Official Delaware State Travel Guide - Delaware Official State Travel Guide 2026/2027

Wilmington

Museums and Culture

Delaware’s largest city has something for everyone. Start at the Delaware History Museum, which explores the region’s Indigenous roots, colonial eras, and the state’s history over time. Then visit the Delaware Historical Society’s other historic buildings. Continue to the Delaware Art Museum, founded to preserve the work of local art legend Howard Pyle. The museum features 12,000 works, including highlights from Pyle, John Sloan, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, plus a sculpture garden.'

Bring the Kids

For families, the Delaware Children’s Museum offers hands-on learning through play, with exhibits focused on creativity, science, and interactive discovery. Nearby, the Brandywine Zoo (inside Brandywine Park) features animals from four continents and is free from December through February.

For even more science-focused fun, visit the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, which takes visitors from the age of dinosaurs to today. Don’t miss the Discovery Gallery, where kids can learn through hands-on activities.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

For a special meal, book a table at Bardea Food and Drink, a James Beard-nominated restaurant known for shareable dishes featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Chef Antimo DiMeo’s Italian-inspired menu has earned national attention, including a spot on USA Today’s 2025 “Restaurants of the Year” list.

For a more casual stop, visit Wilmington Brew Works, the city’s only production brewery, for IPAs and sour beers. The taproom often features light fare, food trucks, and a “bring your own” option from nearby eateries.

Let Wilmington Entertain You

For live music, check the calendar at The Queen, a multi-genre venue in the revitalized Indian Queen Hotel. For theater, look for touring shows at The Playhouse on Rodney Square, or visit the historic Grand Opera House and its more intimate spaces, The Baby Grand and The Playhouse. These venues host performers ranging from touring rock, jazz, and comedy to local organizations such as the Delaware Symphony, Opera Delaware, and First State Ballet Theatre.

After the show, explore Wilmington nightlife in Trolley Square or along Market Street.

Go Outside and Play

For fresh air, stroll Riverfront Wilmington, with more than a mile of scenic views, dining and shopping, and an IMAX theater. Tour the replica 17th-century Swedish tall ship Kalmar Nyckel, then visit the DuPont Environmental Education Center, where you can explore an urban wildlife refuge and a 10-acre ornamental garden.

Northern Delaware’s “Chateau Country” includes major du Pont family estates. Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library features 175 period-decorated rooms and naturalistic gardens, plus winter events such as the Delaware Antiques Show, winter garden tours, a holiday toy train display, and rooms decorated in traditional Christmas styles.

Other du Pont destinations include Hagley Museum and Library (historic gunpowder works and grounds) and the 77-room Nemours Estate, decorated each year with traditional holiday décor.

Prefer parks to formal gardens? Try the publicly accessible rock-climbing wall, or walk and bike through Alapocas Run State Park. For more trails, head to Brandywine Creek State Park, which includes nature preserves and hike-bike routes, plus sledding at Hawk Watch Hill when conditions allow.

Newark

Let’s Go Shopping in Newark

Tax-free shopping is a Delaware favorite. Just off I-95, Christiana Mall features nearly 200 retailers, from major department stores to name-brand shops and local boutiques. Grab a bite or catch a movie after your shopping trip.

Beyond Wilmington: New Castle and Odessa

Just south of Wilmington, the historic district of New Castle offers a deep dive into Delaware’s colonial past. Explore historic homes converted into museums, visit one of the state’s oldest dwellings, and dine at Jessop’s Tavern and Colonial Restaurant, known for traditional fare and historic atmosphere. During the holidays, the town is especially festive with seasonal décor, performers, and carolers.

Continue south to Odessa, once a bustling port town. Tour preserved homes from the Corbit-Sharp House to the working-class Collins-Sharp House. For food and drinks, visit Cantwell’s Tavern for regional dishes, craft beer, and cocktails in a cozy historic setting.