When Joe Biden was elected as the nation’s 46th President, the nation’s media spotlight landed on Wilmington, Delaware. But while we’re Joe Biden’s hometown, we’re so much more as well.  

Wilmington, Delaware is a small city with a big heart located in the second-smallest state in the U.S. (Thanks, Rhode Island.) Even if you have never visited us, we bet you have driven through. Both Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 cut right through the heart of Greater Wilmington. Next time you’re here, why don’t you stay and explore? We have a lot to offer. 

Start your day of exploration with a visit to the Wilmington Riverfront, where you’ll be amazed by sights like the Delaware Children’s Museum and the DuPont Environmental Education Center.  

Nearby Market Street has become a foodie destination, with culinary trend setters like Bardea Food & Drink and Le Cavalier serving up world-class menus.  

After lunch, explore the Delaware Art Museum, which owns the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings outside the U.K., or tour Nemours Estate, an estate inspired by Versailles and home to the largest formal French garden in North America.  

For dinner, your options are plentiful — in addition to the Riverfront and Market Street, Trolley Square is another neighborhood whose dining and nightlife scene delight visitors.  

If you have another day, consider exploring the small towns and beautiful landscapes beyond Wilmington. For example, spend your morning in Historic New Castle, where  

William Penn first set foot on the New World. When people visit New Castle for the first time, they are often surprised that our state has architecture that dates back as far as it does. Its oldest structure, the Dutch House, was built between 1664 and 1682. After a tour of the historic downtown, Jessop’s Tavern and Colonial Restaurant is the perfect lunch spot.  

 

 

In the afternoon, experience the legacy of the du Pont family. Titans of industry, the du Pont family arrived here from France in the early 1800s and made its mark in gunpowder manufacturing on the shores of the Brandywine Creek. The business eventually expanded into many different industries, including auto manufacturing, synthetic polymers and biotechnology, to name a few. In Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, the du Ponts are as well known for their philanthropy and preservation efforts as they are for their corporate prowess. Many of their grand mansions have been transformed into award-winning botanic gardens and estate museums. 

Places to explore 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.   

Or, if you’d rather pay homage to one of the foremost families of American art, spend your afternoon at the Brandywine Museum of Art. Three generations of Wyeths drew inspiration from the stunning scenery of our region and captured it in their art, which is on display at this gorgeous, scenic riverside museum.  
 

But wait — don’t leave yet. Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley also provide plenty of opportunities for a day of outdoor exploration. The Wilmington & Western Railroad offers train tours through the scenic Red Clay Valley, including themed rides for the holidays. State parks popular with hikers and bikers include Brandywine Creek State Park and White Clay Creek State Park. At Alapocas Run State Park, visitors can learn to rock-climb on Delaware’s only natural climbing wall and see one of the state’s few waterfalls. Pack a lunch from Janssen’s Fine Foods and you’re all ready to go! 

And did we mention shopping? Shopping in Delaware is tax free! At 1,267,241 square feet, Christiana Mall is the largest shopping mall in the state of Delaware and the largest in the five states without sales tax outside of Oregon. There’s also excellent boutique and antique shopping in Greenville, Centerville, Trolley Square, and more.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Come pay us a visit. We can’t wait to welcome you! For more trip ideas and a list of places to stay, go to www.visitwilmingtonde.com. We’ve also got a live chat feature where you can get customized trip planning assistance.