Mansions in Delaware
 

I remember once reading that there is a region in Delaware or southern Pennsylvania where there are beautiful mansions (I believe owned by members of the DuPont family). I am interested in driving through the area (leaving from Philadelphia) but I do not where exactly this region is. Please let me know if you know where this area is, if you particularly enjoyed any specific spots or if you know of good restaurants there.

I am not sure if this is your spot, as the question relates to a region and mansions. There is Longwood Garden, a little west of Wilmington, which is great. It is/was DuPont owned. There may be a mansion, but I think it is most famous for the gardens. Massive!!! I have never been in the fall, but summer/spring in fantastic.

Hi Jennifer, <BR>In the Wilmington, DE area there is the Winterthur Museum and Gardens which is a very large mansion/museum once the estate of a Dupont and also the Nemours Mansion and Gardens (also Dupont owned). Winterthur is definitely worth a visit as is Longwood Gardens which is nearby. (I've never been to Nemours so can't comment). Other sights in the area include the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA with works by the Wyeths. <BR>Winterthur is 6 mi nw of Wilmington off I-95 exit 7 on SR 52. The website for Winterthur is http://www.winterthur.org

Having little if anything to do with the Duponts, the town of Princess Anne on the DelMarVa (Delaware, Maryland, Virignia) penisula is a lovely place which holds house tours of its many mansions and grand homes. You might check it out...

You're thinking of the Brandywine Valley, which is in SE Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, about 30 miles south of Philadelphia. My wife and I have visited the area a number of times and spent the past weekend there. The best known attractions are Winterthur and Longwood, created by 2 DuPont cousins in the first half of the 20th century. Both contain residences, but Longwood is known for spectacular formal gardens, and Winterthur is one of the biggest and best museums of American furniture (the last Winterthur DuPont residence has been turned into the gift shop). A third DuPont cousin from the same period built Nemours, a French style mansion. All are open to the public. If you're interested in 18th century mansions in the area, try the Historic Houses at Odessa, DE (house museums operated by Winterthur) or the George Reed house, in New Castle, DE, which is a great colonial town. Most or all of these have Web pages, or go to http://www.brandywinevalleyonline.com/ and click on Attractions. We had dinner Sunday night at the Iron Hill Brewery in West Chester, PA; very good prime rib and wonderful beer (try the top one on the list -- maybe Gold Grain?). Hope this is of help.