Eight Reasons to ♥ Kennett Square & Chadds Ford

Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine Creek, the Brandywine Battlefield, Willowdale racecourse and the woods of Anson B. Nixon Park are just a few contributors to the abundance of green, rolling hills and magnificent countryside of this area. Kennett Square’s longstanding equestrian institutions and its diverse restaurant scene give it grace and texture. And all of it is built on a foundation of history and community.

We’ve been major fans of this growing area of southern Chester County for many years. Here are eight reasons we think you’ll love Kennett Square and Chadds Ford, too.

♥ 1. Longwood Gardens. The top tourism spot in the Brandywine Valley is glorious Longwood Gardens, which doubles as a favorite destination for locals. Enjoy acres of lush gardens and meadows, walking paths, greenhouses, waterfalls, fountains and pools. See a 700-year-old bonsai, meadow grasses, giant cacti, huge water lilies, custom-bred clivias, massive staghorn ferns and magnificent oaks near historic elms. And so much more.

A very special time to visit is during “A Longwood Christmas” (November 20–January 10, 2027), with a theme inspired by space and the cosmos. Exhibition Hall features vibrant poinsettias. Plus, there will be a rotating Christmas tree, massive light tunnel and model trains. And of course, live music and dancing fountains.

♥ 2. Brandywine Museum of Art. All aboard! Although the Brandywine Museum of Art is celebrated all year for its distinctive art collection, for the holidays (November 14–January 10, 2027) it has another draw. See the Brandywine Railroad display featuring a gallery full of miniature trains with locomotives, passengers, passenger and freight cars, running on thousands of feet of track and passing through a tiny town with factories, farms, a drive-in movie theater and a carnival. Lionel, Williams and Atlas are only a few of the manufacturers represented. Try out the interactive push buttons and foot pedals for visitors. Another holiday favorite is the Dolls and Dollhouse Exhibits, featuring a massive collection of antique dolls curated by Ann Wyeth McCoy, a six-room dollhouse and miniature masterpieces by the extended Wyeth family.

The museum’s permanent collection highlights the Wyeth family — N.C., Andrew, Jamie Wyeth — in a 19th-century gristmill alongside towering glass modern walls overlooking the Brandywine Creek. From winter through autumn, the museum offers tours of the Wyeths’ art studios and the inspiring Kuerner Farm, seamlessly blending regional art history with a 15-acre campus featuring native wildflower gardens and walking trails.

♥ 3. Rich History. History can be found woven throughout the landscape. This area was the site of a major Revolutionary War battle — the largest of the war — leading to the British capture of Philadelphia in September 1777 after the colonial troops’ loss at the Battle of Brandywine. The ultimate victory of the Revolutionary War is celebrated as part of Historic Chadds Ford Days, the annual colonial history festival held in September, hosted by the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The event generally features battle reenactments, Revolutionary War encampments, tactical drills and a kids’ program. Yankee Doodle!

Kennett Square had another key historic role, this time in the 19th century. Known as a “hotbed of abolitionism,” its strategic location just north of the Mason-Dixon line served as a crucial gateway for African Americans seeking freedom through a network of abolitionists. Hundreds of enslaved people were guided toward safety on the Underground Railroad. Today, this heritage is actively preserved by the Kennett Underground Railroad Center.

♥ 4. Equestrian Life. Hooves thumping, riders galloping, enthusiasts watching and cheering, the Kennett Square area is a renowned hub for equestrian culture. The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, one of only three elite four-mile timber steeplechase races sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association, occurs nearby, scheduled for the first Sunday in November. The Willowdale Steeplechase, in early May, kicks off Chester County’s spring equestrian season. That race benefits the University of Pennsylvania’s world-renowned New Bolton Center, with over 70 veterinary specialists, which is also located here. Barbaro, the 2006 winner of the Kentucky Derby, was one of its patients. Add in Derbydown, Pony Island Farm and Walnut Creek Farm, just a few of the stables and training facilities that dot the area for more equestrian action.

♥ 5. Great Food in a Small Town. Kennett Square’s restaurant scene is quite sophisticated for a town of its size — from tasting-menu destinations to ethnic cuisine, BYOBs and casual spots. And the farm-to-table emphasis makes sense when farms are right outside town. Talula’s Table tops many lists, known for its seasonal, hyper-local, multi-course, reserve-a-year-in-advance Farm Table. For more formal ambience, try 1906 at Longwood Gardens. To dine as the Wyeths dined, head to Hank’s Place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If it’s pie you want, you’ll have to order in advance and wait in a long line at Thanksgiving, but Nomadic Pies is worth it, with fruit, custard, meats and quiches and ranked 5th in a USA Today poll.

And many, many more: La Verona Italian Restaurant, Lily’s Asian Cuisine, La Peña Mexicana, Sovana Bistro, Sweet Amelia’s and newly opened Opus. Or forget the calories and go to Hangry Bear Creamery (with reservations and about 10 friends) to learn about ice cream and create your own unique flavor. Leave with a few pints of your newest favorite.

♥ 6. The Mushrooms. Kennett Square is the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” annually producing about half of America’s mushrooms — that’s 500 million pounds. For many, fungi fun peaks at September’s Mushroom Festival, but mushroom delicacies from cream of mushroom soup to mushroom ice cream are available year-round. At New Year’s Eve, be ready for Midnight in the Square and the annual Mushroom Drop. A giant 700-pound stainless-steel mushroom, ringed with lights, is lowered from an 80-foot crane. That’s the finale to the street party and free community events.

All year long, visit the retail store at the Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms for every kind of fungi from white button and portabella mushrooms to more exotic varieties such as shiitake, oyster, lion’s mane and hen of the woods. At its museum, you’ll see live growing mushrooms! Then head to The Mushroom Cap for themed gifts and collectibles shaped like you-know-what.

♥ 7. Parks and Countryside. Just north of downtown, Anson B. Nixon Park consists of over 100 acres of fields, woods and ponds, with three miles of walking trails, sports facilities — tennis, pickleball, volleyball and basketball courts, plus soccer and lacrosse fields — a playground, picnic pavilions and two ponds stocked with trout. In mid-November, the park is the site of the Jive Turkey Cranksgiving Cyclocross Race. In the spring, it holds its annual Trout Rodeo and, in summer, free concerts. Last summer, the series concluded with the 3rd annual Roots and Blues Festival.

♥ 8. The Community. A major booster of Kennett Square, Kennett Collaborative (formerly Historic Kennett Square) is dedicated to making the town a more beautiful and welcoming community. The Kennett Collaborative contributes to the Mushroom Festival, Kennett Brewfest, Kennett Winterfest, Kennett’s Third Thursdays on State Street, KSQ Farmers Market, Holiday Village Market and more. It posts lights on the town’s streets at Christmas and flowers in the spring.

A newer addition to building the community, Square Roots Collective works closely with the Collaborative. An incubator that operates several businesses and community-driven projects, the Collective invests 100% of its profits back into the community. Projects include The Creamery, Artelo (an art hotel), The Francis Hotel & Suites and Opus restaurant with more planned. It’s also developing the Kennett Greenway, a 14-mile loop tying together Anson B. Nixon Park, the YMCA and several open spaces. Together, the Collaborative and the Collective sponsor Kennett Decides, allowing local residents to participate in how community investment funds are spent.

Eight reasons only scratch the surface. The area has a way of rewarding repeat visits, whether you’re exploring familiar favorites or finding something you’ve somehow missed. Mushrooms are just the beginning.