7 Most Inviting Towns in Delaware
It may be small—only Rhode Island is smaller—but Delaware packs a lot into a small space. It’s also big in stature as the first state to ratify the US Constitution on December 7, 1787, making Delaware the first state in the Union and giving it one of its many nicknames, "The First State." Delaware is also known as "The Diamond State," the "Blue Hen State," "Small Wonder," and more recently, the home state of President Joe Biden.
The state is not all history and culture, and visitors to the inviting towns of Rehoboth Beach, Dover, Lewes, Delaware City, Millsboro, Bowers, and Bethany Beach find plenty of things to do year-round. Some of the best beaches on the Atlantic coast stretch almost the entire Delaware coast. What’s more, visitors will get more bang for the buck in any of these inviting towns as the state does not have a state or local sales tax.
Rehoboth Beach
Beachgoers will love Rehoboth Beach, which is colorful, lively, and never dull. Called one of “The 20 Greatest Beach Towns in the US” by Thrillist, the beach combines all the elements to qualify—a classic restaurant-lined boardwalk, an amusement park, and local musicians performing free concerts. Not to mention the Atlantic Ocean. Spend the day soaking up the sun, watching for the bottlenose dolphins playing offshore, or get active and book a kayak or paddleboard lesson right on the beach from Delmarva Board Sports. Or book a 90-minute sunset cruise from Cape Water Tours and enjoy peaceful views of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, the Rehoboth Bay, and Thompson’s Island.
On the boardwalk, visitors can’t miss Funland, a much-loved institution in this beach town of 1,200 full-time residents. Founded in 1962 as a mini-golf course and arcade, Funland has grown in size but still includes iconic rides like bumper cars, a carousel, tilt-a-whirl, and a haunted mansion tour. The boardwalk is also home to nostalgic boardwalk food like pizza by the slice at Louie’s Pizza, which celebrates its 50th year in business in 2024, french fries at Thrasher’s—an institution since 1929, and British-style fish and chippies at Go Fish!.
Dover
Dover is the capital of Delaware and was founded in 1683, making it one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is home to several unique museums, historic buildings, and the Georgian-style Old Delaware State House, completed in 1792. To get the full Dover experience, book a tour of the First Heritage State Park, established in 1717 and perhaps one of the oldest town hubs. In the park, visitors can explore the Old State House and Legislative Hall, the John Bell House, and the Biggs Museum of American Art, whose impressive collection spans the 18th to 21st centuries. With the recent surge of interest in LPs and record players, music lovers should visit the Johnson Victrola Museum, a collection of phonographs, recordings, and memorabilia celebrating Delaware native son Eldridge Reeves Johnson, who founded the 1901 Victor Talking Machine Company.
The Air Mobility Command Museum is a must for visiting aerophiles. The museum houses a collection of more than 30 retired aircraft, including an open-cockpit biplane, the B-17 Flying Fortress, an F-101 Voodoo fighter jet, and an Air Force Two, the official plane of many US vice presidents. Visitors can climb the stairs and explore inside many of them, see how an air traffic control tower works, try free flight simulators, and more.
Lewes
Founded in 1631, Lewes is where the Delaware Bay meets Cape Henlopen, right next to Cape Henlopen State Park. Leave the car at the hotel, because this beautiful small town of 3,500 residents is entirely walkable. Visitors can spend an entire weekend exploring museums, restaurants, a historic district, and boutique shops on foot. Getting around by bicycle is also doable, with cyclists pedaling along the Breakwater Trail and Gordon’s Pond Trail, which has 3.2 miles of fully accessible boardwalk. Downtown, visitors can discover unique finds at shops like The Bungalow on 2nd, The Vintage Underground for all things vinyl and cool, and Lewes Gourmet, featuring specialty foods from around the world. Foodies will love the java at Notting Hill Coffee Roastery, brunch cocktails like Cereal Milk Punch at Bramble & Brine at the Buttery, or a craft beer at the Crooked Hammock Brewery.
Cape Henlopen State Park occupies over 5,000 acres along the Delaware shoreline, where the Delaware Gulf meets the Atlantic Ocean. The water off Cape Henlopen is a popular spot for swimming at a lifeguard-staffed beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. Visitors can also borrow a bike for free to explore the park.
Delaware City
Delaware City is a small town on the banks of the Delaware River, steeped in rich history. Originally settled in the early 1800s, it became a town officially in 1826, so today, in 2024, the town is 198 years old. Despite its small size, there are lots of activities for visitors. It is one of the only ways to access Pea Patch Island-a small island in the Delaware, primarily known as the location of Fort Delaware. Built in 1859, Fort Delaware served as a Civil War prison during the Civil War holding almost 33,000 Confederate POWs during the conflict. Active in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both world wars, Fort Delaware never engaged in combat or fired a cannon.
Today, the fort is known as Fort Delaware State Park, and the island is a nature preserve with a heronry where herons, egrets, and ibises nest. Visitors can hike the Prison Camp Trail, observe the wading bird nesting area, and travel back in time to experience life during the Civil War. Rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of former prisoners, visitors can join a team of paranormal investigators to take part in a 3-hour actual investigation using electronic equipment, data recorders, and temperature sensors to visit areas where paranormal activity is suspected.
Delaware City has a charming historic district that features well-preserved 19th-century buildings. Stroll along the waterfront and admire the picturesque views of the Delaware River. Visitors can also go boating on the Delaware River and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal from Delaware City Marina.
Millsboro
The charming river town of Millsboro, less than 20 miles from the beach communities of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Ocean City, Maryland, might be one of Delaware’s best-kept secrets. Don’t be surprised to see a "Welcome" banner across Main Street, as the small community of 7,500 residents is warm, hospitable, and inviting. The town sits along the Indian River, and the Indian River Inlet is a well-known spot for birdwatching, boaters, kayakers, and photographers. It is also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Delaware.
Delaware is the ancestral land of two Native American tribes: the Lenape Nation and the Nanticoke Indian tribe. The Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro is the only Native American Museum in Delaware and one of 13 Native American sites listed as a National Historic Landmark. The museum is in a former one-room schoolhouse, and its collections include a variety of Nanticoke artifacts, from arrowheads and spears to pottery and even a traditional wooden canoe.
Bowers
The impossibly tiny town of Bowers (or Bowers Beach), whose motto is "The Way Life Used to Be," has a population of less than 300 residents. Unlike its noisy beach neighbors, Bowers is a laid-back fishing town where the locals are friendly and welcoming. Visitors who enjoy watersports like kayaking, boating, swimming, or fishing will love visiting this little beach community. Bowers Bayside Bait and Kayak Rentals will have visitors in a boat on the water with bait and tackle in no time. Drop a line in and hope a bluefish, croaker, or flounder takes the bait. Surf fishing is also popular in Bowers, with stripers, whiting, and kingfish coming close to shore.
On land, the town frequently hosts fun events like pirate-themed festivals, parades, and live entertainment. Visit the Bowers Beach Museum in an 1800s house, see artifacts of Bowers, the Delaware Bay, and learn the past of a town whose way of life centered on the water, including oyster harvesting. After a tour around town, stop at The Bayview Tavern for great home cooking or JP’s Wharf for fresh Delaware Bay oysters served four ways: raw, bulletproof, sashimi, and firecracker. Bowers also is a base for exploring the nearby parks, Saint Jones River and Murderkill River.
Bethany Beach
Less crowded than its sister beach town, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach is a laid-back, relaxed town with a quieter vibe that’s perfect for family getaways. The boardwalk is smaller and more intimate—conducive to strolls and ocean views. Boardwalk Fries is an institution on the boardwalk where french fries come in all sizes, from a 16-ounce small fry to a 53-ounce large fry, and specialty flavors like truffle sriracha and bayoli. Satisfy a sweet tooth with a visit to Candy Kitchen for iconic beach treats like salt water taffy, fudge, and chocolate-covered pretzels.
Coastal Kayak has kayaks, paddle boards, and sailboats for fun on the water that can be rented by the hour or by the day(s). Visitors new to sailing or kayaking or needing a refresher can book a 90-minute sailing lesson or a two-hour guided kayak tour, perfect for beginners and children. Back on land, enjoy the sun and the sand by starting the day with a pilates class on the beach in Bethany. From June to August, the town shows Movies on the Beach every Monday night at dusk, or bring a blanket and popcorn for Movies on the Bandstand every Friday night in September.
Nothing says summer like a beach visit, and Delaware is home to many of them in towns like Rehoboth Beach with its bustling boardwalk, laid-back charming Bowers, walkable Lewes, or family-friendly Bethany Beach. The First State is also rich in history in the state capital of Dover, historic Delaware City, and Millsboro’s connection to its Native American heritage. Visitors will discover a warm welcome in any of these inviting small Delaware towns.
