A message from Delaware Governor, Ruth Ann Minner
There is no place quite like Delaware. Escape to “Chateau Country” for riveting landscapes made famous by Andrew Wyeth’s paintings. Watch the sun rise over the ocean at the Great Dune near Lewes and a great blue heron as it takes flight from the marshlands of Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge. This year, retrace history along the Nanticoke and Broad Creek rivers with the Captain John Smith Reenactment Voyage.
Our state capital, Dover, is home to one of the most beautifully preserved capitol complexes in the nation, captured by the First State Heritage Park. Old New Castle is a charming town to visit with its original cobblestone streets, colonial homes and guided historical tours. And don’t forget the coastal town of Lewes, which tells the story of Delaware’s seafaring past that dates back to the 1600s.
Enjoy the best opera, dance, drama and music or get inspired by a showcase of galleries featuring our state’s finest artists. Shop tax-free at Delaware’s brand name outlet stores, boutiques and antique shops.
We invite you to experience the wonder and diversity the First State has to offer. Delaware, it’s good being first.
Featured Attractions & Events
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Woodburn, The Governor's House
Built in 1798 and remains one of the finest 18th-century houses in Delaware. Home to Delaware's governors since 1965. There are four open houses a year and two festivals held on the grounds.
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Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 primarily to preserve coastal wetlands as wintering and breeding habitat for migratory waterfowl. It is located on the west shore of Delaware Bay, approximately 22 miles southeast of Dover, the State capital, and 64 miles southeast of Wilmington, Delaware. Prime Hook NWR is managed primarily to provide nesting, resting, and feeding habitat for migratory waterfowl, with maintenance of optimum black duck wintering habitat being an important objective. Waterfowl production, especially for black ducks and wood ducks is becoming increasingly important. Water levels in the marsh are manipulated at different times of the year via water control structures to stimulate the growth of emergent aquatic plant species which serve as a food source. Refuge habitat types are varied and are managed to maintain a diversity of wildlife species. Prime Hook consists of over 9,700 acres, approximately 7,400 acres of which are fresh marsh, tidal marsh, and open water. Other habitats include approximately 1,000 acres of timber and brush and 1,300 acres of grasslands and croplands. Public use objectives at Prime Hook are to provide wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities compatible with habitat and wildlife objectives. Since the signing of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, appropriate public uses of the Refuge System include six major wildlife-dependent recreational uses and are: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and environmental interpretation.
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University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum
Internationally recognized repository of important mineral specimens from around the world.
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QUEST Fitness and Kayak
Outdoor fitness programs and kayak tours in the Lewes area. Tours offered include sunrise/sunset, pints and paddles, dolphin count, historic paddle, creek trips, shipwreck tours and private tours. Fitness center offers earth sports and adventure fitness training.
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Trap Pond State Park
Freshwater wetlands once covered a large portion of southwestern Sussex County. Trap Pond State Park retains a part of the swamp's original beauty and mystery, and features the northernmost natural stand of baldcypress trees in the United States. The pond was created in the late 1700's to power a sawmill during the harvest of large baldcypress from the area. The Federal Government later purchased the pond and surrounding farmland during the 1930's and the Civilian Conservation Corps began to develop the area for recreation. Trap Pond became one of Delaware's first state parks in 1951. Visitors have many opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the wetland forest. Hiking trails surround the pond, providing opportunities to glimpse native animal species and many flowering plants. Birdwatching is a popular activity and the observant hiker may spot a Great Blue Heron, owl, hummingbird, warbler, Bald Eagle or the elusive Pileated Woodpecker.
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