Delaware is a beautiful state. It’s one of the lesser-known eastern locations that still offers travelers incredible natural beauty and wonderful culture. When you plan your trip to Delaware, make sure you check out our list of the top tourist attractions in the state to see why so many people love coming here year after year.

1. Rehoboth and Delaware Beaches

Beaches with white sand can be found along much of Delaware’s 28 miles of Atlantic coastline, and these beaches are among the most popular weekend destinations for people living in any of the three major cities that are within driving distance. The most popular destination is Rehoboth Beach, which is frequently ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States due to its chill vibe, numerous shops and eateries, and expansive stretches of pure white sand.

To the south is the family-friendly Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, and to the south of that is the action-packed Dewey Beach. After that is the Delaware Seashore State Park, which is located on a long barrier island and has water access on both the bay side and the ocean side. Cape Henlopen State Park and the quaint, old-fashioned town of Lewes can be found to the north of Rehoboth Beach. There is a beach that caters to everyone’s preferences.

Funland, which has been a part of the community in Rehoboth Beach since 1962, is consistently ranked as one of the most popular attractions there. The amusement park is ideal for families because it features rides of varying degrees of fright that are appropriate for children of all ages as well as a midway that features games.

2. Nemours Estate, Wilmington

Alfred du Pont presented the Nemours Mansion in Wilmington, which was constructed in the early 1900s, to his wife Alicia as a wedding present. This stunning mansion, which features 77 rooms, is surrounded by equally stunning gardens, including the largest formal French gardens found anywhere in North America.

The land that lies beyond encompasses almost 200 acres and is made up of lawns, meadows, and forests. Continue along the Long Walk until you reach the Reflecting Pool, which features a fountain that shoots intermittent jets of water into the air. A selection of classic automobiles can be found in the Chauffeur’s Garage’s collection.

3. Winterthur Museum and Gardens

Winterthur, which was established by Henry Francis du Pont, is a rather unique example of a museum due to the fact that it was constructed not only as a venue for displaying the owner’s priceless antiques and works of art, but also as a place for the owner’s family and friends to use and enjoy. The 175 rooms were decorated with antique furniture, needlework, textiles, silver, glass, paintings, prints, and ceramics that were appropriate to their respective time periods. The rooms were designed to be as historically accurate as was humanly possible.

Because they have access to nearly 90,000 objects, curators not only have the ability to authentically furnish the rooms, but they also have the ability to mount special exhibits in the galleries that follow themes such as artistic mediums, techniques, and decorative styles and influences. No tour covers more than a few small sections of the house because of its enormous size; therefore, you will need to come back more than once to see everything. It is widely acknowledged that Winterthur is the best museum of decorative arts in the United States.

The house is surrounded by a park that spans a thousand acres and was another one of du Pont’s interests besides plants. In this location, he designed a botanical garden with plants and trees sourced from all over the world. He planned the arrangement of the plants and trees with consideration given to their colors and the season in which they bloomed. As a result, the garden was beautiful from the end of winter until the end of fall.

The Enchanted Woods is a three-acre children’s garden that allows children to enter the world of woodland fairies. Fern-bounded woodland paths lead to grand vistas of lawns and flower beds, as well as to the Enchanted Woods.

4. Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover

Fans of aviation will want to make a trip to the Air Mobility Command Museum to take a look at the impressive collection of vintage aircraft that dates back to 1941. You can learn about the history of the Dover Air Force Base by perusing the artifacts that are displayed in the hangar and the lot in front of it. These artifacts focus on airlifting and air refueling.

There are over 30 aircraft on display, ranging in size and purpose across the spectrum. The C-141B Starlifter, C133 Cargomaster, C130 Hercules, and a C-124 Globemaster are among the aircraft that are considered to be among the largest. You can get a better idea of what it’s like to fly by climbing the stairs and exploring the cabin of one of the planes.

5. Hagley Museum and Library

The original du Pont gunpowder mills can be found on the grounds of the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, which also includes an estate and gardens. Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home, was constructed by E. I. du Pont in 1803. It is located in an area that overlooks a garden that was also restored by E. I. du Pont and was designed in the French style.

The du Pont family grew their business while they were centered in the Georgian-style home that they occupied for five generations. You can obtain information about the growth of industry that occurred along the Brandywine River as a result of technological advances in the library and the visitor center. If you are interested in conducting additional research, the library is also available.

Within the barn, there is a collection of vintage vehicles, one of which is a Conestoga Wagon. This particular wagon was utilized for transporting black powder to the port of Wilmington. You will be able to put on a space suit and learn about the du Pont materials that went into making it at the Science and Discovery Center.

6. Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington

The Delaware Art Museum, which can be found in Wilmington, houses a collection that emphasizes American art from the 19th through the 21st centuries as well as English Pre-Raphaelite art from the middle of the 19th century. The works and papers of American artist Howard Pyle, who illustrated books written by authors such as Mark Twain and Robert Lewis Stevenson, are housed in this museum, which is especially well-known for its premier collection of Pyle’s works.

Pyle is best recognized for his ethereal and mystical etchings, drawings, and paintings depicting mythological and medieval chivalry scenes. He is also credited with providing the illustrations for Treasure Island. You’ll be able to compare the originals of his works to those of other well-known illustrators like Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell, among others.

The entire cycle of murals that Pyle painted for the dining room of their home in Wilmington are now on display, just as they were intended to be, in a cozy room with paneled walls. This is one of the highlights of the collections. Other noteworthy collections housed within the Delaware Art Museum include jewelry and metalwork created by English artisans in the Arts and Crafts style, in addition to posters designed by American poster artists.

When you get close to the building, you can’t help but notice the brilliant glass flower arrangement that was created by Dale Chihuly. Each flower is several feet across. The flowers are displayed in front of a large window and are also visible from below in the atrium of the museum. Additionally, the flowers can be seen up close from a walkway that connects the two wings of the building.

Outside on the lawns is where you’ll find the Copeland Sculpture Garden. It features nine works, the most notable of which are Three Rectangles Horizontal Jointed Gyratory III by George Rickey and Tom Otterness’ 13-foot Crying Giant. Both of these sculptures move in the slightest breeze.

7. John Dickinson Plantation

John Dickinson, also known as the “Penman of the American Revolution,” is generally regarded as the person responsible for penning the Articles of Confederation in the year 1778. His brick home, outbuildings, and the home he shared with his slaves and tenants in Dover were all constructed in the 1740s.

Visits to the farm can be educational for the whole family because interpreters in period garb move about the property carrying out tasks that were typical in the 16th century. The granary is without a doubt one of the most fascinating structures in the area. An inclined plane, a wedge, a screw, a pulley, a lever, and a wheel and axel are the six historical machines that are broken down and explained in this article in great detail.

In the welcome center, there are display panels that chronicle the lives of five people who once lived on the plantation. These panels offer a very helpful glimpse into what people’s lives were like back in those days.

8. Brandywine Creek State Park

The 933 acres that make up Brandywine Creek State Park are an essential habitat for a diverse array of avian and mammalian species. The Brandywine Zoo is just one of the many attractions that can be found within the park. The zoo is renowned for its collection of endangered species native to North and South America. Visitors who are blind or have low vision will find that Brandywine is an excellent destination because the park features a Sensory Trail.

It is imperative that you bring along your fishing rod. The waters of Brandywine Creek are home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including bluegill, crappie, and smallmouth bass. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are three additional popular water sports that can be enjoyed on the creek. In the event that you do not have your own equipment, the local outfitters will quickly get you set up and ready to go on the water.

Taking a stroll, going for a run, or going on a hike is one of the most common things to do in the park. The Brandywine trail and the Rocky Run trail are two of the best trails in the park. The Brandywine trail follows the creek.

The magnificent stand of tulip poplar trees that are believed to be close to 200 years old is one of the most famous features of Brandywine Creek State Park. A level path that makes a loop through the forest and passes by these towering trees begins at the Nature Center. As you make your way through the forest, be on the lookout for various animals, such as songbirds, deer, and other critters.

9. The Nanticoke Indian Museum

Located in Millsboro and designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Nanticoke Indian Museum is housed in a building that was once used as a one-room schoolhouse. This location showcases a wide range of indigenous artifacts, including those made of pottery, arrowheads, spears, and textiles; the earliest of these items date back to 8000 BC. A classic canoe made of wood deserves special mention for its significance. The museum is an excellent resource for learning about the history of the Nanticoke Tribe and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.

10. Delaware’s Old State House

The Delaware State House in Dover, which was built in the Georgian style, was finished in 1792. On the first floor, it features the presentation and ceremonial office of the Governor, as well as the courtroom and legislative chambers that date back to the 18th century. On display are a number of artifacts, photographs from the building’s history, and documents that provide insight into its previous use over the course of 224 years.

Denis A. Volozan’s portrait of George Washington is widely considered to be one of the most compelling works of art. This enormous painting was created in 1802, measures seven feet by five feet, and has no known subject matter.

11. Grand Opera House

The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, was built in 1871 and features a cast-iron facade. The building has been restored. Over the course of its history, the Grand Theater has played host to a wide variety of performances, including but not limited to: burlesque, vaudeville, variety shows, musical recitals, symphonies, and operas. This exquisite venue for live performances has comfortable seating for 1,140 guests and excellent sight lines throughout the venue.

Over seventy-five shows are presented each year at The Grand, making it the cultural and performance hub of the city. Today’s events center on ballet and classical music performances; the Grand Opera House is home to the First State Ballet Theatre, the Delaware Symphony, and Opera Delaware.

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