FAQ

Winterthur’s beautiful grounds and historic spaces include uneven paths, changing lighting, and other natural or exhibition-related features that could pose a risk. We encourage you to explore at your own pace and stay aware of your surroundings. While we maintain the property with care, some risks are part of the experience. For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy, non-slip shoes. If you need assistance or want to report a concern during your visit, please contact Public Safety at 302.888.4911.

Guests are welcome to bicycle to the Visitor Center parking lot and secure their bike in the rack located near the Picnic House.  We do not permit bicycling around the estate.

Winterthur’s beautiful grounds and historic spaces include uneven paths, changing lighting, and other natural or exhibition-related features that could pose a risk. We encourage you to explore at your own pace and stay aware of your surroundings. While we maintain the property with care, some risks are part of the experience. For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy, non-slip shoes. If you need assistance or want to report a concern during your visit, please contact Public Safety at 302.888.4911.

All visitors are welcome to walk the grounds of Winterthur as long as they have a current admission ticket or display their membership card. We encourage walkers to become Members to enjoy this activity on a daily basis.

You are welcome to walk throughout the garden and the wider estate. Winterthur’s roads, garden paths, and mowed trails in meadow and woodland areas are all excellent walkways. In the interest of safety, we ask that you do not explore the barns, houses, outbuildings, or any areas marked “Staff Only.”

Map Your Adventure

Guests with a current admission ticket can walk the estate during the hours we are open to the public, Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm. Members can walk every day from dawn to dusk.

Please check the Hours page for current operating hours. Admission tickets are good for two consecutive days.

Garden maps are available at the Visitor Center, or you may download a PDF of the Garden Map and the Trail Map. These maps show roads and paved paths as well as the locations of restrooms on the estate. You are welcome to explore the mowed paths in the meadow and woodland areas. 

Please call our Public Safety office at 302.888.4911. 

Pets are not allowed in the garden, and we do not offer facilities to temporarily accommodate them during your visit. For the safety of your pets, please do not leave them in your vehicle, especially in warm weather, as shade is limited. Winterthur’s Public Safety Department will be notified if any animals are found unattended in vehicles. Properly identified service dogs assisting visitors with disabilities are welcome.

Yes. Winterthur offers discounted rates of admission for groups. Please call 800.448.3883 x7029 for additional information.

Please don’t! We ask that you take only photographs and leave only footprints. Help us to maintain the natural habitats at Winterthur so other visitors can enjoy the beauty of our garden, woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Please do not move or remove any natural or manmade materials from any part of the estate.

Please don’t climb trees, stone walls, or other garden structures. Be aware that there are other guests in the garden and keep noise to a minimum, and please use headphones if you want to listen to music or take a call. Walking and running are allowed, but other recreational activities such as bicycling, rollerblading, kite flying, ball or Frisbee playing, skateboarding, and using scooters are not allowed. Drone photography is not allowed.

Winterthur’s beautiful grounds and historic spaces include uneven paths, changing lighting, and other natural or exhibition-related features that could pose a risk. We encourage you to explore at your own pace and stay aware of your surroundings. While we maintain the property with care, some risks are part of the experience. For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy, non-slip shoes. If you need assistance or want to report a concern during your visit, please contact Public Safety at 302.888.4911.

Yes, the Visitor Center Café offers grab and go sandwiches, wraps, and salads; specialty hot foods and paninis; sweet treats and snacks; and coffee, tea, and assorted bottled beverages. You are welcome to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Members and guests can picnic anywhere on the grounds. In the interest of safety, we ask that you do not explore the barns, houses, outbuildings, or any area marked “Staff Only.” Please maintain a distance of 25 yards from all buildings for your safety and for the privacy of our tenants.

You are welcome to walk on the grass and to set up your picnic in the shade of one of our trees. Do not drive to your picnic site. Please walk or take the garden tram.

• Guests can picnic on the estate from dawn to dusk, Tuesday-Sunday, with a current admission ticket.
• Members can picnic every day from dawn to dusk with their Member ID

The Winterthur Garden is a peaceful and tranquil place. In the interest of keeping disturbance to other guests to a minimum, please limit the size of your picnic group to 15.

Sycamore Hill is a beautiful place to picnic. From the Bristol Summerhouse you can view across the valley to the train station and see the sky reflected in the pond—and there is almost always a breeze.

A beautiful lawn is located behind the Cottage, and you can enjoy the sound of Clenny Run burbling along its stone-lined channel.

For families, the lawn next to Enchanted Woods is close to the children’s garden and to rest rooms. In April and May, the nearby Sundial Garden offers a place for a fragrant, flower-filled stroll.

These are just a few—there are many more wonderful spots at Winterthur to enjoy a picnic.

Visit the New Membership Program FAQ page to learn more.

There are several ways you can sign up for membership at Winterthur.

• Join online.
• Call us at 800.448.3883 x 7029 and join by phone
• Stop by our Visitor Center

Please visit our membership page.

If you have recently joined Winterthur, please allow 2–4 weeks for the delivery of your membership cards and additional materials. If you would like to visit before then, please stop by the main desk in the Visitor Center and we will be happy to print out your cards.

Please email membershipinfo@winterthur.org. You can also stop by the admissions desk in the Visitor Center to receive a replacement card.

We recently moved to a new online system. The first time you purchase or make reservations online, you will need to create an account by following these steps:

• Click here.
• Click on “Forgot Password?”
• Enter the email you provided when you purchased your Membership and click “Submit.”
• Check your inbox and click on the link in the password reset email.
• Enter and confirm a password.

If you do not have an email on file with us yet or have difficulty logging in, please contact the Membership Office at membershipinfo@winterthur.org. For help making reservations, call 800.448.3883 or email our Information and Tours Office at tourinfo@winterthur.org.

To receive Member pricing online, go to the log in page and then visit this page to find the event, tour, or lecture you are looking for. Once you find the event, add it to your cart and complete the check-out process. You can also contact our Information and Tours Office at 800.448.3883 or email TourInfo@winterthur.org.

Guests to Winterthur must purchase a ticket if they are not a current Member.  Purchase tickets or consider becoming a Member today Members enjoy unlimited free general admission and daily dawn-to-dusk access to the estate. Also included are introductory house tours, the seasonal Yuletide tour, garden tram tours, Member days, discounts, and much more.

To confirm or change your contact details or view membership details, please log in to your account and go to: https://my.winterthur.org/account/update. Or email your updates and changes to membershipinfo@winterthur.org. We appreciate you keeping us up to date with your contact information!

All Members will receive digital guest passes. Once your Member login is set up, (see “How do I set up my online account?” for steps), you can go here to view how many digital passes you have available.  As with physical passes, a Member does not need to be present; however, an online reservation for the guest must be made by the Member. Once you are logged in, you will be able to use one or more of your guest passes to book a General Admission ticket on the events page. Once a reservation is made, a confirmation of the reservation will be emailed to the Member and the confirmation can then be forwarded to your guest. 

Physical Guest Passes will no longer be printed, therefore Members cannot opt in for physical guest passes. We want to create an easy system for our Members to manage and track their benefits, including guest passes. Physical guest passes cannot be replaced when lost, but digital guest passes can be easily tracked by our Members and membership staff alike.  For help making reservations using a digital guest pass, please call us at 800.448.3883 x7029 or email tourinfo@winterthur.org.

Members are welcome to use their guest passes to bring guests along to select Member-only events. When guests are permitted, this offer will be noted in the event’s description. If you are unsure whether guests are permitted, please contact the Membership office or reservations line.

Your digital guest passes are active for the duration of your membership. Passes cannot be rolled over, once you renew or rejoin, digital guest passes for your current membership year will be added into your account. If you have a 2-year membership, you will have access to passes for both years.  

Winterthur 2 and above memberships allow for up to two named cardholders and the membership offers admission benefits for the number of people on the membership (two, three, or four) as long as one named cardholder is present. For example, if Henry Francis du Pont and Ruth du Pont have a Winterthur 2 membership then:

–Henry may visit with a guest

–Ruth may visit with a guest

–Henry and Ruth may visit together

Visit the new level FAQ to learn more about the flexible guest options and our Membership updates.

Our letters must have crossed in the mail. Please disregard the renewal notice and expect to receive your new Membership cards in the next 3-5 weeks.

All of our Members receive complimentary access to over 300 arboretums through the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Admissions Program. Winterthur 3 Members and above receive admission to over 900 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) program and Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM). For more information, please see the Reciprocal Admissions Benefits page.

Yes, with the following options:

• If you wish to upgrade within the first sixth months of your Membership:

You will be asked to pay the difference between your current level and the level you wish to upgrade to. You will be given all of the benefits of the Membership level you have upgraded into and your expiration date will remain the same. 

• If you wish to upgrade after the first six months of your Membership:

You will be asked to pay the full price of the upgraded Membership. The upgraded Membership will start the date of the upgrade purchase and we will extend your Membership a full year from its current expiration date.

The two cardholders do not need to live in the same household, but the benefits of being a Member extend to only those two named cardholders. Please keep in mind that all membership correspondence and mailings will be sent only to the primary cardholder.

All memberships sales are final and nonrefundable. Memberships start the date they are purchased or with your current expiration, if you are renewing early. Memberships and Member benefits cannot be sold or transferred. If you have any questions about your membership, please contact as at membershipinfo@winterthur.org.

Yes, you may pay by these methods; however, when doing so, you agree to waive all the nondeductible membership benefits for that level. This includes digital guest passes. Bifurcated, personal payments are not allowed when paying for a membership by these methods. Please contact the Membership Office if you plan to purchase or renew your membership in this method. 

All memberships are partially tax-deductible. Please refer to the membership packet or letter you received when purchasing or renewing your membership for specific information about how to calculate the tax-deductible amount of your membership payment.

Winterthur’s beautiful grounds and historic spaces include uneven paths, changing lighting, and other natural or exhibition-related features that could pose a risk. We encourage you to explore at your own pace and stay aware of your surroundings. While we maintain the property with care, some risks are part of the experience. For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy, non-slip shoes. If you need assistance or want to report a concern during your visit, please contact Public Safety at 302.888.4911.

Through Museums for All, Winterthur will provide $2 admission for those who receive food assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Simply present your SNAP electronic benefits transfer card at the admissions desk to receive the $2 rate per person for up to four people.

Use your SNAP EBT card at more than 900 other museums in the United States. For the full list, visit Museums for All.

Delaware residents who monitor their government-issued cash, food, or medical benefits with an EBT card, as well as Delawareans with disabilities who have an Art-Reach Access Card, can visit Winterthur and and other participating sites for $2 per person for up to four people.

Simply present your valid Delaware EBT card or Art-Reach ACCESS card with a photo ID at the admissions desk to receive the reduced rate. For more information or to get an ACCESS card, visit Art-Reach. (The discount is not valid for special exhibitions, special events, or with other offers.)

Guests are welcome to film or take photos during their visit except where signage indicates photography is not permitted. We ask that you refrain from photographing or filming Winterthur staff or other guests without their permission. 

Special Occasion Photography: Engagement, Family, and More

We love being part of your special moments and are happy to welcome visitors and Members who wish to take photos to mark meaningful occasions—such as engagements, family portraits, maternity sessions, proms, graduations, quinceañeras, and more. To ensure a great experience for all, we kindly ask that you follow these guidelines:

• All participants, including photographers, must either pay daily general admission or be current Winterthur Members. Please check in at the Visitor Center upon arrival.
• Wedding Photography is reserved exclusively for couples hosting their wedding at Winterthur. We ask that wedding photos not be taken on the grounds unless your wedding event is taking place here.
• Commercial photography that promotes products or services is not permitted. For inquiries, please see our FAQ section on Commercial Photography & Filming.
• Group size should be kept small. Typically, this includes the individual(s) being photographed and the photographer. We are unable to accommodate large photography crews.
• Photography must take place during regular hours—10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday—unless all members of your party are Winterthur Members. Only Members are permitted on the grounds before and after public hours daily, dawn to dusk. 
• Drone photography is strictly prohibited.
• Photography is permitted outdoors only. Indoor photography is not allowed for special occasions.
• Large-scale equipment such as light stands, reflectors, carts, wagons, and other staging gear is not permitted.
• Props and signs are not allowed.
• Wardrobe changes are not permitted on-site. Please arrive dressed in the attire you plan to wear for your photo session.
• Be considerate of others. Our gardens and estate are open to all guests, and photo sessions must not disrupt or inconvenience other visitors.

Thank you for helping us preserve the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that makes Winterthur so special. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces around the estate!

Commercial Photography & Filming

In general, Winterthur does not permit commercial photography. However, exceptions may be made in rare cases. Please email a detailed request to: pressroom@winterthur.org. You will receive a response from us within one to three days. 

Photography Notice

Upon entering the premises you grant Winterthur and its agents the right to videotape, film, and photograph you, record your voice, and use your likeness in connection with the commercial production, and in the distribution, exhibition, and exploitation thereof.