Did you know that Philadelphia is America’s Garden Capital? With over 30 gardens within 30 miles of Philadelphia, there is no shortage of beautiful places to take your family for a fun day outside. Below we share some of our favorite farms and gardens near Philadelphia to visit with kids that are perfect for a day out!
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Best Formal Gardens Near Philadelphia to Visit With Kids
Andalusia House and Gardens
Located in Bensalem, PA, along the Delaware River, the Andalusia House and Gardens is one of the smaller properties on this list. The gardens still have a lot to offer, including the many thousands of daffodils that bloom in the early spring. Summer months bring out the best in the rose garden and other sections of the gardens. And don’t forget to stop by and pay respect to the beloved animals interred in their pet cemetery.
Andalusia is open Mondays – Wednesdays from April through October and on select Saturdays through the spring and summer. Visit their website for tickets. Children under 12 can visit for FREE.
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA (a fun small town in Pennsylvania), is a destination for many across the region. At over 1000 acres, this garden is the most extensive garden near Philadelphia! During the spring and summer months, guests are greeted by hundreds of different plants and flowers. And at Christmas, the whole garden is lit up with twinkling lights.
Longwood Gardens has tons of things that kids will love to see and places to play. There are several “tree houses” to explore. And the indoor children’s garden in the conservatory will keep them entertained. And don’t forget to stop by the dancing fountains!
The garden is open at various hours throughout the year, depending on the season. Timed-entry tickets are available on their website. It’s always best to book your tickets well ahead of time, as this famous garden sells out regularly, especially on the weekends and during the Christmas event.
Paxon Hill Farm
Paxon Hill Farm is one of our favorite places to visit in Bucks County. Located in New Hope, PA, this nursery has a beautiful walking garden on-site that kids will love to explore. Don’t miss the hobbit house! Visitors can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beauty of the farm and garden. Kids will also love visiting with the peacocks and peahens.
Admission to the garden can be purchased on site. Kids 5 and under are FREE. As this is a small nursery and garden, there are only port-o-potties on-site for the bathroom. Paxson Hill Farm isn’t too far from the Bucks County Children’s Museum and other fun places in downtown New Hope so you can make a day of fun out of your visit.
PHS Meadowbrook Farm
At 25 acres, the PHS Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown, PA, is the smallest garden near Philadelphia on the list. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting! The former estate of J. Liddon Pennock has plenty of beautiful plants and flowers that kids will love to smell and see. The maze-like property keeps kids entertained as well!
The Meadowbrook Farm is FREE to visit. They are open seasonally, so visit their website for the most up-to-date information and whether or not you’ll need to reserve parking (also free) for your visit.
Winterthur Museum and Gardens
At around 1000 acres, Winterthur Museum and Gardens, one of the places Delaware is known for, is almost as big as its neighbor, Longwood Gardens. However, they are two completely different properties. Guests can tour the massive 9-story, 125-room house, and the gardens when they visit. While the house may not appeal to kids, the gardens will!
There are several paths on the the the property that meander through multiple gardens. But the ones the kids will love the most is the Enchanted Woods! It’s a fairytale garden complete with a little house, toadstool garden, bird’s nest, and many other fun features.
Winterthur is open ten months of the year (closed in January and February). Visit their website for the most up-to-date information. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days, and admission includes a self-guided tour of the 5th floor.
Fun Arboretums to Visit With Kids Near Philadelphia
The Morris Arboretum
As one of the gardens in Philadelphia, the Morris Arboretum is a favorite of ours. Kids can enjoy many arboretum features, including their “Out on a Limb” tree adventure, where they can climb and lay on nets 50 feet above the forest floor. We also love some of the “hidden” paths and trails, like the tunnel under the statue of Mercury. And don’t forget to visit the Garden Railway (seasonal).
The Morris Arboretum is open year-round (closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day). We recommend visiting at any time of year. Several plants and trees look prettier in the winter than in the summer! Admission can be purchased online or at the gate.
Tyler Arboretum
The Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA, is the perfect garden near Philadelphia for families. With several treehouses of all shapes and sizes, kids can climb and explore to their heart’s content. In addition to the traditional arboretum offerings, the Tyler Arboretum has hiking trails of various lengths, giving your family plenty to do on a visit.
Tyler Arboretum is open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. You can purchase admission at the gate.
Awesome Seasonal Garden Farms Near Philadelphia
These farms have beautiful flower fields to visit at specific times each year.
Dalton Farms
Spring and Summer are the time to visit Dalton Farms in Swedesboro, NJ! During their annual tulip festival in April, you can visit and get pictures among the millions of tulips planted on their farm. Come back during the summer for their beautiful sunflowers. Follow them on social media to learn more about when the flowers are ready for the party. Timed tickets are required for the events.
Holland Ridge Farms
Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, NJ, is the largest pick-your-own flower farm in the country! Like Dalton Farms, they also host a big tulip festival each spring and a sunflower festival at the end of summer. Timed-entry tickets are required. Keep up to date with the blooming of the flowers on their social media.
Shady Brook Farms
For the last few summers, Shady Brook Farms in Yardley, PA, has invited guests to ride a wagon to their sunflower maze for pick-your-own flowers and fun photo opportunities. Typically, the sunflowers are ready to go by August. Tickets are required, but prices will vary depending on which day of the week you visit. Following Shady Brook on Facebook will keep you up-to-date with all of their events.
Other Things to Do Outside With Kids Near Philadelphia
If you’re looking for more ways to be outside with kids in the Philadelphia area, we recommend taking a family-friendly hike! Or even visiting a place like Valley Forge National Historical Park.
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