Newark, Delaware

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 couples and families 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.

REP Theatre, University of Delaware, 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