A short drive from Philadelphia, Wilmington, Washington DC and New York City you can find
Longwood Gardens, one of the premier botanical gardens that combines the beauty of plants with the extraordinary display of fountains. 11,000 different types of plants can be found in the conservatory and throughout the vast grounds. If that is not reason enough to visit, the unique fountains found throughout the gardens will surely do it. After an extensive renovation during the past two years Longwood Gardens’ Main Fountain Garden premiered this past May. It features more than 1,700 jets and streams that soar as high as 175 feet in the air, lit up by a rainbow of colors via a brand-new lighting system and set to a backdrop of music. You should plan for a full day AND night in the gardens. During the day you can view the beautiful flowers, plants, ponds, lakes and meadows and get close to the many fountains and watch the creative dance of the water jets. As for the central fountains, every two hours there is a special five minute presentation paired with popular tunes. You MUST stay and catch the night illuminated fountains performance. All the fountains get the lights and the water dance. But the main attraction is the big fountains up on top, right across from the conservatory, combined with all the others. Benches and seating is provided right in front of the conservatory providing a grand view of the show that’s about to unfold in front of you. A 30 minute out of this world display as water in all shapes, sizes, and heights is accompanied by music. So, 1,719 jets and streams illuminated by LED lights in red, green, blue, amber, cyan and lime, – 1,059 in color, 408 white for a total of 1,467 lights giving an infinite number of color combinations. It looked to me like a fireworks show but instead of fireworks it was only water and lights. It’s a unique experience not found anywhere else. As for the fountains in the canals they have added magic. The fountains combine the water jet with fire within the water. Here’s how it’s done: German technology, exclusive to Longwood, injects a jet of propane into the water, where it's ignited about three feet off the ground. The flaming gas rises with the water to the top, where it shakes its blazing booty. If you are in the area I highly recommend a visit, though one is not enough. You will never regret it. More information
here.
