Christmas at Longwood Gardens features decorative trees, G-scale trains, and 500,000 twinkle lights. Watch video
As the sun went down behind the hills of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, the 500,000 twinkle lights came to life across the more than 1,000-acre outdoor wonderland.
In honor of Longwood's musical fountain at the Open Air Theater, Christmas at Longwood adopted the theme of water and fountains, which can be seen in many displays.
From the decorated trees on the winding, country road leading to Longwood Gardens, to the 20-foot tree inside the garden's Conservatory, Longwood Gardens brings the splendor of the holidays to life.
Be sure not to miss these seven displays at A Longwood Christmas.
Open Air Theater Holiday Fountain Show
Just steps inside the main entrance to the expansive garden grounds is the Open Air Theater where visitors can catch the waters of the garden fountain dancing to classic holiday tunes like "Sleigh Ride," "Winter Wonderland," and selections from "The Nutcracker."
As the water shoots into the air in time with the music, submerged lighting infuses the sprays with festive colors.
There are three different five minute shows that run over 25 minutes, with five minutes in between each show. Shows run throughout the day and evening.
Treehouses
The three treehouses that can be found at Longwood were built in 2008.
The Bird House, Lookout Loft, and Canopy Cathedral are all unique, but give visitors different views of the gardens.
Bird House is the highest of the three treehouses, and gives visitors a "squirrel's eye view" of the surrounding gardens. Located in a wooded area, Bird House is surrounded by trees wrapped in multicolored lights during the holiday season.
Lookout Loft is nestled in the trees near Longwood's meadow and features handcrafted, copper "sound horns" that allow guests to listen to the sounds of the surrounding forest and Meadow Garden.
The design of Canopy Cathedral was inspired by a Norwegian Church. With views of the Large Lake, this two-story treehouse resembles one that could be found at the North Pole.
Globe Tree
Standing in the center of the four pools in the Italian Water Garden, the sparking white globe tree is a unique take on the traditional Christmas symbol.
Made with multiple spheres covered in crystal lights, this tree brings about thoughts of the many fountains that cover this garden during the warmer months.
Peirce du-Pont House
Once an abandoned structure, the Peirce du-Pont house is located behind the Open Air Theater and is the site of the property's first conservatory.
Built by Joshua Peirce in 1730, the house was added onto several times until Pierre S. du Pont constructed the garden's first conservatory -- which is connected to the original home -- in 1914.
Longwood Gardens volunteer Roger Walck said du Pont had seen a conservatory similar to the one he built himself during a trip to New Orleans, and wanted one of his own.
When you step into the conservatory it's like being transported to a tropical island. Palms and tropical plants surround a Christmas tree that stands more than 10 feet high in the center of the conservatory.
Keeping with the theme of water and fountains, the tree is covered in blues and silvers with dainty, beaded icicles that give the appearance of water cascading through the branches.
The tree topper's silver, beaded shoots resemble a refreshing fountain of cool water.
Garden Railway
Visit the Garden Railway to see the four, G-scale model trains chugging through a Christmas wonderland near the Terrace Restaurant.
Red and white lights twinkle in the miniature trees as the locomotives travel over the bridges and through the tunnels of the display.
Be sure to tell the kids to look for Thomas the Train rolling on the rails.
The Garden Railway is outdoors and runs during regular Gardens hours, weather permitting.
Conservatory
Built in 1919, the main Conservatory at Longwood spans more than four acres and features 20 indoor gardens.
During the Christmas season, the holiday takes over the space with lights, pines, and poinsettias beside the more than 5,000 different kinds of plants.
In the cozy East Conservatory, fountains mingle with twinkling lights and Christmas trees to warm the body and spirit.
In the exhibition hall, huge decorative trees shine with ornaments and holiday excitement.
Each of the 20 gardens in the conservatory are dressed in their holiday best, so be sure to grab a map and check out every inch of this beautiful indoor garden.
Green Wall
Just off the East Conservatory is a long hallway covered in approximately 40,000 plants.
Among the green foliage are approximately 20 doors. Each lead to a public restroom -- either an individual facility or a family bathroom.
In November 2014, the Green Wall bathrooms were named the "Best Public Bathrooms" in America by Cintas -- a service company that provides uniform programs, entrance mats, restroom supplies, safety and fire protection to businesses across the country.
Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.
Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.