Risks? In Delaware? You've gotta be kidding me! Overall, Delaware is a pretty safe state. Crime rates are nearly always lower than the national average, and we typically don't face terrible storms, wildfires, or earthquakes, either. However, there are a few things that you've got to watch out for if you live in the First State, from the serious to the slightly off-center.
There are plenty of great spots in Wilmington and some of the best dining and nightlife in the state can be found in Trolley Square, but the city as a whole is a high crime spot. Be careful where you wander after dark, and stick to groups when you're out on the town. That's not to say that a night out in Wilmington is always trouble, though. In fact, some areas of the city (like the Riverwalk and Market Street) are perfectly family-friendly any time of day or night.
With millions of people flocking to the Delaware beaches every summer, it's inevitable that Rip Tides drag swimmers out to sea and are responsible for many water rescues. Watch where you swim, check with the lifeguards about conditions, and keep an eye out for gaps in the current that could signal a dangerous undertow.
In the summer (heck, year round) I could put down an entire bucket of Thrasher's fries by myself! Getting addicted to all of the amazing boardwalk food is great for your soul, but could do some damage to your bank account and to your health. Watch the greasy, fatty foods, but don't deprive yourself entirely!
Venemous snakes like the Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead are found below the canal, and Black Widow spiders are native to Delaware, too. Combine those obvious dangers with ticks and tick-borne diseases, and you need to be careful when you venture outdoors.
Our state is very waterlogged - rivers and lakes are nearly as common as streets! When big storms roll in, the state floods pretty badly. Do you remember when the state was under water for two whole weeks in 2006? Be prepared to get to higher ground and never, ever drive through water.
With no sales tax, incredible malls, and a ton of adorable boutiques in most towns, shopping addiction can really drag you down! Stick to a budget and you'll be fine.
Not many people know that Delaware is America's deadliest state for pedestrians. Almost all of the pedestrian deaths occur at night and over 2/3 occur in New Castle County. Fewer than half are alcohol-related, which is frightening. Nearly all of the deaths occur at night along high speed roadways, and 2/3 are in New Castle County. Delawareans are almost twice as likely to die walking as a pedestrian than in any other state, and it's gotten worse in recent years. Be very careful walking on roads with no sidewalks, and allow extra time on your commute so you do not have to run across the highway to catch a public bus.
Delaware's beaches and ocean waters are among the cleanest in the country, which is great news! Unfortunately, our ponds and lakes aren't the same. Most big ponds in Delaware are closed to swimmers, but you can still enjoy the water from a kayak, canoe or paddleboard.
Ugh, traffic. Whether it's an accident or just the stress of trying to get from Wilmington to downstate at rush hour, traffic can cause serious problems in Delaware.
While we're not quite Nebraska when it comes to tornadoes, they aren't unheard of. When big spring and summer storms roll in, keep an ear out for Tornado Watches and Warnings. A Torndao Watch (a "tornado maybe?") means that the risks for a tornado are elevated, and you should keep an eye on any storms that develop. A Tornado Warning (a "tornado yes!") means you need to get to shelter immediately, because a storm has been spotted with enough rotation to set off alarms.
Sadly, Delaware has not been immune to the heroin epidemic caused by pharmaceutical irresponsibility. New Castle County has been hit particularly hard. One positive thing to note is that even as death tolls are rising, treatment options are expanding. NCC recently launched a $500,000 advertising campaign to get addicts help, and the state's first detox center opened in Sussex County. In Delaware, you can report an overdose without being arrested or charged, and Narcan has become widely available. If you know someone who is battling addiction, you can help them find the resources that the state of Delaware has begun to provide.
Be careful out there, Delawareans, and don't let the risks of living in Delaware take you too far from this great state. After all, the bad comes with the good, and there are still so many undeniable reasons people should love Delaware. Why are you happy to live here in the First State? We'd love to hear your favorite things about life in Delaware in the comments below!
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
The First State has a reputation for being a tiny, boring state, but those of us living in Delaware know that's the farthest thing from the truth! Check out a few of these treasures that are unique to Delaware and you'll see just how much is hiding in the First State.
Eleuthèrean Mills was the first place that the DuPont family planted their roots in America. Needless to say, it's one of the most historic places to visit in Delaware. The home was adjacent to the DuPont gunpowder mill, and you can still tour the mill and home today.
Rehoboth Beach is home to the best boardwalk you'll ever stroll. With Dolles Candyland, chicken from Gus & Gus Place, hours of entertainment from Funland, and tasty Thrashers French fries, it's hard to imagine any better place on earth. Life in Delaware sure is great with a beach town like this!
The Wilmington Riverfront is home to the DuPont Environmental Education Center and Russell W Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. This unique park is one of the only places in the area where you can get a close look at the fascinating ecosystems present in a riverfront city. See how the coastal marshes and river traffic coexist, or just explore the outdoor interpretive trails.
Miles the Monster is the world's largest monster, and he lives right in front of Dover International Speedway. Even if you're not a NASCAR fan, stop by to see this impressive concrete giant for yourself.
Sure, the Stone Pony gets all the love, but in Dewey Beach, Bottle & Cork is a favorite of those in the industry for a reason. This legendary rock club is the most underrated in the country, and you'll find yourself appreciating it for its history, sound system, and killer line-up night after night.
The world-famous Chalybeate Spring is hiding in the woods in Brandywine Springs Park. This mystical healing spring was recently unearthed by a volunteer group, and you can now visit the spring itself. In the 1800s, the spring was so famous that a gigantic resort was built at the site for travelers.
Auburn Heights Preserve is home to the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights where you'll be able to walk alongside antique steam cars or ride a small-scale steam engine train. The Museum is fascinating, and you'll want to mark your calendar for their occasional steam celebration days.
The gorgeous Hotel DuPont was once the most luxurious in the world, and today, it's still a sight to see. Visit to dine at the elegant Green Room, where you'll find the tastiest macaroons in America. You can also book a stay at this iconic hotel on Booking.com.
Fort Delaware is one of the most haunted places in the world, and Delawareans are lucky to visit whenever they please. Drop in for a daytime historic tour, or mark your calendar for October, when you can participate in a paranormal investigation after dark.
The Zwaanendael Museum and Park celebrates the first European settlers in Delaware. This quirky museum is one of the most fascinating Delaware attractions and is even home to a mummified mermaid. You've got to see it for yourself.
Living in Delaware is certainly interesting with places like these! What's your favorite place that's unique to Delaware? Tell us in the comments!
