Location: Dover
Top Things to do in Dover
Countries
What to do and see in Dover, Delaware (DE): The Best Museums
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. 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. Biggs Museum of American Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 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.
4. Delaware State Police Museum and Education Center
5. Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Main Exhibit Hall" Visitors will marvel at the many inventions and monuments to engineering that played a key role in the growth and expansion of agriculture in the First State. Our authentic 1890's Village, Loockerman Landing, illustrates life in a rural Delaware village in the 1890s. Visit the General Store, whose proprietor has just stepped out; the Farmhouse where the midday meal is being prepared; the School House where lessons have been interrupted for the day; the Train Station where the mail has just arrived on the afternoon train and the Church where preparations are already underway for Sunday services. Afterwards, visit the Blacksmith and Wheel-Wright Shops for horse shoes and wagon wheels; the Mill to pick up flour for making bread.
6. Delaware State Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Visitor center includes two galleries of state-related exhibits.
Reviewed By shannonh340GOD - Dover, United States
It the same place as DE Public Archives which it can be confusing because it have the same address. You can do reseach at the archives and they do have a exhibit
