2026-02-19 02:20:33
A hidden gem on the East Coast, where big experiences come in a small package, Delaware offers something for everyone. One minute you can be strolling through cobblestone streets, the next you can be dancing the night away in a local bar. So come discover why small really is the new big in “The First State.”
Blink and you’ll miss us on the map — but take a closer look, and you’ll find a hidden treasure.
Delightfully small yet endlessly surprising, Delaware is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay and within easy reach of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even New York City. It’s the perfect getaway that feels worlds away but is closer than you think.
Delaware is a year-round destination with discoveries for every kind of traveler, and its three regions offer three unique ways to explore.
Charming boardwalks and six amazing beach towns await in southern Delaware, inviting you to sink your toes in the sand and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Head north to Wilmington’s lively cityscape for vibrant arts, live music, and a thriving nightlife scene. Then, slow down in the surrounding Brandywine Valley, where historic mansions and gardens dot the rolling countryside. In the heart of it all, central Delaware offers quiet escapes, unique hidden gems, and the charm of Dover, the state capital.
Delaware is ready to welcome you. Picture summer beach days, lively festivals, and exciting sporting events; crisp autumn hikes under colorful leaves; winter weekends lit with cozy holiday magic; and springtime escapes filled with blooming gardens. We like to think of Delaware as our own little secret: cozy, coastal, and closer than you think, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
The state is a playground of possibilities: paddle along scenic waterways, zip-line through treetops, bike miles of picturesque trails, and spot rare birds in wildlife refuges. From the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees in the U.S. to beachside trails along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay to rolling hills with meadowland views and 1800s-era stone walls, Delaware’s state parks offer a natural wonderland waiting to be explored.
If you’re looking for a unique natural site to discover, the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge, located along the Christina River at the Wilmington Riverfront, is home to bald eagles, wood ducks, beavers, river otters, turtles, and more in what is one of the few urban wildlife areas in the nation. The on-site DuPont Environmental Education Center is open year-round and features a visitor center with free exhibits and programming.
Delaware offers streets lined with charming boutiques and the perk of tax-free shopping, making every treasured find even sweeter. Support Delaware’s thriving small business community — making up 98% of all businesses in the state — and you’ll uncover artisan treasures, new flavors from passionate chefs, bakers, and farmers, and bold, creative craft beverage experiences like those found at Dogfish Head Brewery (Milton) or Dewey Beer Co. (Dewey Beach and Harbeson).
If you’re looking for national retailers, the Christiana Mall (Newark) and Tanger Outlets (Rehoboth Beach) are prime shopping destinations. With nearly 300 stores combined, you’re sure to find that perfect gift for someone else or yourself. And no sales tax means more treats, less guilt.
Step back in time in “The First State.” Explore the New Castle Court House Museum, one of the oldest surviving courthouses in America, dine like a Colonial at Jessop’s Tavern (New Castle), tour the John Dickinson Plantation (Dover) to hear the stories of tenant farmers and indentured servants, and visit the Zwaanendael Museum (Lewes) to explore the area’s maritime, military, and social history.
Also, don’t miss the Nanticoke Indian Museum (Millsboro), where the story of Delaware’s first people is preserved and shared.
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