There is SO much to do in Delaware this summer, including many things you probably didn't even know were possible in Delaware. Between touring the vineyards, looking for dolphins and swinging from the trees, with this list of activities, you're sure to never be bored in our great state.
The Cape Henlopen watchtowers were built in the early 1940s, tasked with watching for German U-Boats off the coast of Delaware during WWII. They were originally only supposed to stand for 20 years, but despite being battered by salty shore breezes and withstanding the Ash Wednesday storm in the 1960s, several of these watchtowers still stand along the coast. You can climb up one in Cape Henlopen State Park - a different take on the typical "lighthouse climb" common along the Atlantic coast. I highly recommend it. It's an easy climb and you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views.
Delaware Blue Crabs are best fresh out of the bay or ocean! There are plenty of places to set crab traps or wade to try your luck in shallower water along the entire Delaware coast. Make a day out of it and have a crab bake in the evening - but have a backup plan just in case the critters aren't biting.
During the last week of July, the town of Harrington lights up with thrilling rides, funnel cake, live entertainment and carnival games. The State Fair is a huge event and well worth making the drive if you aren't local to Harrington. While you're there, be sure to ride the Ferris Wheel and take in the entire fairgrounds from the top. It's best at night, when the bright neon lights are flickering and flashing below.
Sand beneath your feet and salt water taffy in your hands - is there any better way to spend a summer day? We don't think so. Rehoboth is our beach of choice for the full Delaware Beach experience. If you're looking for a quieter trip, try Bethany Beach. If you're looking to go out at night, head down to Dewey. No matter what, you've got to spend a few days this summer laying out in the sand and dipping your toes in the ocean.
The 90 minute Ferry cruise is a great start to a fun day trip over to Cape May, NJ. If you're lucky, you'll spot Dolphins swimming along side the boat and you'll get to see beautiful views of the bay. Make sure you book in advanced - in the summer, the ferry fills quickly. It's definitely possible to cruise back and forth as your whole trip, but if you've got more time, bring a bike or a car and head into Cape May to visit their Winery and cute beachfront shops before returning to Lewes.
Paddleboarding is offered at most of the big Delaware beaches, but we can vouch for the boarding at Bethany to be well worth it. It's crowded during the summer, but easier to book than at busy Rehoboth, and the beautiful beaches are great to lay out and dry off on after you play in the surf.
UDairy in Newark, Vanderwende in Bridgeville, or Hopkins Farm in Lewes? What about any of the smaller creameries and ice cream shops in the First State? You'll have to try them all to find your favorite - what a perfect summer project.
Get up close and personal with the super cool Bald Cypress trees at Trap Pond State Park in Laurel. You can rent a kayak, canoe, rowboat or pedalboat and enjoy a summer day on a beautiful lake surrounded by the unique trees. Trap Pond is great for hiking and picnicking, too.
Walk through the tree canopy or take a zipline over Delaware's largest freshwater lake at Lum's Pond State Park's GoApe adventure. Possibly the most exciting thing to do in the summer in Delaware - unless you're afraid of heights!
If you've never heard of geocaching, you're about to be introduced to a world of adventure that you never realized was in your backyard. The whole point is to use GPS coordinates and clues to find small boxes or caches. Not all look like the one above, and most are hidden out of sight. You'll sign the log once you find it, and you can take a trinket as long as you also leave a trinket - I like to leave dollar store compasses for future adventurers to find. There are thousands of caches in Delaware, in nearly every town. Download a Geocaching app and get started - you'll soon wonder how you spend your time before you became addicted to finding caches.
Did you know that Barbaro and Afleet Alex, both about as close to household names as racehorses get nowadays, both got their start in Stanton, Delaware? Delaware Park hosts a full racing calendar throughout the summer, and you'll be able to see top quality thoroughbreds in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap, the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks, and several of the Grade 3 races like the Barbaro Stakes, Kent Stakes, and Obeah Stakes. You can also gamble at the attached casino between races.
Nassau Valley Vineyard is just one of the delicious wineries you'll find in Delaware - try Pizzadili and Harvest Ridge, too. Touring Dogfish Head Brewery is always fun, and Painted Stave Distillery in Smyrna is very cool to visit as well.
And it doesn't have to be Firefly. While the huge festival has become a hallmark of a Delaware summer, you can also check out many of the jazz, country, and local festivals throughout the state. Check your city's event calendar to find one in your area.
Whether you want to go on a dolphin sighting tour or rent a boat to drop some lines in the water, you'll find a rental at Fisherman's Wharf in Lewes. Put on some sunscreen and spend a relaxing day out on the water!
Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Activities and Attractions in Delaware
Autumn in the First State packs a lot of fun into a small space, so we put together this list of the fifteen best things to do in Delaware in the fall.
I look forward to fall all year - there's just something magical about this time of year, and there are few better places to enjoy it than the state of Delaware. The First State might be small, but it has a little bit of everything - great beaches, beautiful state parks, charming farmland, and bustling cities. It all comes together into the perfect place to enjoy the changing season - and you'll find so many great things to do in Delaware in the fall. You'll find great fall festivals, bountiful pumpkin patches, and of course, stunning fall foliage that takes over the state parks and forests like a transformation of red and gold. We put together this list of the fifteen best fall activities in Delaware to help you make the most of this enchanting season.
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Delaware Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Delaware For Fall Foliage
Delaware packs some amazing surprises within its small borders, and that includes some seriously beautiful state parks and natural refuges. Naturally, they become especially stunning in the fall when the colors change. Here are some of our favorites - and a unique way to see Delaware fall foliage.
Wow Factor - An expansive park filled with stunning views and unique water features, it's one of the best places in the state for peaceful leaf-peeping.
Need to Know - This state park is free to visit, with camping options available on the grounds for a fee.
One of the largest state parks in Delaware at over 3,600 acres, this is a fantastic spot to experience untouched nature. There are dozens of miles of hiking trails at White Clay State Park, almost all of them covered with canopies of stunning fall foliage during this time of year. This is a tranquil place with plenty of peaceful creeks to sit by and take in the beautiful scene, along with some small cascades.
Wow Factor - Delaware's signature botanical garden and museum, this place is an always-changing plant wonderland that looks stunning in the fall.
Need to Know - Open 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Non-members pay $25 to visit with discounts available for students and seniors.
Winterthur is more than just a botanical garden, it's a Delaware institution designed by H. F Dupont and preserved in time. The garden's many unique plants, like Japanese Maples, look their most beautiful when the leaves are changing and the thousand-acre garden is full of new surprises with each season. When you're done exploring the garden, there's also a museum and library to visit - this is easily an all-day destination.
Wow Factor - Known for their signature Bald Cypress trees, this park is one of the most beautiful camping spots in the state.
Need to Know - Open 8 AM each day, with general closing varying. A campground is available on-site.
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The best spot for camping in Delaware, Trap Pond State Park is a beautiful and isolated state park ringed by stunning Bald Cypress trees that turn into a rainbow of colors during the fall. The year-round campground is less crowded during this time of year, which means there should be plenty of RV and traditional camping spots available for you to spend a few days in nature's splendor and kayaking on the water or hiking the many trails here.
4. Wilmington & Western Railroad's Autumn Leaf Special
Location - Wilmington, Delaware
Wow Factor - See the state's fall foliage from an old-school recreational railroad!
Need to Know - Multiple dates in October and November are available. Adult tickets are $20, with discounts available for kids and seniors.
This popular recreational railroad is a top attraction in the state year-round, but the Autumn Leaf Special might be their crown jewel. Taking place through October and the start of November, it allows you to choose between a steam-powered or diesel-powered train, as well as journeys of different lengths. No matter what you choose, the entire journey is charming and beautiful - and the perfect fall tradition. Make sure to return for the railroad's holiday train in December!
Best Pumpkin Patches In Delaware
A vintage flatbed truck loaded with crates, surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins.
Delaware might not have a large number of pumpkin patches, but the ones it does are truly unique! This fall, you can explore a sprawling family farm, visit an old-fashioned rustic patch, or even get your pumpkin from one of Delaware's most unique event venues.
5. Ramsey's Farm
Location - Wilmington, Delaware
Wow Factor - The largest pumpkin patch in Delaware, this destination is full of fun fall activities and the largest pumpkin selection in the state.
Need to Know - Open 9 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Sunday. A day pass to the farm is $17.
A sprawling fall wonderland, Ramsey's Farm is a popular destination each autumn as soon as their fall activities kick off. Pumpkins are available by weight here, and the farm is full of thrilling activities like a corn maze (complete with a smaller one for kids) and a nighttime hayride. There are also plenty of lighter activities for the kids, and delicious farm-fresh food and drinks on hand.
6. Fifer Orchards
Location - Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Wow Factor - An old-fashioned country store and farm, Fifer Orchards is known for its delicious fall treats and rustic charm.
Need to Know - Open 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday. Fall fest admission is $10.95 online and $19.95 at the gate.
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Fifer Orchards may be best known for its delicious apple cider and other treats such as apple dumplings and cider donuts, but the other crop of the fall doesn't get a short shift here either! The pumpkin patch here is a huge you-pick field, and it's joined by fall fun like a corn maze and play area for the youngest kids. It's no surprise it's a big fall tradition in Delaware!
7. Mr. Pepper's Pumpkin Patch
Location - Laurel, Delaware
Wow Factor - This old-school pumpkin patch and farm is like taking a trip back in time, and is a great stop for families.
Need to Know - Open 10 AM to 6:30 PM all days but Friday, when it closes at 5. All activities are pay-as-you-go.
This rustic country farm has just kicked off its fall season and will be open through November 2nd this year. It's best known for its massive collection of pumpkins - some of the biggest you'll see in the First State - but it also has a pair of fun fall activities, a hayride and corn maze. This is a wonderfully laid-back fall destination.
8. Loblolly Acres
Location - Viola, Delaware
Wow Factor - A stunning event venue that opens its doors for pumpkin-picking one day a week during the fall.
Need to Know - Pumpkin Patch Sundays run all October from 11 AM to 4 PM for $8 per guest or $20 for a season pass.
Loblolly Acres is mostly used for private venues, and this stunning mansion is one of the most beautiful spots in Delaware. But every Sunday in October, it transforms into a fall destination with a pumpkin field, a hayride and petting zoo for the kids, and live music and adult beverages for the grown-ups. It's a great opportunity to get a look at one of Delaware's best event hotspots.
Best Fall Festivals In Delaware
When fall rolls around, it's the perfect time to get out and have some fun. The best fall festivals in Delaware are a unique bunch, ranging from a traditional Oktoberfest, to a celebration of one of the state's most polarizing foodstuffs, to a one-of-a-kind Halloween event. Here are our favorites.
Wow Factor - One of the best food festivals in Delaware, featuring delicious sweet treats and some unique ways to try the state's favorite breakfast meat.
Need to Know - Held on October 11th and 12th. No tickets or admission fee are required.
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Ah, Scrapple - this unique sausage made out of ground pork and cornmeal is definitely different, but I think it's delicious fried up nice and crisp. So do all the guests at the Apple-Scrapple Festival, which features a massive selection of exclusive fair treats along with a large carnival filled with amusement rides. Live entertainment keeps things exciting well into the night, so there's something for everyone.
10. Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest
Location - Newark, Delaware
Wow Factor - You'll feel like you were just transported to a Munich beer hall at this raucous event filled with fine beer, food, and music.
Need to Know - Held September 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Admission is $10 which includes amusement park rides.
Is it even really fall if you haven't attended a traditional Oktoberfest? This German festival is Delaware's largest, and it prides itself on authenticity - in addition to classics like bratwust and potato pancakes, you can try "rollmops", a marinated herring snack straight from German. The festival will be alive all three days with live music and dance, and a large amusement park is perfect for the kids. There will also be vendors on hand selling authentic German goods to keep the Oktoberfest vibe going all season long.
11. Art on the Green
Location - New Castle, Delaware
Wow Factor - A massive collection of over 200 artisans sharing their wares in Battery Park.
Need to Know - Held September 28th from 10 AM to 4 PM. No admission fee, but goods and food are available for purchase.
An art festival is always a joy to attend, and Art on the Green is Delaware's best. A huge gathering of the First State's best artisans and crafters, it's a great opportunity to find those perfect pieces of art that speak to you. Located only feet from the water, it's a beautiful event that lends itself to leisurely browsing, and there will be food vendors on hand if you want to spend the whole day here.
12. Sea Witch Festival
Location - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Wow Factor - Delaware's biggest and wackiest Halloween event located in a beautiful beach town.
Need to Know - Held October 25th to 27th in 2024, this offbeat event is totally free to attend.
For me, the countdown to Halloween begins on Labor Day, and there's no better way to build anticipation than with a good old-fashioned Halloween festival. The Sea Witch Festival is just the right mix of spooky and lighthearted, so you can bring the whole family. The pre-Halloween festivities include a costume parade - and one for the dogs! - plus trick-or-treating and a wide range of games and vendors. It's an epic three-day party that's a perfect way to welcome the ghosts and goblins.
Best Free & Cheap Fall Activities In Delaware
It's natural to have a bit of a budget crunch after Summer - that's when all the vacations are! - but that doesn't mean you've got to hunker down at home come the fall. These are some of our favorite getaways in Delaware when you're on a budget.
Wow Factor - Located in the sprawling Blackbird State Forest, this peaceful trail is an amazing short hike in the fall.
Need to Know - Open 7 AM to 6 PM daily.
Looking for a laid-back hike the whole family can enjoy? The Tybout Tract Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail with an easy rating, found in one of Delaware's most beautiful state forests. This is a lesser-known trail, so you probably won't encounter many other hikers during this time of year. The fall foliage is great in this forest and the weather is cool enough that a hike sounds inviting.
14. Lewes
Location - Lewes is found right at the mouth of the Delaware Bay
Wow Factor - One of the most laid-back beach towns in Delaware, it's less crowded but just as charming in the fall.
Need to Know - While most destinations should be open in the fall, check for hours once the summer crowds disperse.
There's nothing like a great little beach town, especially once the summer crowds are gone and you've got a lot more space to explore! Lewes is right by some of Delaware's most beautiful beaches, and the town is known for its unique boutiques and its delicious food - make sure to stop by Agave, an innovative Mexican restaurant that makes the best use of seafood in the area.
15. Cape Henlopen State Park
Location - Lewes, Delaware
Wow Factor - A family-friendly park with an interactive museum and some stunning views.
Need to Know - The nature center is open 10 AM to 4 PM all days except Monday.
Cape Henlopen State Park might just be the best park for families in the whole state, with six miles of coastline. The starring attraction, though, has to be the Seaside Nature Center - an interactive attraction that invites kids in to learn more about the ecosystem around them. The coolest feature has to be the touch tank, which allows them to examine horseshoe crabs in a safe environment and get up close with these fascinating ancient creatures.
What are your favorite things to do in Delaware in the fall? Do you have any fall traditions we didn't mention? Let us know in the comments section! If you're looking for more fall adventures during this time of year, consider a visit to the best state parks in Delaware. And if you're planning a lot of outside adventures during the Autumn, it's the perfect time to pick up a new winter coat.
The First State is a seriously fun state, offering lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure. Today we're kicking it old-school and highlighting some of the best waterparks in Delaware. From superlative slides to epic lazy rivers, these Delaware parks are guaranteed fun for everyone!
Adjacent to Midway Speedway along Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth is White Water Mountain Water Park. If you want to blend the relaxation fun of a water park with the need for speed, try the bumper boats! The little ones can climb all over the place and squirt each other with water guns built into the equipment. A shallow water pool means they can run all over the place. Or grab a tube and go for a slide down a 'volcano' and spy on the mini golfers below -- the world really is your oyster at this amazing waterpark in Delaware.
It seems a little odd to have a water park in a state park that's mainly devoted to exploring nature, but this park makes it work. It is popular with families, groups, and summer camps. If you have younger kids, jump over to the baby pool with two little frog slides, or the tot lot with a pipe slide and waterfall. There are also two tall water slides that dump into the main pool, where kids can get soaked or try to walk on water by stepping from lily pad to lily pad. Of course, Killens Pond State Park is in itself an amazing adventure; it's truly one of Delaware's best water parks!
With six slides, a 400-foot-long, Viking-themed lazy river, an activity pool, and a kiddie pool, this old-school water park in Delaware is the most fun you’ve had in ages. In addition to loads of fun for older kids, there's an 800-square-foot kiddie pool that's sure to keep littles busy for hours.
Jungle Jim's is pure fun, and easily one of the best water parks in Delaware to go on a hot summer day. Zoom down some of the most popular water slides in the state: the Anaconda or the Stampede! If you want to get soaked, wait for the giant tiki head to tip over and drench the crowd. And of course, if you're not an adrenalin junkie, there's a lazy river for you to drift around in. This place has options and is really an all-day kind of destination.
Have you ever visited our picks for the best waterparks in Delaware? Which is your favorite? Share your favorite Delaware water park with us in the comments section!
For more epic summer adventures in The First State, be sure to check out these exciting day trips. Of course, a guided Rehoboth Bay kayak tour is always a fun way to enjoy a warm summer day.
