Small but mighty, Delaware packs a potent assortment of knockout attractions into less than 2,000 square miles.
Located on the northeastern portion of the Delmarva peninsula, the First State provides cultural attractions aplenty within the bustling boundaries of Wilmington and Dover. But when groups head beyond the bright lights of the big cities, they’ll find a world of natural splendors waiting to be explored on land and sea.
In Delaware, where the Constitution was first ratified, compelling history competes for visitors’ attention with the Atlantic Flyway’s legendary birding. From showstopping du Pont mansions, to some of the East Coast’s best beaches — all within a couple hours’ drive of each other — this little-but-lively state has it all. And that includes a thriving beer and spirits industry ready to welcome groups with tastings and other special experiences.
Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley
Group members flying in for the tour will appreciate Wilmington’s proximity to Philadelphia International Airport, which sits just 18 miles from it. In between, the Brandywine Valley gently unspools, home to Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, as well as Nemours Estate. Both were once residences of the du Ponts, a family of industrialists who made their fortune in Delaware two centuries ago. The 175-room Winterthur, which sits amidst a 1,000-acre naturalist garden accessible by tram, features what many view as the world’s best collection of American decorative arts. Another historic home, Nemours, is an opulent 47,000-square-foot mansion boasting formal gardens replicating those of Versailles.
After an afternoon spent visiting the former homes of the rich and famous, groups will appreciate time to relax and quaff a cold one. Wilmington Brew Works, housed in a century-old historic building in the city, serves everything from ales and lagers to sours and ciders. Light bites are available, or leaders can arrange for pizza to be brought in from Le Pizzeria Metro next door. A brewer may be free to speak to the groups if arranged in advance.
Located west of Wilmington Brew Works, the Delaware Art Museum provides guided tours to groups through its impressive holdings, which include the best collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings outside of the U.K.
“The museum was actually founded to house the works of Howard Pyle,” said Jennifer Boes, executive director of the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “He’s known for his pirate illustrations, but he was also N.C. Wyeth’s teacher, so there’s also a lot of works by them, and also Andrew Wyeth and his son, Jamie.”
Boes suggests a stop at the Delaware History Museum, which also includes the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, conveniently located downtown.
“Delaware played a big role in Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated schools,” Boes said. “So, you can learn about that there, and then we also had a pretty significant role in the Underground Railroad. We’re on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.”
Dover and Kent County
Wilmington may be Delaware’s biggest city, but Dover is the state capitol. It’s also home to First State Heritage Park, described by Catherine Jenkins, marketing and communications manager for Kent County Tourism Corporation, as a park without boundaries.
“It links a bunch of historic sites, mostly downtown,” Jenkins said. “It encompasses Dover Green, the John Bell House, Legislative Hall and Woodburn Governor’s Mansion. The plaque where the Constitution was first ratified is located on the green, so that’s another reason why it’s considered such a historic park. They’re extremely accommodating to groups and offer private walking tours that last from 60 to 90 minutes.”
Group visitors might want to take a stroll to the park’s partner sites, Biggs Museum of American Art and Johnson Victrola Museum, before visiting the Dover Motor Speedway. For groups that can’t make the track’s annual NASCAR race weekend (held this year July 18–20), there’s still plenty of action at the World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval. Private tours include stops at Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, a 46-foot-tall statue of the track’s mascot, Miles the Monster; Monster Bridge, a suite area overlooking the Speedway’s backstretch; and Victory Lane, where winners celebrate after the race.
But there’s also plenty for groups to do when they venture outside of Dover and into the rest of Kent County. Nestled in Smyrna, about 15 minutes north of the city, Painted Stave Distilling pours elevated cocktails in its tasting room, with tours available for groups. According to Jenkins, leaders can also arrange for a group mixology class, and there’s usually a taco truck parked on-site to satiate hungry visitors.
Also located in Smyrna, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge sits on the Atlantic Flyway, a major migration route for birds. It also provides both salt marsh and freshwater habitats, making it a prime place to spot fine feathered friends.
“There’s a 12-mile wildlife drive, and if you see wildlife there are places to pull the bus over, so you can get out and look,” Jenkins said. “There are also hiking trails, and leaders could arrange a birding talk or a step-on tour with a ranger who can speak about the unique ecosystems there.”
Southern Delaware Beaches
Tucked away within the bucolic confines of Sussex County, Southern Delaware’s beach towns give travelers a chance to unwind following a busy few days in Wilmington and Dover. And according to Tina Coleman, communications manager for Southern Delaware Tourism, they specialize in warm welcomes.
“Southern Delaware has been a go-to for people in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond for a long time,” Coleman said. “Rehoboth has been a resort since the 1870s, so hospitality is really what we do. And each beach town is unique. Lewes is reminiscent of a New England fishing village, while Rehoboth is more your quintessential beach town, and Bethany and Fenwick are known as the quiet resorts.”
In addition to superior sand and surf, Rehoboth and Bethany both boast charming boardwalks and downtowns filled with indie boutiques. Leaders should leave some time for shopping, which is tax-free in Delaware. For groups that would like to get on the ocean in addition to alongside it, Cape Water Tours and Taxi in Lewes dishes up private charters led by naturalists and educators. Options include dolphin watching on Delaware Bay, a birding eco-tour in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal or an East End Lighthouse tour with time ashore to explore the structure.
Speaking of Lewes, the town’s historical society, Historic Lewes, offers a crackerjack step-on service. Guides whisk groups through eight blocks of the historic district while spinning stories of the seaside settlement, beginning with its 1631 founding. Sights include the Cannonball House Maritime Museum, Lewes’ only surviving structure damaged during the War of 1812 bombardment, and the Ryves Holt House. Built in 1686, it’s Delaware’s oldest.
While leaders may add a stop at a historic tavern as part of the tour, groups are sure to want to visit a watering hole of a different kind. Milton, which is located about 20 minutes west of Lewes, is the proud home of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. There’s no better way for groups to wrap up their time in Delaware than with a visit to one of the country’s most beloved microbreweries. Private 90-minute tours, which are limited to 25 people, are given twice daily and include plentiful samples and a souvenir glass.
