22 Best Things to Do in Newark, Delaware

By VI Staff on July 4, 2019

Newark, DE is the perfect city for exploring, filled with buzzing Main Street excitement, calm lush green spaces, and historic structures which are filled with stories from the past. You can choose how you want to spend your time there as there’s something for visitors who want a relaxing, peaceful getaway, as well as for those who are looking for an exciting adventure.

1.White Clay Creek State Park

Spanning over 3,300 acres in New Castle County, White Clay Creek State Park is a stunning space where visitors can enjoy the outdoors. The park links with Pennsylvania’s White Clay Creek Preserve and the two states jointly manage the 18.5-mile-long, federally protected White Clay Creek. Since it was established in 1968, the park has been a popular place for people to enjoy nature, take in the stunning views, and participate in various outdoor activities. You can walk the trails, picnic, bird watch, hike, mountain bike, and much more. The park also operates a nature center and preserves several historic structures you can explore.

Park Office: Thompson Station Road, 880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711

2.Glasgow Regional Park

One of New Castle County’s premier outdoor spaces, Glasgow Regional Park is more than just lush greenery and winding trails. The impressive space does have a nearly three-mile-long walking path, but other aspects include an array of amenities for visitors two years and older. There is a huge playground area that is also ADA accessible, a bark park with separate areas for small dogs and large dogs, tennis courts, basketball courts, and four pavilion which are perfect for picnics and summer barbecues. Elder kids flock to the park to use the state-of-the-art Skate Park which has a combination of steps, rails, and half pipes for skaters to enjoy.

3.Hale-Byrnes House

The Hale-Byrnes House, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, was a two-story home which was built in 1750. It was originally the home of Samuel Hale before it was sold to Daniel Byrnes. The house became a historic symbol when General George Washington held a council at the house during the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge during the Revolutionary War. Today, visitors are invited to explore the stunning brick house, it’s architecture, and the gorgeous period furniture and decor which can be found inside. It is only open seasonally during certain days of the week, unless there’s a private event, so be sure to check their schedule online before heading over there.

606 Stanton Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19713, Phone: 302-998-3792

4.Newark Reservoir

The Newark Reservoir in Delaware holds over 300 million gallons of water which is pumped from the nearby White Clay Creek. In addition to stocking up water for the city, there are several recreational uses for the reservoir as well. You can take advantage of the nearly two-mile-long paved walking trails, some of which winds around the reservoir. The trails are great for visitors of all ages and skill levels; you can bring along your furry family members as well as long as they’re kept on a leash. The site is connected to William M. Redd, Jr. Park which offers additional outdoor recreational facilities for visitors. You’re sure to be taken aback by the beautiful views you’ll see of the city and surrounding areas.

5.REP Theatre, University of Delaware

Resident Ensemble Players (REP) is a professional theatre located at the University of Delaware. They put on several outstanding professional productions throughout the year, ranging from modern and contemporary plays to the classics. It’s an excellent opportunity to witness the skill and training of the university’s up and coming professional actors. Some of the plays they’ve performed include Lettice and Lovage, Woman in Mind, The Seafarer, Minor Fantastical Kingdoms, Mauritius, and Inherit the Wind. If you enjoy performance art, then there’s no better place to experience it in Newark than at the REP Theatre.

110 Orchard Road, Roselle Center for the Arts, Newark, DE 19716, Phone: 302-831-2204

6.Bob Carpenter Center

Located within the University of Delaware, the Bob Carpenter Center is multi-purpose arena which can house over 5,000 people. Within the center you’ll find two full-sized basketball courts, locker rooms, offices, and more. It is popularly and endearingly known among locals and students as “The Bob”. The center was opened in 1992 and has been the home of the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens men’s and women’s basketball team since then. It is also the home of the Delaware 87ers of the NBA G League. Several other events have been hosted there including music concerts, comedy performances, craft fairs, and WWE wrestling events.

631 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716

7.Iron Hill Park

Iron Hill Park was there long before man decided to record their geographical explorations. Today, visitors will be able to see the beautiful natural wooded area on the 335-acre land as it was long ago. The park is managed by the Friends of Iron Hill Park, which is a non-profit organization that was established in 2008. They’ve worked hard to make it one of the best outdoor recreation areas in the state. You can go hiking or biking on the trails, picnic in one of the many pavilions, or bring your furry friends to the Bark Park which has separate areas for small dogs and larger dogs. Other attractions include a large playground, a disc golf course, designated picnic areas, and much more.

1337 S Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702, Phone: 302-571-4006

8.Aunt Margaret's Antique Mall

You can find Aunt Margaret’s Antique Mall is a historic building on Main Street, a building that was once used as a church, a police station, and a retail space before it became the antique mall. The antique mall opened in 2008 and has been offering its patrons a constantly changing variety of items. You’ll be able to browse aisle after aisle of unique gifts, memorabilia, crafts, collectibles, primitives, vintage items, and antiques. The items are brought together under one roof from a number of dealers include Forget Me Not which is known for its one-of-a-kind furniture and Daniel J. Ruth who specializes in antique carnival glass and fun oddities.

294 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, Phone: 302-454-8007

9.Fred Rust Ice Arena

The University of Delaware’s Fred Rust Ice Arena is a skating rink that is fun for the entire family. UD’s high-performance figure skating center has been home to some of the top figure skates in the world including the likes of Ilia Averbukh, Philip Dulebohn, and Tara Lipinski. Casual skaters can stop in during one of the public sessions including their popular Family Fun weekends. If you’re looking for something a bit more scheduled, sign up for one of their ice hockey programs or figure skating programs. Professionals can try out for their full range of figure skating clubs or ice hockey teams.

547 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716

10.Midnight Oil Brewing Company

The Midnight Oil Brewing Company started out with Mike Dunlap brewing his own beer at home as a hobby. He would serve it to family and friends during gathering, all of whom were quite impressed with his craft concoctions. He soon transformed the hobby into a business and the Midnight Oil Brewing Company was born. Take a tour of their brewery to get a behind-the-scenes look into their process or stop by the tap room to quench your thirst on some of their mainstays such as the Hop Envy IPA, Insomnia Stout, or the Sundown Saison. Their seasonals are highly sought after and if your get a chance be sure to try their Dark Matter Imperial Stout or their Heathen Holiday Spiced Belgian.

674 Pencader Dr, Newark, DE 19702, Phone: 302-286-7641

11.The Pencader Heritage Museum

The Pencader Heritage Museum is a well-maintained establishment that is dedicated to the history and culture of the Pencader Hundred. You’ll be able to see many exhibits dedicated to the local military, items from the Revolutionary War, household and farm tools, Native American artifacts, early buttons and coins, old maps and documents, historic families, and so much more. There is an entire room dedicated to the Cooch family which includes pictures and memorabilia of them and the events they’ve participated in. One of their more popular displays is dedicated to WASPS, the women’s flying corps during WWII.

2029 Sunset Lake Rd, Newark, DE 19702, Phone: 302-737-5792

12.Iron Hill Science Center

Owned and operated by the Delaware Academy of Science, Inc., the Iron Hill Science Center is a wonderful place for visitors of all ages. During your visit there you’ll get to explore exhibits dedicated to the natural sciences of entomology, geology, paleontology, zoology, and botany. You’ll be able to see displays dedicated to Delaware mammals, local birds, black bears, mineral displays, fossils, and an interesting leaf collection among other things. They have tons of events going on throughout the year including soil and water conservation endeavors, girl scouts’ celebrations, natural explorations in the outdoors, and much more.

1115 Robert L. Melson Ln, Newark, DE 19702, Phone: 302-368-5703

13.Peoples Plaza

People’s Plaza was the brainchild of Robert C. Peoples. Over forty years ago he looked at a plot of land, a cornfield to be exact, and imagined a thriving community in its place. Over the years he added businesses, theaters, retails stores, professional and medical offices, and much more to serve the community of Glasgow which grew around it. Today, Delaware residents as well as visitors from neighboring states head to Peoples Plaza for their needs. Some of the establishments you’ll find there include Regal Cinemas, Rite-Aid, Safeway, Home Depot, Red Robin, Burger King, and several other stores.

2750 Wrangle Hill Road, Bear, DE 19701, Phone: 302-836-1500

14.Newark History Museum

Operated by the Newark Historical Society, the Newark History Museum is filled with exhibits on all aspects of local history. You’ll find displays and artifacts on social and military history, public works, events, schools, industries, and several other topics. The displays are extremely interesting and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look into the historical people and events which shaped Newark to the place it is today. You will discover so much in their collection including a number of photo archives which can’t be seen anywhere else. The exhibits are constantly evolving but some of the popular ones are the Abbott’s Exhibit, the Military Exhibit, the State Theater Exhibit, and the Newark High School Exhibit.

429 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19711, Phone: 302-224-2408

15.Huge Doctor's Bag with Stethoscope

Not too long ago, it was common for doctors to make house calls. They would visit families in the comfort of their homes and administer medicine. It was also common for doctors to be paid with commodities such as chickens, eggs, and even freshly baked pies. As a way of commemorating the many medical professionals who helped people, a large sculpture was installed on the lawn of one of Newark’s medical centers: a large medical bag with a stethoscope falling over it. The sculpture is over twenty feet high and fifteen feet wide, making it the largest doctor’s bag in the world. It’s a unique site to visit and can make for some interesting photographs to show of your trip to Newark.

16.Vince's Sports Center

Vince’s Sports Center is a family-owned sports establishment which was founded in 1981. The venue sits on 18 acres of land and has a number of indoor and outdoor attractions such as a 9-hole golf course, a par-3 golf course, two miniature golf courses, indoor baseball and softball batting cages, a play park, and a huge arcade. The entire family, no matter how young or old, will have a memorable time playing rounds of miniature golf or taking a swing in one of their eight batting cages. The arcade features hundreds of classic as well as contemporary games; use the tickets you win to trade and get arcade souvenirs you’ll love. Once it’s all said and done, head on over to their snack bar for a jumbo hot dog, a slice of pizza, funnel cake fries, or a drink.

14 Gender Rd, Newark, DE 19713, Phone: 302-738-4859

17.Cooch's Bridge

Cooch’s Bridge is identified as a U.S. Historic District and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The historic area is the site of the 1777 Battle of Cooch’s Bridge. The original bridge did not survive the American Revolution, but visitors today will be able to see the many modern bridges which are located on the site of the battle. Knowledgeable locals or tour guides would love sharing stories about the bridge and how it was the site of the only battle that took place in Delaware during the American Revolutionary War. There are two monuments/ plaques in the area that detail the event as well.

18.Taverna

An intimate neighborhood gathering place, Taverna is inspired by the casual kitchens and watering holes that can be found scattered throughout Italy. The restaurant takes a unique approach to classic Italian cooking, serving dishes which are sure to take your taste buds on a journey. Their menu is filled with lunch and dinner favorite, a mouthwatering dessert menu, and one of the best brunch menus in the neighborhood. Try the sausage skillet, the house made pork sausages, veal parmigiana, or one of their delicious coal fired pizzas. Pair your meal with a drink from the marble-top bar which serves over 18 draft beers and has the state’s first ever “tapped wine” system.

121 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, Phone: 302-444-4334

19.Border Cafe

The Border Cafe originally opened its doors in 1987 and has been a crowd favorite since then. The restaurant originally focused on traditional Tex-Mex favorites but soon ventured out into delicious Cajun delicacies. You’ll find that all the foods served are made from scratch and with the finest ingredients available. You’ll be wowed by their unique dishes such as the crawfish etouffee, the blackened salmon with mixed greens, eggplant royale, and the Gulf Coast seafood enchiladas which are fresh flour tortillas stuffed with melted Poblano Jack cheese, sautéed shrimp, crawfish, and covered in a lump crabmeat sauce.

483 Stanton Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19713, Phone: 302-633-6400

20.Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

The Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant started as a gift - a homebrewing kit that Kevin Finn’s wife got him for his birthday. His hobby soon became a passion and then flourished into a thriving establishment. Imagine how delicious the meal will be as you’ll be eating foods made with the freshest ingredients, sauces and dressings which are made from scratch, and beer that is brewed less than ten feet from your table. Be sure to try the seafood macaroni and cheese, the fajita rubbed ribeye steak, or the roasted chicken and apple flatbread. Have their popular Iron Hill Light Lager to add a crisp, clean, refreshing drink to your meal.

147 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, Phone: 302-266-9000

21.JB Dawson's Restaurant

After being in the restaurant industry for several years, Jim Lukens opened up JB Dawson’s Restaurant in 1996. The restaurant, which is located inside the Christiana Mall, is renowned in the community for being the perfect establishment for a family dinner or a romantic date night. Their menu is constantly evolving to reflect which is seasonally available and is always full of creative, unique dishes which tantalize the taste buds. Popular items from their menu include the sweet & spicy island wings, lobster bisque, apple walnut salad, crab cake sandwich, and the Maui ribeye marinated in pineapple, ginger, and soy sauce.

Christiana Mall: 315 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE 19702, Phone: 302-369-4000

22.Christiana Mall

Christiana Mall is a regional shopping mall that has four anchor stores: Macy’s, JCPenney, Nordstrom, and Target. There are nearly 180 shops in total including a Barnes & Noble, Cinemark Theatres, and a Cabela’s. The food court offers a variety of dining options such as a California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, and a Brio Tuscan Grille. It’s been around since 1978 and is the largest shopping mall in the entire state; it is also the largest mall in nearby states as well that excludes sales tax. Due to the lack of sales tax in Delaware it is popular with residents as well as visitors from surrounding states such as Maryland and Pennsylvania.

132 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE 19702