Last updated August 16, 2026

The Best Tours & Places to Visit in Delaware

Delaware may be the second-smallest state in the country, but it packs Atlantic beach towns, du Pont family estates, and some of the oldest colonial history in America into a drive that rarely takes more than two hours end to end. From the boardwalk of Rehoboth Beach to the gardens of Wilmington's Brandywine Valley estates, the colonial streets of New Castle, and the state capitol in Dover, Delaware rewards travelers who want a lot packed into a short trip. Whether you are searching for the best tours in Delaware, tickets to top Delaware attractions, the best places to visit in Delaware, or simply the most memorable things to do in Delaware, this guide covers everything worth knowing before you go.

Top Attractions, Tours and Tickets in Delaware

Rehoboth Beach and the Delaware Shore

Rehoboth Beach anchors Delaware's Atlantic coastline with a mile-long boardwalk, wide sandy beaches, and a small-town resort atmosphere that has drawn Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia visitors for generations. Neighboring Dewey Beach sits on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and Rehoboth Bay, making it a natural base for kayaking and paddleboarding on the calmer bay side. Kayak rentals on Rehoboth Bay are one of the most popular ways to explore the area's wildlife and waterways beyond the boardwalk, and Cape Henlopen State Park, just north of Lewes, adds dune trails and a decommissioned World War II observation tower to the coastal itinerary.

Winterthur and the Brandywine Valley Estates

Winterthur, the former du Pont family estate outside Wilmington, holds one of the most significant collections of American decorative arts in the country inside a nearly 1,000-acre property that includes a 60-acre naturalistic garden considered one of the finest in America. A narrated garden tram ride is included with most tickets, making it accessible for visitors who would rather not walk the full grounds. Winterthur Museum and Garden tickets include the self-guided house tour, garden tram, and full access to the galleries, and the wider Brandywine Valley straddling the Delaware-Pennsylvania border holds several more du Pont-era estates and gardens within a short drive.

Nemours Estate and Wilmington

Nemours Estate, built by Alfred I. du Pont between 1909 and 1910, pairs a 77-room French neoclassical mansion with the largest formal French garden in North America, modeled after the gardens at Versailles. The estate's scale and formality make it a distinct counterpoint to Winterthur's more naturalistic landscaping just a few miles away, and both are commonly visited together on a single Brandywine Valley day trip. Nemours Estate tickets include access to the mansion, the formal gardens, and the estate's carriage house, and Wilmington's downtown riverfront adds walkable dining and museum options for the rest of the day.

New Castle and Colonial History

New Castle preserves one of the most intact colonial and Federal-era streetscapes on the East Coast, largely because the town was bypassed by the railroad in the 19th century and never grew into the industrial city its early history suggested it might. Cobblestone streets, an original courthouse whose cupola still marks the center point of Delaware's unusual circular northern border with Pennsylvania, and dozens of homes dating to the 1700s make it a compact, walkable step back into early America. The Green, the town's central park since 1655, remains the anchor of a historic district that has changed remarkably little in over two centuries.

Dover and the State Capital

Dover has served as Delaware's capital since 1777, and The Green, laid out by William Penn in 1683, remains the ceremonial heart of the city, ringed by the Old State House and other colonial and Federal-era buildings. The Air Mobility Command Museum, located on Dover Air Force Base, documents the history of American military airlift with a collection of historic cargo aircraft open to the public free of charge. Dover International Speedway, known as the Monster Mile, hosts NASCAR races each year and remains one of the state's biggest single tourism draws outside the beach season.

Lewes and Cape Henlopen

Lewes holds the title of Delaware's first town, settled by Dutch colonists in 1631, and its historic downtown of colonial homes and small shops offers a quieter, more historic alternative to the boardwalk scene further south in Rehoboth. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry connects the town directly across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey, making it possible to combine a Delaware and a New Jersey shore trip without driving the long way around the bay. Cape Henlopen State Park, just outside town, adds dune trails, a fishing pier, and a World War II-era concrete observation tower originally built to watch for enemy submarines.

Delaware Bay and Southern Delaware

Southern Delaware, away from the beach towns and the Wilmington corridor, is defined by flat farmland, small historic towns like Milford and Georgetown, and the Nanticoke and Mispillion Rivers winding toward the Delaware Bay. The Nanticoke Indian Museum near Millsboro documents the history of the state's only federally recognized tribe, and the region's poultry industry, centered on Sussex County, remains one of the largest in the country despite its relatively low profile outside the state. Birdwatchers are drawn to the Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges along the bay, both major stops on the Atlantic Flyway during spring and fall migration.

Major Cities and Places to Visit in Delaware

• Wilmington Tours & Tickets - Delaware's largest city, gateway to the Brandywine Valley's du Pont family estates and gardens
• Dover Tours & Tickets - The state capital, the Dover International Speedway, and the Air Mobility Command Museum
• Rehoboth Beach Tours & Tickets - A mile-long boardwalk, Atlantic beaches, and a lively summer restaurant and nightlife scene
• Lewes Tours & Tickets - Delaware's first town, colonial architecture, and the ferry connection to Cape May, New Jersey
• New Castle Tours & Tickets - One of the best-preserved colonial and Federal-era streetscapes on the East Coast
• Dewey Beach Tours & Tickets - A narrow strip of beach and bay between the Atlantic and Rehoboth Bay, popular for watersports
• Newark Tours & Tickets - Home to the University of Delaware and a walkable Main Street college-town scene
• Middletown Tours & Tickets - One of the fastest-growing towns in the state, with easy access to the C&D Canal
• Bethany Beach Tours & Tickets - A quieter, family-oriented beach town south of Rehoboth known as the Quiet Resorts
• Milford Tours & Tickets - A historic shipbuilding town on the Mispillion River, midway between Dover and the beaches

Universities, Colleges and Sports Teams in Delaware

• University of Delaware in Newark - The state's flagship university, founded in 1743 and one of the oldest in the country.
• Delaware Blue Hens (sports team) in Newark - NCAA Division I program competing in the Conference USA, with a strong FCS-era football tradition.

Delaware Demographics and Population

According to the 2024 American Community Survey, Delaware has a population of approximately 1,021,191 people across 1,982 square miles, ranking it 45th among U.S. states by population. The median household income is $84,954, and the largest racial and ethnic groups are Asian (4.7%), White (58%), Hispanic (11.7%), American Indian and Alaska Native (0.3%), and Black or African American (22.7%). The median age is 42.0 years. Approximately 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line, compared to the national rate of 12.2%. Delaware's economy is anchored by financial services and corporate law tied to the state's business-friendly incorporation statutes, poultry and agriculture in Sussex County, and a tourism industry built around its Atlantic beach towns and Brandywine Valley estates.

When to Visit Delaware

Summer (June through August) is the best time to visit Delaware. The best time to visit Delaware for most travelers. Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany Beach are all in full swing, with warm ocean water and the busiest boardwalk season of the year. Fall (September through November): A quieter, increasingly popular season along the coast, with mild temperatures, thinner crowds, and the Brandywine Valley estates near their best for garden color. Spring (March through May): A comfortable shoulder season for the Brandywine Valley gardens and historic towns like New Castle and Lewes, though beach towns remain quiet until Memorial Day. Winter (December through February): The quietest season statewide, with most beach town businesses closed or on reduced hours, though Wilmington's museums and historic estates stay open year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions About Touring Delaware

Official Delaware Resources

The following official government websites provide additional planning resources, park information, and historical records for travelers visiting Delaware.