Kennett Square, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989, is famous for mushroom farming and is lovingly referred to as the Mushroom Capital of the World. There are many attractions for visitors to enjoy in Kennett Square including beautiful Longwood Gardens, the Mushroom Cap, and the Anson B. Nixon Park.
Longwood Gardens
Founded by Pierre S. du Pont, Longwood Gardens is a living expression of everything that inspired him. Visitors will feel motivated by the gardens filled with intricate fountains and the architectural grandeur replete with detail just as Pierre du Pont did. There are many gardens for visitors to explore, both indoor and out, on over 1,000 acres of land.
Some of the choices include a woodland garden, an orchid house, a Mediterranean Garden, and a Banana House filled with various fruit and flowers. Visitors with young kids will enjoy the indoor children’s garden that has many hands-on water displays, creative sculptures, and plant displays.
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-388-1000
Anson B. Nixon Park
A wonderful place to spend the day with the family, Anson B. Nixon Park is a hidden gem in Kennett Square. The 106-acre park is filled with ponds, streams, woodlands, and kids’ play areas for everyone to enjoy.
Other areas include a community garden where many people come together to produce nutritious organic food, five picnic pavilions with wooden tables and grills for those summer barbecue days, a dock on the ponds to go fishing with the family, and over 3 miles of walking trails winding through the park for visitors to enjoy. There are many performances and seasonal programs scheduled, including a free summer concert series, sky tours, summer art programs, and other events.
Waterworks Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-444-1416
The Mushroom Cap
For mushroom farms, mushroom exhibits, and mushrooms to buy, visitors of Kennett Square have no need to go further than The Mushroom Capto get an understanding of the borough’s extensive history with mushrooms. The farm has been operating since 1946, and though visitors can’t visit the caves because of food sanitation laws, they can learn how mushrooms are grown and processed through great videos and exhibitions of a mushroom house and more. Visitors can buy some unique products such as Snack N’ Shrooms, pickled mushrooms, and mushroom-based pasta sauce. Shiitake, oyster, maitake, crimini, and white mushrooms that are grown on the farm can also be bought.
114 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-444-8484
Taste Kennett Food Tours
Taste Kennett Food Tours is a family-owned company that provides food tours showcasing Kennett Square’s diverse cultural cuisine by visiting many of the local restaurants and trying out the foods Kennett Square is famous for. For over three hours visitors are taken on a guided walking tour of the boroughs during which they stop for famed dishes, including many mushroom-filled ones, something Kennett Square is famed for. Visitors will also enjoy cooking demonstrations conducted by renowned chefs, and they will have a chance to chat with owners to better understand Kennett Square’s cuisine. This is also a great opportunity for visitors to purchase edibles from the many specialty food shops along the way.
484-734-0740
The Woodlands at Phillips
Relaxing in the wondrous nature of Chester County? Visitors can stop by The Woodlands at Phillips to add some retail therapy to their day. Since 1828, this wonderfully traditional shop has been offering visitors flavorsome mushroom-related products. While there, visitors can also tour the lovely restored home and the tranquil surrounding landscape filled with Oak and Maple trees. There is a wide array of fresh, dried, and jarred mushrooms for sale, and other merchandise includes gourmet soup mixes, sauces, and other mushroom-based products. Visitors can also stop in to find an authentic mushroom recipe, attend a free cooking demo, watch videos and tour the mushroom growing room and museum.
1020 Kaolin Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-444-2191
The Willowdale Steeplechase
The Willowdale Steeplechase is a Kennett Square landmark, and the 160-acre land is right in the heart of Cheshire Hunt County, a place that has produced many jockeys, trainers, and owners over the years. Willowdale was built with the safety of horses in mind, and has a remarkable water jump, hedges, and post and rail jumps surrounding the natural amphitheater style of the steeplechase. There are many races and polo games held at the Willowdale in addition to numerous events scheduled throughout the year for visitors to partake in such as Mardi Gras auctions and cocktail parties.
101 E. Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Country Butcher
Food connoisseurs and visitors who enjoy fine foods in general need not go further than the Country Butcher. Complete with a meat market, cheese shop, produce market, deli, bakeries, and a kitchen, this 30-year-old family-owned fine foods market/ restaurant is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy locally produced goods. Popular for a hearty meal or a mouthwatering snack, Country Butcher also welcomes visitors to their open kitchen to see how chefs prepare the gourmet foods or to offer culinary suggestions. Throughout the year there are many tasting events open for visitors to try something extraordinary.
145 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 619-444-5980
Braeloch Brewing
Braeloch Brewing was established to provide the Kennett Square community with a place where people could come to relax and hang out with family and friends and enjoy local food and great craft beer. The brewery’s spacious taproom features a long bar where visitors can sample the available craft brews. There are also several small tables, living room areas, community tables, and booths. Visitors can see the Brewhouse to view what goes into making Braeloch Brewing’s craft beer. Friendly dogs are allowed in the large, dog-friendly outdoor beer garden featuring shade, sun, and picnic tables, weather permitting.
225 Birch St, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-612-9242
