The spouse and guest program includes organized tours and options for tours on your own.

Organized Spouse/Guest Tour:

Longwood Gardens    Thursday, May 13, 2010  9:00am-2:30pm  $60 per person   (tickets available only                             through online registration)       www.longwoodgardens.org

Longwood Gardens is the premier horticutural showplace. Fee includes unparalleled access to the gardens, conservatories, Peirce-duPont House, and fountains, with transportation from the Convention Center, and back, plus lunch in the Café. In 1906, Pierre S. du Pont purchased the Peirce Arboretum to save its trees from being cut for lumber. Over the next nearly half century, Mr. du Pont developed Longwood Gardens into what it is today, a magnificent horticultural showplace.

We invite you to visit Longwood Gardens, which now encompasses 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. Enjoy over 11,000 types of plants, more fountains than any other garden in the US, educational and visitor programming, and over 400 performances a year. When visiting Longwood Gardens, you are immersed not only in the breathtaking surroundings, but in the rich history as well. The traditions and elegance of the gardens have evolved over time, and resulted in the magnificence we have today. Step back in time and learn about the important cultural events and their contribution to today’s Longwood Gardens.

The Conservatory:
Longwood's Conservatory is one of the world's great greenhouse structures. It shelters 20 indoor gardens and 5,500 types of plants. The Conservatory was built in 1919 and has been periodically expanded and renovated. At present, there are 195,668 square feet—or 4.5 acres—of covered display, production, and research greenhouses.

Outdoor Gardens
Longwood Gardens is sure to delight anyone who loves exquisite flowers, majestic trees, and opulent architecture. Here, amid 325 acres open to the public and 20 outdoor gardens, you’ll find beauty at every turn. Stroll acres of outdoor gardens overflowing with exuberant flowers and sparkling fountains. The distance covered within the outdoor gardens is about 1 mile and the estimated walking time is about 1½ hours.

The Fountains
Longwood Gardens is renowned for its extraordinary fountains. The astonishing shows gather attention from far and wide, and are a favorite among visitors of all ages.

Peirce – duPont House
Joshua Peirce, a Quaker farmer, built the section of the brick house with the covered porch in 1730 (the porch dates from 1824). Successive generations of the Peirce family enlarged the modest farmhouse during the nearly two centuries it remained in their possession.

It was 1906 when Pierre S. du Pont purchased the property to save the amazing trees that were about to be harvested for timber. He expanded the dwelling in 1909, and again in 1914, to serve as his country home and first conservatory. The house was opened to the public in 1976 and now contains the Longwood Heritage Exhibit, a comprehensive collection of historic photos, artifacts, home movies, and video that tells the story of the stewards of the land who preserved and developed the property.

As you stand in front of the Peirce-du Pont House, take note of the two large trees less than 10 feet apart (circa 1798) down the grassy slope toward the Flower Garden Walk. These trees, known as a ginkgo and yellow cucumber magnolia, amaze visitors throughout the seasons. The yellow cucumber magnolia is the largest known specimen in the country.

Family Fun
Longwood Gardens is the ideal place for family fun! See exotic plants from around the world, examine insect-catching plants up close, enjoy dancing fountains that shoot water 130 feet in the air, and be dazzled by our colorful indoor and outdoor displays every day of the year.

Our events calendar is packed with fun family events and performances in every season.

• Indoor Children’s Garden
• Nature's Castles
• Fireworks and Fountains
• Fun Family Activities
• Magic Shrub Activities Kit
• BeeAmazed Children's Garden

Navigating Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens covers many acres. Walking or using a wheelchair or electric scooter (see below) are the primary ways in which to experience it. There are no shuttles within the Gardens.

It takes about 1½ hours to walk the entire 20-room Conservatory, which covers ½ mile. To walk the 20 outdoor gardens (2¼-3¼ miles) takes two to three hours. The Heritage Exhibit in the Peirce-du Pont House takes ½ to one hour.

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Tours on Your Own:

Joseph Poon's Wok 'N Walk Tour of Philadelphia's Chinatown

Discover the magic of Philadelphia's Chinatown with Chef Joseph Poon.  As seen on "The Tonight Show," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" & TV Food Network's "The Best of…"

Join us for an insider's tour of this vibrant community and learn about the history, culture and food of Philadelphia's Chinatown.  Your tour will include a Tai Chi demonstration, a Chinese vegetable carving lesson and walking tour of Philadelphia's Chinatown community including stops at a fortune cookie factory, a Chinese herbal medicine shop, a Chinese place of worship, a Chinese bakery, an Asian grocery store, a fish market and more. (Stops vary depending upon timing.)  Upon completion of the tour, Chef Joseph Poon's staff will serve a full lunch or dinner.

Every tour includes a four-course meal with options such as:
    Phillip's Kennett Square Mushrooms with Hong Kong Shrimp Pork Wonton in
    Chicken Ginger Consommé Salad
    Spring Mixed Salad with Red Capers and Ginger Sesame Dressing Appetizers
    Thai Bourbon Grilled Chicken Skewer in Peanut Sauce
    Shang Hai Crispy Mini Vegetarian Spring Roll Entrée
    Chef Poon's Famous Healthy General Joe Chicken in Tangy Chili and Fresh Ginger Essence served with Stir
        Fried Fresh Garden Vegetables and Asian Fusion Rice Dessert
    Ginger Carrot Cake or Oreo Cookie Cheesecake with Fresh Fruit
    Healthy Green Tea

Pricing: (Prices as of September 2009, subject to change, check online for up-to-date info)
Adults:  $60
Child (6-11): $30.00
Under 5: Free
Click Here to visit their website to book your tour.

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Big Bus Tour

Enjoy Philadelphia Freedom with our open top bus tours!  Big Bus tours depart frequently from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm during the peak season and between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm during the off season. (Last tour departure times vary according to season so please contact us for details, or check with your driver or tour guide.)

All bus tours have live guided commentary given by our fully in-house trained guides.  Guided Tours last around 90 minutes but you can hop on and off at any of our tour bus stops.  Your ticket is valid for 24 hours on all Big Bus tour routes.

Climb up the Rocky steps in front of the Museum of Art in the footsteps of Stallone; visit the new-age shops along South St; see the animals in America's very first zoo; see the site of where Benjamin Franklin lived and take in the sheer beauty of America's largest urban park, Fairmount Park, which straddles the Schuylkill River and the Wissahickon Creek for ten miles.

Philadelphia is the nation's most historical city but it offers so much more with its flourishing arts scene, many great restaurants and more than anything, its friendly people. Philadelphia means "the City of Brotherly Love" in Greek, and that's exactly what it is.

Big Bus tours have a partnership with the Philadelphia Trolley works and your ticket is valid on both Big Bus tours and Trolley Tour Routes.

Details:
Independence Visitor Center, Betsy Ross House, National Constitution Center, Chinatown, Convention Center Marriot, City Hall, Basilica Of St Peter & Paul, Rodin Museum, 'Rocky Steps', Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, Franklin Institute, Logan Circle, Academy Of Music, Antique Row, South Street Head House Square, NE Corner of Dock at Front street, Penn's Landing - waterfront, Old City / Christ Church.

Pricing: (Prices as of September 2009, subject to change, check online for up-to-date info)
Adult (12+): $27.00
Child (4-12): $10.00
Click here to visit their website and book your tour.

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Ride the Duck Tour of Philadelphia

Laugh and Learn by Land and Sea on Philadelphia's original Duck Tour. Everyone has fun aboard a Ride The Ducks sightseeing tour of Philadelphia. It's the best way for families to tour Philadelphia, because we combine fun and music with history and sights. Adults and seniors will have just as much fun as kids, as our Captains lead you through Philly's historic streets and a splash into the Delaware River at Penn's Landing. It's the best way for locals and visitors to see all that Philadelphia has to offer. Ride The Ducks is the Philly attraction to experience when you visit just for the day, a weekend or a week.

Pricing: (Prices subject to change, check online for up-to-date info)
For discounted ticket prices below, use this link: www.phillyducks.com/consignment and enter using the Company Code 4647AY47.
Adult (18+):                 $23.00
Students (ages 13-17): $20.00
Child (3-12):                 $14.00
Click here to visit their website and book your tour.