A Visitor's Guide to the Best Public Gardens in the Philadelphia Tri-State Region
- Stephen Coan
- Oct 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 30
What to Notice, What to Enjoy, and Why This Region Is a Garden Lover's Paradise
The Philadelphia-Brandywine-Delaware corridor is often called America's Garden Capital - and for good reason. With more than 30 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes in close proximity, it's one of the most garden-rich regions in the entire world.
Below is an expanded guide featuring my top four must-visit gardens, followed by an extensive list of additional gardens worth exploring for inspiration, peace, and pure enjoyment.
THE TOP FOUR GARDENS TO EXPERIENCE
1. Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA
Longwood is the crown jewel of our region. Vast, diverse, and beautifully orchestrated, it offers something spectacular in every season.
What to enjoy:
The sweeping fountains, canals, and water displays
The grand Conservatory, glowing year-round
Meadows, forests, and hidden paths
Seasonal displays that feel like stepping into a living movie set
Why it’s wonderful:Longwood has a way of transporting you. It’s a full sensory experience - light, sound, fragrance, movement - woven into one unforgettable place.
2. Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba is peaceful, natural, and deeply connected to the ecology of our region. It’s the perfect place for anyone who loves native plants, birds, butterflies, and quiet woodland trails.
What to enjoy:
Meadows that sway in the wind like living tapestries
Shaded paths filled with wildflowers and ferns
Beautiful ponds and tranquil sitting areas
Seasonal displays that highlight the best of our native flora
Why it’s wonderful:Mt. Cuba feels like a retreat - calming, restorative, and full of gentle beauty. It’s nature elevated, but still deeply authentic.
3. Chanticleer - Wayne, PA
Chanticleer is often called one of the most delightful gardens in America, and for good reason. It’s imaginative, intimate, and full of personality.
What to enjoy:
Charming garden “rooms,” each with its own theme
Bold, colorful plantings that change yearly
Artistic details: hand-built benches, gates, and inventive stonework
Peaceful walkways, ponds, and tucked-away seating areas
Why it’s wonderful:Chanticleer feels like a private garden made public - creative, playful, and full of surprises around every corner.
4. Calder Gardens - Philadelphia, PA (Designed by Piet Oudolf)
One of the newest treasures in the region, Calder Gardens blends modern art and natural beauty into a peaceful, contemplative space.
What to enjoy:
Whispering grasses and meadow-like plantings
Sculptural views designed to complement Alexander Calder’s artwork
Serene pathways perfect for slow wandering
Beautiful textures and colors that change with every season, even in winter
Why it’s wonderful:Calder Gardens feels like a living sculpture - soft, quiet, elegant. It’s a garden designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.
EXPANDED LIST: EVEN MORE PHILADELPHIA -AREA GARDENS TO EXPLORE
Below are many additional public gardens-each with its own character, atmosphere, and story. Together, they form one of the richest horticultural regions in the world.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens - Chestnut Hill, PA
Historic trees, rolling landscapes, and beautiful collections.
Bartram's Garden - Philadelphia, PA
America's oldest botanical garden, with river views and peaceful natural areas.
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve - New Hope, PA
A breathtaking display of native woodland wildflowers.
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden - Villanova, PA
A historic estate turned into a native-plant sanctuary.
Tyler Arboretum - Media, PA
One of America's oldest arboreta with miles of trails and open meadows.
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens - Devon, PA
A tranquil woodland garden known for its spectacular spring blooms.
Scott Arboretum - Swarthmore, PA
A campus transformed into a botanical showcase.
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum - Andalusia, PA
Riverside formality with old-world charm.
ADDITIONAL GARDENS, ESTATES & SPECIALTY SPACES
Here are even more gardens and horticultural destinations within the tri-state region - each offering something unique:
Pennsylvania
Welkinweir - Pottstown, PA
A peaceful blend of gardens, old-growth forest, and natural lands.
Tyler Formal Gardens & Arboretum (at Bucks County Community College)
Historic gardens with terraces, stone walls, and seasonal flowers.
Sister Cities Park - Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
A small but charming urban garden with fountains and planted slopes.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden - Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
A serene Japanese garden with koi ponds, waterfalls, and traditional structures.
Awbury Arboretum - Germantown, Philadelphia
A free public arboretum with meadows, woodland walks, and historic charm.
Laurel Hill Mansion Gardens - East Fairmount Park
Quiet riverfront gardens around a historic home.
The Woodlands - Philadelphia
A 54-acre Victorian cemetery and arboretum full of unique old trees and meandering paths.
New Jersey
Grounds For Sculpture - Hamilton, NJ
A magical blend of sculpture, gardens, water, and light - one of the most unique artistic outdoor spaces in the region.
Willowwood Arboretum - Chester, NJ
Historic plant collections and quiet meadows - romantic and peaceful.
Colonial Park Gardens - Somerset, NJ
Includes a beautiful rose garden, arboretum, and themed gardens.
Deep Cut Gardens - Middletown, NJ
Terraced gardens, greenhouses, and diverse plant collections.
The Rutgers Gardens - New Brunswick, NJ
An expansive teaching garden with natural areas and designed plant collections.
Delaware
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library - Wilmington, DE (just outside PA)
A 1,000-acre estate garden famous for naturalistic plantings and artistic woodland design.
Winterthur Museum & Garden
Naturalistic garden artistry on a grand scale
Nemours Estate - Wilmington, DE
French-inspired formal gardens with grand vistas and fountains.
Hagley Museum & Gardens - Wilmington, DE
Historic grounds along the Brandywine River with lovely trails and garden spaces.
Goodstay Gardens - Wilmington, DE
One of the oldest surviving formal gardens in Delaware, intimate and charming.
Smaller, Hidden, and Specialty Gardens
For those who love discovering something new:
The Philadelphia Zoo Gardens
Beautifully designed animal habitats filled with botanical interest.
The Rodin Museum Garden - Philadelphia
Formal, quiet, and perfect for contemplation.
The Barnes Arboretum - St. Joseph's University, Merion Station
Historic collections and peaceful garden paths.
Fairmount Park Horticulture Center & Demonstration Gardens
Seasonal plantings, greenhouse displays, and beautiful surrounding landscapes.
Styer's Garden (Terrain) - Glen Mills
Part retail garden, part landscape inspiration destination.
The Delaware Center for Horticulture - Wilmington
Urban greening projects and demonstration gardens.
HOW TO ENJOY THESE GARDENS TO THE FULLEST
Visit in different seasons - each garden transforms dramatically.
Walk slowly and let the landscape guide you.
Explore side paths and quiet corners.
Bring a journal or take photos if you like, but also take moments to simply look.
Notice patterns in color, texture, movement, and light.
Make a list of gardens you'd like to see again - each visit reveals something new.
Final Thoughts
The Philadelphia tri-state region is one of the greatest garden destinations in the world. Whether you're seeking peaceful woodland trails, dazzling floral displays, historic estates, or cutting-edge contemporary design, there is a garden here that will speak to you.
Continue Exploring
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Stephen Coan
Stephen Coan Garden Design
NJHIC# 13VH08688500
About the Author
Stephen Coan is an award winning garden and landscape designer and horticulturist behind Stephen Coan Garden Design, creating plant-forward, nature-inspired landscapes with quietly integrated hardscaping across Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, the Main Line, and the Delaware Valley.
Service Area: Southern New Jersey • Philadelphia • Main Line • Delaware Valley • Greater Tri-State Region
Select destination projects accepted nationwide by invitation.
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