13 Most Scenic Towns in Delaware

As the first state to enter the Union, Delaware holds a special place in the heart of American history. This status makes Delaware the host state of several important events and ceremonies, including the Presidential inauguration. It's also one of the best states for business and commerce, with 67.8% of all Fortune 500 Companies issued as Delaware entities. Visiting this state offers fantastic opportunities to explore many state and national parks and experience the earliest times of America's founding. Whether people want a historical or outdoor adventure from the first state courthouse to Cape Henlopen State Park, they'll find it in Delaware. 

Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach is one of the most welcoming towns in Delaware and sits right along the Atlantic Ocean. Cape May, New Jersey, rests just a few miles northeast across the waterway separating the portions of the states. The boardwalk and pristine coastlines are the main attractions in town, offering constant fun and excitement the whole family can enjoy. 

Rehoboth Beach is the first choice of many visitors to the area, but Poodle Beach is another splendid shoreline. Fun Land, built in 1962, is a classic site for beachfront entertainment. They have rides, like spinning tea cups, games, and goodies. Guests hoping to unwind and mingle should stop by Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats for an end-of-the-day beverage and refreshing meal.

Lewes

Lewes is a quiet little town approximately 20 minutes northwest of Rehoboth Beach. European settlement in the region began in 1631, with the Zwaanendael Museum serving as a commemorative location. The structure's design replicates a Dutch city hall and provides exciting displays showcasing and honoring the settlement's early years. Admission is free, making this location an accessible location everyone can enjoy. The Rynes Holt House is another historic location worth visiting. It dates back to 1665, and many believe it could be the oldest home in the state. Visitors are welcome to partake in a tour to see the site and share a small piece of its history and heritage.

New Castle

New Castle is one of Delaware's most underrated cities, nestled just a few miles south of Wilmington in northern Delaware. Despite its proximity to one of Delaware's largest cities, New Castle is a rural, rustic neighborhood with a lot of historic charm. The city, which is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Delaware, provides terrific opportunities for travelers to explore several prominent landmark homes and structures, which are still in excellent condition.

One of the most popular sites is Immanuel Church on Market Street. The site dates back to 1703, although the original Church mostly burned down in 1980 and rebuilt. Although the location still holds a lot of significant history for the town, its actual founding dates back to 1689, before the building of the original structure. Another location visitors should check out is the First State National Historical Park. The park is actually six different locations throughout Delaware, but the site in New Castle has the New Castle Court House, built in 1732 and served as the state's first courthouse.

Smyrna

Smyrna is a southcentral Delaware town just over a half-hour drive from New Castle. The city traces its founding to 1716, when the area around Duck Lake was known as Salisbury. However, most people in the area called their village Duck Creek until 1806, when the city council changed its name to Smyrna after a shipping port in Turkey. 

Tourists can visit some of the elegant historical locations to experience the location's history firsthand. The Alexander Griswold Cummins, Sr. House is one such location. Built in 1875, the charming house reflects Gothic Revival-styled architecture. Another excellent site tourists should visit is the Asbury United Methodist Church on Mt. Vernon Street. It goes back to 1844 when it first opened and is a perfect demonstration of Federal-style architecture.

Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach borders Rehoboth Beach to the south and is another stunning beach community. The city started in 1631 with the arrival of the Dutch in Lewes to the northwest. However, they did not begin farming the areas near Dewey Beach until 1670. It is best known for its fun and exciting beach environment that offers music, games, and delicious food. 

Folks hoping to get a taste of Dewey's excellent drinks should check out the Dewey Beer Company. It's only a couple blocks from Dewey Beach, which is definitely one of the must-see shorelines in town. Whether guests want to lay in the sun or swim in the waters, Dewey Beach is a great spot. Tourists who venture to the area during the off-season can also travel up north just a few miles outside of town to Gordons Pond State Park Area near Gordons Pond to see wildlife and explore the surrounding woodlands.

Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach sits far south in Delaware, about 20 minutes from Dewey Beach. It's known as one of the most adorable towns to visit and provides guests with breathtaking views of the clean and well-kept shorelines. The city has a unique history, with the Nanticoke people calling it home for centuries before the arrival of the Disciples of Christ. This group of unique followers of the Christian faith established the first European settlements and built their tabernacle, the first building in town, in 1901. 

Today, the city is well-known for its music, artistic beauty, and natural splendor, best seen in its bustling boardwalk and shopping centers. Bandstand is an excellent location for listening to live music, with summer concerts starting at 7:30 p.m. and autumn shows starting at 6:30 p.m. If visiting in the summertime, the Farmer's Market is a great location to buy locally grown veggies and fruits.

Laurel 

Laurel is just under an hour west of Bethany Beach and perfectly blends modernity and the past. It began as a small, close-knit community in 1790 of 102 people who came to the area and set up a settlement along Broad Creek. Records Pond touches the town's border to the east and is another prominent body of water that came to be after the damming of Broad Creek in 1900. 

Records Pond is a great spot for anyone who enjoys a leisurely boat ride of the waters and fishing. The site is rich in crappies, largemouth bass, and other popular fish that anglers love. It's also perfect for hiking and outdoor exploration. For those who prefer an indoor excursion, Bryan's Bowling Center is a treat for the whole family. 

Wyoming

Wyoming is approximately one hour north of Laurel and gets its name from Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania. This name was given to this town because of the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the town in 1856, which was still very small at the time. The city has grown significantly over the years and is much larger today than in the past, with plenty of restaurants, shopping centers, and outdoor excursions. 

Fifer's Orchards, a gorgeous farm just outside the town's borders, is a great spot to visit to get a feel for the town's beginnings as a farming village. The city's trick-or-treat celebration is also a wonderful attraction to please any Halloween enthusiasts. Wyoming Park, situated on the banks of Wyoming Lake, offers a lovely location for anyone wanting a gorgeous view of the lake.

Deleware City

Delaware City rests along the Delaware River, about 45 minutes north of Wyoming. It began in 1801 as Newbold's Landing since the Newbold family owned most of the region. As a farming community, the city primarily relied on exporting peaches and other produce for the economy throughout the 19th century. 

Boating enthusiasts are sure to feel right at home in the city. The Delaware City Marina is an excellent location to rent boats and other experiences. The Fort DuPont Mortar Bunker, also known as The Bunker, is a historic site near the Fort Delaware Society. The trails around the fort are great ways to explore the landscape and experience all the natural and historical beauty of the town. One such site is the Quartermaster Place, a gorgeous red brick building on site built in 1933 and a richly historic site at the Bunker. 

Hockessin

Hockessin is a northern town of Delaware that touches the border of Pennsylvania. Often an underrated town, Hockessin has a lot of outdoor adventures and beautiful natural charm. White Clay Creek State Park and the Nature Center are southwest of the town's border. It's a gorgeous location to catch changing fall foliage or blossoming flowers in the spring while hiking its trails. 

Flower lovers are also sure to love Mount Cuba Center. They open their many botanical trails every Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Their Native Plant Finder and Native Plant Gardening advice are both excellent ways for garden enthusiasts hoping to cultivate locally sourced plants and herbs.

Fenwick Island 

Fenwick Island sits right along the Atlantic Ocean to the West and Lighthouse Cove to the East. While not technically an island, the site sits on what is known as a barrier island, which is a sandy land formation located near the mainland. It's the ideal place for a vacation away from the city's hustle and immersed in nature. Swimming in the clean ocean waters, playing in the white sands, or sunbathing along the coast are common pastimes in the area. Lewes Saint Beach and James Saint Beach are two of the loveliest locations for just such activities. Finally, tourists can check out the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, filled with ocean treasures with at least 10,000 recovered treasures worth seeing and understanding. 

Odessa 

Odessa is about 20 minutes north of Symrna and an hour and a half north of Fenwick Island in New Castle County. Dutch settlers began the European settlements in the area in the 1660s in the Appoquinimink area. The Appoquinimink River flows in the southern parts of town and is an excellent location for nature lovers, anglers, and other outdoor activities.

It is one of the most well-preserved colonial towns, being a National Registry District. Cantwell's Tavern is one of the historic structures built in 1822, where guests can host an event or grab a warm meal. Another charming colonial structure is the Wilson-Warner House, built in 1769 and still standing strong.

Bethel

Bethel is one of the best small towns in Delaware near Broad Creek and a few minutes west of Laurel. Bethel goes back to 1683 as a land grant by the Maryland Colony to John Caldwell, who resided along the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. In later times, Bethel grew into a maritime colony, which is still a prominent feature of this community. Those hoping to learn more about this city and experience its heritage should pay a visit to the Bethel Maritime Museum. Shopping enthusiasts who want a day of shopping should stop by the Bethel Market after an afternoon in the museum!

Delaware is a state steeped in history and patriotic fever. The state flag bears the rugged blue and buff meant to reflect General George Washington's uniform. The state seal demonstrates the state's history as a farming and maritime community, with the wheat shaft and ship symbolically paying homage to these early settlers. However, Delaware is not just a state which recalls and honors its heritage. It's also a futuristically-minded site, taking active measures to combat climate change and environmental crises. Thanks to the state's preservation efforts, tourists can experience the natural beauty that sets this small state apart.