Wed, Jun 2: Fly to Philadelphia, arriving in time for lunch on your own at the Reading Terminal Market. Enjoy some free time before departing on a driving tour of Philadelphia’s murals with a local guide. Travel through historic neighborhoods exploring a selection of vibrant and thought-provoking murals, in a variety of styles. With over 4,000 public artworks to discover, Philly is known as the “mural capital of the world”! Afterwards depart for the suburb of West Chester and check into your historic downtown hotel for three nights. Join your fellow travelers for an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Meals: Dinner)
Thu, Jun 3: Enjoy an included breakfast at the hotel before departing to Chadds Ford for a guided tour at Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Chadds Ford is known as the home of three generations of Wyeth painters: N.C., Andrew, and Jamie. The museum is a treasure trove of American art, from 19th century landscape, still life and portrait paintings to illustrations and contemporary works, and features galleries dedicated to the Wyeths. Proceed to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square for a guided tour of the diverse gardens, woodlands and meadows once owned by William Penn and later the private estate of industrialist Pierre S. du Pont. Longwood Gardens is featured in Travel+Leisure magazine’s “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens.” Your visit falls during their spectacular Festival of Fountains—when the gardens come alive with fountains soaring as high as 175 feet, spinning and dancing to music! The evening is yours to explore Kennett Square before returning to the hotel. (B,L)
Fri, Jun 4: Today discover Delaware’s rich heritage and its ties to the legacy of the du Pont family. Founded by E.I. du Pont, son of a Parisian watchmaker, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (commonly shortened to “DuPont”) is a well-known giant of the chemical industry. In addition to their success in industry, the du Ponts made a major impact on the natural and architectural beauty of the area. Begin with a guided tour at The Hagley Museum & Library, the original headquarters of the DuPont Company and the family’s ancestral home. Explore their home, gardens and grounds dotted with stone ruins of the black powder industry. Enjoy a delicious lunch at historic Buckley’s Tavern before departing for the former home of Henry Francis du Pont. Your visit to The Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library includes a narrated tram tour through 60 acres of show-stopping gardens, as well as time to explore the grand mansion turned museum, which houses one of the finest collections of American decorative arts. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Sat, Jun 5: Check out and head for Doylestown for a guided tour of Fonthill Castle, a large home built between 1908 and 1912 by the archaeologist and Moravian Pottery & Tileworks founder, Henry Chapman Mercer. The home features 44 rooms and is filled with an extensive collection of ceramics embedded in the house. Tour the tile works museum on the property. Then visit the historic village of New Hope, nestled on the Delaware River in Bucks County, and home to Bucks County Playhouse (a popular spot for shows to be tested and fine-tuned before opening on Broadway). You’ll have time for lunch on your own and exploring this bustling village full of historic buildings, art galleries and locally owned shops. Nearby is where George Washington and troops crossed the Delaware in 1776. Depart mid-afternoon for the airport and fly back to Indianapolis. (B)