As soon as you get to Delaware, you’ll notice how proud we are of our most famous resident.  

Those arriving by car might stop at The Biden Welcome Center on I-95 (which got its current name in 2018 and offers lots of useful information on all there is to see and do in Delaware), while those traveling by train will arrive in Wilmington at the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station (named in the then-Vice President’s honor in 2011). During his years as a U.S. Senator, Joe took the train from this station to Washington, DC almost daily, earning himself the nickname “Amtrak Joe.” 

Even if you didn’t take the train, we suggest stopping by the station. The station’s exterior — designed by noted American architect Frank Furness — is decorative, with terra cotta details and a four-faced rectangular clock tower. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 

Wilmington Riverfront

Just to the west of the station you’ll find the Wilmington Riverfront. This thriving dining and entertainment district was center stage for much of the Democratic National Convention at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. It also hosted a socially distanced parking lot celebration when Biden announced his victory and was where most of the national and international media camped out in the weeks leading up to the inauguration.  

There is so much to do here, you might consider spending the night. Each of the three hotels here offers views of the lovely Christina River. The Riverwalk provides an easy connection to the many restaurants, shops and venues in the area.  

If you’re ready for lunch, Wilmington’s Market Street is a great place to go. One of the best options is Bardea Food & Drink, where Joe treated his wife Jill to a birthday dinner a few years ago. It was also a favorite take-out spot for the Biden transition team while they were working out of the nearby concert and performing arts venue The Queen.  

Riverfront Wilmington

Stroll or jog along the beautiful 1.3 mile riverfront path that leads to the city’s best outdoor attractions including the Wilmington Blue Rocks minor league baseball, Riverfront Mini Golf…

Leslie Kipp

Hotel DuPont Exterior

Up the street from Bardea is the HOTEL DU PONT.  The property, opened in 1913, is one of the country’s grandest and most storied hotels. It has played host to presidents, celebrities and royalty for more than 100 years. The Biden team announced Kamala Harris as Joe’s running mate here. The hotel is also home to Le Cavalier, helmed by award-winning chef and Delaware native Tyler Akin.    

When you’re done exploring the hotel, consider taking a short drive north to the Eastlake neighborhood of Wilmington. Here you will see The Joseph R. Biden Jr. Aquatic Center. Biden lifeguarded at this community pool as a teenager. The pool was renamed for him in 2017. This same neighborhood was also the home of reggae legend Bob Marley, off and on, between the mid-‘60s and mid-‘70s. 

For dinner, how about another Biden favorite? Since becoming President, Joe and his family or friends have dined at Wilmington restaurants such as Rocco Italian Grill & Sports Bar, Banks Seafood Kitchen and The Quoin Restaurant.  The Quoin Restaurant

Before you venture out of Wilmington on the next day of your Biden-inspired journey, stop by Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Biden famously visited the Washington, D.C. outpost (now closed) of this locally grown sandwich chain on opening day in 2013, stating to the press gathered around him, “This is gonna settle it once and for all: the best sandwich in America is out of Wilmington, Delaware.” Capriotti’s most famous concoction is The Bobbie: homemade turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo on a roll. You’ve got to give it a try! It’s all the things you love about Thanksgiving in a sub. 

For your morning, we suggest a trip down the memory lane of Joe Biden’s college days. Joe is a graduate of the University of Delaware in Newark, and the University’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration was renamed in his honor in 2018. His wife, Dr. Jill Biden, earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Delaware in January of 2007. Biden has often been spotted at the University’s stadium. In 2010, he was seen chatting with another former Blue Hen: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. If it’s not football season, you can walk the lovely campus, and there are lots of great restaurants to consider for lunch on Newark’s Main Street. 

Not far away is Delaware Technical Community College’s Stanton location, where Jill Biden was an English and writing professor from 1993 to 2008 (while her husband served in the U.S. Senate). 

 

In the afternoon, head north to the Brandywine Valley, which is closer to the Bidens’ current home base. Consider booking a room at the Inn at Montchanin, which once served as home to the laborers who worked at the nearby DuPont powder mills and hosted Kamala Harris’ family during the 2020 election. Inn at Montchanin Room

A two-minute drive from the Inn is St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, Delaware. This lovely yellow stucco church is just a few minutes from Biden’s home, and he is a regular worshiper here. St. Joseph’s roots stretch back to the thousands of Irish Catholic immigrants that came here in the 1800s to work for the DuPont Company. 

Greenville has plenty of dinner options that are also Biden favorites, such as Pizza by Elizabeths, where Vice President Biden and his Secret Service detail could often be spotted tucking into pies named after famous Elizabeths.  

After a relaxed night at the inn, there are plenty of other options to consider for breakfast or lunch on the following day, ranging from PureBread Deli at Greenville Crossing to nearby Janssen’s Fine Foods and the Brew HaHa! coffee shop. 

If you’d like to indulge in some tax-free shopping while you’re here, consider Biden favorites like jeweler Whimsy or women’s boutique Peter Kate.   

Brew Haha!Also in the Greenville area are two public schools associated with the Bidens. Joe has given a number of addresses at Alexis I. du Pont High School over the years, most notably the August 12, 2020 address that marked his first public appearance with running mate Kamala Harris. 

From the du Pont High School on Route 202 North, it’s only a quick detour on Foulk Road to Brandywine High School. Before Delaware Technical Community College, Jill Biden taught English here. In summer 2020, she chose to return to her former classroom to deliver her Democratic National Convention speech. 

After another full day of Biden-themed exploration, you deserve an amazing dinner, and Claymont Steak Shop certainly delivers. While still in the Senate, Biden often made time to stop by this eatery for a bite to eat and a chance to greet old friends.  

Just next door is another great option: The Charcoal Pit. Biden is a longtime fan of the Charcoal Pit’s burgers and shakes. When President Barack Obama came to Wilmington in 2014, the two made a stop at the Charcoal Pit’s Concord Pike location. The sundaes here all bear the names of local high schools.  

After dinner, it’s a short trip to Archmere Academy, on Philadelphia Pike/Route 13 in Claymont. This is the town where Joe Biden grew up after moving to Delaware from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Biden attended this Catholic college preparatory school, serving on the student council and playing football and baseball for the Auks. His children — Beau, Hunter and Ashley — also graduated from Archmere. 

After you’re done walking in the Bidens’ footsteps, may we suggest touring sites associated with another prominent Delaware family? The du Ponts left their imprint on the First State starting in the early 1800s, long before the Bidens did. Stops to consider include Hagley Museum and Library, the original du Pont estate and gunpowder mills; Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, which is on par with some of the most famous estates in the country; Mt. Cuba Center, a gorgeous garden dedicated to native plant preservation; and Longwood Gardens, one of America’s foremost display gardens.