Delaware has plenty of things to do and see, despite it being a small state in the USA. Whether you're in the state capital of Wilmington or the Air Force base in Dover, you'll find plenty to do to keep you occupied throughout your family holiday or couples getaway.
Take a road trip across Delaware, where you can enjoy a craft beer or award-winning mead in Milton and have fun on the dune-backed beaches in Rehoboth, Dewey, and Lewes. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Delaware, which includes excellent restaurants, historic buildings, and live entertainment, just to name a few.
What are the best things to do in Delaware?
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Hagley Museum and Library
Learn all about the famous du Pont family
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The Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington is right along the picturesque banks of the Brandywine Creek. The museum tells the storey of the famous business family, the du Ponts.
As you explore the grounds, you'll see the original home of the du Pont family as well as the gardens, the original gunpowder mills, and a machine shop that dates to the 19th century. The library includes a wealth of historical documents related to the family and the important role they've played.
Locatie: 200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA
Openingstijden: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-658-2400
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Delaware beaches
Enjoy sand and surf in this notably welcoming community
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Delaware has miles of beaches that are popular for family holidays and romantic getaways. Rehoboth Beach is known as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and as a family-friendly area with a walkable boardwalk, as well as dozens of unique shops and eateries.
You might enjoy Dewey Beach, which has more of a party atmosphere and the Dewey Brewing Company. Lewes Bay Beach offers an exceptionally calm surf and soft sand, making it a great spot for families looking to swim and relax.
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Nemours Mansion and Gardens
Explore the historical mansion of Alfred du Pont
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The Nemours Mansion is a lavish country estate surrounded by 300 acres of immaculately tended formal French gardens and shaded trails. It's the home of famed philanthropist and industrialist, Alfred I du Pont.
The 47,000-sq-ft mansion is built in the style of a neoclassical French château, encompassing 5 floors and 105 rooms outfitted with all of the original furnishings. The Nemours Mansion functions as a museum dedicated to the life and works of du Pont.
Locatie: 1600 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Openingstijden: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-651-6912
Kaartfoto door JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD (CC BY-SA 3.0) bewerkt
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Delaware Art Museum
See just about every medium of art you can imagine
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The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington offers a wealth of breathtaking exhibits covering just about every kind of art, from classical paintings to modern art. The museum has a sculpture garden spanning 9 acres of statuary, a gallery dedicated to artists of the Brandywine school, and a gallery featuring classical pre-Raphaelite artworks.
The Delaware Art Museum is worth a trip if you want to educate yourself on art or take in the beauty of great works.
Locatie: 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806, USA
Openingstijden: Wednesday and Friday–Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-571-9590
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Air Mobility Command Museum
Explore the history of military aircraft in Dover
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The Air Mobility Command Museum is dedicated to the entire history of military aircraft, including airlift and air refuelling vessels. Located right on the Dover Air Force Base, the museum lets you get close to genuine military aircraft, both modern and vintage.
Through various artefacts and exhibits, you'll learn about the men and women who fly and maintain these crafts, as well as those who have done so throughout history. The Air Mobility Command Museum is a testament to the role aircraft have played in the military history of the USA.
Locatie: 1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA
Openingstijden: Thursday–Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm (closed from Sundays to Wednesdays)
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-677-5938
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Cape May-Lewes Ferry
See dolphins and whales during your journey
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The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a popular option for exploring the Delaware Bay and Cape May. Locals usually ride the ferry to commute to/from New Jersey, but holidaymakers can enjoy a 2-hour journey across the sea. You have a chance to see dolphins swimming alongside the ferry and, if you're lucky, even a whale breaching the surface.
Additional fees are required to transport your car, but Cape May has walkable streets with many eateries, unique independent and boutique shops, art galleries, and more, with shuttle services available if you're tired from walking.
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Daniel S. Frawley Stadium
Catch a game at the home of the Blue Rocks
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The Daniel S. Frawley Stadium is a prominent ballpark right on the shores of the Christina River. The venue is beautiful and well-maintained, offering great photo opportunities together with excellent sports events.
Opened in 1993 as Legends Stadium, the baseball stadium now serves as the home field of the Wilmington Blue Rocks minor league team. It's a great place to spend time with the family and take in a classic ball game with snacks, drinks, and, of course, a 7-inning stretch.
Locatie: 801 Shipyard Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-777-5772
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The Grand Opera House
Catch a live act at this historic theatre
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The Grand Opera House, also called the Grand Masonic Hall and Grand Theatre, is a premier location for live entertainment in Wilmington. It occupies a 19th-century building that once served as a Masonic Temple, with 4 floors built in the Second Empire architectural style.
The Grand Opera House seats around 1,208 people, who can enjoy a wide range of modern national performances. It also hosts programmes supported by the Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Endowment of the Arts.
Locatie: 818 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
Openingstijden: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday from noon to 4 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-652-5577
Kaartfoto door McGhiever (CC BY-SA 4.0) bewerkt
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Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Enjoy a tasting at the home of this famous brew
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The Dogfish Head Craft Brewery bills itself as the first craft brewery in Delaware, and it's true. It was a major player in spearheading the craft beer craze, which has become a culture across the USA.
Dogfish Head has 2 branches – the tasting, taproom, and brewery itself are in Milton, while the brewpub (Brewings & Eats) is on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. Both places offer unique brews, pub food, and great fun. You can take a tour of the brewery and learn all about the history and process of craft brewing in Delaware.
Locatie: 6 Cannery Village, Milton, DE 19968, USA
Openingstijden: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm
Telefoonnummer: +1 302-684-1000
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