Top Things to do in Delaware
Top Hotels in Delaware
- 1. Avenue Inn & Spa
- 2. Hotel Du Pont
- 3. Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront
- 4. Fenwick Shores, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- 5. Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott
- 6. Hilton Wilmington / Christiana
- 7. Comfort Inn and Suites
- 8. Hampton Inn Rehoboth Beach
- 9. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rehoboth Beach
- 10. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Downtown Wilmington - Legal District
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Delaware That You Shouldn't Miss
Delaware offers vacationers miles of discoveries, like cleanest-in-the-nation beaches, opulent du Pont family mansions and the opportunity to shop sales-tax-free. Size and location also work to Delaware’s advantage. Within a few hours’ drive, visitors can stroll through quaint Colonial-era towns, savor full-flavored culinary adventures without the big-city prices, or cheer their favorite band at the annual Firefly Music Festival.
Restaurants in Delaware
1. Johnson Victrola Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
Named in honor of local inventor E.R. Johnson, this museum explores the sound recording industry from its beginnings and includes displays of early talking machines, records and other relics from the 1890s to 1929.
Reviewed By 804thelmag - Felton, United States
Having purchased a Victor Talking Machine at an auction, I wanted to visit the mueseum to learn about the company and the machines. Entered a 1920s-era store inside the museum and was greeted by a very knowledgeable lady who explained how the company got started. She demonstrated numerous talking devices using 78-rpm records; fun to listen to the old records. Also learned prices of the machines back in the day. Many of the recording artists were black, to include Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Duk Ellington, Enrico Caruso, John McCormack, Nellie Melba, Rosa Panselle and Marian Anderson. Also learned the color of the label determine the type of music that was recorded. For example, Red was Classical, Black was Popular, Green was Educational, etc. In Europe the color of the label determined the price of the record. Heard the story of Nipper, the dog who heard his master's voice, becoming one of the most famous canines in history. The museum highlights the life and achievements of Delaware's native son, Eldridge R. Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company. The tour lasted about an hour but you were welcome to stay longer to read the information presented.
2. Air Mobility Command Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 818 reviews
Located on the Dover Air Force Base, this museum showcases the history of military aviation through exhibits and a sizeable collection of planes that have been used throughout history. Coronavirus Operations: Our outside aircraft ramp will be available for you to see 25 historical military aviation aircraft. The below guidelines apply: Museum Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No tours will be provided Inside museum will be closed Mobile Museum Store will be available (red trailer) Portable restrooms will be available Social distancing is required Masks are required when social distancing cannot be maintained
Reviewed By BarryBagels
Very informative and wonderful exhibits featuring military aerial transport and aerial refueling operations. Staff and volunteers take great pride and are a wonderful source of information that brings the exhibits to life. Michael, the operations manager, took us on a tour in his 8 seat golf cart of the 30 or so aircraft on the museums grounds. Seeing the giant C5A transport engineering marvel from the inside out was an outstanding experience. The museum is open 7 days a week, is free, has plenty of parking and has a wonderful gift shop that the kids, little and adult, would love. You can easily spend two to four hours there.
3. Cape Henlopen State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,386 reviews
This oceanside state park comprises 155 campsites and the Seaside Nature Center.
Reviewed By lindamK9624MM - Lewes, United States
Something for everyone from the beautiful ocean beaches, the wonderful nature trails and bike paths, Cape Henlopen State Park has it all and is our local treasure for all to enjoy in all seasons.
4. Hagley Museum And Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 773 reviews
Hagley is the former industrial site of the original black powder works of the DuPont Company founded in Delaware in 1802 and powered by the natural resources that surrounded it. Today, it is 235 acres of wooded rolling hills along the rushing Brandywine River dotted with hundreds of stone ruins of the black powder industry, dozens of restored buildings associated with the business, and the first du Pont family home built in America. Here, for more than 200 years, the DuPont Company and family experimented, innovated, and pursued the American Dream. Hagley has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972. The site is a National Historic Landmark, National Recreation Trail, and a Historic Engineering Landmark.
Reviewed By JPGPhilly - Worcester, United States
Hagley is a gem and definitely worth a visit, even during the abbreviated winter tour schedule. our tour was memorable in large part due to the wit and wisdom of our tour guide / interpreter - Rodney. the tour encompasses two parts - the beginnings of the DuPont fame and fortune as black powder makers and their first manor house on site. honestly Winterthur and Nemours are more impressive, but it all began here at Hagley and the black powder making process is unique. there is a restored and working 19th century water powered machining building on site that is fascinating
5. Trap Pond State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By TamStan
My daughter had her wedding at the Historic Bethesda Church with reception that followed at Baldcypress Nature Center, both located in the park. Wow, cant say enough about how amazing the park staff was in making sure we had everything we needed and the day was flawless. They were flexible with our set up and clean up times, offered assistance, and were such a pleasure to work with. Kelly even gave us an escort to the church on our set up day since we had not been there before. The Nature Center reception area was AMAZING with a beautiful view of Trap Pond. The outdoor patio space with fire pit really enhanced the experience in the evening hours. Pricing was more than reasonable and you just can't get a better value. Kudos to the park staff for a job well done!
6. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By PaleoGypsy - Philadelphia, United States
If you decide to visit during the month of January, here are some tips. ✔️Bring exactly $4.00 in cash to pay the entrance fee. ✔️Bring a pen to complete the entrance card. ✔️Pack a roll of transparent tape if you would like to tape the entrance card to your windshield. ✔️Due to the glare from the water, pack sunglasses. ✔️Remember to bring your zoom lens, binoculars, and scope. ✔️Bring your own food and water. While trash cans are available, a trash bag may be helpful. ✔️Do you have enough gas? Fuel? Epi pen? Medicine? ✔️As cellular coverage is hit-or-miss, does someone know where you are? ✔️The bathrooms are OPEN. ✔️Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. ✔️Suggestion: Turn OFF your music so as to enjoy the sounds of bird life. ✔️If you are in a rush, skip this one altogether.
7. Nemours Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 673 reviews
Opening April 1st, 2021 Owned and developed by our founder, Alfred I. duPont (1864-1935), Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite 77-room Mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur's Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles used on the Estate, and nearly 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
Reviewed By rochelleforster - Randolph, United States
We had a few hours before our return home and stopped at this museum. Given the cold weather, we toured the house. It is worth taking a guided tour as we learned so many interesting facts about the family, their possessions and the history of the estate. The furnishings are intact to the time when the family lived here which makes it so neat. And Alfred DuPont was way ahead of his time in so many ideas he created for the house and the things he put into it, like a back up generator; controls in his bathroom to make sure tings were working properly; bottling his water, 2 tanks with 1 for back up and so on. Fascinating to hear the stories too.
8. Bethany Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By danmL5119VY - Kissimmee, United States
Great beach! Never really gets over crowded even when its busy there is always a good spot. The boardwalk is smaller and great for families. Definitely a slower pace compared to places like Ocean City or even Rehoboth.
9. Funland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,572 reviews
Funland is a family amusement center located on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. A family owned and operated business since 1962, Funland provides family fun at reasonable prices for those who visit us each summer. The park offers great entertainment for the whole family, featuring 19 rides, 14 midway games, a redemption center, Skeeball, and an arcade. Our season begins Mother's Day Weekend and runs through Labor Day. In the early part of our season (May into June), our closing time varies; we reserve the right to close early due to factors such as weather and lack of crowds! Normally in season, July 4th - Labor Day, we close around 11 PM.
Reviewed By Klinesamuel
We were very happy that Funland opened the park in time for our trip to Rehobeth. Funland is limiting the amount of customers by requiring you to purchase wristbands prior to arriving at the park. Every ride has a hand sanitizer station and all of the ride operators did a great job making sure every rider sanitized their hands and were wearing facemask before they were allowed onto the individual ride. The lines at Funland are greatly reduced being that the park is restricting the amount of customers through the wristband program. We still had to wait to ride some of the rides but the wait times were drastically improved from normal operating conditions. The only ride that was not available that we normally ride was the SIM ride. I imagine that there would be no good way to enforce social distancing on that ride. Over all I give the owners and staff of Funland very high marks. Funland took the current health concerns very seriously and was able to provide a good time at the park. Thank you Funland for keeping our family tradition alive in these difficult times.
10. Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,934 reviews
Stretching more than one mile along Rehoboth Beach, this famous boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants and other amusements.
Reviewed By swcrowder - Raleigh, United States
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is a great place to walk, bike, skate, or sit and people watch. It’s right on the ocean, with great views of the Atlantic Ocean. The boardwalk is loaded with dining, shopping, and more. I highly recommend a stroll.
