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Brandywine Valley By Nancy and Richard Woodworth Mention the Brandywine Valley and most people think of gardens, house museums and art, probably in that order. And with good reason, for the region is unsurpassed on the East Coast in its extraordinary combination of the three. This is an area of unusual visual appeal, especially during spring when the gardens burst into bloom, and in summer, when the renowned mansions and art museums are at their crowded height. But the area straddling the Delaware-Pennsylvania border from Wilmington to West Chester is more than a treat for the eyes and more than a seasonal tourist destination. It's a feast for all the senses – particularly so during the holiday season, which arrives early and leaves late. Experiencing a Brandywine Christmas is like coming upon an oasis of color and sensation in the midst of a stark Andrew Wyeth landscape. Simply incredible are the museum treasures within half a dozen miles of each other in this valley that the du Ponts and the Wyeths have made famous. All the museums put on their best holiday spread, and Yuletide at Winterthur is the year's highlight for food lovers, who get to see and smell the feasts recreated from yesteryear. Strangely for such a touristy area, this region lagged in providing country inns and good restaurants in which travelers could rest their weary bones and sate their appetites between expeditions to the valley's attractions. The situation is much improved lately, however. Most visitors are aware of the valley's museums and gardens. But they may not know the treats they offer those with special interests in food (locally grown mushrooms are a specialty), wine (the area has several wineries), decorating and gardening. And they probably are not aware of the newer inns and good dining opportunities away from the tourist attractions. Material excerpted from Getaways for Gourmets in the Northeast by Nancy and Richard Woodworth, copyright 2006, and from Inn Spots & Special Places / Mid-Atlantic by Nancy and Richard Woodworth, copyright 2003. Wood Pond Press E-mail feedback to: Home
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