7 Most Welcoming Towns In Delaware's Countryside

Delaware is small, but its backcountry's got more heart than you'd imagine. Beyond the beach communities and suburbs, you'll find towns that are genuine and as welcoming as can be. Farm stands, family eateries, and people who wave because they noticed you drive by come to mind. Whether you are sipping cider in Bridgeville or walking the serene trails surrounding Laurel, these towns make you feel like a native—even if it's your first time there. Here are seven of Delaware's friendliest countryside towns.

Bridgeville

Bridgeville is just one of those towns that feels real. The T.S. Smith Orchard Point Market has been around for over a century, and it’s not just a fruit stand—it’s where locals grab apple butter, cider, and whatever’s in season. If you’re smart, you’ll stop by Fat Daddy's BBQ for a delicious bite to eat. People come for the pulled pork sandwiches but stay for the small-town conversations that start over coffee. When October hits, the Apple Scrapple Festival takes over town. We’re talking fried scrapple sandwiches, tractor parades, and a vibe that’s equal parts county fair and family reunion. Bridgeville isn’t fancy—it’s just friendly, and that’s better.

Laurel

Laurel sits right on Broad Creek, and there’s something about the slow-moving water that sets the pace for the whole town. People here love Abbott’s on Broad Creek—it’s where you’ll get some of the best crab cakes you’ll ever taste. Over at the Laurel Heritage Museum (which used to be the train station), you’ll find out how shipbuilders and farmers built this place from scratch. Want to stretch your legs? Trap Pond State Park has a boardwalk trail directly down among the cypress trees. And if you enjoy local color, Laurel Junction Flea Market is open year-round—locals buying fresh produce, old tools, and anything else you can think of. People walk slower here, and everyone's got time to say hello. That's just Laurel.

Milton

Milton is the kind of town where people still know their neighbors, but there is a hip factor enough to add some energy to the step. Dogfish Head Brewery draws tourists for its handcrafted beer, but that's not all there is to the visit. Individuals swear by Po' Boys Creole for shrimp po' boys and gumbo that tastes like it came straight from Louisiana. Walk through the Milton Historical Society Museum, and you’ll learn this place was once big on shipbuilding. And if you’re into birdwatching, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is just a short drive away. But honestly? The best part of Milton is the people. Conversations start easily. Nobody’s in a rush. It’s the kind of place where strangers feel like friends within minutes.

Harrington

At first glance, Harrington might not grab you. But give it a minute, and you’ll start to get it. Locals swear by breakfast at Derby's Bar and Restaurant—simple, hearty, and full of people who’ve lived here forever. In July, the Delaware State Fair is the big event. Concerts, rodeos, funnel cakes, livestock shows—it's the kind of fun that doesn’t need to be dressed up. Next, visit the small Railroad Tower Museum in town for some history. But here, it's the locals that'll stick with you. They are friendly in the best way possible. So try 'em out, and you'll be swapping stories with someone before your coffee has even had a chance to cool.

Smyrna

Smyrna might be near highways, but it feels a world away from fast-paced life. Start your day at Smyrna Diner, where you’ll be sitting next to regulars swapping stories over scrapple and eggs. In the center of town, the Smyrna Museum offers a surprising amount of history packed into a few old buildings. For a tour of another kind, head to Painted Stave Distilling, which is nestled inside a revived old movie house. Sample some local liquor and don't be afraid, they love to discuss how everything gets made. For supper, cap off your night at Brick Works Brewing & Eats. You'll have people telling you to drive to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge for sunset, and they're not wrong. This ain't fancy—it's honest.

Delmar

Delmar's strange. It really straddles the Delaware-Maryland border, but the Delaware side's all rural quaintness. Locals suggest Delmar Pizza and Pasta to outsiders for their cheesy ones, but the real stories start at the tiny Delmarva Model Railroad Club, which hosts open house days to promote model railroading. If you're adventurous, the Great Cypress Swamp lies just outside of town, replete with serene trails to hike or bird. Delmar's not concerned with impressing anyone. People do know each other here—and after a few hours, they'll know you, too. Somebody will most likely point you in the right direction, share a fishing tip or two, and perhaps even invite you to pick up a slice. That's how it goes.

Felton

Felton is small, but it doesn’t feel small in a bad way—it feels comfortable. Stop by Paskey’s Owls Nest serving beer, wine, and pizza, with karaoke and pool tables. Don’t be surprised if someone at the next table starts a conversation. Killens Pond State Park is where locals go to unwind, whether it’s kayaking, hiking, or splashing around at the seasonal water park. On Saturdays, visit Indian Point Farm and purchase fresh produce, local honey, and homemade goods. You'll notice the town's old churches and brick front buildings—they add to Felton's low-key, vintage atmosphere. But what makes it different here is the people. You're not a tourist. You're someone they haven't yet met as a neighbor. And by the time you leave, you will want to stay.

Where Small-Town Charm Shines

These are not tourist traps, and that's what makes them special. It's not glitzy attractions—it's lazy mornings, real conversation, and places that feel like home even when you're just passing through. Drinking cider in Bridgeville or sunsets in Smyrna, Delaware's countryside proves small towns still know how to roll out the welcome mat—and maybe keep you hanging around for a while.