Free Things to Do in Wilmington, Delaware & the Brandywine Valley

Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley offers a variety of fun without breaking the bank. From scenic nature walks, to ever-changing art exhibitions, to themed summer festivals, there’s truly something to appeal to every member of the family ... with no additional charge. Visitors can make the most out of their time -- and their budgets – while experiencing and exploring Greater Wilmington.

The Great Outdoors

DUPONT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

The DUPONT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER (DEEC) is a wildlife escape where the city, river and marsh meet. The DEEC features a 10-acre garden park with flower garden path, a quarter-mile pond loop through a freshwater marsh and a four-story education center with panoramic views. Free tip: Staff-led binocular walks and animal encounters take place Tuesday through Sunday.

BOMBAY HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

BOMBAY HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is a 15,978-acre National Wildlife Refuge located along the eastern coast of Kent County, Delaware, on the Delaware Bay. The refuge’s diversity of habitats and wildlife are must-sees for families visiting the area. A 12-mile wildlife drive, five walking trails, three observation towers, picture-perfect wildlife photography opportunities, nature and educational programs, and interpretive displays make Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge the perfect destination for wildlife admirers. The visitor center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the year, and the wildlife drive is open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset daily.

DELAWARE STATE PARK CONCERT SERIES

DELAWARE STATE PARK CONCERT SERIES offers deeply diverse music offerings in a series over free concerts over the summer months. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy the natural beauty of the Delaware State Parks while listening to bluegrass and blues, big band and the Beatles (and that’s just at the start of the alphabet). Note: The concerts are free, but there are still nominal park entrance fees in effect.

Inspirational and Educational Attractions:

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY, a non-collecting contemporary art museum, mounts 30 changing exhibitions each year. The exhibits feature works of regional and national artists in seven galleries, ensuring that visitors encounter something new with each visit. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.

ART LOOP WILMINGTON

ART LOOP WILMINGTON, on the first Friday of each month, has museums, studios and art galleries throughout Wilmington and the surrounding area stay open late for a night of opening receptions and art exhibitions. Many of the exhibit spaces offer free live entertainment to enhance the experience.

FIRST STATE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Visitors to FIRST STATE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK and Historic New Castle can take in the abundance of colonial history while walking cobblestone streets. Not to be missed, the NEW CASTLE COURT HOUSE MUSEUM was built in 1732 and served as Delaware’s first court and state capitol. Guided tours and exhibitions at the museum highlight Delaware's courts and Assembly, social, cultural, archaeological and Underground Railroad history. On display are period portraits, furniture, artifacts and decorative arts. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday.

MEZZANINE GALLERY

The MEZZANINE GALLERY, located in the Carvel State Office Building in Downtown Wilmington, features one-person exhibitions of Delaware artists in disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, folk, and media arts.

Free Festivals:

HOLY TRINITY GREEK FESTIVAL

The annual HOLY TRINITY GREEK FESTIVAL transports visitors to the Old Country with authentic Greek food, music and dance. The festival preserves Greek heritage while celebrating and sharing the Greek culture with the local community. The festival takes place annually in early June.

DUPONT CLIFFORD BROWN JAZZ FESTIVAL

The DUPONT CLIFFORD BROWN JAZZ FESTIVAL is a celebration of the brilliant trumpet player, unforgettable composer and dynamic entertainer whose name and legacy is celebrated each June with live music and events in Rodney Square.

LADYBUG MUSIC FESTIVAL

Each year in mid-July, the LADYBUG MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrates women in music. Created in 2012, the festival features women performers as part of a live music block party taking place in the 200 block of downtown Wilmington's Market Street. The festival continues to grow year after year, bringing in new artists from across the country.

Holiday Festivities:

One day each holiday season, the historic towns of Odessa and New Castle open their doors to reveal lavishly decorated private homes and historic churches, during HOLIDAYS IN ODESSA and THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.
One Saturday each December the Colonial town of New Castle gets a little Victorian with THE DICKENS EXPERIENCE as costumes characters roam the decorated streets and carolers sing holiday favorites.

Weekly Free Opportunities:

BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART – free on the first Sunday of the month, February – November
DELAWARE ART MUSEUM – free on Thursday evenings and Sundays
DELAWARE HISTORY MUSEUM - free on first Friday of each month
ROCKWOOD MUSEUM – free on the first Sunday of the month
THE NEWARK HISTORY MUSEUM – free on Sundays, April – December

Blue Ribbon Museums:

(Free to active duty personnel & their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day):

BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART (Chadds Ford, PA)
CHADDS FORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Chadds Ford, PA)
CHRISTIAN SANDERSON MUSEUM (Chadds Ford, PA)
DELAWARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Wilmington, DE)
DELAWARE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (Wilmington, DE)
HAGLEY MUSEUM (Wilmington, DE)
MT. CUBA CENTER (Hockessin, DE)
NEW CASTLE COURT HOUSE MUSEUM (New Castle, DE)
ROCKWOOD PARK & MUSEUM (Wilmington, DE)
THE READ HOUSE & GARDENS (New Castle, DE)
WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY (Winterthur, DE)

Even if you're on a budget, your next getaway can be affordable in Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley. Start planning a visit today with our free VISITORS GUIDE.