Delaware offers unexpected treasures along its Atlantic coastline and historic inland towns. The best places to visit in Delaware include pristine beaches like Rehoboth and Bethany, historic Wilmington and Dover, plus natural gems like Cape Henlopen State Park and world-class museums.
Keep reading as we uncover Delaware's hidden corners and must-see destinations that prove the First State delivers far more than its small size suggests.
List of Contents
- 1. Rehoboth Beach: Where Summer Never Ends
- 2. Cape Henlopen State Park: Delaware's Wild Edge
- 3. Wilmington: Industry Meets Beauty
- 4. Winterthur Museum: American Stories in Garden Setting
- 5. Dover: Where History Made Decisions
- 6. Bethany Beach: The Quiet Alternative
- 7. Hagley Museum: Where American Industry Began
- 8. Delaware Seashore State Park: Between Bay and Ocean
- 9. Air Mobility Command Museum: Aviation History Lives Here
- 10. Brandywine Creek State Park: Northern Delaware's Green Heart
- Your Delaware Adventure Awaits
1. Rehoboth Beach: Where Summer Never Ends
Rehoboth Beach stretches for one mile of clean sand and predictable Atlantic waves. The boardwalk runs parallel to the shore, lined with pizza shops and candy stores that have served the same families for decades.
I remember walking this boardwalk at dawn in July, watching surfers paddle out while the lifeguard stands stood empty. The ocean was glass-smooth, and the only sounds were waves and seagulls.
Local families arrive early and claim spots near the lifeguard stations. The northern end stays quieter if you prefer space over convenience.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: June-August
- Access: Route 1 south from Wilmington
- Parking fees: From $2/hour
- Suggested stay: 2-3 days
- Key spots: Boardwalk, Funland Amusement Park, Gordon's Pond Trail
2. Cape Henlopen State Park: Delaware's Wild Edge
Cape Henlopen sits where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Military bunkers from World War II still dot the dunes, and the observation tower offers views across both bodies of water.
The park's 5,000 acres include beaches, trails, and the Great Dune—a 80-foot sand mountain that shifts with each storm. Walking here feels like discovering something untouched.
Surf fishing is excellent at the point where the currents meet. Locals recommend arriving before sunrise when the striped bass feed.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-September
- Access: Route 9 east from Lewes
- Entry fee: From $4 per vehicle
- Suggested stay: Full day
- Key spots: Great Dune, WWII bunkers, Herring Point, seaside nature center
3. Wilmington: Industry Meets Beauty
Wilmington built its fortune on gunpowder and chemicals, but the Brandywine River valley surrounding it remains surprisingly green. The city's downtown mixes glass towers with 18th-century brick buildings.
The riverfront market buzzes on Saturdays when local farmers sell produce and prepared foods. I've found the best crab cakes here, made by a vendor who's worked the same corner for fifteen years.
Take the Riverwalk along the Christina River. It connects downtown to the residential neighborhoods where old mansions line tree-shaded streets.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- Access: I-95 corridor, Amtrak station
- Free attractions: Many parks and riverfront areas
- Suggested stay: 1-2 days
- Key spots: Riverfront Market, Grand Opera House, Delaware Art Museum
4. Winterthur Museum: American Stories in Garden Setting
Henry Francis du Pont collected American decorative arts for sixty years, filling his 175-room mansion with the finest pieces from 1640 to 1860. The result is Winterthur—part museum, part time machine.
The naturalistic garden spans 1,000 acres and blooms from March through November. In May, the azaleas create tunnels of color that feel almost theatrical.
Each room tells a story about American craftsmanship. The dining room settings show how wealthy families lived, while the exhibition galleries display silver, furniture, and textiles that survived centuries.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-May (garden bloom), December (holidays)
- Access: Route 52 north from Wilmington
- Admission: From $20
- Suggested stay: Half to full day
- Key spots: Period rooms, naturalistic garden, research library
5. Dover: Where History Made Decisions
Dover became Delaware's capital in 1777, and the historic district preserves buildings from that era. The Old State House, built in 1791, hosted the convention that made Delaware the first state to ratify the Constitution.
You can walk these streets in an hour, but the stories take longer to absorb. The Green remains the town center, just as it was when legislators debated America's future here.
The Air Mobility Command Museum sits at Dover Air Force Base, displaying aircraft from World War II through today. Locals know to visit when the base hosts air shows—the C-5 Galaxy takeoffs shake windows across town.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: Spring and fall
- Access: Route 1 from north or south
- Many attractions: Free admission
- Suggested stay: 1 day
- Key spots: Old State House, The Green, First State Heritage Park, Delaware Public Archives
6. Bethany Beach: The Quiet Alternative
Bethany Beach calls itself “The Quiet Resorts,” and the description fits. The beach town maintains a residential feel even during summer, with family cottages lining the streets behind the dunes.
The boardwalk spans just six blocks, making evening walks feel intimate rather than overwhelming. Local restaurants close by 9 PM, encouraging early mornings on the beach.
I've watched meteor showers from this beach in August, when the sky stays dark enough to see the Milky Way. The lack of development keeps the light pollution minimal.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: June-August
- Access: Route 1 to Route 26 east
- Parking fees: From $2/hour
- Suggested stay: 2-3 days
- Key spots: Bethany Beach Boardwalk, South Bethany Beach, White Creek
7. Hagley Museum: Where American Industry Began
The Hagley Museum sits along the Brandywine River where the du Pont Company first manufactured gunpowder in 1802. The original mills, worker housing, and gardens tell the story of early American industry.
The powder mills used water power from the river, and you can still hear the wheel turning in the restored buildings. Workers lived in stone houses built into the hillside, and their gardens still bloom each spring.
The explosions that periodically destroyed the mills also shaped the landscape. Each disaster led to rebuilding, creating layers of history visible today.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- Access: Route 141 north from Wilmington
- Admission: From $14
- Suggested stay: Half day
- Key spots: Powder mills, worker community, Eleutherian Mills mansion
8. Delaware Seashore State Park: Between Bay and Ocean
Delaware Seashore State Park occupies the thin barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay. Route 1 runs down the center, with beach access on both sides.
The ocean side offers traditional beach activities and surf fishing. The bay side stays calmer, with warmer water perfect for families with small children.
I've kayaked the bay side at sunset when the water turns copper and the only sounds are paddles and wind. The brackish water attracts different wildlife than the ocean—herons, egrets, and fiddler crabs.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: May-September
- Access: Route 1 between Bethany Beach and Rehoboth
- Entry fee: From $4 per vehicle
- Suggested stay: Full day
- Key spots: Indian River Inlet, Burton Island, Holts Landing State Park
9. Air Mobility Command Museum: Aviation History Lives Here
The Air Mobility Command Museum displays aircraft that carried troops and supplies around the world. The collection includes a B-17 Flying Fortress, C-47 Skytrain, and modern cargo planes still in service.
Most aircraft sit outside, allowing close examination of engines, landing gear, and cockpits. The indoor exhibits explain how air mobility changed warfare and humanitarian relief.
Dover Air Force Base remains active, and military aircraft regularly take off and land nearby. The museum provides context for the operations continuing around it.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: Year-round, special events in summer
- Access: Located on Dover Air Force Base
- Admission: Free
- Suggested stay: 2-3 hours
- Key spots: Historic aircraft collection, restoration hangar, memorial garden
10. Brandywine Creek State Park: Northern Delaware's Green Heart
Brandywine Creek State Park protects 933 acres of rolling hills, meadows, and forest along Brandywine Creek. The park provides hiking trails and disc golf courses just minutes from Wilmington's suburbs.
The creek runs clear over rocky bottoms, and native brook trout still live in the headwaters. Early morning walks along the Hidden Pond Trail often reveal deer, red-winged blackbirds, and great blue herons.
Local families use this park as their backyard, arriving for picnics and trail runs. The nature center offers programs that connect urban children to the natural world most never see.
Quick Facts:
- Peak season: April-October
- Access: Adams Dam Road north of Wilmington
- Entry fee: From $4 per vehicle
- Suggested stay: Half day
- Key spots: Hidden Pond Trail, disc golf course, Brandywine Creek, nature center
Your Delaware Adventure Awaits
Delaware rewards curious travelers who look beyond its size. These ten destinations offer Atlantic beaches, revolutionary history, and surprising natural beauty within easy driving distance.
Pack light and drive slowly. The First State reveals its secrets to those who take time to notice. Your perfect Delaware moment waits somewhere between the ocean waves and the Brandywine hills.
Start planning your trip. These places have waited centuries to show you what Delaware really means.
