Places to Visit in Delaware & Things to Do
For me, Delaware is one of the best states to explore because it’s full of surprises, cultural gems, and unforgettable places that make every visit feel like one of my favorite travel memories.
Delaware is small, yes, but it's packed with some of the most unique and underrated places to visit.
What I love most is how Delaware gives me the best of both worlds. You can relax on stunning beaches like Rehoboth and Bethany, explore charming small towns, or dive into the rich history in places like Dover and New Castle. Every time I visit, I discover something new that makes me appreciate just how unique this state really is.
Whether I’m walking along the boardwalk, enjoying tax-free shopping, or uncovering those underrated hidden gems tucked away in nature preserves and historic districts, Delaware always gives me that perfect mix of fun and relaxation. It’s honestly one of the best spots for anyone who loves variety in a small but adventure-filled package.
My personal highlights:
For me, the best part is exploring the beaches. They’re some of my favorite on the East Coast because they’re beautiful yet still feel relaxed! I also love visiting underrated spots like Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, where I can connect with nature in such a peaceful way.
So, where should you go first? To answer that, think about what experiences feel the most unique and exciting for you.
Best Places to Visit in Delaware:
Letting go of time at Rehoboth Beach
We drove about 2 hours 15 minutes from Washington, D.C. (120 miles via US-50 and DE-1) to Rehoboth Beach (population around 1,500, though summer swells into the tens of thousands).
Known as the “Nation’s Summer Capital,” it’s been a seaside getaway since the late 1800s. We strolled the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (1 mile long, built 1873), poked around the Rehoboth Beach Museum (donation-based, local history and boardwalk nostalgia), and grabbed iconic fries at Thrasher’s. Overnight we stayed at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, a Victorian-inspired boutique right on the oceanfront ($195).
There’s something timeless about Rehoboth Beach. Families bike along the boardwalk, seagulls glide overhead, and saltwater taffy shops still do brisk business like it's 1955.
I wandered with bare feet in the surf, feeling the wind in my hair and the light on my skin. I remember thinking, “Why don’t I come here every summer?” It felt like a postcard come to life.
What I Loved Most: Watching the sunrise from the beach with a warm coffee in hand, the shoreline quiet except for the soft rush of waves and distant laughter from early walkers.
My highlights? Breakfast at The Green Man Juice Bar & Bistro. I had the crab omelet with avocado and a side of fresh-pressed carrot-orange-ginger juice. It was bright, nourishing, and full of beach-town charm.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Wilmington: ~1.5 hours south
- Vibe: Laid-back, nostalgic, coastal
- Highlights: Boardwalk, beach sunrise, local boutiques
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall
- Cost: Metered parking; dining and rentals vary
- Hours: Boardwalk open 24/7; most shops open 10am–8pm
- Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Feeling artful and grounded in Wilmington
We drove about 2 hours 15 minutes from Washington, D.C. (110 miles via I-95) to Wilmington (population about 70,000, the largest city in Delaware). Long tied to the DuPont family and industry, it’s now a mix of history and revitalized riverfront.
We toured Hagley Museum & Library (235 acres on the Brandywine, site of the original 1802 DuPont gunpowder works, $20 admission), strolled the Riverfront Wilmington boardwalk (1.3 miles of shops and dining), and admired the Delaware Art Museum’s Pre-Raphaelite collection ($14). Overnight we stayed at Hotel du Pont, a 1913 Gilded Age landmark with ornate ballrooms and classic service ($245).
Wilmington surprised me. It felt more soulful than I expected, a place where Brandywine Valley history blends with urban cool. I wandered through galleries, watched couples picnic in leafy parks, and stood still at the foot of old mills. I remember thinking, “There’s a quiet elegance here, something rooted and real.”
What I Loved Most: Walking the scenic trails at Brandywine Park and spending an afternoon inside the Delaware Art Museum, where each room felt like its own peaceful escape.
My highlights? Lunch at La Fia Bistro downtown. I ordered the roasted chicken sandwich with fig jam, brie, and arugula on a warm baguette, with crispy rosemary fries on the side. It was rich, cozy, and absolutely perfect.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Philadelphia: ~45 minutes southwest
- Vibe: Historic, artsy, walkable
- Highlights: Brandywine Park, Delaware Art Museum, Riverfront
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for parks and events
- Cost: Moderate; museum admission and parking vary
- Hours: Attractions open 10am–5pm; parks dawn to dusk
- Address: Wilmington, DE 19801
Feeling calm and coastal in Bethany Beach
We drove about 2 hours south from Wilmington (105 miles via DE-1) to Bethany Beach (population around 1,200). Nicknamed one of Delaware’s “Quiet Resorts,” it was founded in 1901 by a group of churchgoers looking for a peaceful seaside retreat.
We strolled along the Bethany Beach Boardwalk (half a mile, lined with cedar-shingled cottages and shops), popped into the Bethany Beach History Museum (free, tucked inside Town Hall), and caught a live concert at the boardwalk bandstand.
Bethany Beach felt like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed. Smaller and quieter than its better-known neighbors, it offered slow mornings, soft sand, and the kind of charm that sneaks up on you.
I walked the boardwalk at sunrise, wrapped in a hoodie, listening to the ocean stretch awake. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of place that restores you without asking anything in return.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting in a beach chair with a book and not looking at the time once. Just sun, breeze, and the distant call of gulls, pure peace.
My highlights? Brunch at Bluecoast Seafood Grill, a short drive inland. I had the crab cake benedict with lemon hollandaise and a side of fried green tomatoes. Everything tasted like it came straight from the dock, and probably did.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Rehoboth Beach: ~30 minutes south
- Vibe: Quiet, family-friendly, low-key
- Highlights: Boardwalk, peaceful beach, local seafood
- Best Time to Visit: Summer or early fall for warmth and ocean breezes
- Cost: Metered parking; beach is free
- Hours: Beach open dawn to dusk; restaurants open by 11am
- Address: Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Watching the wild unfold at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
We drove about 1 hour south from Wilmington (50 miles via DE-1) to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (15,978 acres of tidal salt marsh, freshwater pools, and woodlands). Established in 1937, it remains one of the East Coast’s premier birding sites.
We started at the visitor center (free entry, $4 vehicle fee), then drove the 12-mile wildlife loop, spotting snow geese, herons, and bald eagles. We climbed the observation tower at Shearness Pool for sweeping marsh views.
Bombay Hook felt like another world, wide open marshland, mirror-like water, and more birds than I could count. I drove the loop road in silence, rolling down the windows to listen. Herons stood like statues, and flocks of geese cut across the sky like brushstrokes. I remember thinking, “This is nature with no filter, and I feel lucky to witness it.”
What I Loved Most: Standing in one of the elevated blinds, binoculars in hand, completely still. The marsh was so quiet I could hear the flap of wings and the trickle of tidal water below.
My highlights? A thermos of coffee and a muffin I brought from Park Café in Dover, banana walnut, warm and slightly sweet. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt like the perfect companion to a sunrise full of wings and water.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Wilmington: ~1 hour south
- Vibe: Wild, quiet, meditative
- Highlights: Birdwatching, scenic drive, photo ops
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for peak migration
- Cost: $4 per vehicle entrance fee
- Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset
- Address: 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Drifting into simplicity at Delaware Bay
We drove about 40 minutes south from Bombay Hook (25 miles via DE-1) to Bowers Beach (population about 350), one of Delaware Bay’s oldest fishing towns. Once a 17th-century shipping port, today it’s still lined with charter boats and maritime history.
We visited the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum (free, donations welcome), wandered the working docks, and strolled the quiet sandy bay beach.
Delaware Bay wasn't loud or flashy, it was gentle, steady, and unexpectedly grounding. I walked along the marsh-lined paths, smelling the salt air and watching the tide quietly shift.
Small fishing boats bobbed on the horizon, and families strolled along the beach with ice cream cones and sandy feet. I remember thinking, “Not every view needs to be dramatic, some just need to be real.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting on the sand near Bowers Beach as the sun went down, light shimmering across the water and the last gulls calling their goodnights.
My highlights? Dinner at JP's Wharf in Frederica, right on the bay. I had the broiled flounder with local sweet corn and a side of hush puppies. It was casual, fresh, and exactly the right way to close out a day on the water.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Dover: ~30 minutes east
- Vibe: Peaceful, authentic, low tide to high soul
- Highlights: Coastal walks, local fishing spots, birdwatching
- Best Time to Visit: Summer or early fall for shoreline exploration
- Cost: Free public access in most areas
- Hours: Beaches open sunrise to sunset
- Address: Delaware Bay shoreline near Bowers Beach, DE
Time traveling in tiny Delaware City
We drove about 30 minutes south from Wilmington (15 miles via DE-9) to Delaware City (population around 1,900), a river town founded in 1826 at the eastern end of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. We visited Fort Delaware State Park (Union Civil War fort on Pea Patch Island, $13 ferry ride across the Delaware River), strolled the historic district lined with 19th-century brick homes, and browsed the Delaware City Hotel Museum (small local history exhibits).
Delaware City was one of those places that made me slow down, in a good way. With its historic homes, waterfront walkway, and views of Fort Delaware across the water, it felt like stepping back in time.
I wandered the narrow streets, took deep breaths by the canal, and let the day unfold on its own. I remember thinking, “Sometimes the smallest towns have the most to say.”
What I Loved Most: Taking the ferry to Pea Patch Island and walking the old fort grounds, wind rustling the trees while history echoed softly in the background.
My highlights? A cozy meal at Crabby Dick’s on the riverfront. I had the crab melt sandwich, cheesy, spicy, and packed with lump crabmeat, paired with waffle fries and a local lager. Simple and perfect.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Wilmington: ~30 minutes south
- Vibe: Quaint, historic, waterside
- Highlights: Fort Delaware ferry, canal walk, local dining
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall for ferry access and festivals
- Cost: Ferry is $12 roundtrip; parks are free
- Hours: Ferry operates seasonally; town walkable all day
- Address: Delaware City, DE 19706
Newark Greens & College Quiet
We drove about 20 minutes west from Wilmington (15 miles via DE-2) to Newark (population around 31,000). Home to the University of Delaware (founded 1743), the town has a lively mix of colonial history and college culture. We strolled Main Street, lined with shops and cafés in 19th-century brick buildings, toured the Newark History Museum (inside a 1877 Pennsylvania Railroad station, free admission), and peeked into the UD campus green, with its Georgian architecture.
“It felt like the kind of town that breathes between semesters.” I thought that while walking under the oaks along The Green at the University of Delaware, sunlight flickering through the leaves, students stretched out reading on the grass.
Newark had that campus-town calm: brick paths, cafés with handwritten chalk menus, bikes leaned against iron fences. The pace was thoughtful, not slow, just measured.
What I Loved Most: How everything was within walking distance, parks, bookstores, coffee, and trails that felt surprisingly secluded.
My highlights? Lunch at a café just off Main Street: a roasted veggie panini with goat cheese on pressed ciabatta. It arrived warm, the bread golden and crisp, and the filling smelled like thyme and olive oil. I took a bite and thought, “This is exactly what lunch should be, simple, hot, and honest.”
After eating, I wandered the Hall Trail, a tree-lined path that curved past creeks and old stone bridges. The quiet here wasn’t empty, it was soft-footed and full of breeze. Back in town, I ducked into a secondhand shop, picked up a worn poetry collection, and ended the day with a coffee in hand, watching the sidewalk rhythm roll by.
Plan your Newark day trip:
- Drive Time from: Philadelphia ~1 hr; Baltimore ~1 hr
- Vibe: Collegiate, peaceful, walkable
- Highlights: University of Delaware campus, Hall Trail, Main Street cafés and shops, White Clay Creek State Park (just outside town)
- Best Time: Spring and fall for campus energy, trail walks, and mild weather
- Cost: Lunch ~$10–15; trail walks and window shopping free; occasional parking fees downtown
Milton Stillness & Salted Air
We drove about 45 minutes southeast from Dover (35 miles via DE-1 and DE-16) to Milton (population around 3,200). Founded in 1807 and named for English poet John Milton, it thrived on shipbuilding and button-making.
We toured the Milton Historical Society & Lydia B. Cannon Museum (free admission, housed in a former 1857 Methodist church), admired the Victorian homes lining Union Street, and walked along the Broadkill River waterfront. Overnight we stayed at The Mansion Farm Inn, a boutique B&B in a restored farmhouse just outside town ($155).
“This town felt folded into the land, like it belonged here long before the roads did.” I thought that while standing near the Broadkill River, its surface glassy and slow under the April sun.
Milton moved gently. I started with a quiet stroll through the town center, where old storefronts held bakeries and antique shops, and every corner seemed to smell like something rising, bread, blossoms, brine from the nearby bay. Nothing felt rushed.
What I Loved Most: The softness of the streets, the way river light touched the buildings, how neighbors paused to talk in the shade.
My highlights? A late breakfast at a local café: a spinach and feta omelet, hot from the skillet, with roasted potatoes and a slice of sourdough. The egg was fluffy, the cheese bright and briny, and the plate smelled faintly of pepper and thyme. I sat by the window and thought, “This is the kind of morning I wish I could pack up and take home.”
Afterward, I wandered the riverwalk, then visited a tiny historical museum, where creaky wood floors told as much of a story as the displays. I ended the afternoon with a drive toward Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. There, marsh grasses bent in the wind, egrets waded slowly, and the sky stretched open without apology.
Plan your Milton day trip:
- Drive Time from: Dover ~45 min; Rehoboth Beach ~25 min
- Vibe: Quiet, historic, river-centered
- Highlights: Broadkill River, town center shops, local cafés, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Best Time: Spring through early fall for mild weather and nature walks
- Cost: Breakfast ~$10–15; refuge and riverwalk are free
Conclusion
Delaware is one of my favorite destinations for a quick getaway because it blends history, charm, and coastal beauty in a way that feels truly special.
Delaware may be small, but my time there proved it’s full of meaningful moments, whether standing barefoot in the surf, sipping coffee by a quiet marsh, or exploring the layers of history in a canal town. Each place I visited left me with a different feeling: peace, inspiration, nostalgia. I remember thinking, “There’s more beauty here than most people realize, if you’re willing to slow down and look.” It’s not about the size of the state, but the size of the experience, and Delaware offers plenty to take in.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
