rose Valley, Glen Mills, Elwyn, Ridley Park, Springfield, Chadds Ford, Darby, Tinicum Township, Radnor, Aldan, Swarthmore.
For the main travel overview: Pennsylvania.
