The first state to ratify the United States Constitution, Delaware has a rich and colorful history. The Blue Hen State also has several destinations that any traveler would love to have on their itinerary. It may be a small place, but it has just as many must-see attractions as any other state. Whether you’re looking for just a weekend of fun or focused on some free attractions to maximize your road trip budget, Delaware has it all.
10. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
(image via Flickr)
Even if you are not a craft beer aficionado, there is a good chance that you caught this brewery on the Discovery Channel series Brew Masters, which followed its daily production. Since its establishment in 1995, Dogfish Head has become one of the most popular craft breweries not just in Delaware but in the nation. It produces 175,000 barrels of beer each year.
9. Apple Scrapple Festival
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Each year, on the second weekend in October, the people of Bridgeville, Delaware, come together to celebrate the local agriculture industry. For twenty-four years, the Apple Scrapple Festival has been a huge draw, with fried foods, rides, live music, a car show, and even a local children’s beauty pageant. There is plenty to do for the whole family.
8. Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor
Boasting a rich and colorful landscape rivaling the likes of Provence, France, the Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor hold beautiful rows of purple wonder. While there, guests are able to pick their own flowers to bring home, whether they plan on keeping it in the window sill or trying out the legendary healing properties of the plant. The fields of lavender lead up to a 19th-century barn, which hosts a local shop.
7. Hopkins Farm Creamery
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Hopkins Farm Creamery has been in the same family for four generations. Visitors come from all around to try the ice cream made from milk produced by the farm’s own cows. Try one of the dozens of flavors, including peanut ripple, candy crunch, and Delaware fruit. Be sure to snap a picture of the Cow Crossing sign, as all animals in the state have the right of way.
6. Running of the Bull at the Starboard
(image via Facebook)
Not to be confused with the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain (although taking place at the same time each year), this Dewey Beach tradition allows locals to dress up in costumes and join together as a community. While there are many events, the main draw is the famed bullfight.
5. Hummers Parade
(image via Facebook)
Each January, the residents of Middletown dress up to poke fun at the main people and events that made headlines the previous year during the Hummers Parade. This parade takes inspiration from the Mummers Parade in Pennsylvania but is distinctly more tongue-in-cheek. Floats and costumes aim to spoof the seriousness of other festivals. While in Middletown, be sure to also stop by St. Andrew’s School, which was the filming location for Dead Poets Society.
4. Kalmar Nyckel
(image via Facebook)
This famed merchant ship carried European settlers to North America, eventually founding the colony of New Sweden along the lower portion of the Delaware River in 1638. Today, you can visit a replica of the vessel, which takes cruises around the bay. While on board, you can imagine the excitement that must have filled the settlers’ journey out toward a brand new “world.”
3. Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy an evening stroll along the beach, or stop in one of the quaint shops on the shore. Spanning one mile, the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk follows what is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Be sure to go in time to watch the sunset.
2. Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library
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The former home of Henry Francis du Pont, the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library now serves as a collection of American historical artifacts. Many visitors love the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, as well as the 60-acre Winterthur Garden, which is perfect for hiking excursions. In December, the estate is decorated with Gilded Age holiday trimmings.
1. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Spanning nearly 16,000 acres, this wildlife refuge serves to protect the natural order of Delaware’s animal and plant life. It was first created in 1937 as a breeding ground for the waterfowl that would migrate to the area in winter. Don’t miss the Allee House, a farmhouse dating back to before the birth of our nation.
