Getting There -- The valley's attractions in Delaware are spread out north of Wilmington, but most are along Route 52. By car, take I-95 into Wilmington to Delaware Route 52 North. The main attractions in Pennsylvania are along U.S. Route 1. From Wilmington, routes 52 and 100 both lead to U.S. Route 1. Alternate routes from I-95 are U.S. Route 202, which goes all the way to U.S. Route 1, and Route 141 to Route 52.
Bus service from Wilmington is available through DART (tel. 302/652-3278; www.dartfirststate.com).
Visitor Information -- Contact the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors' Bureau, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 20, Wilmington (tel. 800/489-6664, 800/422-1181, or 302/652-4088; www.visitwilmingtonde.com), open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm; or stop by the branch at the I-95 Delaware Travel Plaza, between exits 1 and 3 near Newark, Delaware, open daily from 8am to 8pm. You can also go to the Chester County Visitor Center, on U.S. Route 1 at the entrance to Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (tel. 800/228-9933 or 610/388-2900; www.brandywinetreasures.org), open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Area Code -- Brandywine Valley attractions located in the Wilmington suburbs use the 302 area code. Pennsylvania sights, inns, and restaurants use the 610 area code.
Special Events -- Longwood Gardens (tel. 610/388-1000) has seasonal displays including the Christmas Display, featuring hundreds of poinsettias and a lighted outdoor display. Yuletide at Winterthur (tel. 800/448-3883) is always a sensation, with rooms decorated according to customs from throughout history. The Battle of Brandywine Reenactment (tel. 610/459-3342), held in September, recalls local American Revolution history. In May, the Winterthur Point to Point Races (tel. 800/448-3883) is a good place to see horses and to be seen.
