2026-02-19 02:26:09
Looking to save some money during your next vacation? Consider a trip to Delaware! Whether you are solo traveling or bringing the entire family along, use these ideas to plan your perfect and affordable getaway.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Delaware has many options when it comes to traveling to and around the state. Avelo Airlines offers commercial airline service in and out of the Wilmington Airport from several cities. Check Avelo’s website for special deals and discounts throughout the year. The Wilmington Airport offers car rental services and is a short drive away from many area attractions, including the du Pont mansions and gardens; the city of Wilmington; Delaware’s capital city, Dover; and the Delaware beaches.
If you are looking to spend some time on the water, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry Terminal provides ferry trips to and from Cape May, New Jersey, to Lewes, Delaware, daily, with shuttles available to ride during the summer. Walk-on round-trip ferry tickets offer the most affordable option throughout the year. Drive-on tickets allow passengers to bring their vehicles on the ferry. These tickets are a bit pricier but provide the most convenient option, saving miles of driving while adding a memorable adventure to your trip.
To avoid paid parking, especially during the summer, be sure to use DART’s Beach Bus Service at the beaches to make your trip even more affordable and relaxing. Pack your beach chairs, a cooler, and towels and let DART do the driving and parking. If you’d rather drive and park in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, or Bethany Beach, all of those beach communities use the ParkMobile app, which allows you to monitor and pay for your parking right from your phone. No more running to the meter when your time is almost up.
Tax-Free Shopping
If you love shopping and finding great deals, Delaware is the place for you. With its tax-free shopping experience and abundance of unique small businesses and boutiques, you can find one-of-a-kind goods at great prices. In southern Delaware, explore Downtown Milford, Downtown Lewes, the Tanger Outlets, Downtown Rehoboth, and Bethany Beach. If you are heading north, take advantage of Downtown Dover or Christiana Mall, home to more than 130 stores, all with no sales tax.
Outdoor Adventures
If you’re really looking for a bargain, Delaware has numerous outdoor spots that visitors are welcome to explore free of charge.
Rehoboth Beach and other municipal beaches are open to the public at no cost. Beaches managed by Delaware State Parks offer an affordable and simple option for getting your toes in the sand with a per-vehicle fee, which includes parking. This fee covers a day-long stay at the state park, including access to the beach, bike and hiking trails, and other facilities. Planning on going to multiple state parks during your visit? Save with an annual pass available anytime on the Delaware State Parks website.
If you choose to spend a day at one of Delaware’s many state parks, there are a variety of activities to explore. Between camping grounds, biking trails, historical monuments, nature centers, classes, programs, and more, each park has something special to offer. Lums Pond State Park offers a ziplining course, and Cape Henlopen State Park includes World War II relics you can explore, as well as a biking trail that will take you to scenic Gordons Pond, a popular birding spot. Other biking trails to consider are the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail in Wilmington, the Jack A. Markell Trail, which spans from Wilmington to New Castle, the Michael N. Castle C&D Trail in Delaware City, and the Junction and Breakwater Trail in Rehoboth.
Other Areas to Explore
At little to no cost, there are many areas of Delaware that you can explore. Make plans to visit Odessa in northern Delaware to view historic homes, grounds, and museums at an affordable cost. Also, in northern Delaware is Rockford Park and Tower, where you can climb the 100-year-old tower for an enchanting view of the city of Wilmington. The Brandywine Zoo offers an affordable and fun activity for families or other animal lovers. With admission at just $7 for children and $9 for adults, you can see animals from the tropical and temperate areas of North and South America, Asia, and Africa.
Delaware’s capital city, Dover, includes free public facilities such as the Delaware Public Archives and Legislative Hall that are worth exploring. Stop by First State Heritage Park to view historic buildings and streets or join in on a free walking tour. Dover is also home to a number of museums with free admission. Explore the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Johnson Victrola Museum, John Dickinson Plantation, and the Air Mobility Command Museum — all free.
Mini golf is a popular budget-friendly attraction, especially for families. Check out Nick’s Jurassic Mini Golf in Rehoboth, where you can play golf amongst animatronic dinosaurs. In northern Delaware, test your skills at Riverwalk Mini Golf. After golfing, you can explore all Riverfront Wilmington has to offer, including restaurants, shops, and the Constitution Yards beer garden. For more action and fun with the entire family, explore Dover Motor Speedway, Pirates of Lewes Expeditions, and Jungle Jim’s Water Park in Rehoboth.
For more relaxed attractions, visit Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor in Milton or Brittingham Farms in Millsboro for beautiful floral landscapes, cute shops, and interactive fun with their resident sheep. A tour of Lightship Overfalls in Lewes will also teach you something new, as will any of Delaware’s many museums. Between the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Winterthur, the Nemours Estate and the Hagley Museum in Wilmington, the Indian River Life Saving Station in Dewey Beach, the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island, and the Cannonball House in Lewes, Delaware’s history spans far and wide and offers something for everyone.
In addition to all of these great options, there are many free or lowcost festivals and events to explore throughout the year in Delaware.
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