I love a Pennsylvania weekend staycation! My favorite spot in the whole state is the Brandywine Valley. Longwood Gardens is phenomenal, and there are so many fun things to do around the area. Here’s how we spent 36 hours in the Longwood Gardens Area!
10:00 AM – Longwood Gardens
We love to get to Longwood Gardens as soon as they open. That way, there are fewer people around and it’s easier to take amazing photos without a crowd in the background. Just a heads up, Longwood does not allow reentry unless you have the Day to Night pass. At the time of writing, it cost $6 extra per ticket, and it was so worth it to leave in the afternoon and return for the fountain show at night!
Some of my favorite highlights: the Italian Water Garden, the Inspiration Garden, the lilies, the Main Conservatory, and the bonsai trees. I know I just named a lot—but they’re all must-sees!
1:00 PM – Shopping at the Shoppes at Brinton Lake
We left Longwood around 1 PM and headed to the Shoppes at Brinton Lake. Even my husband, who isn’t a big shopper, tolerates this spot because of Rally House Sports and Eddie Bauer! Other highlights include J.Crew, Pottery Barn, LOFT, and Anthropologie.
2:30 PM – Lunch at Testa Rossa
We grabbed a big lunch (early dinner) at Testa Rossa. This spot used to be a diner, but now it’s a fun, 70s-inspired Italian restaurant. We ordered the chicken parmesan sandwiches, which came with a side salad. Justin asked for his on the pizza dough bread, and he said it was amazing! We both really enjoyed our food and would definitely go back.
3:30 PM – Check-In at Best Western Plus Concordville
We’ve stayed at the Best Western Plus Concordville many times, and each stay has been absolutely amazing. The hotel is clean, feels more like a 4-star than a 3-star, and has the best continental breakfast we’ve ever had. They even have someone making fresh omelets to order! Plus, there’s a waffle and pancake maker, breakfast meats, eggs, yogurt, fruit, and more. It’s a really nice place to stay.
5:00 PM – Penns Woods Winery
We love heading to Penns Woods Winery when we’re in town. They don’t serve much food, just cheese, crackers, and charcuterie. You can grab a bottle of wine, relax under a canopy, and take in the vineyard views. They offer tastings and often have live music on the weekends. It’s such a peaceful and lovely spot.
7:00 PM – Back to Longwood Gardens
Around 7 PM, we used our Day to Night pass to return to Longwood Gardens. We strolled through the gardens, grabbed a snack, and set up our blanket for the fountain show, which usually happens around sunset. (Ours started around 9:15 PM in July.) Check their website for the exact showtime and theme. It’s a beautiful experience! On the way out, we stopped in the gift shop, so many neat things to see.
10:00 PM – Back to the Hotel
8:30 AM – Hotel Breakfast
Don’t skip the continental breakfast! The fresh omelets are amazing, and there’s so much else to choose from. My personal favorite (besides the omelet) was the breakfast potatoes, so good!
10:00 AM – Target & HomeGoods
If you’re in a new town, you have to check out Target and HomeGoods, you never know what treasures you’ll find! It was also a nice way to walk off that big breakfast.
12:00 PM – Terrain at Styers
Located in Glen Mills, right near the hotel, Terrain at Styers, is owned by the same company as Anthropologie. It’s part greenhouse, part gift shop, and full of gardening supplies, outdoor furniture, natural products, and more. If you love flowers and plants, you’ll love browsing here!
Even better, it’s also a restaurant in a greenhouse. Everything feels fresh and farm-to-table. They’re famous for their bread baked in flower pots, which comes with each meal and is served with a flavored butter. So good!
My go-to meal is the harvest bowl with seasonal veggies. My husband loves the grass-fed beef burger. Don’t forget to try one of their specialty teas or coffees!
2:00 PM – Time to Head Home!
Do you have a favorite place to visit in Pennsylvania?
What’s your go-to road trip spot? Have you been to Longwood Gardens? What’s your favorite restaurant in the area? I’d love to check it out next time we’re in Chester County!
Wx Shield 
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