Free Things to Do in Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley
Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley offers lots of fun activities that won’t break 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, Delaware.
The Great Outdoors
DUPONT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
Located along the Christina River and on the edge of the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, DEEC features a visitor center with panoramic river and marsh views, a 10-acre ornamental garden, a quarter-mile handicap-accessible pond loop, and trailhead access to the 5.5-mile Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail from Wilmington to New Castle. Open year-round.
DELAWARE STATE PARK CONCERT SERIES
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.
CAN DO PLAYGROUND
Located in Alapocas Run State Park, the Can Do Playground is designed to be accessible to all children, including those with physical or sensory differences. Large, well-maintained pathways and ramps leave plenty of room for kids to roam, while picnic tables and benches make it easy for parents to keep an eye out.
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.
AUDIO TOURS OF HISTORIC NEW CASTLE
Start your tour in the garden of the Amstel House at the corner of Delaware and East 4th Streets in the small colonial town of New Castle. The AudioWalk narrator will provide directions to each stop on your route.
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
You'll find hundreds of festivals throughout Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley and three of the biggest are free to attend.
For 5 days the parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church take you on a trip to the Old Country where you can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a Greek village where locals are…
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is the largest, multi-day, free, outdoor music festival on the East Coast. Taking place in downtown Wilmington. At this festival artists have performed some of…
The Annual Ladybug Music Festival, presented by Chase, and supported by the City of Wilmington, is returning yet again to Downtown Wilmington. This 2 day all female music festival, the largest in the…
Weekly Free Opportunities
Some of the biggest museums in the Greater Wilmington region open their doors for free once a week. This is a great time to catch the latest featured exhibition, introduce friends to the Wilmington's cultural riches, or simply enjoy a less costly day out.
From Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May) to Labor Day (first Monday in September, service members and their families can visit these attractions for free:
