8 Serene Towns in Delaware for a Weekend Retreat
Scenic Delaware may be small, but it is mighty when it comes to providing travelers with a serene weekend getaway experience. This Mid-Atlantic state is surrounded by water from top to bottom and claims miles of dune-backed sandy beaches, as well as the pretty Delaware River and the Delaware Bay. If you're looking for a relaxing retreat for a few days, put Delaware and its small, charming towns at the top of your travel list.
Odessa
Although tiny Odessa is just a 30-minute drive from bustling Wilmington, it's relaxing, small-town charm makes it feel worlds away. Odessa's highly walkable, historic downtown seems like it's from a movie set, and you can easily spend a morning or afternoon checking out the unique shops and eateries that line main street.
Check out the Corbit-Sharp House, which is still decked out with 18th-Century furnishings, and is now a museum. Other historic properties that are open for public tours include the 1769 Wilson-Warner House, the 1700 Collins-Sharp House, 1822 Cantwell's Tavern, and 1853 Odessa Bank. For outdoor lovers, the Odessa Memorial Park offers a serene 1/4-mile walking and biking path and a playground for the kids in your group. Old Academy Park offers a quiet setting and picnic tables for an alfresco lunch. Odessa offers several quaint lodging options, including the Miller-Dunham House Bed and Breakfast.
Bowers Beach
Bowers Beach is an eclectic small town situated on Delaware Bay. During the warmer months, visitors come to the quiet beach town to walk along and relax on the soft sand, kayak, fish and swim in the water, and just relax miles away from big cities. Delaware Bay waters are typically calm, giving the beach a serene feel.
The town also has three parks, each offering fun outdoor recreational opportunities. Main Street Park features bocce ball courts with horseshoes and a shuffleboard, while Waterman's Park treats visitors to shaded, grassy lawns ideal for sprawling out with a picnic or flying a kite. Round out your trip to Bowers Beach with a visit to the Bowers Maritime Museum to discover the local history. Each year, the museum hosts the Big Thursday Celebration, complete with rides and a parade. When it comes time to turn in at night, check out the Charlesworth Hotel and Restaurant.
Millsboro
If you're looking for a relaxing small town that has it all, from lush parks to interesting historical and cultural attractions, consider having a weekend retreat in Millsboro. Situated in Delaware's Lower Eastern Shore region, Millsboro has a rich history and a walkable downtown are featuring several properties on the National Register of History Places. The peaceful town is also located on the Indian River, making it a great spot for fishing, boating, tubing, crabbing, and other waterfront activities.
The Nanticoke Indian Museum features a variety of displays, including arrowheads, weapons, pottery, and other handmade items and artwork. The town is also home to a varied collection of unique antique stores, vintage shops, boutiques, eateries, and galleries. Millsboro also hosts several interesting special events each year, such as a car show featuring live entertainment in August, and the Nanticoke Indian Powwow in September. The comfortable Atlantic Inn-Millsboro will make you feel right at home, giving you a quintessential retreat.
Bethany Beach
Pack your bags and head to Bethany Beach for the weekend. The calm, coastal retreat makes the perfect weekend getaway. The small beach town is ideal for both romantic escapes and family trips, as it offers a wide range of arts, cultural, historic, and outdoor recreational activities. The Bethany Boardwalk features an eclectic collection of shops, boutiques, and eateries, which you can explore as you take in the salty ocean air.
Fenwick Island State Park makes a peaceful respite from city life and offers 3 miles of sandy Atlantic coastline. You can either lounge on the beach or rent a canoe or kayak onsite to embark on a water adventure. Arts and culture lovers won't want to miss a trip to the Freeman Arts Pavilion, which showcases live entertainment, such as comedy shows, dance performances, and plays, throughout the summer. Viking Golf and Go-Karts, with its water slides and mini golf course, is the ideal place to bring your family. If you want to stay directly on the beach, you can't go wrong with the Henlopen Oceanfront Hotel.
Dover
Even though Dover is the capital of Delaware and enjoys all of the amenities and attractions of a bigger city, it still maintains a relaxing feel and small-town charm. This historic city is home to a variety of museums that celebrate its rich past, such as the Biggs Museum of American Art. Nearby, the Old State House, which dates back to 1791, is another must-see spot when you're in town. Other interesting historical sites include the Johnson Victrola Museum and the John Dickinson Plantation.
If you want to spend some time exploring regional wildlife, take a serene walk through Hunn Nature Park, which features uplands, meadows, and wetlands, or St. Jones Reserve. The Little Creek Wildlife Area is available for hiking, biking, wildlife photography, fishing and birding. There is no shortage of attractive accommodation options in Dover, such as the MainStay Suites and Bally's Dover Casino Resort.
New Castle
Cute and quaint New Castle is immersed in Delaware history and is home to a unique collection of museums and historic sites, one-of-a-kind boutiques, eateries and shops, and scenic national areas. The town's location on the Delaware River makes it the ideal spot to take long, leisurely walks on a relaxing weekend retreat. The scenic Jack A. Markell Trail connects Wilmington to New Castle, making it easy to bike ride from one town to the other.
If you love history, you won't be disappointed in this charming town. Start with a tour of the New Castle Court House Museum, and then head over to the Amstel House Museum, which is an early Georgian mansion built in 1738. The perfectly restored house still features its original woodwork and an open hearth. New Castle is also home to a variety of quiet parks, such as Glasgow Park and Talley Day Park. You can engage in local history by booking a room at the Terry House Bed and Breakfast, which is located on a cobblestone street, or the Whispering Oak Mansion.
Selbyville
Known as the "Gateway to the Beaches," Selbyville is a welcoming town on Delaware's Eastern Shore. It has all of the amenities and conveniences of a bigger town but is less than a 10-minute drive from the relaxing Fenwick Island beaches. With its central location and hometown feel, Selbyville makes a great weekend retreat spot when you're looking for a serene escape for a few days.
Stop by the Railroad Museum, which is located in the Old Selbyville Railroad Station, to view town memorabilia and artifacts. During the warm summer months, art lovers can take in a live show at the Freeman Stage, which hosts dance performances, music concerts, and tribute shows, among other types of live entertainment. Also, don't miss a peaceful trip to Fenwick Island State Park, where you can swim, sunbathe, boat, or fish the day away. Call it a night at the Iskander's Island Inn or Fenwick Sea Charm Motel.
Milton
Named in honor of the English poet John Milton prior to the War of 1812, the pretty town of Milton has something to offer everyone. If you're looking for a calming respite away from city life, Milton is sure to please with its abundance of natural attractions. The town is located at the head of the scenic Broadkill River and is just a short distance from Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean Coastline. Whether you want to take a peaceful stroll along the coastline, or boat in the bay or river, Milton is the ideal weekend getaway destination.
Check out the Dogfish Head Milton Brewery, which features 27 rotating taps, and a selection of creative craft beer made with local ingredients. When it comes to a peaceful vacation, it doesn’t get more relaxing than wandering the Lavender Fields Farm, where you can walk among rows of flowering, sweet-smelling plants when they’re in bloom. The Milton Theatre, which is located in the historic center of town, offers performances featuring local, regional, and national artists. For those wanting to stay in historic accommodations, the Governor’s Bed and Breakfast Inn and the Mansion Farm Inn are available.
Whether you are just driving through Delaware on your way to another location or are just looking for a new destination to explore, don't overlook the state as an ideal relaxing getaway spot. From warm, sandy beaches to welcoming small towns with historic shopping squares, you'll find it all in this serene state by the sea.
