Last week I posted about a lot of the fall fun to be had on my own home turf around Delaware’s beaches and rural downstate spots listed in the 2023 Festivals Guide published by the Cape Gazette. This week I’m looking at the Brandywine Valley far to the north, where rolling pastures give way to beautiful and charming towns, including downtown Wilmington. It’s especially beautiful in the autumn, and full of entertainment and cultural attractions.
To get a fuller idea of what I’m talking about you can visit https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/?svap=40458&svat=cl&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9fqnBhDSARIsAHlcQYRMYik9Phz4LsNvG304hDT_SjaaNyJZgl4GoDVOHi4vI6Ytq17BSEEaAv_CEALw_wcB. It’s comprehensive and well-organized and will introduce you to a vast array of fabulous museums, historical and cultural sites and eateries that are perfect destinations for day or weekend trips.
Here are a few of my favorite options for the next few months.
Discover unexpected Wyeths at the Brandywine Museum of Art. https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/things-to-do/abstract-flash-unseen-andrew-wyeth/
This museum offers an extraordinary array of collections and frequently spotlights artisans with roots in Delaware and Pennsylvania communities around the Brandywine Valley. This exhibit focuses on 38 Andrew Wyeth paintings that are lesser-known, with an abstract impressionism theme. You’ll find many capturing literal scenes from the built and natural world, all cast in emotive light and symbolism. It’s a fascinating exhibit that will be on display throughout the fall and through February 18, 2024
Tour glorious mansions and historic sites.
Delaware is known as the “First State” because of its role on the founding of the nation and countless historic events. Not surprisingly, the old money fortunes of the landed gentry and newer money jackpots earned by foremost industrialists fostered the construction of some of the most beautiful mansions you’ll ever see. Most are open to the public, and many are extravagantly decorated in period themes during the autumn months and into the Christmas season.
You’ll find a comprehensive list of offerings at https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/things-to-do/attractions/historical-sites-mansions/. Some local favorites include:
- Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/winterthur-museum-garden-%26-library/908/. This is one of the grandest homes tied to the du Pont family. It’s hard to find a more extravagant mansion, with scores of opulently decorated rooms set amid a spectacular 60-acre garden, surrounded by vast open spaces that will be absolutely gorgeous with autumn color. There are many different ways to explore it all, and lots of fine local restaurants for lunch or dinner.
- The Hagley Museum and Library https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/hagley-museum-and-library/1165/. This is another estate centered by an impressive mansion built by the du Ponts, and surrounded by beautiful scenery along the Brandywine River. The exhibits generally showcase American ingenuity and innovation, including a restored 19th-century gunpowder factory. One favorite event on the grounds is the Hagley Car Show https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/event/hagley-car-show/44521/, which takes place this year on Sunday, September 17th and features more than 500 cars in vintages from the 1990s through the early 20th Century.
- Old New Castle homes and historic sites https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&sca_esv=564422861&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS879US879&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&q=Old+New+Castle+Delaware+museums&rflfq=1&num=10&ved=2ahUKEwiLwO7-maOBAxVVjYkEHV85CIUQjGp6BAgbEAE&biw=1440&bih=811&dpr=2#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:[[39.6609431,-75.5626466],[39.659814999999995,-75.56500969999999]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1. This lovely town has one of the nation’s largest historic districts, lined with lovely homes and other buildings, and a vibrant downtown hosting the beloved Jessop’s Tavern https://jessops-tavern.com/. Top destinations for history buffs include the Dutch House, Amstel House and Old Library https://www.newcastlehistory.org/. And if you’re a fan of Halloween and the supernatural, sign up for Hauntings in History Walking Tours, which begin in October https://www.tickettailor.com/events/newcastlehistoricalsociety/858974.
Experience top-flight entertainment
Whether you’re looking for live theatre, operatic or symphonic music or the wonders of ballet, you’ll find a vast collection of cultural options in the Brandywine Valley. As noted in this comprehensive list https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/things-to-do/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/?skip=0&sort=qualityScore, local favorites include performances by the Delaware Theatre Company on the Wilmington Riverfront https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/delaware-theatre-company/123/, avant-garde productions by City Theater Company https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/city-theater-company/2457/, and Bootless Stageworks https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/bootless-stageworks/382/, and both opulent and simpler productions at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House downtown https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/listing/grand-opera-house/583/
Plan ahead with expert insider advice.
This is just a small sample of the many ways to experience the Brandywine Valley, You can plan your own perfect day or weekend trips with this guide to Events https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/events/fall/, Dining options https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/eat-drink/ and Hotels and B&Bs https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/places-to-stay/.