Things to do
WATER
From the windswept Atlantic Ocean to the serene Delaware River, the state offers plenty of ways to enjoy the water. Wilmington’s riverfront is perfect for a sunset stroll and waterside drink. Explore miles of scenic bay shoreline in Seashore State Park, making a beeline to retro Rehoboth’s iconic boardwalk for souvenirs and salty air. And if you’re visiting in summer, jump aboard the Kalmar Nyckel for an unforgettable cruise on the 17th-century inspired ‘Tall Ship of Delaware’.
NATURE
Garden lovers are spoiled for choice in Delaware. Nemours Estate, close to Wilmington, encompasses grand formal gardens along with its French-inspired mansion. Winterthur Museum & Gardens is a wilder, naturalistic estate with enchanted woods to enthral all the family. While officially (just) over the border in Pennsylvania, but absolutely worth a visit, is Longwood Gardens – a sensory botanical experience with illuminated fountains and glasshouses.
CULTURE
Charming Wilmington is the focal point of much of Delaware’s cultural scene, with a gilded Grand Opera House and flagship regional theatre company. A highlight of its cultural calendar is the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival each June, honouring the famous trumpeter with a stellar line-up and ‘jam sessions’ in venues around town. The Delaware Art Museum with its stunning collection of British pre-Raphaelite paintings is also worth a visit.