Best Western
Brandywine Valley Inn
1807 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
Exit 8, I-95, Rt. 202 North
302.656.9436
info@brandywineinn.com
|
|
|
NEW & EXCITING FOR 2006
BRANDYWINE VALLEY ATTRACTION VENUES
PRESENTED WITH
The Brandywine Valley Inn's
Cultural Tourism Packages
| CLICK BELOW TO WATCH OUR VIDEO ENTITLED: |
|
|
Enhance your Brandywine Valley Cultural Experience by
including these new and exciting "Extreme Makeovers" in your visit!
Do-it Yourself Self Guided Tours
including Visitor Tips to help you make the most of your time
|
Kuerner's Farm Tour
(by the Brandywine River Museum & Conservancy)
During the 1930's and 40's, Karl Kuerner Sr. and N.C.Wyeth were close friends and neighbors in Chadds Ford, PA. Kuerner's Farm, located five minutes from N.C. Wyeth's home and the Brandywine River Museum, was the one place N.C.'s son Andrew Wyeth as a boy found he could derive inspiration from to contemplate the natural world and paint. The Kuerner's gave young Andrew a key to their home to come and go as he pleased and pursue his painting, and for the next seventy years Andrew Wyeth painted over 1,000 paintings at Kuerner's.
Today, the Brandywine River Museum and Conservancy have been gifted the farm, and this year one hour tours of Kuerner's Farm are now offered as part of the Museum experience. Visitors are astounded to actually experience what it feels like to "be inside" of an Andrew Wyeth painting.
Visitor Tips: The Kuerner Farm Tours include a five minute Jitney ride from the Museum to the farm and last approximately one hour. Tours are scheduled hourly. This optional tour, limited to 14 persons, has a charge of $7.00 per person, and may be scheduled and paid for separately at the museum while you are their. |
|
|
|
N.C. Wyeth's Studio Tour
(by the Brandywine River Museum & Conservancy)
In 1935, N.C.Wyeth, The master of the Brandywine School of Illustration, built a home and studio less than a mile from the Brandywine River Museum and just over the hill from Kuerner's farm. In 1945, N.C. was killed when his car was struck by a train crossing Ring Road in front of Kuerner's. Until recently, his studio was closed and kept exactly as he last left it, including his palette of paints and paintings and mural he was working on at the time.
Now, managed by the Brandywine Conservancy, the studio is open for daily tours. Experience the magic of the studio, full of props and models from which Wyeth studied to create the magical illustrations that America came to love and identify with over the years in magazines such as Harper's and found in the nation's classic books, including books by Jules Verne, James Fenimore Cooper, and other great American authors.
The N.C.Wyeth Farmhouse and Studio Tours include a three minute Jitney ride from the Museum to the farm and last approximately one hour. Tours are scheduled hourly. This optional tour, limited to 14 persons, has a charge of $7.00 per person, and may be scheduled and paid for individually at the museum while you are their.
Visitor Tip: To tour the Brandywine River Museum, give yourself a good hour, which will include browsing their wonderful gift and print gallery shop.
Additionally, for these new off-site tours, allow one hour each. For Brandywine School lovers, allow either a full morning 10am til 1pm or afternoon (1pm to 4pm) to do everything. |
|
|
|
Longwood Garden's New East Conservatory
When the original East Conservatory at Longwood Gardens fell in to disrepair several years ago, a worldwide search for a replacement was launched. The final design selection was made three years ago, and the new east Conservatory now includes an exotic, lush semi-tropical setting with Dutch, Moorish, and Flemish influences. Including an Orangery and Palm Court, the new east conservatory surrounds cascading black pools and waterfalls surrounded by rare, tropical plants from around the world. The Conservatory has many intimate nooks and grottos which lend themselves for contemplative moments and reflection.
The New East Conservatory is part of the total Longwood Gardens experience. There is no surcharge or separate admission to be among the first to experience what so many affectionately call the eigth wonder of the world, Longwood gardens.
Visitor Tip: One could spend days roaming the 450 acre Logwood Gardens, including 4 acres of indoor conservatories. However, for our visitors, we suggest a few venues.
First, to tour the immediate grounds around the conservatories, including the theatre and several outside themed garden areas (outdoor theatre, fountain area, etc) and the four acres of indoor conservatories, allow three to four hours.
Visitors may also want to see the Fountain Shows on display from June thru August at 9:00pm three nights a week. For the Fountain Shows only, we suggest arriving no later than 8pm.
To maximize time while here in the Valley, many visitors arrive at dinner time, roam the gardens and conservatories, have dinner at Longwood's wonderful Terrace Restaurant or cafeteria, and end their Longwood Experience with the Fountain Show. |
|
|
|
The New Delaware Art Museum
For over three years, the Delaware Art Museum has been closed and under a massive renovation and new construction project in an effort to over double it's gallery space and position itself as one of the nation's leading art museums. Now completed, the New Delaware Art Museum includes a multitude of art styles including Brandywine School favorites, Winslow Homer, and a massive collection of Howard Pyle illustrations and paintings. Known for housing the world's pre-eminent collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings (second only to England), visitors will now find diversity in collections ranging from the remarkable Chihuilly Glass Bridge Gallery to the new Outdoor Sculpture Garden.
Visitor Tip: Allow 90 minutes for touring the museum. A wonderful small café and gift shop are also located on premises. Admission is $7 per person and offers senior discounts. |
|
|
|
The New Wilmington Riverwalk & Shipyard Shoppes Outlet Center
Perhaps the most significant development here in the Valley in years, a mile long pedestrian walkway lined with wonderful restaurants (Harry's Seafood, Joe's Stone Crabs, Iron Hill Microbrewery), theatre (The Delaware Theatre Company), a contemporary art museum (The Delaware Center for Contemporary Art), nightclubs (Kahunaville, The Red Room), and outlet shops (Coldwater Creek, Nike, L.L.Bean, etc) is a wonderful way to spend time, particularly evenings from April thru November.
Skullers are seen along the Christina River, and water taxis are available. The Riverwalk is also home to Wilmington's Minor League Baseball Stadium and team, The Wilmington Bluerocks, and a new, world-class convention center which features ever-changing events on an annual basis.
Visitor Tip: To take advantage of Delaware's Tax-Free Shopping, make time for a visit to the Riverwalk and Shipyard Shoppes. It's only a five minute drive from the hotel. |
|
|
|
| |
