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
Top 10 Historic Sites in Delaware, United States
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. Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House
2. Historic Odessa Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Welcome to the tranquil village of Odessa, in colonial times, a busy grain shipping port known as Cantwell's Bridge. Stroll its tree-lined streets. Tour the beautifully restored 18th and 19th-century houses. Wander through picturesque gardens. Dine at the historic Cantwell's Tavern, welcoming guests just as it did nearly 200 years ago. Feel free to explore our five buildings, nearly 30 acres of surrounding landscape, outbuildings and gardens. Don't miss an outstanding collection of household furnishings, fine and decorative arts. Many pieces of original family furniture made by prominent Delaware cabinetmakers of the 18th century; the collections include major works of regional paintings, prints, textiles, silver, pewter, and other metals. The Foundation's collection is steeped in Delaware history and rich in the finest examples of mid-Atlantic craftsmanship. Open March - December; January and February by reservation.
Reviewed By M1859VDrobertm - Bowie, United States
Recently, I had an opportunity to take part in a candlelight holiday walking tour of the historic properties in Odessa, DE. The town is located just east of Middletown near the banks of the Appoquinimink River. Originally called Cantwell's Bridge, the historic district encompasses several homes, outbuildings, ornamental gardens, a former bank, stagecoach stop, and a tavern/inn still in use. All the structures have been restored, and are owned and managed by the Historic Odessa Foundation. The homes include original and period furnishings/decor. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, infusing snippets/vignettes about the families, architecture, and local history as part of our tour. The tour began at the fieldstone stable, located directly behind the Wilson-Warner House, one of the three historic homes on the walk. The weather was a real plus on the day of our evening tour...temperature was in the mid-50s for early December...refreshing! All of the structures were outfitted in white lights; the entryways/doors festooned with evergreens, wreaths, and seasonal flora; with candles in the windows. Because of the viral outbreak, the outside candlelight tour supplanted the traditional holiday programs/demonstrations conducted inside the historic buildings. Normally, the properties would not be decorated with outdoor lights, but this was part of the Foundation's effort to provide a worthwhile/meaningful alternative to its holiday fare, given the COVID restrictions/protocols in force. One of the more significant outbuildings...the Muskrat shed...showcases an African-American exhibit/collection of materials on the Harriet Tubman Byway, of which Odessa was among one of the points on the Underground Railroad. The Muskrat shed, along with the Corbit-Sharp House, were harbors of refuge to runaways headed north. Other noteworthy stops on our path included the herb/spice house and the Collins-Sharp House, home to hearth cooking/baking/culinary demonstrations. Our tour ended at Cantwell's Tavern, a former stagecoach stop, and still in use as a dining establishment. Our package included a complimentary beverage, redeemable at the Inn, at the conclusion of the tour. Walking tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in December, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., lasting about 45-50 minutes. Cost of the tour is $15 per person. Reservations are required. Information about the holiday walking tour package can be found on the Historic Odessa Foundation website. Five stars for this holiday outing.
3. Christ Church Christiana Hundred
4. New Castle Court House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Delaware approved the Declaration of Independence in this building, which was constructed in 1732.
Reviewed By iggnacious - New York City, United States
We loved the history and how our tour guide -- Bob -- brought it all to life. The court house in itself is fascinating and Bob made it all the better. We left wanting to learn more!
5. Dutch House Museum and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
This house dates back to the late 1600s and is documented to be the oldest structure in town, and the second oldest in the state. The Dutch House is a rare example of an early Colonial-era middle class family home.
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
We enjoyed visiting the Dutch House on a double tour with the Amstel House, shortly after we toured the Read House, and you should visit all three. the Dutch and Amstel House can be booked through a tour at the Arsenal, while the Read House is a separate price charged at the house itself. The Dutch House is the oldest of the three, built in the 17th century. On the tour, you get to see the three rooms on the lower level, and get an interesting history of the home and the people who have lived there, including the mistakes made about the home's history over time. The tour guide was exceptional and brought the home alive.
6. Wooddale Covered Bridge
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. Amstel House Museum and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
The Amstel House is the first mansion in Delaware and was home to an early Governor. Originally known as "The Corner," this was the most important home in the late 1700s. High society came to this house, including George Washington, who attended a wedding here.
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
The Amstel House fills the gap between the Dutch House and the Read House in telling the story of New Castle's history. The architecture is brought alive by excellent tour guides, who share the homes surprising connection to George Washington. It's incredible to be able to walk through history across three homes that takes you from the early 17th century to the present day.
9. Rockwood Park & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By retired605 - Newark, United States
I thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Leone for Newark History Museum volunteers. She was a wonderful guide and very passionate about the Museum. It was interesting hearing about the Shipley and Bringhurst families and the history of the estate - a part of Delaware history. I was amazed at the number of original artifacts that exist in the house and how impressive the restoration had been on a house that had been sitting untouched for 20 years. I would definitely recommend this tour whenever public tours begin again.
10. John Dickinson Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 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 Grayhare - Macungie, United States
Had passed the sign many times never stopped. Glad we finally did. You get a nice film then a tour of the main house guided by reenactors. The plantation is small now but in its heyday was huge. Worth the stop to learn more about a lesser known founding father if our country..
