Spring Break Ideas for Families

Subject:   Spring Break Ideas for Families  

Greater Wilmington, DE has so many options for families and it is readily accessible by car, train or plane.  In addition, there is no sales tax in Delaware for food, beverages, entertainment or shopping; this means that every dollar goes further.

Wilmington, Delaware is a getaway destination that the entire family can enjoy.  Whether you want to bring history to life, get back in touch with nature, stimulate the imagination, enjoy good entertainment or looking for unique experiences, Greater Wilmington is the perfect choice. Located midway between New York City and Washington, less than 30 minutes south of Philadelphia on Interstate-95 and there's lots to do and see.

History comes alive at Hagley Museum & Library where E.I. du Pont settled along the banks of the Brandywine River in 1802 and began harnessing its power to produce high-quality gunpowder, thus laying the foundation for the famous DuPont Company.  See machinery in action, watch a gunpowder demonstration or visit the workers' village and she how children lived and learned in the nineteenth century or tour Eleutherian Mills which housed five generations of the du Pont family.  There's an excellent Civil War exhibit on display in the Visitors Center which is handicapped accessible.

Across the street, a world of discovery awaits inside the Delaware Museum of Natural History.  Hallmarks of the museum's permanent collection include a giant squid, life size dinosaurs, an African Watering Hole, a Barrier Reef and an expansive collection of birds, eggs and shells.  The museum is hosting a special exhibit on "Giant African Dinosaurs" now thru February 26^th.  See life-size dinosaur skeletons with touchable fossils.  From March 10 thru May 28, "Conservation Quest" will examine energy: what it is, where it comes from, how we use it and why it's important to use energy wisely.

The Delaware Art Museum is very child-oriented and offers programs like the Sunday Studio Series on the last Sunday of the month, Art Camp and Stroller Tours.  The museum will offer a special week-long Art Camp during Spring Break.

If you prefer, climb aboard the Wilmington & Western Railroad and take a scenic ride through the Red Clay Valley aboard one of the country's oldest operating steam engines.

The Delaware Children's Theatre in Downtown Wilmington has been presenting family classics for over 30 years.  This year's series features "Honk!" in February, "Alice in Wonderland" in March and "Cinderella" in May on select Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The DuPont Theatre in the Hotel du Pont hosts a wonderful children's series every year.  Wilmington's newest entertainment venue, World Cafe Live at the Queen on Market Street, has a Peanut Butter and Jam Series on Saturday mornings with an all-you-can-eat kid-friendly lunch buffet.

There's plenty to do in Wilmington's revitalized Riverfront.  The new Delaware Children's Museum is a magnet for families and its focus in February is architecture.  The new DuPont Environmental Education Center in the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge offers nature programs and guided walks led by a naturalist.  Admission is free as are many of its programs. The Kalmar Nyckel is a full-size, sea-worthy replica of the ship that brought the Swedes to Wilmington in 1638 and it is available for tours when it is in port.  The New Sweden Museum is also located in the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard.  This smaller museum is open by appointment and offers interactive programs.  The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts also organizes special children's programs throughout the year. 

Wilmington's many public parks are perfect for long hikes and outdoor picnics.  There's even a zoo in the Brandywine Park or explore the Can-Do-Park, located just north of the city.  Its design allows children with disabilities to play side-by-side with children who are more physically fortunate.

Just across the border in Pennsylvania is Longwood Gardens with over 1000 acres of land and 4 acres of gardens under glass in the Conservatory.  Its Indoor Children's Garden is designed to stir the imagination and delight the senses. 

Come and enjoy!