Free and Affordable Activities in Delaware

1. Air Mobility Command Museum

Housed inside a restored airplane hangar from World War II, the Air Mobility Command Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of airlift and air refueling. The collection boasts more than 30 different aircraft, including a presidential plane, fighter jets, and helicopters, and there's also a flight simulator where visitors can experience what it's like to pilot a plane. Guided tours take visitors through some of the aircraft and provide plenty of information about the history, and during the summer, the museum hosts Open Cockpit days where even more of the planes are open to the public.

1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902, Phone: 302-677-5938

2. Ashland Nature Center

Located right off the Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway, Ashland Nature Center is a beautiful 130-acre property that serves as the headquarters for the Delaware Nature Society. The landscape is made up of meadows, forests, and marshland, and visitors are welcome to explore the pet-friendly interpretive trails year-round. The land is also home to a diverse variety of plants and animals, making it particularly popular with people who want to birdwatch and nature watch, and there's a seasonal butterfly house and hummingbird garden. Visitors are also welcome to participate in the guided hawk watching events that take place in September and October.

3511 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707-9393, Phone: 302-239-2334

3. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1937 to serve as a safe nesting place for migrating waterfowl, the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to birdwatch. More than 300 different species of birds have been spotted here, and if you're lucky, you might also see deer, red foxes, and other animals. Most visitors choose to drive along the 12-mile gravel road that winds through the refuge, but there are also five walking trails you can explore, two of which are handicap accessible. If you want to get a view from above, there are also three observations towers that offer wonderful views of the landscape and wildlife.

2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977, Phone: 302-653-9345

4. Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway

Stretching from Wilmington's Rodney Square to the Delaware-Pennsylvania State Line, the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway is an excellent way to explore the beautiful Delaware countryside while learning about the area's history. There are several historic buildings to be seen in Rodney Square itself, and once you leave Wilmington, you can stop at a number of different museums, landscaped gardens, and well-preserved country estates filled with antique furnishings and beautiful artwork. The road is just over 12 miles in length, but if you plan to make any stops, the trip typically takes around one hour.

5. Delaware State House Museum

Constructed in 1791, the Delaware State House Museum served as the state capitol until 1933, and it's now an educational museum that offers an interesting look at life during colonial times. The building was originally constructed in a Middle Georgian style, and although it was remodeled in 1873 to have a Victorian style, it was restored to its original appearance in the 1970s. Guided tours are offered seven days a week, but larger groups are asked to call in advance to make sure they can be accommodated. Admission is free of charge, although donations are always appreciated.

25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901, Phone: 302-744-5054

6. Delaware State Police Museum

The Delaware State Police Force has been protecting the citizens of Delaware since 1923, and at the Delaware State Police Museum, visitors can learn all about the history and heritage of the police force as well as about the role of law enforcement in society. The exhibits cover topics like law enforcement methods and road safety efforts, and some feature interactive elements like a 911 command console and a police car with sirens and lights you can activate. The museum is open Monday through Friday and on the third Saturday of every month, and admission is free.

1425 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, Phone: 302-739-7700

7. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Based out of Milton, the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has been producing high-quality craft beer since 1995, and in addition to its brewery, it operates two other Delaware locations where visitors can enjoy delicious beverages and some food. Both locations have an excellent selection of beers on tap, and they often host live music, community dinners, and other special events. If you're interested in learning about how the beers are made, you can stop by the brewery itself for a short complimentary tour. All three locations can also be booked for private events with catering and bar services provided.

6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, DE 19968, Phone: 302-684-1000

8. DuPont Environmental Education Center

Set on the banks of the Christina River, the DuPont Environmental Education Center is part of the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, and it's the perfect place to enjoy nature without having to leave the city. The 212-acre property is home to a wide variety of animals, including otters, beavers, and turtles, and it's also a great place to spot migrating birds. The Visitor's Center offers informative exhibits and panoramic views of the river and the surrounding marshland, and there's a good selection of walking trails to choose from, ranging from a quarter-mile boardwalk to a 7-mile trail to New Castle.

1400 Delmarva Ln, Wilmington, DE 19801, Phone: 302-656-1490

9. First State National Historical Park

Encompassing seven different sites across Delaware, the First State National Historical Park tells the story of the significant role Delaware played in the founding of the United States. Anyone interested in history should take a tour of Fort Christina, the Old Swedes Church, or the New Castle Court House, while nature lovers can go for a walk or a canoe ride in the beautiful Beaver Valley. Other highlights include historic houses and plantations. The sites can be visited in any order, and although there's no central Visitor's Center, each site has its own welcome center.

211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720, Phone: 302-544-6363

10. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway starts in Maryland and ends in Pennsylvania, passing through Delaware on the way, where it provides access to 13 significant Underground Railroad sites. All of the stops along the route are signposted, but you can also download a driving tour guide online if you want more information about how to find the stops and what they are. It takes approximately three hours to drive the 95-mile portion of the route that's in Delaware, but if you want to see all the sights along the way, you'll need at least two days.