There are wonderful Main Line, Philadelphia and Wilmington holiday garden and railway displays available for visitation during the 2011 to 2012 Christmas holiday season.

They are  scheduled for Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA; The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; and the The Nemours Mansion Garden in Wilmington, DE.

A Longwood Gardens Gingerbread 2011 Christmas — When was the last time you visited Longwood Gardens at Christmas? Don’t miss it this year! From November 24, 2011 to January 8, 2012, you can enjoy “A Longwood Gardens Christmas” as the Gardens are transformed this year into a gingerbread fantasy featuring beautiful displays throughout the Gardens. Visit the tall trees covered with gingerbread ornaments and the Music Room covered with candy.

The only way to gain entrance to “A Longwood Gardens Christmas” is with a timed entrance ticket. Visit the Longwood Garden website to learn more about reserving a timed admission ticket. Garden Pass Members are not required to purchase timed tickets. Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. You may call 610-388-1000 for more information.

Longwood Gardens Christmas Railway — Longwood Gardens will also sponsor a miniature Christmas Railway from November 24 through January 8, 2012. Featuring Thomas the Train, the Longwood Gardens Christmas Railway will run through a wonderful landscape in the Idea Garden at Longwood Gardens each day from 9am to 5pm.

Holiday Garden Railway at the Morris Arboretum — The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania will sponsor the Holiday Garden Railway to the delight of Philadelphia area railroad lovers of all ages. The tracks and surroundings will be lit up with holiday decorations, providing marvelous fun for all. The Morris Arboretum Railway display will run from December 4, 2011 through December 31, 2011, from 10am to 4pm (open to 5pm from December 17 through December 31). The Railway will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and New Years day.

Quoting the website, “Visitors of all ages will be wow-ed by a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with fifteen different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under), and bustling model trains, all set in the lovely winter garden of the Morris Arboretum.” The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

The Nemours Mansion Garden Holiday Tours — The Nemours Mansion Garden Holiday Tours will run from December 19, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011, available to individuals over 12 years old. Nemours Mansion and Gardens is modeled after Le Petit Trianon, Versailles. The estate offers an opportunity to guests to experience early 1900 luxury in its architectural and landscape details. Built by Alfred I. DuPont in 1920, the estate features stunning fountains, picturesque views panoramas and sculpture. For more information about The Nemours Mansion Garden Holiday Tours , call 1-800-651-6912. The Nemours Mansion Garden is located at Route 141 (Powder Mill Drive) and Alapocas Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.

Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, has designed and installed beautiful gardens in the Main Line, metro Philadelphia, and Wilmington, DE areas for over 35 years.  Aardweg Landscaping specializes in perennial and formal garden composition, creating a succession of bloom through the seasons, with variation in line, balance, form and texture. For more information about Aardweg Landscaping, please call 610-355-0703 or visit the Aardweg Landscaping Website.

Image Source:  Morris Arboretum