Things to Do in Delaware

Located on a beautiful 1,000 acres of green meadows and lush woodlands, Winterthur is the former childhood home of collector Henry Francis du Pont. The massive 175-room house contains nearly 90,000 objects pertaining to the field of American decorative arts as they were utilized in between 1640 and 1860.

The house, as well as its expansive grounds, is open for tours and exploration by visitors who will enjoy the permanent and temporary displays of objects within the house, as well as the 60-acre naturalistic garden with its rolling meadows, flowering plants, and shady wooded paths.

Younger guests will love the Enchanted Woods. Guided tours are offered of the house, and there are also tram tours of the garden.

Address: 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Winterthur, DE 19735, Phone: 800-448-3883

Bellevue State Park in Wilmington comprises 328 acres of land and is named after Bellevue Hall, a mansion formerly owned by William du Pont, Jr., which is also on the property. Visitors to Bellevue will find no shortage of things to do, as the park is home to a fitness track, hiking trails, tennis courts, and a fishing pond stocked with sunfish, bass, and catfish.

Equestrians can take lessons in the modern horseback riding facilities, and those looking for a bike ride or a run will find a variety of paths both paved and unpaved. Bellevue State Park is also a great place for a picnic or event, with picnic tables, pavilions, and several indoor spaces available for rent, including Bellevue Hall.

Address: 800 Carr Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, Phone: 302-761-6963

Brandywine Creek State Park was once a dairy farm, and the low stone walls that once divided pastures in the 1800s can still be found on this 933 acre park. Brandywine Creek State Park contains two nature preserves, Tulip Tree Woods and Freshwater Marsh. Nature lovers will find a haven here, with local flora and fauna abundant.

Those looking to fish may find trout, smallmouth bass, and more in the Brandywine Creek and Wilsons Run. Licenses are required. The park is also a great place for hikers, with over 14 miles of trails that give access to some of Brandywine Creek's beautiful scenery.

Address: Brandywine Creek, 41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington, DE 19807, Phone: 302-577-3534

Just north of the border between Delaware and Pennsylvania, the Brandywine River Museum is located on the banks of the river from which it takes its name. The museum is well known for its collection of American art, particularly from artists focusing on the Brandywine Valley, as well as for its acquisition of the home and studio of artist N.C. Wyeth.

Its temporary and permanent exhibits together create a vivid image of American life in the Brandywine Valley from both a historic and contemporary perspective. The museum offers group tours, studio tours, and digital tours.

Address: Brandywine River Museum, 1 Hoffman's Mill Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, Phone: 610-388-2700

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Located in Wilmington, the Brandywine Zoo is an all-ages attraction for animal lovers. This small zoo contains a collection of mammals, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates from all over the world, and it works closely with the Delaware Kestrel Partnership for conservation of this local endangered species.

Brandywine Zoo, 1001 North Park Drive, Brandywine Park, Wilmington, DE 19802, Phone: 302-571-7747

Cape Henlopen State Park offers countless opportunities for recreation and fun within its bounds. Visitors can spend their day enjoying the sunshine on one of its two sandy beaches, where lifeguards are posted daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

Those looking to spend their day away from the water will find miles of hiking and biking trails, including a three-mile trail around the perimeter of the park where hikers can take a walk through history with the help of some informational placards along the way. Those with a more competitive spirit will enjoy the park's basketball courts, or the 18-hole disc golf course.

Address: Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958, P302-645-8983

Unique Museums:

The Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village works to preserve the spirit and the roots of agriculture by educating its visitors on the impact that agriculture has had and always will have on our society.

The museum contains over 4,000 artifacts, from butter churns to tractors, and the property is also home to several historic buildings, including a schoolhouse, a barber shop, and a train station. Visitors can explore the historical village and the exhibits inside them to learn about life in the region for people who lived there centuries ago.

Address: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, 866 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Phone: 302-734-1618

The Delaware Art Museum specializes in British Pre-Raphaelite art, urban landscapes, and pieces by American artists and Delaware native Howard Pyle. The permanent collections and temporary exhibits at this private museum are all designed to inspire creative energy in its visitors through enrichment and education.

The museum offers a variety of talks, tours, art programs for adults and kids , and art camp for kids. Admission into the museum includes access to all the galleries and collections on display, with no additional fees.

Address: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19806, Phone: 302-571-9590

At the Delaware Children's Museum, children of all ages are encouraged to discover and explore their own potential with a wide variety of interactive exhibits and experiences. Located in the Big Yellow Building in Riverfront Wilmington, the Children's Museum will teach kids about engineering, art, mathematics, and more through the power of play time.

Exhibits like "The Power of Me" will teach children what their bodies are capable of, and "Structures" will allow visitors to explore the worlds of architecture and engineering. Kids will love the Tree Pavilion and the art studio, where they can express their creativity in a structured and fun environment. The Delaware Children's Museum is open daily except for Mondays.

Address: Delaware Children's Museum, 550 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, Phone: 302-654-2340

Visitors to the Delaware Museum of Natural History will get up close and personal with nature, from a giant squid to several outdoor habitats. The museum contains the only permanent collection of dinosaur fossils in the state of Delaware, a massive collection of birds' eggs, and an array of shells found around the world. Children will enjoy the Nature Nook, where they can take part in hands on activities to teach them about science and nature.

Outdoors, visitors can explore the Nature Trail, which will take them through woodlands and wetlands, admire the Pollinator Garden, or enjoy the interactive Delaware Rocks! Mineral display.

Address: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807, Phone: 302-658-9111