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Looking for a getaway that the entire family can enjoy? Think Wilmington, Delaware. Whether you want to bring history to life, get back in touch with nature, stimulate the imagination, enjoy good entertainment or are 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, Wilmington is readily accessible by car, train or plane...and there's lots to see and do.
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 Corporation. See machinery in action, watch a gunpowder demonstration, visit the workers' village where you can experience how children lived and learned in the nineteenth century or tour Eleutherian Mills, the ancestral home of five generations of the du Pont family in Delaware.
Visit Winterthur which USA Today describes as one of the country's "...ten great places of historic proportions". Admire Henry Francis du Pont's unparalleled collection of American decorative arts on display inside the 175-room mansion. Take the guided "Once Upon a Family Tour" and experience the lifestyle of the landed gentry during the early part of the twentieth century. Take a tram ride through the surrounding grounds which boast fine naturalistic gardens. Be sure to spend some time in Enchanted Woods, a three-acre garden believed to have been fashioned by the fairies who once played with young Henry and his sister, Louise, and now entertain children of all ages. There's also an Indoor Children's Garden at nearby Longwood Gardens, Pierre Samuel du Pont's 1000-acre horticultural extravaganza.
Across the street from Winterthur, a world of discovery awaits inside the Delaware Museum of Natural History. The museum features a giant squid, life size dinosaurs, an African Watering Hole, a Barrier Reef and an expansive collection of birds, eggs and shells plus changing exhibits.
The Delaware Art Museum is very child-oriented and offers programs like the Sunday Studio Series on the last Sunday of the month, Summer Art Camp and Stroller Days.
On the first Sunday of the month in June thru November, visit the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights where you will find the world's largest collection of operating steam cars. If you prefer, climb aboard the Wilmington & Western Railroad and take a scenic ride through the Red Clay Valley.
The Delaware Children's Theatre in Downtown Wilmington has been presenting family classics for over 25 years. 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 Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions 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. The DuPont Environmental Education Center in the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge offers nature programs, bird walks, kayaking and dip netting. Cheer the Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball Team on to victory at Frawley Stadium. Get a different perspective on Wilmington's history aboard the Wilmington River Taxi. Take a day sail on the Kalmar Nyckel, a full-size, sea-worthy replica of the Tall Ship that brought the Swedes to Wilmington in 1638 some 375 years ago. The Delaware Contemporary offers special children's programs throughout the year and admission is free.
Wilmington's many public parks are perfect for long hikes and outdoor picnics. There's even a zoo in the Brandywine Park in Downtown Wilmington and horseback riding in Carousel Park. If you prefer, tube down the Brandywine River. Relax in 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.
Finally, Wilmington's festivals are an ever-popular draw. Starting with Winterthur's Point-to-Point Festival on the first Sunday in May, there are festivals scheduled throughout the summer months. One of the newest additions is the Pirate Festival in July with face-painting, treasure hunts, tours of the Kalmar Nyckel and live entertainment.
Come and enjoy!
The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as the community's customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors.
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