Spread across 933 acres (377.57 hectares), Brandywine Creek State Park was established in 1965. It features four nature preserves, including Tulip Tree Woods, Flint Woods, the Carney Tract, and the FreshWater Marsh, along with bike trails, pavilions, an interpretive center, hiking trails, picnic spots, and a disc golf course. Some of the activities that you can enjoy here are geocaching, canoeing, mountain biking, birdwatching, and fishing. Comprising old growths of tulip poplar, Piedmont hardwood, and coniferous trees towering over lush green shrubs and blankets of spring wildflowers, Brandywine Creek State Park makes for an idyllic weekend destination to enjoy the Great Outdoors.
The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts is one of the best art centers in the country. What used to be a railroad passenger-coach factory is now an art hub like no other. The facility has as many as 30 studios and seven galleries to display their work. They also have a lecture hall to study art while artists could visit the cyber cafe for references. The venue also conducts regular workshops and courses.
Delaware History Museum with its three galleries ensures that visitors get to see new and unique exhibits every time they are here. Collectibles, paintings, art pieces and many other objects are on display.
Established in April 2010, Delaware Children's Museum is a haven for the little ones. The museum is open for public and as the name suggests, is specially directed towards children. Be it a toddler or a preteen, each child will have something to enjoy here. There are seven distinct exhibits that take kids through environmental aspects, shapes, human body, art, money, and other everyday things. Apart from this, children can also have a unique birthday celebration here. Children can also enjoy interactive sessions and take part in different workshops. Moreover, to make your visit all the more memorable, the museum has a gift store where you can pick up wonderful merchandise from.
The Delaware Museum Of Natural History is the only museum of its kind in the state and was opened for the first time in 1972. Hosting over 700,000 visitors each year, the stupendous collections are from all the continents. Whether it's a jaguar that interests you or mollusks, birds eggs, dinosaur remains, paleontology, coral reefs or shells, you're sure to come across it here. Outreach programs encourage adults and kids to participate and enjoy the nature trails, walking tours and workshops.
Located inside the Brandywine Park, the Brandywine Zoo was opened in the year 1905. The zoo has more than 150 species which includes reptiles, birds and animals. The zoo also offers educational tours and other family programs for kids and adults. There are games, activities, and quizzes, which are very exciting to watch. To know more about the place.
The St. Paul's Church is a beautiful hstoric church with pristine white exteriors that give it a ancient look. Established in 1828, it displays a mix of Rural Gothic and Gothic Revival styles of architecture. This church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The church continues to be active and hosts services regularly.
Heritage Glass Museum established in 1979 is a historic glass museum. It is built to promote the glass manufacturing industry and it houses old glass bottles, tools of workers from the glass factories, fruit jars, historical and Figural Flasks and other hand blown glass items. The museum will present you with the transition that came about in the glass manufacturing industry and also explain about the process of making glassware. Visit the place to know about what era each of their glassware belonged to with a piece of information on the local culture. Group tours of 8 people or more can be scheduled 2 weeks in advance by emailing the museum. Well-behaved pets are welcome to the museum.
Nitre Hall is built in 1805 in a property expanding 9 acres (3.6 acres). The owner of the Nitre Hall Powder Mills was the resident owner of Nitre Hall, and lived in it till his death. The building consists of three floors, with the custodian staying on the ground floor and the top two floors showcase exhibits and other Colonial age items. The Hall is opened from May through October and in December for special occasions and events. It is frequented by schools for field trips, and members of different historical societies.
Located on Carter Drive in West Chester, The Center for Performing Arts is a prestigious institute that offers several instructional programs on performing arts. Be it dance, music or theater, the CPFA has a volley of distinguished programs on offer. The campus includes an auditorium where several of the institute's productions are staged. For the schedule of interesting courses and events, check their website.
Wharton Esherick Studio is where the great artist and craftsman Wharton Esherick worked his magic until his demise in 1970. The studio was his dream, taking around nearly 4 decades to build. The structure is a reflection of his personality, with echoes of German Expressionism in every corner. The studio now functions as a museum showcasing his lifetime's work which includes an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, antiques, and artifacts.