2024's Towns In Delaware That Come Alive In The Fall
With over 380 miles of scenic shoreline, it is easy to see why summertime is the First State’s busiest season. With endless sunshine and kids off from school, Delaware’s tourism peaks in August, mellowing in the months that follow. But for some, autumn is considered one of the best times to visit this charming Mid-Atlantic state. Welcoming cooler weather, bright fall foliage, and exciting seasonal festivities, visitors and Delawareans alike have tons to look forward to as the state’s small towns bid farewell to summer. Whether you are hoping to enjoy quieter beaches, whimsical Halloween celebrations, or good old-fashioned fall hikes, here are 7 of the best towns in Delaware that will help you embrace the spirit of fall.
Smyrna
If you find yourself in central Delaware, the historic town of Smyrna has some of the best leaf-peeping in the state. With foliage projected to peak in late October to early November, there is still plenty of time to make your way to spaces like Blackbird State Forest in 2024, Delaware's northernmost state forest. With 6,000 acres of maples, oaks, gums, and hickories transformed into vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, the 40 miles of hiking trails are absolutely sublime in the fall.
Elsewhere in town, the 53-acre Lake Como is a lovely spot to admire the tree-lined shore. With the crisp airs of fall, summer swimming is long past, but kayaking, fishing, and picnicking are fun ways to experience the lake’s beauty. As a follow-up, the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge spans 16,000 acres, stretching to the Delaware Bay. Whether driving the 12-mile route through the refuge or hiking the 5 walking trails, autumn is the perfect time to spot migrating birds like waterfowl and Canadian geese.
Rehoboth Beach
For a unique autumn escape, Rehoboth Beach is famous for its quirky Sea Witch Festival. This year’s event will take place from October 15 to 27, 2024, and will be filled with endless autumn and Halloween fun for all ages. As one of the festival’s 180,000 to 200,000 attendees, you can expect a Costumed Dog Parade, pumpkin carving contests, tons of seasonal vendors, and the exciting Sea Witch Scavenger Hunt.
If fall foliage is an absolute must for your travel itinerary, Rehoboth Beach offers that as well, generally peaking in early November. The Junction and Breakwater Trail is the best place to experience it, the scenic 6-mile path connecting Rehoboth to nearby Lewes. Offering tranquil scenes through a tapestry of trees (with countless overlooks along the way), this paved path is perfect for people of all ages and abilities.
People of all ages will also enjoy Rehoboth’s famous shore. In October, the coastal town enjoys a mild average high of 67°F and a refreshing low of 58°F, meaning summer heat and crowds are long gone. As a result, autumn is the perfect time to savor strolls along Rehoboth’s prize beach and 1-mile boardwalk for views of the Atlantic.
Laurel
Just an hour's drive from the sandy shores of Rehoboth Beach lies Laurel, an underrated Delaware town with fabulous seasonal foliage. Unlike southern states (whose colors peak as late as mid-November), Laurel sees its brightest trees in late October to early November, best viewed at Trap Pond State Park. In a survey of 3,000 people, the park was recognized as one of the top 100 destinations in the country for experiencing early fall foliage in 2024.
In addition to its typical flora, Trap Pond State Park is renowned for having the northernmost naturally occurring bald cypress groves in Delaware, which draws its fair share of crowds. This allure only increases during the fall, when the trees transform from their usual green to stunning shades of cinnamon. Among the 12 miles of hiking trails, the 4.6-mile Bob Trail Loop is the best path to take in view of the transformation along the shores of Trap Pond. For a different perspective, many enjoy exploring the 9 miles of kayak trails to take in the autumn scenery from the lake’s tranquil waters.
Milford
If you love the look of autumnal waterfronts, Milford is a charming little river town to check out in south-central Delaware. Once a ship-building hub, today, Milford celebrates its setting along the Mispillion River with beautiful parks like the Mispillion Riverwalk. With foliage projected to peak in early November, the park’s bridges and paths come to life with color, reflecting onto the river in a truly breathtaking way. Bundle up, grab a warm drink from cozy spots like Dolce Bakery and Coffee Shop, and embrace a slow pace to take in the sights.
Around 10 minutes away from the Riverwalk by car, waterfront views are equally stunning and a bit quieter at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. The center’s 377-acre preserve, while not super well known, is packed with jaw-dropping scenes. Visitors can wander 5 miles of winding trails through woodlands and meadows surrounding the preserve’s anchoring feature, a picturesque 20-acre pond.
Hockessin
For those craving an even quieter nature escape this fall, Hockessin is one of Delaware’s best-kept secrets. You will find this underrated town in northern Delaware, right on the border of Pennsylvania, meaning foliage peaks toward the end of late October. But with the Delaware Online News Journal highlighting 2 of the town’s nature areas as some of the "Best Places to See Changing Leaves in Delaware,” this cozy town may not stay quiet for long.
The first of the 2 spots, the Ashland Nature Center, promotes itself as a gateway to nature. Located in the heart of the Red Clay Valley Important Bird Area, each year from September through November, the daily Hawk Watch allows visitors to keep an eye on the sky for the 20,000 hawks migrating through. Fall is also a gorgeous time to explore the 130 acres of meadows, woodlands, and marsh across the Center’s 4-miles of nature trails.
As for Hockessin’s 2nd highlight attraction, the Mt. Cuba Center is a gorgeous botanical garden in the Delaware Piedmont (a small section of the Appalachian Mountains). Among the 2 miles of trails across the Center’s 1,000 acres, the Forest Edge Trail and Understory Trail are some of the best paths to breathe in the sights, smells, and sounds of the season.
Milton
Back in southern Delaware, Milton’s location along the beautiful Broadkill River makes it a gorgeous getaway spot for nature and animal lovers alike. While often overlooked as a travel destination, the town is home to the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, a truly unique place to experience fall. The Delaware Online News Journal reported it as one of the “Top 3 places to view fall foliage in Delaware” in 2023, highlighting the refuge’s unique blend of warm fall colors and peaceful marshes.
In addition to its soothing autumn scenes, the area is famous for its bird migrations. The refuge was founded in 1963 in accordance with the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, and today, it protects over 10,000 acres of habitat and welcomes more than 80,000 ducks and 100,000 snow geese during peak autumn migration. Visitors can experience the magic of the migration for themselves by driving the refuge’s marsh roads or hiking the 7.5 miles of postcard trails.
Wyoming
To embrace the simple pleasures of a farm town this fall, make your way to Wyoming, known as “The Best Little Town in Delaware.” This quaint community, home to fewer than 2,000 residents, showcases its fall foliage from late October to early November, much like other central Delaware towns. But truthfully, fall in Wyoming is less about the leaves and more about what grows with them.
At Wyoming’s local-famous Fifer Orchards, apple picking is a delightful family activity that runs through late October. The historic farm's pumpkin patch also invites visitors and locals to embrace the season’s harvest, lasting a bit later into early November. But to truly enjoy all that this enchanting farm has to offer in the fall, be sure to purchase tickets for their Fall Fest events, taking place until November 9th, 2024. Tickets grant you access to exciting features like the corn maze, tractor train rides, and seasonal treats like homemade apple cider, cider donuts, and more.
Final Thoughts
Summer in Delaware may be when the state is at its peak, but autumn offers a different side to the region everyone should see at least once. Whether visiting nature havens like Trap Pond State Park for hikes through bald cypress forests or coastal towns like Rehoboth Beach for a secluded stroll along its normally bustling shores, fall in Delaware offers a memorable experience for all.
