What To Do: Celebrating Earth Day

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

This the time of year for warm weather, blooming flowers, light clothing – and Earth Day.

Earth Day is a worldwide environmental movement that takes place every year on April 22. The goal of this celebration is to raise awareness about sustainability and clean living, and to educate people on the importance of preserving our planet.

The Earth Day 2026 theme is focused on engaging the more than one billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize our collective responsibility and to help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all.

From everyday green living ideas, to spending time outdoors, or even picking up litter to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean, there are many activities for Earth Day 2026 you can participate in to support the movement.

The first Earth Day took place in 1970 in the United States, when the country’s economy was doing exceptionally well, but the side effects were air pollution and waste.

At that time, environmental preservation was not a priority, and there wasn’t much awareness on sustainable practices, even though the planet was starting to suffer.

The devastating oil spill that took place in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 was the tip of the iceberg, and the government launched a campaign to promote Earth Day and its concept across the United States.

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place and more than 20 million Americans participated in activities to support new sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Earth Day has been celebrated ever since, and it has spread worldwide since the 1990s.

Activities celebrating Earth Day will get underway this weekend.

“Chester County Earth Day Festival” in partnership with State Senator Carolyn Comitta and held in conjunction with Healthy Kids Day 2026 will take place on April 18 at Upper Main Line YMCA (1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road, Berwyn, ymcagbw.org/events/chester-county-earth-day-festival).

This special event also recognizes the 28th anniversary of the environmental education program at the YMCA and is free and open to the community.

Grab your shovel and get ready to dig into the fun!

Families are encouraged to bring shovels on Earth Day and volunteer to plant more than 60 native trees and shrubs to benefit UMLY’s Cassatt Preserve.

A “Shovel Check” will be available (like a coat check!) so families do not need to carry their shovels around the festival.

Vendors from across the County in the areas of environmental education and sustainability will provide activities, exhibits, presentations and more.

Participants can explore the YMCA’s Cassatt Preserve, home to 20 acres of woodland, wetlands, a meadow, stream, pond and Pennsylvania’s first conservation easement.

They will be able to meet the animal ambassadors of the Nature Center, Raptor Center and Barnyard and also get a healthy start to summer with fitness demos with the YGBW Fit Truk.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in family-friendly STEM and Environmental Education activities including robotics, stream study, canoeing, woodworking, tree-planting and more.

There will also be face painting as well as live music performed by Em McKeever, Meadowlark and Jim Shirey and Friends.

Lunch will be available to purchase from food trucks.

Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com) will host a “Celebrate Earth Day Festival” on April 18 and 19.

It is billed as “A Weekend of Learning, Growing & Giving Back Celebrating 15 Springs in the Garden Center.”

This season marks a major milestone for Linvilla — 15 years of its Garden Center.

Over the years, it has grown into a hub for gardeners, plant lovers, and families looking to bring a little more green into their lives.

Since this weekend is extra special, we’re inviting our community to join us for a weekend filled with education, inspiration, and hands-on experiences.

There will be a “Native Plants Lecture with Master Gardener Todd” at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Native plants play a vital role in supporting pollinators, improving soil health, and creating sustainable landscapes.

During this informative session, Todd will share:

The benefits of planting native species

Easy native plants to incorporate into your home garden

Tips for creating pollinator-friendly landscapes

How native plants help support local wildlife.

“Meet the Bees with Warren Graham” will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 18 and 19.

One of the highlights of the Earth Day celebration is a visit from Warren Graham, a fifth-generation beekeeper who maintains several apiaries right here on the farm.

Graham will be hosting live demonstrations throughout the day, sharing his knowledge about the vital role honeybees play in our ecosystem and how we can all support pollinators at home.

Guests will also have the unique opportunity to view a working observation hive with an up-close look at honeybees in action. It’s an unforgettable, educational experience that brings the magic of the orchard to life.

On Saturday and Sunday, “Build Your Own Container Garden with Kathy” will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bring a container from home or choose one while you’re here, and Kathy will help you curate the perfect combination of plants based on your space, sunlight, and style.

Whether you’re looking for something colorful, pollinator-friendly, or low-maintenance, this personalized experience makes container gardening approachable and fun for everyone.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions, get creative, and leave with something beautiful you created yourself. There is no fee for the guidance — just pay for the plants that you would like to plant.

On April 18, “Composting with Kitchen Harvest” also has an 11 a.m.-2 p.m. time slot.

Chris from Kitchen Harvest, who helps produce compost here on the farm, will be around to chat, answer questions, and share insights about composting and sustainability.

“Kids’ Earth Day Crafts” is also scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – on both days.

Families are invited to stop by for free kids crafts as part of our Earth Day celebration. These hands-on activities are designed to inspire creativity while highlighting the importance of repurposing everyday materials.

Our crafts focus on using what’s already on hand and turning simple items into something meaningful and useful.

“Earth Day at DuPont Environmental Education Center” will be held on April 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DuPont Environmental Education Center (1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, delnature.org).

Guests are invited to join the Delaware Nature Society at the DuPont Environmental Education Center for an Earth Day celebration and cleanup. They can help clean the marsh, learn about the importance of clean water, and participate in other Earth Day activities.

This is an all-ages event, and admission is free.

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) is now featuring one of its popular annual special events – “Spring Blooms.”

Spring in Longwood Gardens isn’t rendered. It’s real.

Every bud, bloom, and birdsong is nature-generated, crafted by sunshine and soil … not software. Color pops, leaves unfurl, and the whole landscape awakens with fresh, authentic, undeniable energy.

Early spring bulbs bring the season to life, followed by flowering trees bursting into bloom. Fragrance drifts on the breeze. Radiant tulips stretch towards the sky.

No filters. No shortcuts. Real spring … far beyond anything pixels can imitate.

Spring at Longwood: nothing artificial about it.

A featured attraction just coming inro bloom is Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florid).

The bright red berries produced in the fall, are a high-fat food source for over 36 species of birds, including wild turkeys, cardinals, and robins. 

The tree supports more than 100 species of moths and butterflies, which lay their eggs on dogwood leaves—making it essential for local food webs.

Because it flowers early, it’s also a critical nectar source for pollinators just coming out of winter dormancy. In fact, its ecological value is so high that Cornus florida is often promoted in native plant gardening for habitat restoration.

While the tree is too small for lumber, dogwood wood is incredibly hard and dense. It’s been used historically for golf club heads and handles for tools and knives.

Another featured attraction is the Kurume Azalea Bonsai Display.

This display features early spring blooming Kurume hybrid azalea (Rhododendron hybrid), known for their bright flower colors and evergreen foliage. Also known as Japanese azaleas, this type of hybrid has been cultivated in Japan since the late 1600s.

These Kurume azaleas were obtained as full-sized plants from Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, given to the United States from France as part of the bicentennial celebration. Grown in the clump style, their bonsai training began in 1980.

Right now, Redbud is also in bloom.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beautiful native spring flowering tree in the bean or legume family. It produces showy, dense clusters of purplish-pink flowers along its stems in April before the foliage appears.

Other beauties in bloom are Yoshino Cherry Trees, early tulip bulbs, Pride-of-Madeira, Bloodroot, Loose-flower Hornbeam and Magnolia.

Inside Longwood’s Conservatory, visitors can check out the towering Clerodendrum schmidtii (chains of glory) as well as nearly 300 blooming orchids on display in the Orchid House.

As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.

You may enter the Gardens up to 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after your designated time. Make every effort to arrive at your designated reservation time. Earlier or later arrivals may not be accommodated.

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $35 for adults, $21 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and $20 for youth (ages 5-18).

Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, tylerarboretum.org) will present “Serpentine Barrens Pink Hill Tour” on April 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Participants can discover Pink Hill — a globally rare serpentine barrens.

There will be a guided hike to Delaware County’s last remaining serpentine barren.

Hikers can explore its unique geology, rare plants, and fascinating history — from continental collisions to early human activity.

April often brings a stunning bloom of bright pink moss phlox, the flower that gave Pink Hill its name.

At 9:30 a.m. there will be a moderately-paced, guided hike from Visitor Center to Pink Hill. Then, at 10 a.m., there will be an expert-led tour of Pink Hill.

Tyler Arboretum’s admission prices are: Adults (ages 18-64): $18; Seniors (65+): $15; Children and young adults (ages 3-17): $10; and Children age 2 and under: FREE.

In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration.

After all, we’ve been first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun for 250 years.

52 Weeks of Firsts (www.visitphilly.com/52-weeks-of-firsts) is a yearlong, citywide celebration honoring Philadelphia’s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee.

Not only was Philadelphia the birthplace of the country, but it was also the backdrop for many other marvels.

To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year’s worth of free events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

52 Weeks of Firsts shines a light on different Philly-born Firsts each week through a series of free public events called Saturday Firstivals — held every Saturday of 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Firstival: Saturday April 18 will focus on “First Botanical Garden: 1728.”

Rooted in curiosity, Bartram’s Garden was America’s very first botanical garden, a living laboratory where science bloomed and Philly’s green thumb took root.

The event will be held April 11 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bartram’s Garden, which is located at 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard in Philadelphia.

Another event with a lot of history will take place in Montgomery County this weekend.

There is a big event for specialized memorabilia collectors this weekend — the 84th Philly Non-Sports Card Show.

The event will be held on April 18 and 19 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Station Avenue, Oaks, http://phillynon-sportscardshow.com)

There are two basic categories of trading cards — sports cards and non-sports cards.

Sports cards depict athletes at all levels. Non-sport cards offer so much more. There are card sets dealing with music, movies, politics, nature, pop culture and history.

For more than a century, non-sport trading cards have documented trends in pop culture – providing people with history lessons provided by small, rectangular pieces of cardboard.

Twice each year, collectors from across the country come together in eastern Pennsylvania for this very special event. The event is the oldest show of its kind in the country.

Many of the hobby’s top manufacturers will have exhibit booths at this weekend’s show and will be distributing free promo cards. There will be a huge array of non-sport cards, sets, singles, wrappers, chase cards, promos, and related memorabilia.

Some of the artists who will be featured guests are Jason Brower, David Gross and Tim Shinn.

Admission is $12 for one day or $20 for two days. Show Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Newlin Grist Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, newlingristmill.org) will present its “1704 Mill Tour” on April 18 and 19.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the site’s 1704 water powered mill.

While the Mill is not currently operational, visitors on guided tours will get a rare opportunity to see the process of building a new waterwheel and waterbox.

Visitors must be on a guided tour to go inside the Grist Mill.

Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and children 12 and under.

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will host Bird Walk with Mary Ellen Krober” on April 19 at 9 a.m.

Participants will be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantee different species.

Walk will meet by the Visitor Center and take place at a relaxed pace on flat surfaces.

Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, laurelhillphl.com) will present “Spring Wildflower Walk, a Horticulture Tour” at 10 a.m. on April 18.

Gregg Tepper, Laurel Hill’s Senior Horticulturist, will take guests on a walk among the inspiring wildflowers of early spring.

They can stroll and admire the shapes, the textures, and the glorious colors of this fleeting season and discover the hidden secrets that bring about this vernal debut.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors and $10 for children (ages 6-12).

On April 19, Laurel Hill will present “Ashes to Ashes” from 1-3 p.m.

Cremation is now more popular than burial, and this tour spotlights Laurel Hill West’s columbaria.

This site is the final resting place for many notable Philadelphians, including Joseph Beam (author and activist), Lon Jourdet (Penn basketball coach and “zone defense” pioneer), Elizabeth Snellenberger (Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee), and other figures from politics, and entertainment. There’s even a Great War Austrian cavalryman.

The Tour Guide will be Joe Lex.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors and $10 for children (ages 6-12).

The 2026 season has begun at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org).

On April 18, there will be a “Guided Mansion Tour” at 9:30 a.m.

Visitors can enjoy a one-hour narrated tour of this historic mansion.

An April 19, Nemours will present “Behind the Ropes Tour” at 9 a.m.

This exclusive private tour will take participants into areas that have never been open to the public.

The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health — follow signs for Nemours Estate.

Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Estate is one of Delaware’s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.

Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.

Nemours was the estate of Alfred I. duPont.

Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) started its season  of “Guided Mansion Tours” on April 12.

Hope Lodge was built between 1743 and 1748 by Samuel Morris, a prosperous Quaker entrepreneur. Morris acted as a farmer, shipowner, miller, iron master, shop owner, and owner of the mill now known as Mather Mill. Hope Lodge is an excellent example of early Georgian architecture, and it is possible that Edmund Woolley, architect of Independence Hall, offered advice in building. Samuel Morris owned the estate until his death in 1770.

Visitors can participate by watching a short film and then taking a tour. Guided tours of the mansion will depart at 1 and 2:30 p.m. all three days.

Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth (age 6-17) and free for children under 5.

Hope Lodge is a Blue Star Museum which means that active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families, are admitted free for regular tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Noir Noir: A Speakeasy Experience” on Friday evenings in April.

Guests can enjoy specialty cocktails and light bites in the winery’s hidden wine cellar.

Inspired by the glamour and intrigue of the 1920s–30s, this intimate pop-up experience transforms the West Tank Room into a moody, art deco–inspired lounge complete with themed music, vintage touches, and low-lit ambiance.

Guests are invited to enjoy a rotating menu of specialty cocktails crafted with locally sourced spirits and Chaddsford wines, available exclusively during speakeasy hours.

A limited selection of bar bites will also be available. Themed attire is encouraged but never required.

Whether you’re in the mood for a carefully crafted cocktail, a cozy corner to linger with friends, or a reason to rediscover a hidden part of the winery, “Noir Noir” invites you to start your weekend somewhere unexpected.
The event runs from 6-9 p.m.

On April 18 at 6 p.m., Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) will host a special event  — “Cannonball Tavern — Party in 18th century Philadelphia!”

Participants will be able to enjoy the revelries of an 18th Century tavern at Fort Mifflin with period games, spirits, and music.

They are invited to join the Fort’s staff and the Regimental Brewmeister in bringing in the 250th Anniversary of our Country in the most American way — with a toast at the Tavern.

The Seadogs will be there to sing your favorite hits of the 70s…the 1770s.

Admission is $35 and includes a first drink voucher. Additional vouchers can be purchased at the event.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, www.ansp.org) has just opened a new exhibit – “Botany of Nations.”

Visitors can experience a groundbreaking exhibition that provides a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.

Co-curated with Enrique Salmón, PhD, an ethnobotanist and author of IWÍGARA: The Kinship of Plants and People, and developed with contributions from Indigenous cultural historians, “Botany of Nations” offers a culturally layered view of the plants of North America.

Collected on the famous expedition, some of the oldest plant specimens in the country today are housed in the Academy’s own Lewis and Clark Herbarium.

Guests can learn how the Native Nations Meriwether Lewis met on the trail shaped America’s plant knowledge long before Western scientists claimed these “discoveries.”

Centering the voices of Native Nations who have protected and cared for the lands for thousands of years, “Botany of Nations” presents plants as portals to Indigenous storytelling and knowledge.

Visitors will:

Museum admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $18 for children (ages 2-12).

The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) is currently featuring several new exhibitions.

“Living Indigenous,” which runs through August 23, celebrates the creative contributions of Indigenous artists living in and connected to Delaware, developed in partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Museum.

“Citizen Artist,” which is on display through July 19, coincides with the Semiquincentennial in 2026.

The “Citizen Artist” will meet a moment of national reflection with a celebration of artist workers in America.

“The People’s Gallery,” which runs August 7 through September 6, amplifies Delaware 250 by inviting up to 600 Delaware residents or DelArt Members to submit one work of art for exhibition in the Museum.

The Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $6 for youth.

On April 19, the Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum (500 Museum Road, Reading, www.readingpublicmuseum.org) will host “James Hood’s Beautifica.”

“Beautifica 360 – A Celebration of Life” was created by visionary composer James Hood and acclaimed immersive artists.

Celebrated as a versatile musical pioneer, Grammy-nominated artist James Hood is known for his groundbreaking work, and multi-sensory projects blending music and art.

His extensive musical résumé includes drumming for The Pretenders, more than two decades as the creative force behind the visionary ambient act Moodswings, and a wide array of production and soundtrack projects.

Before “Beautifica,” Hood transformed the world of immersive artistic experiences with “Mesmerica 360,” the record-breaking experience that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

With “Beautifica 360,” breathtaking worlds of light and sound come alive in this 360° dome experience.

Audiences can lose themselves in mesmerizing constellations and ethereal landscapes.

Nestled within the Reading Public Museum, the Neag Planetarium is a captivating destination that transports visitors into the depths of space. It is located at 500 Museum Road in Reading.

Tickets are $39.90.

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) will celebrate “Elmo’s Springtacular” now through June 14.

“Elmo’s Springtacular” at Sesame Place is filled with furry fun and exciting events! Join in on the fun with an exciting line-up of meet & greets, music, magic, pirate adventures, and fireworks.

This weekend, the featured event is “Baby Shark.”

Visitors should get ready for a “fab-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-ulous time” with  Baby Shark, Pinkfong, and Bebefinn .

They will star in a musical extravaganza, “The Baby Shark Mini-Show.”

Visitors will be able to make a reservation to meet and take a photo with them at the Baby Shark Meet & Greets.

They also can purchase the Baby Shark VIP Dine to get a delicious buffet meal, a meet & greet with the characters, and reserved seating at one of the Baby Shark Mini-Shows.

The “Baby Shark” events will be held on April 18 and 19.

Ticket prices start at $24.99 for the “Baby Shark VIP Dine Experience.”

Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org), a 230-acre historical village on the site of the original du Pont Company gunpowder mills in northern Delaware, is presenting its  “Nation of Inventors” exhibition.

Visitors can learn about the patent process and see examples of early American ingenuity in the “Nation of Inventors” exhibition.

“Nation of Inventors” celebrates the American spirit of ingenuity by taking visitors on a journey from the early years of the patent system, in the 1790s, through the “golden age” of American invention, in the late 1800s.

The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley’s unique collection — highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.

Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years.

“Nation of Inventors” includes patent models from well-known inventors and companies like Ball (Mason Jars), Jim Beam, Bissell, Corliss, Steinway, and Westinghouse.

“Nation of Inventors” is located on the first two floors of Hagley’s Visitor Center. Visitors can plan to spend about 30 minutes on their self-guided tour of the exhibition.

Admission to Hagley is $22 for adults, $18 for students and seniors (62+) and $12 for children (6-14).

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, www.winterthur.org) is hosting another edition of its Great American Songbook Concert on April 19 at 2 p.m.

Guests are invited to celebrate timeless tunes with soprano Emily Margevich of OperaDelaware, accompanied by pianist George Hemcher.

The concert will feature songs by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and more.

Tickets are $20–22 for adults, $8–10 for children 12 and under and free for children 3 and under.

Winterthur just opened its 2026 season and visitors are invited to celebrate the early bulb display of the March Bank with self-guided garden tours.

Hikers will be able to explore the site’s trails with Winterthur estate guides. Winterthur’s 1,000-acre estate features 25 miles of walking paths and trails and 10 miles of roads to discover.

Admission to Winterthur is $27 for adults, $25 for seniors (age 62 and older) and students, and $10 for children (ages 2-11).

Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.

Historic Odessa just reopened for spring tours and celebrated the beginning of its 2026 season.

Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.

Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.

Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.  The site is also open Monday by reservation.

Rockwood Park & Museum (4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington,  Delaware, 4671 Washington Street Ext, Wilmington, www.newcastlede.gov/431/Rockwood-Park-Museum) is presenting “Rockwood Self-Guided Tour” on April 18 and 19.

Visitors can explore the grandeur, history and beauty of the Rockwood Museum, home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for 120 years, at your own pace.

Visitors access most of the museum’s major rooms on this self-guided tour. Also, staff will be nearby to answer any questions.

The museum will also present a “Guided House Tour: The Rockwood Experience” on April 18 and 19.

Visitors will be able to get a deeper look into Rockwood and the people who lived, visited and worked here.

This guided tour introduces key members of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves family of Rockwood through the spaces they lived and some of objects they collected.

Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org) has opened for its 2026 season.

Located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River, Andalusia has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years. The ancestral home of the Biddle family, Andalusia is also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House — one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States — provides an unparalleled look into our nation’s past, while also offering a glimpse into the life of a family that helped to shape its future.

Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.

Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Visitors can stroll the spectacular formal gardens and native woodlands during a self-guided garden tour at their leisure and enjoy sweeping views from the banks of the Delaware River. Picnics are allowed on the grounds (with a “carry-in, carry-out” policy).

Founded more than 50 years ago, Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A. (Route 741 East, 226 Gap Rd, Strasburg, 717-687-7911, www.choochoobarn.com) presents a 1,700-square-foot train layout featuring over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains.

The majority of trains that are running in the display are “O Gauge” trains but there are also some HO Gauge trains as well as one N Gauge train.

Several of the original pieces and animations are still on the display today, including the ski slope, ski lodge and ice skaters, Dutch Haven, the Willows, the two-lane moving highway (in front of Dutch Haven), the farm with the tobacco barn, the Strasburg Fire House, the church beside Dutch Haven and a few other houses.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3 and under) at Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia (500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Https://philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/) is open all winter with its family-oriented rides and play.

Popular attractions are “Imagination Express,” “4-D Cinema,” “The Great LEGO® Race Virtual Reality Experience,” “LEGO® NINJAGO® Training Camp,” “Duplo Park” and “Pirate Adventure Island Spoftplay.”

Admission is $21.99.

“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.

Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.

The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.

General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $69; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4–7), $23.

Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the spring.

Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers.

The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way.

This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.

Ticket prices start at $38.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.

The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $28.

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”

Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $28.

The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $28.