Location: Dover
Top Things to do in Dover
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Dover, United States
With NASCAR at the Speedway, harness racing at Dover Downs, 10 nationally recognized museums, plus historical attractions galore, it's easy to see why the capital of Delaware is a great weekend destination. Check out the world's largest cargo plane, stationed at Dover Air Force Base, or explore the beginnings of recorded sound at the Johnson Victrola Museum. It's the perfect time to visit the Biggs Museum of Art, which is running a special exhibition to celebrate its 10th anniversary. "Artful Living: the Legacy of Sewell C. Biggs" features fine and decorative art gems from the private collection of the local patron and museum namesake. Also worth a visit: the Delaware Agricultural Museum and the John Dickinson Plantation, where staff, dressed in period costume, explain and reenact life in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Round out the day with a meander around Green and Loockerman Streets downtown. Lined with historic Colonial and Victorian buildings, plus specialty book, candle and jewelry stores, it's a great place to shop or sample the local fare at a neighborhood cafe or restaurant.
Restaurants in Dover
1. Air Mobility Command Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 673 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.
Reviewed By Dylanj23
I would like to start off by saying that the museum was fantastic and I highly recommend it. However, the museum is not very service dog friendly. My wife has a service dog, not an emotional support animal, and her service dog has to be with her at all times. When we were viewing the outside aircraft, we were stopped by a museum representive who spoke to me and not my wife about her service animal. He told us that she wouldn't be able to go aboard the aircraft with him because of the "unpredictability of dogs". He then asked if her service animal needs to with her at all times and if she could leave him off of the aircraft while she toured the aircraft. She told him that yes he does need to be with her at all times and she wouldn't be able to experience the aircraft without him. The museum representive then proceeded to share a story of a pet on a commercial flight had bitten a baby on the flight. He used this as an excuse to not allow my wife and her service dog to tour the aircraft. It felt to us that he was using prejudices against dogs to not allow my wife's service animal to be with her while we toured the airplanes.
He broke ADA regulations by asking questions about her service animal and not allowing them to tour the planes. If you have a service animal, expect to be exluded from the full learning experience of the museum.
2. Johnson Victrola Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 100 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 Wanderlust777 - Baltimore, Maryland
This was an extraordinary experience because of the great tour offered by our docent. She explained the family and business history of the Victor company, which is full of fascinating people and events. Listening to 100-year-old records on equally old Victrolas was also a high point of the tour. Both my husband and I enjoyed the museum thoroughly and came away with a much better appreciation of the roots of the modern-day recording industry.
3. Dover International Speedway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
The venue for popular races like the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series, it is considered, by many, to be one of the best tracks in the U.S..
Reviewed By Mariah H
Saw my very first NASCAR race at Dover Speedway and fell in love with racing. The sounds of the engines and the beauty of the track was just something I never experienced before. I loved all the activities and performances they have going on well before the race starts so you can make it an all day event!
4. Dover Downs Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 862 reviews
A huge entertainment venue that features horse racing, a hotel and restaurant, plus 2,000 slot machines ranging from a nickel to $50 per play.
Reviewed By DannyWasserman - Virginia Beach, Virginia
We are not casino people, nor do we do a lot of gambling, however playing the slots and other small denomination activities are right up are alley. The place has a friendly atmosphere and the staff is very cordial. We would definitely go back in the future when driving up Route 13
5. John Dickinson Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Once owned by a wealthy Quaker tobacco planter, this plantation has been converted to a living museum where visitors can tour the grounds and interact with staff dressed in period costume.
Reviewed By Timothy M
After living in Dover for the last several years, we decided to finally visit the plantation. After arriving at the visitors center and watching the short video, we were given a short lecture by a very well prepared and knowledgeable lady. We thought, this is going to be great. We then took the short, beautiful walk up to the mansion house. Wow, how stunning! We saw a woman standing by the door of the mansion. She seemed odd and made us feel uncomfortable and confused about what came next. We were given a weird, choppy, ill informed tour through the house. The docent was argumentative when we asked some questions and argued and disagreed with every point we made! Many of the facts we tried to speak to her about were just given to use the day before by an EXCELLENT docent who toured us around the historical square in Dover. The house tour was a BIG disappointment. Nothing was really explained about the rooms, furniture or the daily operations of the home. She told us to walk into the rooms, then asked if we had any questions! The loom wasn't even explained or demonstrated. We noticed there was a fireplace in the corner with a large iron hook which usually symbolized a kitchen of some sort. At that point we didn't even want to ask her about this!
It was mid afternoon and there were only 6 of us total on the whole plantation. My husband and I felt she could have spent a lot more time explaining this historical treasure gem. She also never uses the word, " slave" which didn't do the true historical facts of this plantation justice. Shouldn't history be just that ?
There was no one to explain the out buildings or the massive gorgeous trees on the site. We wondered why these we not part of the history or information about this site.
Overall, it's DEFINATLEY worth the trip, but beware of an odd, ill informed, grumpy docent with a long braid. Very, very disappointed.
6. Biggs Museum of American Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
This museum, named after a local art collector, features American painting and crafts from Colonial portraiture to 20th-century Impressionism, with a special focus on the work of local artists from the Colonial and Federal periods.
Reviewed By HGKCFP - Honolulu
We went to the Biggs this time as we missed it on last visit. Spectacular collection of furniture, silver, grandfather clocks from the 1700-1800's. Also a modern side of it with a Christo exhibit that was amazing. Photography, Ceramics and some glass. A. Gem in a small town!
7. Old State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Liz Everett W
This building is beautiful. We parked out front on a Thursday. If you have a large Rv you'll want to park in another area. The tour guide had a lot of information and was very helpful.
8. Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Exhibit buildings with over 12,000 artifacts including a 1700's log cabin, mock milkable cow, 1930's kitchen, a 1941 Steerman Airplane Crop Sprayer, soil exhibit plus three galleries with changing exhibits. Step into the past by touring Loockerman Landing, a re-created 19th century village with a farmstead, schoolhouse, church, grist mill, train station, general store, barber shop, blacksmith and more behind the main building on Silver Lake. 866 N. DuPont Highway- Dover, DE. Open Tuesday - Saturday from10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $6 for adults, $4 seniors 65+, $3 youth 4-17, free to children 3 and under and members are free. The DAMV is a private not for profit Museum and not run by the State.
Reviewed By Ed O - Magnolia, DE
Step back in time to learn about Delaware's farm culture thru exhibits of authentic artifacts, structures & activities. There are critters to pet, activities for kids, local arts & crafts. Gift shop is very nice, too. Well worth a stop to get an appreciation of Delaware's largest economic sector. You'll be impressed. Nice, welcoming staff!
9. Spence's Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By Carl R
This is a permanent flea market. There was a very low-rent auction happening when we visited. Things were going for 3-4 dollars. We walked across the parking lot to the Amish food court'. My my. Great cheese steaks, donuts, cakes, sandwiches, moon pies, ice cream. All local... All hand made. There are also permanent stalls selling hats, scarves and assorted junk.
Go for the food.
10. First State Heritage Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
First State Heritate Park is Delaware's first urban "park without boundaries" that links historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of government since 1777.First State Heritage Park is a partnership of state and city agencies under the leadership of Delaware State Parks. Admission to all sites is free.
Reviewed By TravelWriterDB - Cleveland, Ohio
Plan a good afternoon wandering all the great historical sites around the park. Many interpreters bring our American heritage to life with their reinactments. Beautiful grounds and gorgeous buildings - you're going to like it.
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