2025's Most Underrated Towns In Delaware
As the second-smallest state by area and sixth-smallest by population, Delaware is already a hidden gem. So imagine how secretive and seductive its smallest communities are. Dotting the state, which is itself a mere dot, are towns that shine with life, whether it comes from a migratory bird sanctuary, a botanical garden, a Mexican market, or a Viking festival. As winter ends and spring brings even more life to such lively but low-key towns, discover what most others miss in 2025.
Delaware City
Despite its name, Delaware City is the size of a small town. Around 1,900 people call this coastal community home—and smatterings of tourists call it a vacation destination. Decorating Delaware City is not one but two state parks: Fort DuPont State Park, which preserves the pretty mouth of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and Fort Delaware State Park, which preserves a Civil War fort and migratory bird sanctuary on Pea Patch Island. The former is open year-round, while the latter runs from late April to late September.
Other Delaware City attractions to see in 2025 are Delaware City Day, a celebration of historic architecture and small-town culture set for Saturday, October 4, and the Hike Across Delaware, an annual and actual trek across the entire state set for Saturday, November 1. Thankfully, the entire state spans only 15 miles.
Ashland
Ashland is so far under the radar that it is not recognized by the Census Bureau. Sure, few people live in this rustic enclave of northern Delaware, but they have a kinship with a namesake nature preserve. The Ashland Nature Center covers 130 acres of woodlands, meadows, and streams, the largest of which is Red Clay Creek. Red Clay extends way outside the preserve, winding around other scenic sanctuaries like the Historic Ashland Covered Bridge, Auburn Valley State Park, Mt. Cuba Observatory, and Mt. Cuba Center. The last of those, which contains over 1,000 acres of wilderness and gardens, is scheduled to reopen for the year on April 1, 2025.
Milford
Though rather large for a Delaware community (11,190 residents per the 2020 Census), Milford is overlooked compared to other Delaware locales. Suburbanites from the north and beachgoers from the south tend to skip Milford in the middle, but it would be wise to stop for a day or even a weekend. During that time, sample Puerto Rican-inspired pastries at My Sister's Fault, New York-inspired bagels at Surf Bagel, quality craft beers at Mispillion River Brewing, heated recliners at Milford Movies 9, and storybook-style digs at The Towers Bed & Breakfast.
Moreover, plan your stay around the Bug and Bud Festival, an annual celebration of nature, notably the ladybug. Thanks to a campaign by a Milford 2nd grade class, it was designated Delaware's State Bug. 2025's celebration is set for Saturday, April 26.
Wyoming
Like the state of Wyoming, the Delaware town of Wyoming is highly underrated. Only about 1,700 people inhabit Wyoming, though many more inhabit the surrounding Dover metropolitan area. Doverites can escape the capital city hubbub by savoring Italian ice at Tre Sorelle Dolce, catching Western-style vibes at Brown's Wyoming Tavern, or browsing awesome antiques at Simply Charming.
On March 29, 2025, Fifer's Farm is set to open for the year, allowing you to pick your own produce, including strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and peaches, from spring to fall. Peaches are especially popular in Wyoming. On the first Saturday of each August, the town blossoms for the Peach Festival, whose tastiest activity is the Peach Dessert Contest.
Selbyville
If you are looking for a place with high-quality Mexican grub, you are unlikely to pick Delaware, let alone the small town of Selbyville. Yet inside Selbyville is a renowned Mexican restaurant called La Sierra. It not only sells delicious meals of tacos, tostadas, tortas, and tamales but also delicious groceries of other Mexican delicacies. Yes, La Sierra has its own Mexican market. After discovering Selbyville's Little Mexico, patronize the Little Italy Food Truck and get a "little bit of everything" at On The Way Café. Then, explore the nearby Great Cypress Swamp, which preserves around 10,000 acres of bald cypress forest typical of the Deep South.
Laurel
Another preserve of the northernmost naturally occurring bald cypress forest is Trap Pond State Park, which covers 3,800ish acres near Laurel. One can explore this exclave by foot, bike, or even boat since bald cypress trees are largely aquatic. Visit on Saturday, April 19, 2025, for the 4th Annual Nature Fest featuring exhibitors, crafters, vendors, food trucks, live music, and a car show.
Following your foray into foliage and festivities, fill up in Laurel proper at Abbott's Grill, which serves innovative grub with locally sourced ingredients, or Laurel Pizzeria, which serves not just pizza but pasta, sandwiches, burgers, wings, salads, and homemade desserts.
Elsmere
Speed trap aside, Elsmere is an underrated gem in northern Delaware. Stick to the speed limit as you explore this 6,200ish town, and make sure to stop for coffee at Legal Grounds Café, a sub at Casapulla's, and/or sashimi at the Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant. Furthermore, since Elsmere borders Wilmington, the most populous Delaware city, you are mere minutes or seconds from metropolitan fun.
Penciled on Wilmington's 2025 calendar include the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival from June 18 to 21, the Delaware Shakespeare Summer Festival from July 17 to August 3, and the Brandywine Festival of the Arts from September 6 to 7.
Milton
A near-coastal town in southern Delaware, Milton gets less attention than neighbors like Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. But Milton is as deserving of a 2025 visit as any of them. What it lacks in boardwalks, it makes up for in food, booze, art, and nature. In no specific order, tourists should hit up the Po' Boys Creole Restaurant, Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton Theatre, and Edward H. McCabe Preserve. In very specific order, you should also attend the Horseshoe Crab Festival on May 24 and the Party Like It's 793 Mead, Metal, and Viking Festival from June 6 to 8.
Delaware is a cheat code for discovering hidden gems. The whole state is a hidden gem, let alone its truly overlooked towns. Just consult a map of the state, look for all the settlements save for the "big" three, and note them for your next trip. Delaware City, Ashland, Milford, Wyoming, Selbyville, Laurel, Elsmere, and Milton are eight Delaware communities to be aware of in 2025.
