Delaware is beautiful in every season but is especially so during the fall. With its location in the heart of the mid-Atlantic, Delaware is perfect for travelers looking to plan a day trip or a weekend jaunt. Scenic venues from the coastal areas where migrating birds flock by the thousands to the wooded hills of the north are awaiting your visit.
Prime season for changing leaves is from mid-October through early November in Delaware, giving plenty of time to explore some of traveler's favorite scenic drives:
The Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway: Embark on a spectacular journey through the hilly back roads of northern Delaware as you wind your way past grand mansions and stately museums. Enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of Nemours Estate, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and Hagley Museum & Library. You’ll also drive through Brandywine Creek State Park, where long stone walls lead to picture-perfect trees turning to red, orange and yellow.
The Delaware Bayshore Byway: Experience a unique coastal drive that delivers soothing views of the lowlands and wetlands that make Delaware a world-class destination for birdwatchers. Designated a National Scenic Byway in February 2021 for its rich history, the two-lane road meanders along the Delaware River and Bay Estuary, passing through the largest preserved coastal marshland on the East Coast. This north-south route of approximately 50 miles connects two National Historic Park sites; the New Castle County Courthouse to the north and John Dickinson Plantation to the south. It meanders through nine major publicly-owned natural areas, farms, and nine coastal towns, characterized by a succession of uniquely Delaware landscapes: forest, tidal and non-tidal marshland, areas of significant natural resources and wildlife habitat, historic farms and quaint villages, and working farms. Look up, and you’ll see all the leaves changing colors and millions of migrating birds passing through to rest on their journey south for winter. Along the way, embrace the state’s history in ports like Historic New Castle and Fort Delaware State Park. (credit: Delaware Greenways)
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway: For those who like to mix beautiful scenery with history, this drive has quite the tale to tell. Stretching from Maryland through Delaware and ending in Philadelphia, this route tells the story of Tubman’s efforts to get slaves to freedom. The Delaware portion picks up outside of Goldsboro, MD where you travel east on Route 10 to the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Management Area. Today, the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area is popular for wildlife and bird watching, hunting and horseback riding. Then, continue northeast to Dover and the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center. The state’s capital city has a particularly fascinating and attractive colonial district, centered around Dover Green. Leaving Dover and heading northwest about 20 miles, you enter the Blackbird State Forest, which is home to oaks, yellow poplar, maple, gums and hickories. The fall colors are gorgeous. The forest was also one of Harriet Tubman’s landmarks on her perilous treks. It’s a visual reminder of some of the natural challenges freedom seekers faced. Today, Blackbird’s 40 miles of trails provide access for hikers, runners, bikers and cross-country skiers.
The Nanticoke Heritage Byway: Take a trip to see the beautiful rural landscapes of western Southern Delaware. It has a way of soothing the soul and inspiring peaceful thoughts as vistas of farm lands and tidy tree lines emerge around each bend in the road. Along the way, quaint towns with rich histories invite exploration. The natural beauty and easygoing terrain beckon to travelers to Trap Pond State Park, where the bald cypress trees’ changing colors is a sight to behold.
Coastal Highway Drive: Starting just north of Lewes, travelers can wind their way south along Delaware’s Atlantic Coast on Rt. 1; meanwhile, they can enjoy the sea breeze through open windows as they explore the quaint nautical charms of Lewes and do some tax-free shopping in Rehoboth Beach. Then it’s time to fully immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the ocean and bay, separated by just a thin stretch of land that carries the highway south. Discover the beaches in the fall and uncover the shifting scene from season to season. Along the way, there’s plenty to explore in the seaside towns of Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, and natural escapes abound in the major state parks: Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island.
