A Budget-Friendly Trip to Delaware

Looking to save some money during your next vacation? Consider a trip to Delaware! Whether you are solo traveling or bringing the entire family along, use these ideas to plan your perfect and affordable getaway.

GETTING HERE AND GETTING AROUND
A photo of the outside of Wilmington Airport in New Castle, Del. Delaware has many options when it comes to traveling to and around the state. Avelo Airlines now flies in and out of Wilmington Airport from several cities in Florida as well as Nashville, Myrtle Beach, and Raleigh. For $20 off round trip base fares through June 30, 2025, use promo code FLYILG20. Check the Avelo website for additional special deals and discounts throughout the year. The Wilmington Airport offers car rental services and is a short drive away from many area attractions including the du Pont mansions and gardens, the city of Wilmington, Delaware’s capital city Dover, and the Delaware beaches.

If you are looking to spend some time on the water, the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal provides ferry trips to and from Cape May, New Jersey, to Lewes, Delaware daily with shuttles available to ride during the summer. Walk-on round-trip passenger tickets for the ferry average about $18 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-13 years. Children under 6 years old ride free. The ferry also offers discounts for seniors, AAA members, first responders, and military service members.

To avoid paid parking, especially during the summer, be sure to use DART’s Beach Bus Service at the beaches to make your trip even more affordable and relaxing. Pack your beach chairs, a cooler, and towels and let DART do the driving and parking! If you’d rather drive and park in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, or Bethany Beach, all of those beach communities use the ParkMobile app which allows you to monitor and pay for your parking right from your phone. No more running to the meter when your time is almost up!

Huxley and Hiro TAX-FREE SHOPPING
If you love shopping and finding great deals, Delaware is the place for you! With its tax-free shopping experience and abundance of unique small businesses and boutiques, you can find one-of-a-kind goods at great prices. In Southern Delaware, explore Downtown Milford, Downtown Lewes, the Tanger Outlets, Downtown Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. If you are heading North, take advantage of Downtown Dover or Christiana Mall, home to more than 130 stores, all with no sales tax.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Between its beaches, state parks, and biking trails, Delaware has many affordable outdoor activities to choose from. Rehoboth Beach and other municipal beaches are open to the public at no cost. Beaches managed by Delaware State Parks include a $5 fee per vehicle for Delaware residents and a $10 fee for non-residents. This fee covers a day-long stay at the state park, including access to the beach, bike and hiking trails, and other facilities. Planning on going to multiple state parks during your visit? Save with an annual pass!

If you choose to spend a day at one of Delaware’s many state parks, there are a variety of activities to explore. Between camping grounds, biking trails, historical monuments, nature centers, classes, programs, and more, each park has something special to offer. Lums Pond offers a zip-lining course, and Cape Henlopen State Park includes WW2 monuments you can explore as well as a biking trail that will take you to Gordon’s Pond. Other biking trails to consider are the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail in Wilmington, the Jack A. Markell Trail, which spans from Wilmington to New Castle, the Michael N. Castle C&D Trail in Delaware City, and the Junction and Breakwater Trail in Rehoboth. Learn more about biking trails with Delaware Greenways.

A biker rides down the Gordons Pond Bike Trail in Lewes, Del.
FREE & FUN OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
If you’re really looking for a bargain, Delaware has numerous outdoor spots that visitors are welcome to explore free of charge.

In northern Delaware, visit Brandywine Park, located just outside of the city of Wilmington, and explore the 178-acre park along the Brandywine River with plants, bridges, fountains, and gazebos. Be sure to visit the Jasper Crane Rose Garden during your walk through the park. In historic New Castle, explore Battery Park with walking, hiking, and biking trails running along the Delaware River. If you’re fortunate, you may even see the Kalmar Nyckel docked in the park on a stopover as she journeys along the Atlantic seaboard.

In central Delaware, Brecknock County Park, boasts multiple recreational opportunities, onsite bathroom facilities, a one-of-a-kind playground, and 86 acres of walking and hiking trails. After your walk, visit nearby Tre Sorelle Dolce for a sweet treat! In Milford, you can enjoy a quiet walk along the Mispillion Riverwalk or visit Abbott’s Mill Nature Center for a stroll through the 376-acre nature preserve featuring beautiful and accessible trails.

Down south, visit Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge for hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching, and more. Mary Vessels Park in downtown Lewes is a small but beautiful park where you can enjoy your ice cream cone from nearby King’s Ice Cream while taking in the beauty. Public restrooms are also available in the park. Even further south, explore James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View, a 150-acre retreat where you can relax on a calm bayside beach, observe native plants and animals, and hike three miles of trails through seven distinct habitats – all for free!

OTHER AREAS TO EXPLORE
At little to no cost, there are many areas of Delaware that you can explore. Make plans to visit Odessa in northern Delaware to view historic homes, grounds, and museums at an affordable cost. Also, in northern Delaware is Rockford Park and Tower where you can climb the 100-year-old tower for an enchanting view of the city of Wilmington. The Brandywine Zoo offers an affordable and fun activity for families or other animal lovers. With admission at just $3 for children and $5 for adults, you can see animals from the tropical and temperate areas of North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Delaware’s capital city, Dover, includes free public facilities such as the Delaware Public Archives and Legislative Hall that are worth exploring. Stop by First State Heritage Park to view historic buildings and streets or join in on a free walking tour. Dover is also home to a number of museums with free admission. Explore the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Johnson Victrola Museum, John Dickinson Plantation, and the Air Mobility Command Museum – all free!

An image of a vintage aircraft at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del. For more budget-friendly attractions and things to do in Delaware, mini-golfing is a popular choice. Check out Nick’s Jurassic Mini Golf in Rehoboth where you can play golf amongst animatronic dinosaurs. In northern Delaware, test your skills at Riverwalk Mini Golf and after golfing, you can explore all the Riverfront Wilmington has to offer. For more action and fun with the entire family, explore Dover Motor Speedway, Pirates of Lewes, and Jungle Jim’s Water Park.

For more relaxed attractions, visit Lavender Fields or Brittingham Farms for beautiful floral landscapes and cute shops. A tour of Lightship Overfalls will also teach you something new, as will any of Delaware’s many museums. Between Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Nemours Estate, Hagley Museum, the Indian River Life-Saving Station, DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, and the Cannonball House, Delaware’s history spans far and wide and offers something for everyone.

For additional bargains in northern Delaware, sign up for the free Discount Pass from the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. The pass offers savings from participating museums, restaurants, shops, historic sites, and more.

In addition to all of these great options, there are many free or low-cost festivals and events to explore throughout the year in Delaware! Keep up to date with our events and festivals calendar.