Simply south of Philadelphia, Delaware is an epic state to go to whereas travelling throughout the East Coast of the USA. And don’t be fooled by its comparatively small dimension—Delaware packs a punch with regards to thrilling issues to do and a shocking shoreline to discover.
We all the time love visiting the gems throughout the East Coast; it’s an extremely various area of the USA, and Delaware is a literal excellent instance! Moreover, with its smaller dimension than states like Texas or Florida, it’s straightforward to drive round in a number of days.
So, that can assist you maximise your journey, I’ve jotted down all of the gems we love most. This fashion, you received’t miss any of the most effective locations in Delaware while you go to. As with all our posts, please don’t hesitate to message us should you want additional recommendation in your route by means of Delaware. Have the most effective time exploring the state!
1.) Cape Henlopen State Park
Proper on the japanese shoreline of Delaware is Cape Henlopen State Park. Not solely is that this place attractive, it’s additionally very easy to go to should you’re already primarily based in Nassau or taking the ferry over from Cape Might in New Jersey.
You possibly can simply spend an extended afternoon right here, wandering across the historic WWII fort and following Gordon’s Pond Path, which is so good on a sunny day. As well as, you may simply go to North Shore Seashore should you park on this parking zone (Google Maps pin). This fashion, you may spend time on the seaside after which head over to the paths.
Alternatively, park right here (Google Maps pin), which is once more proper on the beachfront and way more inside Cape Henlopen State Park itself.
Getting peckish? Head over to Wheelhouse (in Lewes) for his or her calamari and seafood pot pie. They’re each scrumptious.
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2.) Winterthur
Simply outdoors of Wilmington, Winterthur is a small township that truly doesn’t get sufficient consideration. We find it irresistible right here, particularly because it’s small, quaint and simple to discover in an hour or two. Better of all, it’s very easy to tack onto a Wilmington itinerary, particularly should you’re leaving the town for a day journey.
Now, the important thing spot to actually go to in Winterthur is the Winterthur Museum, Backyard and Library. Ebook your tickets on-line earlier than arriving and provides your self a good few hours to walk across the grounds. In spite of everything, there may be over 25 miles of trails and the grounds are a nature protect that’s so lovely. Oh, and make sure to hop into the Winterthur Museum itself. Inside, you’ll discover every thing from advantageous artwork to reveals in regards to the du Pont household. It’s value a visit.
Lastly, should you fancy a stroll, head over to close by Brandywine Creek State Park. It won’t be the largest park, but it surely’s over 900 acres and there are heaps of trails to comply with while you arrive.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Philadelphia
3.) Lewes
Simply shy of Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes is one other gem of a spot to go to in Delaware as you drive throughout the state. After arriving, head for a number of the greatest Delaware tacos at Agave Mexican Restaurant.
That mentioned, if it’s a cool cafe you’re after, head to The Station on Kings. These guys make a number of the greatest deviled eggs within the area, and the cafe is beautiful.
Lastly, make sure that to spend a while at Savannah Seashore, which is admittedly handy to go to as there’s a automotive park (Google Maps pin) shut by. Plus, like I mentioned beforehand, you may simply add Lewes to your go to to Cape Henlopen State Park. It’s so value it.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Philadelphia
4.) Rehoboth
Rehoboth Seashore is one in every of my favorite cities in Delaware. It’s inside straightforward attain of Lewes and Cape Henlopen State Park.
Now, what makes Rehoboth Seashore so particular is its boardwalk and seaside. We find it irresistible! The entire shoreline right here is beautiful and stretches for ages. While wandering the boardwalk, make sure that to cease off at Funland. It’s a kitschy little place that’s a lot enjoyable should you’re visiting with the household. Inside, you’ve bought small retro rides just like the carousel, helicopters and quantity vehicles. It’s so retro and cute.
For a chunk to eat, head to Above The Dunes at sundown for dinner. Their jumbo crab desserts are so tasty. Ebook a desk prematurely, as tables replenish quick at peak occasions.
Lastly, make sure that to seize some saltwater taffy from Dolles. We completely cherished the peanut butter taffy. It’s all handmade and tremendous yummy.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Philadelphia
5.) Wilmington
Though Wilmington isn’t one of many largest cities in the USA, it actually nonetheless packs a punch when discovering issues to do. You possibly can simply spend a number of days wandering the town and it’s an excellent place to cease should you fancy a citybreak in Delaware.
After arriving, make sure that to cease by the Hagley Museum. There’s a small entry price to enter this lovely constructing, but it surely’s so value it. Traditionally, this was initially the household residence of du Pont, constructed approach again within the early 1800s. We cherished visiting, even seeing all of the bits on gunpowder, which I by no means knew may very well be fascinating!
Then, hit the street and get right down to Nemours Mansion and Gardens. That is completely unbelievable, and with over 75 rooms, it may possibly’t be missed when visiting Delaware. In truth, I’d say it’s among the finest locations in Delaware to see, if not the entire of the East Coast should you love historical past.
Now, to provide you a little bit of backstory, Alfred du Pont gifted the Nemours Mansion to his spouse, Alicia, after its building within the early 1900s. I imply, what a present! The mansion is big and inbuilt an out-of-this-world French chateau and Renaissance type. As soon as at Nemours Mansion, you’ll discover the gardens and the broader property. Oh, and don’t overlook it closes on Monday.
In the event you keep in Wilmington for a number of days, go to the Delaware Artwork Museum. It’s among the finest locations in Delaware to go to, devoted to displaying the dominant artworks from the nineteenth century to the twenty first century.
As soon as inside, you’ll glimpse the likes of the English Pre-Raphaelite artwork that existed across the center of the nineteenth century. The museum is a great spot for works by the American artist Howard Pyle. Visits take round 60 minutes and are properly value visiting should you’re into your artwork historical past.
I do know I’m rambling heaps about Wilmington, however we had such a good time right here, so I needed to point out all of the locations you may’t miss. For example, we additionally cherished the Grand Opera Home. There’s all the time one thing happening contained in the restored 1871 Victorian theatre. For example, you’ll discover all kinds of seasonal performances, from Victorian melodramas, Vaudeville, symphonies, musical recitals, burlesque, selection reveals, and operas.
In the event you fancy a ramble outdoors the town limits, head to Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge. The wetlands listed here are nice to stroll round on a sunny day, and the views are beautiful. Simply make sure that to all the time follow the outlined boardwalk and never disturb the native ecosystem.
Lastly, should you head to Rockford Park, then be sure to get a glimpse of Rockford Tower (Google Maps pin). It’s proper on the paths and very easy to identify as you comply with Tower Drive.
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6.) Bethany Seashore
South, down the coast from Cape Henlopen State Park, is Bethany Seashore – an iconic spot to go to in Delaware should you’re following Route 1 down the coast.
What makes Bethany Seashore so particular is its sandy shores and boardwalk, that are nice to go to on a sunny day. The seaside does get fairly busy on the weekends in summer season, however don’t let that put you off – there’s ample sand area for everybody alongside this lengthy stretch of Delaware’s shoreline.
Oh, and cease off at Sedona for his or her shrimp papadella. It’s so good.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Washington D.C.
7.) Dover
Simply shy of Bombay Hook Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, Dover is one other one in every of Delaware’s cities you may simply go to when driving across the state. It’s bought heaps happening, and you’ll simply spend an evening or two inside the metropolis limits earlier than venturing additional round Delaware.
After parking up, head over to the Air Mobility Command Museum. There’s a payment for entry, however this place is completely epic prime go to should you’re one thing of an AV geek like me. The museum is devoted to displaying classic planes constructed way back to 1941 and different artefacts for airlifting, and air refuelling (which I promise is cooler than it sounds).
Afterwards, head over to Delaware’s Outdated State Home that dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. At the moment, you may go to the rooms and see the reveals that doc life in Delaware and the constructing’s lengthy historical past. Plus, you’ve bought the Biggs Museum of American Artwork proper subsequent door and it’s properly value a go to on a lazy afternoon within the metropolis.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Washington D.C.
8.) Bombay Hook Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
Simply northeastof Dover is Bombay Hook Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. This place is beautiful and among the finest locations in Delaware to go to if you wish to discover the good open air.
Now, what makes Bombay Hook an actual trigger for a go to is the birdlife that calls this space residence. Relying on while you go to, you’ll get to see the likes of American Bald Eagles and so many shorebirds (which, if I’m being sincere, I couldn’t establish… however they’re birds – that bit I do know!).
Visits can take as lengthy or as little as you’d like, simply make sure that to plan your day accordingly should you’re in search of dinner, as there are restricted choices within the native space.
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9.) The Nanticoke Indian Museum
In the event you’re driving between Lewes and Millsboro, then make sure that to cease off on the Nanticoke Indian Museum. Don’t anticipate colossal shows like within the Smithsonian, however what it lacks in dimension, it makes up for in artefacts. From a world perspective, it was an excellent little cease on a Delaware street journey and allowed us to be taught extra about Native American tradition, methods of life, and a lot extra.
Visits take round 25 minutes.
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