Jump Start Your Wilmington
Visit with these Mini Itineraries

There is nothing like cruising the backroads of New Castle County on a sunny day. Take to the road for an unforgettable adventure, picking up a picnic lunch from one of our great cafes to enjoy along the way.

Take the Brandywine National Scenic Byway to tour the verdant rural countryside known as Chateau Country. This region inspired three generations of Wyeths, America’s first family of art. Stop by the Brandywine Museum of Art to see some of their most famous works.

This region is also where the du Pont family built its empire. Hagley Museum is where it all started. The story continues at Winterthur, Nemours Estate, Mt. Cuba Center, and Longwood Gardens. All are along or just off the byway. Getting hungry? Check out BBC Tavern in Greenville, which offers excellent casual fare and outdoor dining. Greenville is also an excellent stop if you are looking to do a little shopping along the way.

Or, you can choose to ride along the Bayshore Byway, hugging the shores of the Delaware River and Bay. This coastal route offers rugged scenery, priceless water views and some of the best bird watching in the East. Stops of note along the route include historic New Castle, Fort Delaware, Historic Houses of Odessa, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

The great thing about our region is that we are small enough for you to cover it all in a matter of days. And the scenery is so varied you will feel like you packed several adventures into one.

Traveling with kids? Look no further than Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley.

Experience the view from above on Go Ape!, an exciting treetop adventure course in Lums Pond State Park. Then, take part in a youth-centric learning and adventure activity. Hagley Museum, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and Winterthur Museum & Gardens are a few of the area attractions that regularly host family-friendly special events and activities.

Next, take a scenic ride through the Red Clay Valley on a steam-powered locomotive with Wilmington & Western Railroad.

Round out the day with a bike ride along the flat, paved Michael N. Castle C & D Canal Trail that runs parallel to this lovely waterway. Or, take a hike in Alapocas Run State Park. Keep an eye out for the waterfall and the rock climbing wall.

The region also has many affordable and kid-friendly accommodations and dining options as well.

Six of the 30 public gardens that comprise America’s Garden Capital are located within Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, and all are within nine miles of each other. That is 3,054 acres of public gardens to explore!

Each has its own personality and special features. From Mt. Cuba Center, home to one of the most impressive collections of native and historic plants in the nation, to Winterthur’s wild flower fields and mystical Enchanted Woods, to the formal gardens of Nemours inspired by Versailles, the region will impress both amateur and professional horticulturists . . . as well as those that simply enjoy the peacefulness of being in beautiful, bucolic surroundings. There’s also the lovely verdant grounds of Hagley Museum including its pollinator garden, new in 2020, and the tranquil river trail and wildflower gardens of the Brandywine Conservatory and Museum of Art. And let’s not forget to mention the jewel of the Garden Capital . . . Longwood Gardens, which has pulled in numerous national “best of awards” over the last decade.

Did you know that Delaware has been named the second most bike friendly state east of the Mississippi?

Northern Delaware's varied landscape – ranging from flat terrain to gently rolling hills – is excellent for road biking. And did we mention the views? The uncrowded rural roads that run through the heart of Chateau Country cannot be beat. Cycle all or part of the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway, taking time to enjoy some of the attractions and restaurants on this route.

The Jack A. Markell (JAM) Trail, perfect for all skill levels, is a great way to make a day of it. Rent a bike (or grab your own) and explore the Wilmington Riverfront at one end and historic New Castle at the other. Start at the Riverfront and grab lunch at the colonial-themed Jessop’s Tavern. Finish off the ride with an après cycle beer back at the Riverfront at Iron Hill Brewery.

Want to really get your heart pumping? As part of the Piedmont Plateau, we also offer a number of excellent mountain biking trails. White Clay Creek State Park and Brandywine Creek State Park are favorites among mountain bikers.