Exploring Delaware





Delaware is full of endless discoveries. With unique beaches, beautiful natural wilderness, historic mansions, charming gardens, rich history, and tax-free shopping, there is so much to explore!

In this guide you will find resources on Delaware’s outdoor recreation, history, arts, culture, events, festivals, and more. Make sure you check out our great museums and state parks.

If you haven’t explored Delaware recently, use this guide to find new ideas. Even if you are a lifelong Delawarean, there is still so much to see that is off-the-beaten path.

We want Delaware residents and visitors to explore and find their own favorite hidden gems!

Contact Information

Delaware State Parks
89 Kings Highway,
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-9220

Delaware Tourism Office
99 Kings Highway,
Dover, DE 19901
(866) 284-7483

DNREC
89 Kings Highway,
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-9000

Delaware Division of the Arts
820 North French Street,
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-8278




Outdoor Recreation



Illustration of a Delaware Beach lighthouse with an alert light signal.

Explore Delaware beaches!



Delaware Beaches

  • Bethany Beach
    • This quiet and friendly beach that is great for quality time with family
  • Dewey Beach
    • Exhilarating night life and lively restaurants make this beach perfect for he young at heart.
  • Fenwick Island
    • A calm, laid-back beach town with plenty of opportunities for fun
  • Lewes
    • This charming and historic town along the beach is perfect for relaxing weekend getaways
  • Rehoboth Beach
    • A Delaware classic, and a great beach for family entertainment in the sand or on the boardwalk

Please Note

NOTE: Each beach has its own parking rates and regulations. Be sure to verify this information in advance so you can plan accordingly.



Delaware State Parks

Parks by County


New Castle County


Wilmington State Parks


Kent County


Sussex County


Please Note

NOTE: From March 1 to November 30, visitors to Delaware parks are charged a daily entry fee. The fee permits a vehicle and all of its passengers to enter any state park on the date of purchase. For specific pricing, visit Delaware State Parks.


Stylized illustration of a kayak in Delaware’s scenic Trap Pond state park.

Kayak in Sussex County's beautiful Trap Pond.



Delaware State Park Attractions


Reservations

Reserve a:


Trails

Use the Delaware State Park’s Find a Trail to locate trails by recreational category and by state park.

Outdoor Recreational Licenses

Some outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, boating, and conservation access using a motor vehicle require a license or permit. You may purchase your license in person at one of these locations.

You also have the option to purchase and print hunting licenses, fishing licenses, deer tags, wildlife area lottery permits, water fowl (duck) stamps, trout stamps, and vehicle conservation access passes online.


Hunting

Delaware hunting licenses cover the period of July 1 through June 30. More information on license fees and other costs.

All persons born after January 1, 1967 must complete the approved Hunter Education Course before applying for a Delaware Hunting License. To sign up for a course, visit the Hunter Education Program.

To access your Delaware Hunter Safety License, visit Hunter Education Online Access.


Illustration of a fishing hat and fishing pole with a license.

Don't forget to get your fishing license!



Fishing

Recreational anglers and shell fishersmust purchase an annual Delaware Fishing License. This license covers fishing in both fresh and tidal waters.

Fees and other related costs

Conservation Access Pass

Any registered motor vehicle that is used to access State Wildlife Areas for the purposes of hunting, bird watching, photography, and similar activities are required to have a Conservation Access Pass.

  • The Conservation Access Pass is valid July 1 through June 30.

For prices, Conservation Access Pass required locations, and frequently asked questions, visit Conservation Access Pass.


Register a Boat

Delaware law requires all motorboats, including those powered by electric motors, to be registered.

For registration fees and other information, visit Delaware Boat Registration Information.

Visit the Division of Fish and Wildlifefor more services and information regarding recreational licenses, permits, and passes.

History



Delaware History Trail

The Delaware History Trail features locations throughout the state that are significant to the history of Delaware and to our nation.


Find a Historic Site

Use this history and heritage tool to locate one of Delaware’s many historical sites.


First State National Historical Park

The First State National Historic Park is comprised of seven different historic sites. These locations highlight Delaware’s role in establishing the United States of America.

Wilmington

New Castle

Dover

Lewes


Historic Homes

Explore some of Delaware’s best historic homes and museums


New Castle County

Amstel House

2 E 4th St, New Castle, DE 19720


The Dutch House

32 E 3rd St, New Castle, DE 19720


Read House and Gardens

42 The Strand, New Castle, DE 19720


Hale- Byrnes House

606 Stanton Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19713


Historic Houses of Odessa

201 Main St, Odessa, DE 19730


Kent County

Belmont Hall

217 Smyrna Leipsic Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977


John Dickinson Plantation

340 Kitts Hummock Rd, Dover, DE 19901


Parson Thorne Mansion

501 NW Front St, Milford, DE 19963


Sussex County

Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation

23669 Ross Station Rd, Seaford, DE 19973


Cannonball House

118 Front St, Lewes, DE 19958


Ryves Holt House

211 Mulberry St, Lewes, DE 19958

Illustration of stylized Great Blue Heron birds flying and resting among the marshland in Bombay Hook’s National Wildlife Refuge.

Visit Kent County's Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.



Arts and Culture



Dining

Find Delaware eateries by category.


Museums

Delaware Favorites

1. Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library

Tour the fascinating 175 room du Pont estate and museum or take a stroll through 60 acres of splendid gardens.


2. Hagley Museum and Library

Be transported to the days of the American Industrial Revolution! Enjoy historical exhibitions and live demonstrations on the site of an original gunpowder mill.


3. Nemours Mansion and Gardens

Take a tour of the spectacular French-inspired du Pont mansion, gaze out over the vista, and explore the gardens lined with sculptures, fountains, and trees.


4. Delaware Museum of Natural History

Investigate science and nature through outdoor trails, a pollinator garden, and seven galleries highlighting habitats from around the globe.


5. Delaware Art Museum

View collections of art and architecture, take studio classes, or attend a cutting edge performance.


6. Delaware Children’s Museum

Explore the worlds of science, math, and technology in a fun and creative learning space!


7. Johnson Victrola Museum

Learn about the life and accomplishments of Eldrige Reeves Johnson, a Delaware native and trailblazer in the sound-recording industry.


8. Air Mobility Command Museum

Commemorate the men and women airmen who aided in war efforts, view over 30 historical aircraft, and test your skills in the flight simulators.


9. Biggs Museum of American Art

Enjoy some of America’s the finest collections of sculptures, images, paintings, furniture, and silver.


10. Zwaandendael Museum

Learn about Swanendael, Delaware’s first European colony, established by the Dutch in 1631.




List of Museums by County

New Castle County

Delaware Art Museum

2301 Kentmere Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19806


Delaware Children’s Museum

550 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801


Delaware History Museum

504 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801


Delaware Museum of Natural History

4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807


Delaware Sports Museum Hall of Fame

801 Shipyard Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801


Fort Delaware

45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706


Hagley Museum and Library

200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807


Iron Hill Science Center

1115 Robert L. Melson Lane Newark, DE 19702


Kalmar Nyckle and Copeland Maritime Center

1124 E 7th St, Wilmington, DE 19801


Nemours Estate

850 Alapocas Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803


New Castle Court House Museum

211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720


New Castle Historical Society

30 Market St, New Castle, DE 19720


Pencader Heritage Museum

2029 Sunset Lake Rd, Newark, DE 19702


Rockwood Museum

4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19809


University Museum at the University of Delaware

18 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711


Winterthur Museum. Gardens, and Library

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735



Kent County

Air Mobility Command Museum

1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902


Barratt’s Chapel and Museum of Methodism

6362 Bay Rd, Frederica, DE 19946


Bigg’s Museum of American Art

406 Federal St, Dover, DE 19901


Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

866 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901


Delaware Public Archives

121 M.L.K. Jr Blvd N, Dover, DE 19901


Delaware State Police Museum

1425 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901


First State Heritage Park

102 S State St, Dover, DE 19901


Harrington Historical Society Museum

108 Fleming St, Harrington, DE 19952


Johnson Victrola Museum

375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901


Milford Museum

121 S Walnut St, Milford, DE 19963


The Old State House

25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901


Smyrna Museum

11 S Main St, Smyrna, DE 19977


Star Hill Museum

357 Voshells Mill Star Hill Rd, Dover, DE 19901


Woodburn: Governor’s House

151 Kings Hwy SW, Dover, DE 19901



Sussex County

Bethany Beach History Museum

214 Garfield Parkway Bethany Beach, DE 19930


DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum

708 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944


Lewes Life-Saving Station

2 Shipcarpenter St, Lewes, DE 19958


Lewes Historical Society Museum Store

302 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958


Nanticoke Indian Museum

27073 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966


Rehoboth Beach Museum

511 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971


Seaford Museum

203 High St, Seaford, DE 19973


Treasures of the Sea

21179 College Dr, Georgetown, DE 19947


Zwaanendael Museum

102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958


Theater and Performing Arts

View our full list of theaters and performing arts venues in Delaware.

Illustration of Rockford Park in Wilmington, Delaware. Lush green trees and a beautiful Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly.

Find beauty in New Castle County



Events and Festivals



Calendar

Check the Visit Delaware Events Calendar to stay up to date on events in Delaware.


Delaware State Fair

The Delaware State Fair has been a community tradition filled with family fun since 1919. The fair is an annual 10 day event consisting of carnival rides, live concerts, food, drink, livestock showcases, and more.


Firefly Music Festival

FireFly Music Festival is the largest music and camping festival on the east coast. Firefly is an annual summer festival, taking place every June in the Woodlands of Dover.

For tickets and information visit: https://www.visitdelaware.com/events/firefly-music-festival/


Professional Sports

Sporting events are fun for the whole family! Check out Delaware's professional teams:

NBA G League Basketball

Minor League Baseball

Professional Hockey Club

Attractions



Browse Attractions

Browse all attractions by category.


Tax Free Shopping

Malls and Outlet Centers

132 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE 19702


Please Note

NOTE: This mall has a parental guidance program in place for guests 17 years of age and under beginning at 5:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.


  • Concord Mall

4737 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803

1365 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901

36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Find more tax free shopping.


Trails of Discovery

Delaware Trails of Discovery each provide a unique way to learn about our state’s history and culture.

How to follow a trail:


  1. Step One


    1. Choose your trail:

  2. Step Two


    Head to the trail’s website and download the passport or app.
  3. Step Three


    Visit each location! While you’re there, use your passport to record the code that you find on the trail sign, sticker, or cache box!
  4. Step Four


    Once you’ve visited the minimum number of locations, send your passport to the Delaware Tourism Office to receive your prize!

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A graphic of a people explporing all the things fun to do in Delaware