10 Most Loved Tourist Attractions In Delaware

Delaware is a vibrant and exciting place located on the east coast of the United States. The mid-Atlantic state enjoys millions of tourists each year, and it’s understandable why. Delaware has so many unique tourist attractions, from scenic beaches and gorgeous state parks to historic estates and fascinating museums.

If you’re thinking of visiting Delaware this year, the easiest way to get there is by flying into Wilmington Airport, which is located in Delaware’s largest city. However, you can also land at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which is just across the Delaware-Maryland border. Once there, be sure to check out a few of the state’s top tourist attractions during your trip. There are sites and experiences in Delaware that suit people of all ages and all types of travelers.

Delaware Art Museum

The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington features pieces of American art primarily from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as English pre-Raphaelite art from the 19th century. One of the most prominent collections in the Delaware Art Museum is from American artist Howard Pyle. The museum houses many of Pyle’s works and papers, and he was the person who illustrated many books by Mark Twain and Robert Lewis Stevenson.

When you’re done exploring the museum’s extensive collections, be sure to spend some time scrolling through the 9-acre Copeland Sculpture Garden. It consists of nine works, including Tom Otterness' 13-foot Crying Giant and Three Rectangles Horizontal Jointed Gyratory III by George Rickey.

Nemours Estate

Tourists will adore Nemours Estate, a 200-acre country estate located in Delaware’s largest city of Wilmington. The estate was designed to mimic the look of a traditional French Chateau. It was first constructed in the early 1900s and was a gift from Alfred du Pont to his second wife, Alicia.

The estate is now open to the public and in total, it features 105 rooms, four floors, and 47,000 square feet of space - and this is just the mansion. The mansion sits on a much larger property that features formal, manicured gardens. Visitors can stroll through the gardens and even attend events within them, like the Forest Bathing Workshops that take place each fall.

Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach is nestled on Delaware’s stunning Atlantic coastline. This lovely enclave is located just south of the larger and busier Rehoboth Beach, and is known to be a quiet oasis for those looking for a relaxing oceanside vacation. For instance, South Indian River Inlet Beach is beautiful and typically isn’t too crowded outside of summer weekends.

While the beaches are certainly a major draw to the area, tourists also love visiting the 12-foot-wide wooden boardwalk that runs adjacent to the beach. The boardwalk is half a mile long, making it the perfect place for a short stroll. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to stop at along the way.

Air Mobility Command Museum

The Air Mobility Command Museum is a museum that resides on the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It houses a large collection of vintage aircrafts that history buffs and aviation aficionados will surely love. For example, you can marvel at over 30 retired military crafts, such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, helicopters, and a F-101 Voodoo fighter jet, all of which date back to the Second World War. Visitors can even climb up the stairs and walk around inside these planes.

The museum also chronicles the history of the Dover Air Force Base, as well as the Air Force’s efforts in the Vietnam and Korean wars.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is one of the most beloved tourist attractions in Delaware for a reason. First, it is easily accessible since it is located in a suburb of the state’s largest city, Wilmington. This makes it easy to visit, especially if you’re flying into Wilmington Airport.

Winterthur is a historic property that dates back to the mid 1800s. It was previously owned by Henry Francis du Port, a known horticulturist and antique collector. In the 1950s, it opened to the public and became the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Today, visitors can stroll all around the property, as well as inside the mansion, which now houses a library and museum. The museum features hundreds of Americana artifacts.

Fort Delaware State Park

Fort Delaware State Park is one of the most loved tourist attractions in this mid-Atlantic state. It is historic while also featuring natural beauty, making it a slam dunk for all kinds of travelers. For instance, nature lovers will enjoy strolling through the Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve, which is located in the park. Meanwhile, history buffs can learn all about Fort Delaware’s long history, including its connection to the U.S. Civil War, when it housed prisoners. Depending on when you visit, you might even be able to book a guided ghost tour of the park or catch a live reenactment.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

State residents and travelers from other states and countries will surely fall in love with the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. This nature lover’s paradise is located on the coast of Delaware Bay. It is one of the largest expanses of tidal salt marsh that remains in the area.

The region has been under protection since the 1930s and is an ideal place to see wildlife thrive. Bird watchers can marvel at the migratory birds that call the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge home.

In total, the refuge spans 16,000 acres. Among these are 5 hiking trails, a 12-mile drive, and 3 observation towers.

Lums Pond State Park

Lums Pond State Park is yet another tourist attraction in Delaware that you will love. Located roughly 25 minutes south of Wilmington by car, Lums Pond State Park is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature.

The park has plenty of hiking trails, as well as scenic waterways for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Whale Wallow Loop, Swamp Forest Trail, and Little Jersey Trail are all great hiking routes.

If you plan to stay the night at this Delaware tourist attraction, you can do so affordably by reserving a tent site or RV site at the Lums Pond State Park campground. There is even a yurt for rent that starts at $51 per night.

Killens Pond State Park

Killens Pond State Park is also worth visiting for tourists. In the summer months, one of the top attractions within the park is the Killens Pond Water Park, which features a number of water slides and interactive water activities.

Tourists also enjoy getting out on the 66-acre pond after which the park is named. You will frequently see people canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the pond. Plus, there are a number of hiking trails that go along the perimeter of the pond. During the summer months, you can even book a guided hike or kayak tour at the Killens Pond State Park Nature Center.

If you wish to stay the night, book a cabin, tent site, or standard campsite in the park.

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rehoboth Beach. The latter is a colorful seaside town located on the Atlantic Coast. In the summer, visitors flock to the area to relax on one of the town’s many beaches, like Deauville Beach, Poodle Beach, and Rehoboth Beach, and of course, to walk along the lively boardwalk.

The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is covered in funky shops, restaurants serving delicious food, and venues playing live music. The boardwalk is one mile long and is also the home of several festivals year-round. One of the biggest festivals is the Sea Witch Festival, which takes place every October on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. It is described as a family-friendly Halloween celebration full of activities and live entertainment for all ages.

Wrapping Up

Start exploring Delaware’s most loved tourist attractions today. Whether you want to stroll along a scenic coastal boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach or Bethany Beach, spend a weekend hiking in Killens Pond State Park or Lums Pond State Park, or explore the state’s fascinating history at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library or Nemours Estate, there is something to suit all tastes in Delaware.

Plus, many of Delaware’s tourist attractions can be enjoyed year-round, which means whatever time of year you visit, you will be in for a treat.