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Transportation & Special Needs Access

Accessibility

Winterthur recognizes the diversity of the public’s needs and is committed to providing excellent service to all visitors to the museum and garden.

Parking
Vehicles with official permits may use designated parking spaces next to the Visitor Center and near the Galleries Reception Atrium.

Wheelchair and Stroller Accessibility
Shuttles, garden trams, and most walking paths are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Wheelchairs and strollers are available at no cost at the Visitor Center and Galleries Reception Atrium for visitor convenience. Please note that a companion is needed to push these wheelchairs.

Auxiliary Aids
Assistive listening systems are available for guided tours and special presentations. With at least one week’s notice, a sign-language interpreter is available for your visit.

  • Guided tours that include detailed verbal descriptions are available with advance reservations.
  • High-contrast photographs and/or large-print scripts are available for selected exhibitions and audio tours.
  • Demonstration objects are available for touching in the Galleries and in the Touch-It Room.
  • Guide and service animals are welcome.
  • School, college, and adult programs can be adapted to specific needs by prior arrangement. A more detailed description of physical access is also available.

Please contact the Winterthur Information and Tours Office at 800.448.3883 or tourinfo@winterthur.org for more information.

Moving About the Grounds

Most public areas and historic buildings are accessible, although Winterthur is a hilly site. When you visit, please pick up a garden map, which identifies accessible areas and rockier paths.

During regular public hours, a shuttle stops at the Visitor Center and the museum entrance. The shuttle is equipped with a hydraulic lift and one wheelchair securement device.

Garden Access
To access most of the garden, follow the marked routes on the garden map. Most of the year, visitors can board trams for narrated tours of the garden. All trams are equipped with ramps and wheelchair securement devices, however, due to size and ground clearance, some motorized wheelchairs cannot be safely accommodated.

Enchanted Woods Access
For individuals with limited mobility, the garden tram is available to transport you to and from Enchanted Woods. Please let a garden guide or visitor services assistant know that you would like to visit Enchanted Woods so they can be ready to assist you.

Indoor Access
All of Winterthur’s exhibition galleries are wheelchair accessible. The Introductory Tour and most other tours of rooms in the house are also accessible. However, certain larger models of wheelchairs may not be able to maneuver on some tours. Please note that a companion is needed to push the wheelchairs offered by Winterthur. We recommend speaking with a Visitor Services representative for more information before reserving your tour.

Shuttle
Shuttles run between the Visitor Center and museum building every 10 minutes, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Garden Tram
Our narrated tram tour features highlights of the garden and introduces the history of Winterthur. The tour begins at the Visitor Center and ends at the museum building, with a stop at Enchanted Woods.

Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Winterthur. The museum building is a
10- to 15-minute walk from the Visitor Center. Paths through the garden are marked and a map is available on-site.

Walking FAQ

Transportation to Winterthur

Train
Wilmington’s Amtrak station is approximately seven miles from Winterthur (about a 15-minute drive).

Visit Amtrak

Taxis and Car Services
Several transportation providers offer discounts on travel from the Wilmington train station to Winterthur.

View Transportation

Airport
Winterthur is a 40-minute drive from the Philadelphia International Airport and a 50-minute drive from Center City, Philadelphia.

Airport

Bus
The Delaware Transit Corporation (DART) provides public transportation throughout the state. Please note: although the bus stops at Winterthur’s front gate, there is a 10-minute walk down a hill along the driveway to the Winterthur Visitor Center.

Visit DART

Safety Restrictions

Guests may not use the following while on Winterthur property: skateboards, roller skates or roller blades, self-propelled scooters, and shoes with rollers built into the soles. Bicycles are allowed on the property but must be parked in the Visitor Center parking lot and secured at the bike rack. Bicycles may not be ridden anywhere else on the property.