Unique Things to Do in Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley (That Most Visitors Miss)

While Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is known for its historic estates, famous gardens, and culinary scene, there are plenty of unique activities and unusual things to do that you might not find on a traditional itinerary. 

(Best Kept) Secret Gardens

Tucked away in Wilmington, the Gibraltar Gardens have been painstakingly restored to showcase the vision of famed female landscape architect Marian Coffin. Both the plants and the architecture are a sight to behold, and admission is free.

While visiting the city’s Brandywine Park, take a stroll through the Jasper Crane Rose Garden. Roses begin blooming in June and continue throughout the summer.

The University of Delaware Botanical Gardens in Newark are open to the public all year long. Take a self-guided tour through a variety of outdoor spaces and greenhouses, including the Hydrangea Collection, the Herbaceous Garden, and the Habitat Trail.

Thrills & Chills

Adventurers of all ages will love the ropes courses and ziplines at Go Ape! Zipline and Adventure Park in Bear. Enjoy thrilling fun and epic views from amongst the trees.

On Sunday afternoon, climb to the top of Rockford Tower for a stunning view of Wilmington. This 100-year-old stone tower is the centerpiece of Rockford Park, which is also a great spot for a picnic.

Alapocas Run State Park is home to Delaware’s only publicly accessible natural rock-climbing wall. Get a permit to scale the blue granite cliffs on your own or sign up for an intro to rock climbing class.

As a former prison camp for Confederate soldiers, many believe Fort Delaware is haunted. Experience its eerie side during October ghost tours on Pea Patch Island. Advance tickets are required.

Outdoor Activities

Take the Tri-State Marker Trail at White Clay Creek State Park in Newark for a scenic 4-mile loop that crosses several bridges and offers stunning ravine views. On the way, you’ll pass a stone marking the boundary of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Another notable trail at White Clay Creek State Park, the Arc Marker Hike, leads you to a stone marker erected in 1892 along the Delaware–Pennsylvania border, where you can stand with one foot in each state.

Make the most of a hot summer day by tubing down the Brandywine River. Brandywine Creek State Park is a popular starting location for a leisurely float.

Take a scenic drive through the Brandywine Valley and check out our three covered bridges: Smith’s Bridge, Ashland Bridge, and Wooddale Bridge.

Museums & Historic Sites

Discover 200 years of history at the Christian C. Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford. This country home features an interesting collection of artwork, artifacts, photographs, and documents (including Civil War letters) that tell the story of our region.

Learn about our state’s rich military history and the stories and sacrifices of its servicemen and women at the Delaware Military Museum in Wilmington. The collection features information and artifacts from the colonial period to modern conflicts.

While there’s a lot to see at Hagley Museum and Library, don’t miss the Nation of Inventors Exhibit, which takes visitors on a journey of American ingenuity that celebrates our inventors, from the birth of the patent system to the golden age of American invention. While at Hagley, be sure to also check out the gunpowder demonstration in the Powder Yard.

Experience Delaware’s maritime heritage at the Copeland Maritime Center along the Wilmington Riverfront, including the Watercrafts of the World collection of model ships. If the Kalmar Nyckel is currently in port, you may be able to take a day sail, river cruise, or deck tour of Delaware’s Tall Ship.

Anyone interested in art can book tickets through the Brandywine Museum of Art for the N.C. Wyeth Mural Experience, which stops at the N.C. Wyeth Studio and the Apotheosis of the Family mural at Point Lookout Farm.

On the third Wednesday of every month, visit the Hale-Byrnes House in Newark, where George Washington met with his generals on September 6, 1777, and on the first Sunday of the month (June through November), attend Steamin’ Days at Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights to ride a steam train, climb into an antique automobile, and explore the Marshall Mansion.Have a drink at Jessop’s Tavern in Historic New Castle, a 300-year-old building where you can choose from over 300 Belgian beers — plus tasty colonial-style food.

Parks & Nature Centers

Unwind outdoors at Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin. Hike the nature trails, participate in their fall hawk watch, and visit the butterfly habitat.

Take a scenic walk or bike ride along the Delaware River at Battery Park in Historic New Castle and then enjoy a relaxing picnic. 

Brandywine Springs is the site of a popular amusement park that closed in 1923. While the rides have been removed, search the park for markers that designate where each structure once stood.

Farm Experiences & Agritourism Picks

Once a year, Greenbank Mills Farm in Wilmington holds a Sheep Shearing Day, inviting guests to witness the shearing of their heritage sheep and then learn how the wool is processed, spun, and dyed.

The Coverdale Farm Preserve in Greenville is open on weekends from April through November so guests can learn more about their regenerative agriculture methods, visit the animals, and explore the farm. Stop by the market for fresh produce and check their website for special programs.

Ready to Discover Wilmington’s Hidden Side?

Be sure to add a few of these hidden gems to your itinerary for a trip that feels more personal, immersive, and distinctly local. Start planning your visit and uncover the moments that make Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley truly memorable.