Top Spring Break Ideas in Delaware

The change of the season brings events that will have you blooming with excitement. Start off your adventures by strolling the historic streets of Lewes to find as many colorful tulips as you can at the the 13th annual Lewes Tulip Celebration (April 1-17). For an amazing collection of art glass and other decorative treasures visit the Delaware Art Museum’s Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibit (through June 5). Soak up the warm spring sun at events like the Great Delaware Kite Festival (April 15 at Cape Henlopen State Park); and the Annual Wildflower Weekend at Mt. Cuba Center (April 29-May 1). For more festive happenings explore the Visit Delaware events calendar. 

As spring arrives, it’s time to return to the great outdoors and explore. Stretch your legs with a hike at one of Delaware’s top birding sites, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, or play a round of disc golf at Killens Pond State Park.

Take the roads less traveled with the Gordons Pond Bike Trail for an excursion which showcases the beautiful Atlantic shoreline and the wildlife and wetlands of Cape Henlopen State Park. Head North to Riverfront Wilmington where you can stay at the Homewood Suites, with rooms that have a built in kitchen for all of your family needs, and then it’s a short walk along the Christina River for a round of putt-putt at Riverwalk Mini Golf or a quick bike ride south to the elevated boardwalk of the Jack A. Markell Trail.

Follow your taste buds through Delaware and indulge in bold flavors and a bit of fun. Down south, you can enjoy creative seafood-centric dishes on the water at Bluecoast Seafood Grill.

Head into downtown Wilmington to dine at DE.CO for a taste of everything in their contemporary food hall. Or travel off the beaten path to My Sister’s Fault in Milford for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, Krazy Kat’s Restaurant in Montchanin for unique and creative cuisine, or One Coastal in Fenwick Island for fresh seafood and farm-to-table eats. 

Explore Delaware’s charming towns from the cobblestone streets of Historic New Castle, to the relaxed riverside paths along the Mispillion in Milford, to the stylish seaside town of Lewes. Wake up to a beautiful sunrise at a waterfront hotel like the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites or the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel.

As flowers bloom throughout the state, take a romantic stroll through the manicured gardens and historic estates of Northern Delaware including Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Hagley Museum and Library, Nemours Estate, and Mt. Cuba Center. And stay at the Inn at Montchanin Village and Spa for its historic charm.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or new to the craft beer scene, you’ll find a new favorite drink on the menu at Delaware on Tap’s nearly three dozen locations across the state. From the roof-top river views of Iron Hill Wilmington, to the mad science meads and ciders of Liquid Alchemy Beverages, to the easy going beach vibes and salt air at Dewey Beer Company, the Delaware on Tap app will lead you to a great craft beverage experience.

Enjoy delicious drinks and eats outdoors by pairing cocktails and tacos on Painted Stave Distilling’s courtyard or enjoying wine flights and vino slushies looking out over the vineyards at Salted Vines Vineyard and Winery.

Looking to get away to the beach with a few of your closest friends? Camp out at the beachfront cottages and safari tents at Massey’s Landing, stay right off of the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk at Atlantic Sands Hotel, or make the Dogfish INN in Lewes your base camp for your adventures with a stay in their beer-centric rooms or their Super Sweet suite located in the heart of Lewes.

In Southern Delaware there’s no shortage of things-to-do, play a round of golf at Baywood Greens Golf Course, just minutes from Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, find the perfect Insta-worthy photo op on the Delaware Discoveries Trail, and hike the miles of trails that wind through freshwater wetlands of Trap Pond State Park.

What does rock climbing, red pandas, getting crafty, and embarking on new adventures all have in common? All are kid-approved fun experiences that only happen in Delaware. Fun for the whole family happens when exploring through Brandywine Zoo to learn about red pandas, lemurs, and more or getting adventurous by rock climbing at Alapocas State Park! A day full of adventure calls for something sweet of course so head to places like the Charcoal Pit for a milkshake, the Juice Joint for a yummy acai bowl, or down the state a bit at Sweet Melissas for desserts galore. 

If it's a Saturday and you're looking for a cool place to relax and have some fun be sure to stop by Tre Sorelle Dolce for stuffed waffles, all the ice cream flavors you can imagine, and even mini-golf! For families looking for more crafty ways to bond this spring break try a DIY paint kit from Out of the Box DIY. And for the foodie families a box of Fractured Prune donuts or a bucket of Fishers Popcorn is a must. 

Spring is the perfect time for all things new! Plan to visit the newly renovated Playhouse on Rodney Square glistening with fresh paint, comfier seats, and updated decor. Shows that will be blooming this season include “Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats” (April 9); “Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show” (Apr. 22-24); and a refreshed “Fiddler on the Roof” (June 9-12). If you're heading into the season ready for all the new flavors then be sure to add  Wilma’s, a hybrid restaurant and duckpin bowling business in Wilmington; and the long-awaited opening of the restaurant version of Taco Reho, a beloved beach food truck.