Brandywine Valley Parks, Canoeing, Tubing, Scenic Railroads, Horseback Riding, Spectator Sports, Recreation, Golf

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Recreation in the Valley

Hiking, biking, canoeing, tubing, picnicking, golf, disc golf and other outdoor activities including Civil and Revolutionary War battle event reenactments are some of the offerings available at the area's many parks. Click below to jump to the different sections of the page.

Fishing Licence Requirements: Pennsylvania | Delaware | Trout Fishing
Parks | Scenic Railways | Canoeing & Tubing | Golf | Horseback Riding | Hot Air Balloon Rides

Brandywine Valley Area Parks

Anson B. Nixon Park

N. Walnut Street | Kennett Square, PA | 610-444-YMCA

The park's natural setting includes two ponds, meandering streams, woodlands including a beech grove with specimens dating back over 250 years, and three miles of walking trails. There is also a children's playground, sand and grass volley ball courts, an entertainment pavilion, 18 holes of disk�golf, two stocked fishing ponds, two tennis courts, and multi-use athletic fields. It's a great park for everyone and in the summer there are a series of concerts. Open 7AM til sunset.

Ashland Nature Center

Brackenville and Barley Mill Roads | Hockessin, DE | 302.239.2334

You can explore four self-guiding nature trails on 200 acres of meadow, marsh, pond and forest. A native plant garden showcases a variety of plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife. Inside, visitors will find exhibits focusing on habitats and a children's discovery corner, and murals depicting changes in the landscape during the past four centuries. Trails are open dawn to dusk.

Bellevue State Park

Marsh and Carr Roads | Wilmington, DE | 302.577.3390

328 acres of woods and fields on a former duPont family estate, including a 1-1/8 mile fitness track circling a catch-and-release fishing pond stocked with bass, catfish, and sunfish. Nearby exercise trail. Horseback riding and eight outdoor clay tennis courts.

Brandywine Battlefield

U.S. Rt. 1 | Chadds Ford PA 19317 | 610.459.3342

Historical site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Brandywine, with 50 acres of rolling parks and woodlands. Historical exhibits and picnic facilities.

Brandywine Creek State Park

Adams Dam Road (Del. Routes 100 and 92) | Wilmington, DE | 302.577.3534

Rolling hills and woodlands along the banks of the Brandywine, with 12 miles of hiking trails, disc golf, picnic pavilions and nature center. Site of Civil War reenactments in the spring. Anglers can fish for small mouth bass, bluegill, and crappie in Brandywine Creek and for trout in Wilsons Run. (A fishing license and trout stamp are required, and can be purchased at the park office.) Canoeing and tubing are popular ways to experience the Brandywine, too. Canoeing is offered through the park's interpretive programs.

Brandywine Park

18th and Washington Streets | Wilmington, DE

Beautiful riverside park along the banks of the Brandywine in Wilmington. Noted for spring flowering trees and zoo; includes picnic areas and walking and jogging trails.

North Park Drive | Brandywine Park | Wilmington DE& | 302.571.7747

Indoor and outdoor exhibits devoted to the animals of North and South American, including an exotic animal house. Children's section allows youngsters to get close to tame animals.

Fox Point State Park

Along the Delaware River | (302) 739-9220.

You get a great river watching experience from the park. The Delaware River shipping channel is just a hundred yards away, so the view of the tugs and tankers is really up close and personal. Fox Point State Park is a place where the entire family can enjoy a relaxing day strolling, picnicking and just watching the river go by. Horseshoe pits, a volleyball court and a play area for the kids are some of the more active pursuits available. Two pavillions can be rented for larger gatherings.

Red Oak Road | Wilmington, DE

A landmark stone water tower dominates a rolling landscape with woods, ball fields, basketball and tennis courts and picnic areas.

Valley Garden Park

Campbell Road (just off Del. Rt. 52) | Wilmington, DE

Beautiful stream valley and surrounding woods with parking areas, walking paths and nature trail.

Scenic Railroads

Wilmington & Western Railroad

Greenbank Station | Del. Rt. 41 near Kirkwood Highway (Rt. 2) | Wilmington DE | 302.998.1930

Historic steam train rides through the Brandywine countryside offered year-round. Special seasonal, theme and dinner trains.

Canoeing & Tubing

Canoeing down the meandering Brandywine River makes for a relaxing afternoon the whole family can enjoy. Call ahead for information and reservations or click below to the local outfitters who can provide everything you need - from canoes and paddles, tubes and life jackets to transportation to and from the river.

Naturalist-Guided Canoe Trips

Each of the trips below is supervised by an American Red Cross canoe-certified trip leader who will guide you and your friends and family down the tranquil Brandywine. A naturalist will join you to help with canoe instruction and nature identification. Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware you and a partner will need to carry your canoe a short distance to the river. Equipment will be provided, be sure to bring plenty of water and a snack. Shoes and clothes may get wet. Space is very limited and advance registration and payment is required. Call the Nature Center at (302) 655-5740 to register. The fee for each trip is $20 per person, a third person in a canoe is $10 (700 lb. maximum capacity).

Saturday, May 15th 9:30 a.m.
We will give a brief canoe instruction, however some canoe experience is recommended. Meet at Thompson's Bridge parking lot. Register by May 8th.

Saturday, June 12th, 9:30 a.m.
We will give a brief canoe instruction, however some canoe experience is recommended. Meet at Thompson's Bridge parking lot. Register by June 5th.

Northbrook Canoe Company

1810 Beagle Road | West Chester, PA | 610.793.2279 or 800.898.2279

Canoes, tubes and kayaks for rent for long or short trips on the Brandywine. Float down the Brandywine River in an Inner tube. They are specially designed stemless 10-20 standard tubes. For comfort, tubers should be at least four feet in hight. One person per tube. You must wear footwear. Life jackets must be worn.

Wilderness Canoe Trips

2111 Concord Pike (Rt. 202) | Fairfax Shopping Center | Wilmington DE | 302.654.2227

Two to four-hour trips available via canoe or kayaks, 2 hour tubing trips on the Brandywine. We take you to the river, drop you in for your canoe, kayak, or tubing trip, and pick you up before 5p.m. at our take-out point and bring you back to our location.

If your idea of a relaxing getaway includes a round (or two) of golf, the Brandywine Valley offers several public courses - all within minutes of the valley's other attractions.

Loch Nairn Golf Club
Just off the Toughkenamon exit of U.S. Route 1 | 610.268.2234

The Golf Course at Glen Mills
221 Glen Mills Road | Glen Mills, PA | 610.558.2142

In the Pike Creek area there are two public courses - a municipal course, Delcastle Golf Club (302) 995-1990, on McKennan's Church Road and the Three Little Bakers Golf Club 302.737.1877, on Foxcroft Drive.

Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club
507 Thompson Station Rd. | Newark, DE | 302.368.6640

White Clay Creek CC at Delaware Park
777 Delaware Park Blvd | Wilmington, DE | 3302-994-2521 ext 7436/7437

Closer to Wilmington, you'll find the new championship Rock Manor Golf Course 302.652.4083, just off Route 202 at Foulk and Weldin Roads and the Ed Oliver Golf Course 302.571.9041, on DuPont Road between routes 52 and 41.

For more course options click to our golf listings for Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Horseback Riding

Gateway Stables

949 Merrybell Lane | Kennett Square, PA | 610.444.1255
Experience is not necessary to enjoy one of their scheduled daily trail rides. Hour and half-hour rides are available. Custom riding packages are available upon request.

Opening Day - Trout Fishing in the Newlin Grist Mill Stream (April 3, 2010)
Newlin Grist Mill, 219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, PA | 610.459.2359

In order to fish in the stream, you need a Pennsylvania fishing license and a Park fly fishing membership. E-mail the Mill at info@newlingristmill.org to request membership information be mailed to you. Fishing privileges in the stream are limited to a list of approved membership numbering no more than 100.

Trout fishing in the Newlin Grist Mill ponds is open weekends March through October from 9AM - 4PM. To fish, you must bring a valid driver's license to register in the office. Fees are $3/person, $3/trout. Bait is available for $1. All trout must be kept and paid for. No releasing.

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Paoli, PA 19301 | 800.826.6361
Hot air ballooning flights over beautiful Chester county Pennsylvania. Air Ventures fly, weather permitting, seven days a week, year round. Launch times are at sunrise and approximately two hours before sunset... the most ideal weather conditions for ballooning. The launch site is located near Marsh Creek Park in Glenmore, PA, best to see Chester County's beautiful rolling hills and streams, large lakes and farmlands as well as large historic estates.

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