FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, Delaware (July 28, 2022) – Nothing says summer quite like a road trip, but fuel prices are making some vacationers second-guess their desire for a getaway. Luckily, Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, which is conveniently located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, awaits. The area boasts palatial gardens, parks and riverside trails for outdoor adventurers; world-class museums and historic sites; unique family experiences; and a thriving culinary scene that will have you eating your way through the city.
Safe to say, you’ll find plenty of ways to spend the weekend around Greater Wilmington. And getting there on just one tank of gas (or less!)? That sounds like the perfect late-summer getaway. Here are some of our favorite reasons to make the drive now.
Let’s start with the kiddos … because let’s face it, they truly determine the schedule. From the Delaware Children’s Museum and the Brandywine Zoo to the Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware’s Tall Ship, the region is filled with family fun for all ages. Looking to score some points as the cool parent? Add the completely transformed and recently reopened Delaware Museum of Nature & Science to the itinerary. The museum is home to new interactive displays and the only permanent dinosaur exhibit in the entire state.
Speaking of cool … Greater Wilmington is home to seven state parks (impressive for a destination of its size). Tubing and swimming along the Brandywine River at Brandywine Creek State Park are popular summer pastimes that provide a refreshing way to cool down. And from cooling off to cool views, Wilmington’s Riverfront is another gorgeous hub of adventure. The Riverfront is located in the heart of downtown, and visitors can take a 1.3-mile scenic stroll or book a themed cruise along the historic Christina River.
What’s equally thrilling is how these parks transform into exciting event venues, including Bellevue State Park’s summer concert series, Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park’s August Quarterly Festival Celebration, and Brandywine Park’s Brandywine Festival of the Arts, the largest such festival in the state.
By now, we’re sure you’ve worked up an appetite. With new and diverse flavors, there’s no shortage of dining and brewery options to match every palate. This small city boasts plenty of world cuisine, including Jamaican, Mediterranean and Puerto Rican (just to name a few) dishes that will awaken your taste buds. Begin your culinary journey at places like Bardea Steak, Go Vegan Philly, La Fia Bistro, Mrs. Robino’s, Stitch House Brewery, and Ubon Thai Kitchen & Bar. One (or all) are sure to hit the spot.
And you can’t miss this: A visit to the region isn’t complete without oohing and aahing over its five grand garden estates created by the prominent du Pont family. Travel through history at Hagley Museum & Library, Longwood Gardens, Mt. Cuba Center, Nemours Estate and Winterthur Museum. Speaking of history, Winterthur’s current exhibit – From Winterthur to the White House – gives a behind-the-scenes look the youngest First Lady in American history, Jacqueline Kennedy, and octogenarian collector Henry Francis du Pont’s partnership to restore the White House interiors. Visitors can also experience Light: Installations by Bruce Munro at Longwood Gardens through October 30, too. Look on in wonder at the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs adorning the landscape amid the large and small Lakes on its hundreds of acres.
But wait … there’s more! Visitors can experience a dozen top attractions for one great price with the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport. Valid through October 31, the passport offers the perfect excuse to hit the road again this this fall.
For more information about any of these activities or to begin planning your trip, check out VisitWilmingtonDE.com.
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The Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley region of Delaware is in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic and less than a two-hour drive from both New York City and Washington. Steeped in American history and the legacy of the famed du Pont family, it is a destination marked by sharp contrasts – town and garden, past and present, historic and hip. Featuring renowned gardens, world-class museums, colonial towns, outdoor adventure, festivals, and an ever-growing craft beer and restaurant scene, the region offers a vacation experience that is vibrant, unique and authentic. Learn more at VisitWilmingtonDE.com. To see the beauty of the Brandywine Valley, watch this: https://youtu.be/KyPWLnciO0E.
