Riverfront Wilmington

Northern Delaware Getaway

From Wilmington and Newark's walkable downtowns and flavorful dining, to the sprawling estates and gardens and golf courses in Chateau Country, to the state's may sites filled with rich and storied history, northern Delaware offers an exciting fun-packed getaway that's not hard to get to.

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fort delaware at sunset
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Hagley Falls
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Blue Rocks
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Grand Opera House
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Riverwalk Mini Golf
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Taverna
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New Castle Court House Museum

Day 1 – Explore Downtown Wilmington


Morning: Start your morning with a bike ride to the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Area or treat the family to a round of putt putt at Riverwalk Mini Golf, with 18 challenging holes set against the Christina River. 

Lunch: Enjoy lunch al fresco at Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront, on its outdoor patio overlooking Riverfront Wilmington.

Afternoon: Kick back and relax at Constitution Yards, where shipping containers have been converted to a beer garden that serves up craft beers and food to enjoy while playing some seriously fun lawn games.

Dinner: Enjoy a modern twist on classic Italian cuisine at the James Beard nominated Bardea.

Night: Take yourself out to a Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game, or treat yourself to the symphony, dance, opera or a Broadway show at the Grand Opera House.

Where to stay: Stay in one of Delaware’s four-diamond hotels, the Hotel Du Pont, which has luxurious accommodations within walking distance to many Wilmington attractions.

 

Day 2 – Discover Chateau Country


Morning: Start the day at the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, with its sprawling gardens and museum of American decorative arts.

Lunch: Chain pizza this isn’t. At Pizza by Elizabeths, dine on healthy pizzas made with fresh, all-natural ingredients and then get your tax-free shopping fix at Greenville Center.

Afternoon: On the banks of the Brandywine River the American Dream became a reality for the Du Pont family. Hagley Museum and Library exemplifies early American industry, with its restored mills, workers’ community and ancestral home of the du Pont family, all of which you can tour.

Dinner: Krazy Kat’s, which is housed in a renovated blacksmith’s shop at the Inn at Montchanin, pairs whimsical feline themed décor with creative cuisine.

Where to stay: The Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa is a restored 19th Century Hamlet and is a gem of the Brandywine Valley with 28 rooms and suites each with their own unique character, as well as an on-site spa and restaurant.

Bonus trip idea: Embrace the outdoors at Mt. Cuba Center, which is located on 600-acres of lush scenery with woodland wildflower gardens, a picturesque meadow, and wide collection of native plants.

 

Day 3 – Shopping, dining and so much more!


 

Morning: With tax-free shopping at stores from Nordstrom to the Microsoft Store, you’ll find everything on your list at Christiana Mall.

Lunch: Visit the Newark Main Street for boutique stores and delicious dining. Head to Caffé Gelato for lunch with northern Italian flair. Or try a big plate of nachos at the Deer Park Tavern and ask about their famous patrons including Edgar Allan Poe.

Afternoon: Work off those calories from lunch by hitting the trails at White Clay Creek State Park, which leads to historic sites and scenic vistas overlooking lush valleys and rock outcroppings.

Dinner: With homemade pasta and coal fired pizzas Taverna serves up rustic Italian food in the heart of Newark.

Where to stay: The Hilton Wilmington Christiana is an estate hotel located in Newark and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Brandywine Valley. Or book a stay at the Courtyard by Marriott – University of Delaware located within walking distance to Main Street in Newark and the trails at White Clay Creek State Park.

 

Day 4 – Step back in time in Old New Castle, Odessa Delaware City


Morning: Visit the New Castle Historical Society for a tour along historic cobblestoned streets found in the First State National Monument.

Lunch: Dine in a unique 19th centuy historical ambiance at Cantwell’s Tavern in Odessa.

Afternoon: Travel further back in time with tours of the 18th Century homes in Odessa and don’t forget to ask about its connection to the Underground Railroad.

Dinner: While exploring the cobblestoned streets of New Castle enjoy the big bold cajun flavors of Nora Lee’s French Quarter Bistro.

Bonus trip idea: Once a Union fortress during the Civil War, Fort Delaware State Park is known for ghostly haunts from the island’s past. Ghost tours are offered in the fall season or if you’d like something a little less scary visit during the day for hands-on history demonstrations.

Where to stay: The Four Points by Sheraton Newark is located right off of  Rt. 1 and close to I-95, making this easily accessible to all of the great attractions in the area.