Pennsylvania

Flower Show, Barnes Foundation & Gardens: Five Nights in Philly

Program No. 20362RJ
In Philadelphia — home to America’s first horticultural society — experience the world’s oldest and largest indoor flower show. Plus, visit the Longwood and Winterthur gardens!

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At a Glance

The fabulous Philadelphia Flower Show, an internationally renowned treasure, is America’s oldest and grandest indoor horticultural display. Explore breathtaking exhibits presenting the talents of designers and landscapers who “force” perennials, shrubs and trees into bloom to create full-scale gardens and floral displays. Plus, travel to the beautiful Brandywine Valley visiting the gardens of Longwood and Winterthur and visit the collections of the Barnes Foundation.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Moderate walking up to one mile on busy city streets. Extensive walking at the Flower Show itself; wheelchairs are available at the show if needed.

What You'll Learn

  • Led by an expert, enjoy privileged access to the Flower Show before the crowds arrive, with significant free time to explore on your own.
  • Explore the unique Barnes Foundation at its magnificent Philadelphia campus and attend a cultural event from current offerings.
  • In a private tour of Longwood Gardens, see what it takes to maintain its indoor and outdoor gardens, then enter another time at Winterthur, with its priceless art, antiques and 60-acre garden.

General Notes

Participants in this program receive VIP passes for early-morning private viewing before the Flower Show opens to the public. You may also be interested in attending an abbreviated three-night version of this program on "Flower Show, Barnes Foundation & Gardens: Three Nights in Philly" (#20363).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Jenny Rose Carey
Jenny Rose is an educator, historian, author and former senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. An avid, hands-on gardener who has worked in both England and the United States, she has lectured nationally and internationally for many years. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series 'The Victory Garden' and in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Grow magazine and the Pennsylvania Gardener. Her latest book, 'Glorious Shade,' was released in 2017.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Elizabeth Anderson
Elizabeth Anderson View biography
Elizabeth earned a master’s in Art History at the University of Pennsylvania and was associated with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she served as curator, for 40 years. She presented lectures on art history and gallery talks at the museum and has taught at LaSalle, Drexel and Princeton Universities. Elizabeth is a former secretary of the Philadelphia chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians and the Museum Council of Philadelphia. She also serves as trustee of The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks.
Profile Image of Tish Byrne
Tish Byrne View biography
An artist and historian, Tish Byrne is passionate about all aspects of her native city and its environment after having lived in and led explorations at the Physick House, which belongs to Philadelphia Landmarks. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts later becoming an administrative assistant to the Director of the school. Presently, she leads excursions for the mural arts program, is a docent at Historic Christ Church and leads explorations of Philadelphia landmarks.
Profile Image of Mitchell Kramer
Mitchell Kramer View biography
Mitchell Kramer has a B.A. in playwriting from Hampshire College and attended Circle in the Square acting conservatory. He has worked off-Broadway and in regional theater including the New York Theater Workshop and Dorset Theater Festival. He is a costumed Historic Interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin in Old City Philadelphia. Mitchell has written and produced plays for children and adults and a series of historically accurate stories about 18th century Philadelphia for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. He is on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Profile Image of Warren Williams
Warren Williams View biography
Warren is a retired architect with over 30 years of experience. Much of his career was spent at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia. In his professional career, he has worked on several historic projects in the Philadelphia region. Warren is an avid photographer of historic buildings and urban streetscapes. He has led groups exploring Philadelphia’s historic architecture and city planning for over 25 years and occasionally lectures on Philadelphia’s historical development.
Profile Image of Jenny Rose Carey
Jenny Rose Carey View biography
Jenny Rose is an educator, historian, author and former senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. An avid, hands-on gardener who has worked in both England and the United States, she has lectured nationally and internationally for many years. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series 'The Victory Garden' and in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Grow magazine and the Pennsylvania Gardener. Her latest book, 'Glorious Shade,' was released in 2017.
Profile Image of Lauren Kain
Lauren Kain View biography
Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.
Profile Image of Kirk Brown
Kirk Brown View biography
Kirk Brown has won landscape design awards from the Perennial Plant Association, Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association. He represented Joanne Kostecky Garden Design as a leader in the design/build industry. He is a past president of www.GardenComm.com and in 2021 was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He worked as Outreach Coordinator for America’s Oldest Ornamental Garden. He has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses, guest lectures, teaching symposiums, and certified instruction over the past quarter century.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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