Best of the Brandywine Valley

Our newest package allows you to experience the BEST that our local area has to offer – the foods, places and must see gems that make the city such an exciting and eclectic destination. Whether in town to attend a social event, for a meeting or for leisure, it’s the perfect way to experience the city.

Click here for details and to book your reservation online, or call 800.349.3133 to speak with one of our reservation specialists.

Galileo Exhibit

This summer, science buffs will find satisfaction at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, home to Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy, which runs until September 7th.

This one-time only exhibit explores Galileo and other early astronomers' work during the age of the Medici family's prominence. The 100 artifacts came from several sources in Italy, and some are appearing together for the first time.

For times, ticket pricing and other information visit: www.fi.edu

Brandywine Treasure Trail

The nine members of the Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance have created a single-rate admission ticket to allow visitors to see all of their venues for one low price in July and August.

The nine attractions are: Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Delaware Historical Society & Read House, Hagley Museum and Library, Longwood Gardens, Rockwood Museum, and Winterthur Museum & Country Estate.

The Hilton Wilmington/Christiana is proud to be an exlcusive partner with the Brandywine Museums & Garden Alliance in this specail adventure!

Click here to book our exlcusive Brandywine Treasure Trail getaway package.

Summer Nights Under the Stars

Friday nights in July and August, bring a blanket and a picnic basket to the Chaddsford Winery, purchase a delicious bottle of Chaddsford wine, and sit back and enjoy the sounds and sights the summer evenings have to offer.

Live musical performances feature such bands as Alligator Zydeco, Big Package, Been There Done That, Turning Blue, and an opera night on August 29th.

Admission is $20 per person, and advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

Call 610.388.6221 or visit www.chaddsfordwinery.com for details.

Star Trek Fans

Stop by the Franklin Institute between now and September 20th for Star Trek: The Exhibition.

The show is designed to appear as though we exist far into the future and are walking through a museum saluting the various crews of the Start Fleet missions. Trekkies will find costumes worn by William Shatner, Ricardo Montalban, and Patrick Stewart; the bridge from Star Trek: The Next Generation; the Sickbay set; and Data's limbs. You may even see people walking around in Star Trek costumes or sporting pointy ears.

For times, ticket pricing and other information visit: www.fi.edu

Delaware Shakespeare Festival

The Shakespeare Festival is quickly becoming one of Wilmington's most popular summer traditions.

Thsi year's open-air festival features Twelfth Night and is scheduled from July 17th to August 1st at Rockwood Mansion Park.

Visit www.delshakes.org for more details.

American Helicopter Museum

Climb aboard interactive, hands-on helicopters!

More than 40 exhibits show the past anf future of rotor wing aircraft. The museum is open from 10am-5pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 12noon to 5pm on Sunday.

Helicopter rides are available on Saturday, July 18th.

The museum is located in the quaint town of West Chester, Pennsylvania...about a 25 minute drive from our Estate. After a day at the museum, stroll the streets of town where you'll find a variety of shops and restaurants.

Visit www.helicoptermuseum.org for details.

Name Our Newest Swan

Help us choose a name for the newest addition to the swan family.

Proud parents Ethel and Christian welcomed ther Cygnet (baby swan) to our pond about 6 weeks ago, and in typical English fashion, we're now ready to christen the cygnet with a name.

Guests can submit their suggestions in a box located at the Front Desk. The winning guest will receive 5,000 bonus Hilton HHonors points for participating.

Don't forget to join us at 5:30pm each day for our Royal Swan Feeding ceremony, which takes place on the Patio by the Pond.

Family Events at Rockwood

Rockwood Mansion is an English country estate that was built between 1851 and 1854, and situated on 72 acres of county operated parkland north of Wilmington.

Rockwood is offering a host of free activities for families this summer: no parking fee, no admission fee, no event fee!

Wee Wednesdays: a guided walk around the grounds, staff-led activities and children and snack time starts at 9:00am and runs for 90 minutes. Dates are July 8th and 22nd and August 5th and 19th.

Thinking Thursdays: programs for children between the ages of 7-16. Events last between 90 minutes to two hours.

Super Saturdays: two and four hours programs for the entire family, with the museum suggesting a picnic lunch between morning and afternoon events.

Reservations are suggested for these free programs. Details can be found on their website www.rockwood.org or by calling 302.761.4340.

Live Entertainment at Delaware Park

Delaware Park Racetrack & Slots is located just 5 minutes from our Estate.

Take a break from the slots this weekend and stop by their HOPS bar. Decorated in Samuel Adams memorabilia, this inviting bar area offers a vast selection of draft and bottled beers, as well as a full bar selection. Of course, the featured drink is Samuel Adams quality ale.

Live music on tap includes the Tom Larsen(Blues) on Friday, July 10th, and The RWB Band (Party Horn Band) on Saturday, July 11th.

Click here for information on our exclusive Delaware Park getaway package.

Sangria Sundays!

Visit the Chaddsford Winery where they'll be mixing up everyone's favorite summer fun drink, the Sangria Slushy, on Sunday's in July as part of their Sangria Sundays celebrations.

Relax on the patio with lite music from 2-5pm and sample their cool and saucy Sangria. Don't forget to pick up some favorite Sangria recipes and a bottle (or two, or three) of Chaddsford wine for your own summer patio parties.

www.chaddsford.com

The Flower Force

Huge pollinators have landed in Longwood Gardens as part of David Rogers’ sculptural Pollinator Series, The Flower Force. Four GIANT handcrafted creatures tower over the plantings, including the brand new Hummingbird.

The sculptures are created from natural materials, whose unique shapes, colors, and textures give the sculptures character, definition, and a sense of motion.

The exhibit runs through September 6th and is included with your general to Longwood Gardens.

Brandywine Treasures

The Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance has devised an affordable way to experience the Brandywine Valley’s world-class collections and gardens.

A single admission ticket opens the doors to the Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Delaware Historical Society & Read House, Hagley Museum and Library, Longwood Gardens, Rockwood Museum, and Winterthur Museum & Country Estate.

It’s a great deal: a savings of $48 per person off single admission rates for each institution. The promotion includes an admission passport, a Brandywine Treasure Trail map for kids, and prize incentives for folks who visit all nine sites this summer.

There are three different overnight packages available from now through August 30th:

Brandywine Treasures starts at $169 per night
- overnight accommodations
- full breakfast for two
- Two Brandywine Treasure Trail tickets

Deluxe Brandywine Treasures starts at $189 per night and includes everything in the standard package, plus:
- upgraded room to our private access Concierge Level
- Two Complimentary Cocktail Coupons for the Hunt Club Lounge
- A $25 dinner gift certificate valid at 6 of the areas best restaurants

Ultimate Brandywine Treasures is where you'll find the most savings. This two-night package is available at a set price of $299!

Click on any of the links above to book your reservation online, or call 877.696.8671 for Hotel Reservations.

Bike & Hike at Hagley

Hagley’s Wednesday Bike and Hike evenings begin on July 11th and run through August 29th. These evenings are perfect for family fun, a romantic picnic and stroll, or an invigorating workout.

Visitors will have access to the entire three-mile loop from the Henry Clay Mill visitors center to the du Pont ancestral home. There are many paths to accommodate everything from training wheels to ten speeds and casual walkers to serious hikers.

Visitors are also welcome to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy in Hagley’s picnic groves along the Brandywine River and on Blacksmith Hill.

Bike and Hike will be held every Wednesday evening, weather permitting, from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $2 per person, free for members.

A free wedding?

Yes, what you've heard on the radio, read in the newspaper, and seen on TV is true...we are giving away a FREE WEDDING!

Click here for details.

Wilderness Canoe Trips

The past three weeks of rain have brought an added benefit to our area, the Brandywine River is flowing high! There's no better time than now to spend a relaxing day on this beautiful section of the Brandywine.

Wilderness Canoe Trips offers canoe, solo and tandem kayak, and tube trips, along with paddles, life jackets, and transportation.

Visit Wilderness Canoe Trips is open from 9am-5pm, seven days a weel. For information on individual and group trips call 302.654.2227 or click here to visit their website.

The Art Loop

Since 1988, Art on the Town aka “The Art Loop” has been a city-wide monthly event that links an average of 35 venues who provide a multi-disciplinary arts experience.

Each Art on the Town venue hosts an opening night reception on the 1st Friday of the month where patrons can meet the exhibiting and performing artists. A shuttle bus is provided to take visitors around the “loop” that leaves from the after party location at 5:45 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. for the after party festivities.

The next Art Loop takes place this Friday, July 3rd.

Click here for a link to the Art on the Town website.

July 4th Fireworks

Fireworks, festivals and more celebrate the nation's birthday on July 4th!

Longwood Gardens will be hosting their annual Fireworks & Fountains spectacular. Purchase your advance tickets through their webiste (www.longwoodgardens.org) and then click here to book our special getaway package.

Wilmington expects about 10,000 people for its Independence Day Freedom Celebration in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. Visitors will be able to skate in teh First Night Artificial Skating Rink from 6-9pm. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra plays at 8:30pm. Other activities include children's rides, crafts, games and food vendors. Fireworks are at 9:45pm. Visit www.ci.wilmington.de.us for complete details.

Newark's Liberty Day Festival runs from 4-9:30pm at the University of Delaware Athletic Complex. You'll find food, crafts, entertainment and more topped off at dusk with a fireworks display. Visit www.cityofnewarkde.us for details.