A huge garden in Kennett Square with indoor conservatories, whose own Social Guide is written for first-time visitors, families and visitors on the autism spectrum: it names quiet places to rest, the loud spots (the Organ and the fountain shows) and welcomes headphones and fidgets. A Longwood Christmas runs November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
Sensory supports. A Social Guide for visitors on the autism spectrum, with quiet places to rest and the loud spots named.
Hours
Through November 15, 2026: Wednesday to Monday, 10 am to 5 pm; closed Tuesday. November 16 to 19, 2026: closed Monday and Tuesday; Wednesday and Thursday the Outdoor Gardens are open 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm) and the Conservatories are closed all day. A Longwood Christmas, November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027: daily, 10 am to 11 pm. Closed January 11 and 12, 2027. Timed tickets let you in every half hour from 10 am to one hour before closing, and some areas may be closed during your visit.
Stay close“for your safety, never climb into our fountains, pools, lakes, or creeks”
“During the day, I can hear the Organ play. It’s very loud and can be heard throughout the Conservatory.”
“The fountain shows will have loud music, colored lights, and the water jets can make loud popping sounds too.”
“Many of the plants on display in the Conservatory have smells that may be familiar or new”
“Additional benches and quiet places to rest are found throughout the Gardens.”
“Any fidgets, headphones, or other comfort tools are also allowed.”
“Mondays–Thursdays and earlier in the day are generally the best times to avoid crowds.”
“Traffic becomes heavy approaching the Gardens from 2:00–8:00 pm.”
The Social Guide names seven quiet places to rest: the Visitor Center, Paulownia Allee, the Whispering Bench, the Large Lake, the Lower Reception Suite, the Combination Garden and the Student Exhibition Garden. Its map shows where they are.
Food: the garden's pages differ on snacks. The visiting rules allow individual size water bottles but no coolers or outside food, while the Social Guide says water and small snacks (not picnics) are fine. If your kid needs a snack, call 610.388.1000 to ask. The Café is open daily 11 am to 9 pm during A Longwood Christmas.
Re-entry: once your ticket is scanned you can't leave and come back, except for Gardens Premium Members and Innovators, or with a Gardens by Day & Night ticket, which is sold on select days from spring to late October.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Longwood Gardens
A Social Guide for visitors on the autism spectrum, with named quiet places to rest.
Headphones, fidgets and other comfort tools are allowed.
Loud spots: the Organ, the Organ Museum and the fountain shows.
Louder, in the garden's words
The Organ, in the Conservatory (very loud, heard throughout the Conservatory; during A Longwood Christmas it plays daily, 12 to 10 pm)not stated
The Organ Museum (buttons and sounds that can be loud at times)not stated
Fountain shows (loud music, colored lights, and water jets that can make loud popping sounds)not stated
Live music, including at the Beer Garden (many nights)not stated
Quieter, in the garden's words
Quiet places to rest named in the Social Guide: Visitor Center, Paulownia Allee, Whispering Bench, Large Lake, Lower Reception Suite, Combination Garden, Student Exhibition Gardenquiet zone
Historic Pump Room & Gallery, a nice place for a break if you get too hotquiet zone
A Longwood Christmas tickets are timed: adults (16 to 64) $45 on non-peak days and $52 on peak days, youth (5 to 15) $25 and $32, children 4 and under free. Peak days are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, and every day December 18, 2026 to January 3, 2027; non-peak days are Monday to Thursday, November 23 to December 17, and every day January 4 to 10, 2027. Senior and military discounts are not offered during A Longwood Christmas.
Through November 15, 2026: adults $35, seniors (65+) $31 only on Monday, Tuesday when open, Wednesday and Thursday (not Fridays or weekends), active US military and veterans with ID $26, youth (5 to 15) $20, children 4 and under free. For November 16 to 19, call 610.388.1000 about tickets.
Online Gardens admission tickets have no fee; phone orders add $6. All sales are final: tickets are nonrefundable but may be exchanged in advance for another date, with an $8 change fee per order.
Caregiver: admission is free for one person accompanying a visitor with accessibility needs. That ticket can't be bought ahead; pick it up at any ticketing counter in the Visitor Center.
Museums for All and PA ACCESS: SNAP EBT or PA ACCESS cardholders can buy General Admission online for up to four people ages 5 and up, $2 each, or $8 during A Longwood Christmas; children 4 and under are free. The named cardholder must come with a matching photo ID, and these tickets can't be had when the Gardens are sold out. Some area libraries lend a Library Membership card good for up to 9 people, also during A Longwood Christmas; ask your library.
With a timed ticket you can enter from 30 minutes before (except 10 am tickets) to 30 minutes after your entry time; earlier or later arrivals can't be accommodated.
Parking is free. On busy days you may park in a grass or off-site lot with free transportation to the Visitor Center. Accessible parking is in the front rows, and you can drop people off in front of the Visitor Center. There is no public transportation that stops at Longwood.
Getting around: complimentary wheelchairs, strollers to rent (single $10, double $15, free for Members) and electric scooters (Pay What You Wish, ages 18 and up, not in bad weather), first-come, first-served and not reservable. There are no lockers. Family restrooms and a nursing room are at the Green Wall in the East Conservatory, and restrooms have changing tables.
Questions: call 610.388.1000 or email questions@longwoodgardens.org.
