Cool Ways to Beat the Heat

Summer is a season of celebration in Delaware with outdoor festivals, live music, farmers’ markets and more, but, sometimes, you just need to chill. From ocean kayaking adventures to tax-free shopping sprees, Delaware has plenty of ways to beat the summer heat.

Water Adventures: A day on the water is a summer staple adventure for Delawareans and vacationers alike, and getting off the boat and into the ocean or bay is a great way to stay cool. Try stand up paddleboarding at Cape Henlopen, skimboarding in Dewey Beach or jet skiing in the Rehoboth Bay. Away from the sand, Delaware waterparks like Killens Pond, Jungle Jims and Thunder Lagoon, are perfect family-friendly spots for the kiddos to cool down. With lazy rivers, fast slides and splashing fountains, you’ll keep the heat away. If you’d rather stay dry on a boat or in a kayak, paddle through the shady baldcypress trees of Trap Pond State Park or savor the salt breeze aboard a tour with Cape Water Tours and Taxi.

A girl paddleboarding on the Delaware Bay at sunset.

Cool Eats: Step into a restaurant to enjoy a tasty meal in the a/c you’ve been in search of. Delight your tastebuds and enjoy the view of the Wilmington Riverfront at a restaurant like Iron Hill. Or, try a refreshing sip of freshly squeezed juice at The Juice Joint. If in search of fine dining while you cool off, visit Bardea in downtown Wilmington. Top off your meal with some tasty Delaware treats like “Grandma’s Gone Co-conuts” from UDairy in Newark or try the more than 100 flavors of ice cream waiting for you at The Ice Cream Store in Rehoboth Beach.

Bardea Iron Hill Beer flight

Museums & More: Beat the heat and take in some local culture at a Delaware museum or arts venue. In northern Delaware, explore the Delaware History Museum, Delaware Children's Museum, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Marshall Steam Museum, or the Rockwood Park & Museum. Each of these museums explores a unique part of northern Delaware, including its history and natural environment, with air-conditioned spaces to stay cool on a hot summer day. If you're looking for art of all kinds, visit the Delaware Contemporary or the Delaware Art Museum. Extend your visit with a workshop and make art to take home with you.

A wall of Pre-Raphaelite paintings hangs at Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Del.

In central Delaware, explore the Biggs Museum of American Art, John Dickinson Plantation, and the Johnson Victrola Museum - all free of charge! Southern Delaware's museums explore shipwrecks, Coast Guard rescues, Native arts and culture, military history, and more. Visit the Discoversea Shipwreck Museum, Indian River Life-Saving Station, Fort Miles Museum, Zwaanendael Museum, and the Nanticoke Indian Museum to stay cool while learning all about The First State.

Tax-Free Shopping: Shopping in an air conditioned store is a great escape on any summer day, especially when the shopping is tax-free. Step into Christiana Mall’s upscale shops, or browse the 100+ stores at the beaches’ Tanger Outlets, known for amazing deals on top name brands. Delaware’s top shopping streets of Newark, Dover, Milford and Lewes will have boutiques with fabulous finds you’ve been dreaming of. Finish off your shopping spree with a movie at Penn Cinema in Wilmington or Westown Movies in Middletown.

A blue and white sign outside of the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach lists stores including Pandora, Puma, Zales, Sunglass Hut, and The North Face. A woman walks in front of a Carter's outlet store at the Bayside Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. There are green bushes and purple flowers in the foreground.