With the weather starting to get chillier, it's the perfect time to schedule a relaxing road trip. The drive down Route 9 is one of the most underappreciated rides in the state, and you'll love seeing a part of Delaware that's always overlooked. Gas up the car and head out on this short jaunt this weekend! It's one of the best scenic drives in Delaware!
If you've been searching for "scenic drives near me," the Scenic Bayshore Byway, also known as Delaware Route 9, takes you past some of the most beautiful places in Delaware.
Technically, the last stop on the byway is the John Dickinson Plantation. This historic home is open for tours, and the grounds are gorgeous. It's a great way to end your drive along one of the prettiest scenic byways in Delaware.
However, if you continue on a bit, you'll discover a beautiful beach. Make it to Kitts Hummock at the end of your trip, and head out of the car to catch a glimpse of the bay. This abandoned beach is a great place to get some fresh air.
Does the idea of hitting the road and exploring the state sound thrilling to you? If you're in the mood for an adventure, there's nothing quite like jumping in the car and heading to some new-to-you places, or even places you've been to before but want to revisit and explore again. If you need some Delaware road trip ideas, we're here to help. Here are some of the best road trips in Delaware you can take:
Route: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Little Creek Wildlife Area > Kitts Hummock > DuPont Nature Center > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Redden State Forest > Trap Pond State Park
Distance: 92.7 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours 17 minutes
This scenic Delaware road trip packs in quite a bit of beauty in just 90 miles. You'll stop at wildlife refuges, gorgeous beaches, and a state forest. What better way to see the variety of ecosystems in the state?
Route: New Castle > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Dover > Cape Henlopen State Park > Lewes
Distance: 97 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours
How about exploring some small towns plus the state's capital on an awesome long weekend road trip through Delaware? While you'll cover less than 100 miles, over the course of three days, you'll have plenty of time at each stop. This is easily one of the best road trips in Delaware.
Route: Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church > Dover Motor Speedway > Old Mill Crab House > The Lewes Maritime Museum at the Cannonball House > Futuro House > Dogfish Head Craft Brewery > Meding's Seafood
Distance: 168 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours 43 minutes
Want to see the quirkier side of Delaware? Then this road trip is for you! This Delaware road trip itinerary has stops at some of the strangest, most fascinating hidden and not-so-hidden gems around the state. And it's one that's fun for the whole family!
Route: Winterthur > New Castle County Courthouse > Chalybeate Spring > Fort Delaware > Trap Pond State Park > Indian River Inlet > Cape Henlopen
Distance: 168 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours 43 minutes
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Whether you want to see natural or man-made wonders, there are both on this Delaware road trip itinerary. From the stunning, fairytale-like Winterthur to Fort Delaware, Cape Henlopen, and more, this is one adventure you won't soon forget!
Spring is the perfect time to take a road trip, and you can take this Delaware road trip itinerary for some wonderful stops. You'll start out at Lucky's Coffee Shop in Wilmington, DE to fill up on caffeine and breakfast before heading to the fairy tale destination of Winterthur in Brandywine Valley. Then pick out some produce at Riverfront Market before checking out Woodland Beach. Your trip will end with a wonderful seafood dinner in Lewes. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful springtime adventure?
Route: Herring Point > Rehoboth Beach > Dewey Beach > Lewes > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge >
Distance: 51.8 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
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What better idea for a summer Delaware road trip than visiting several beaches and beach towns in one trip? When beach season is upon us, it's imperative to hang out on a gorgeous sandy beach, play in the surf, and take in the sunshine. Also, beach towns like Rehoboth are also great places to explore. (Rehoboth Beach also has a boardwalk you can spend some time on.) Find a delicious seafood restaurant, buy some souvenirs, and grab some ice cream, too!
Route: Trap Pond State Park > Killens Pond State Park > The Green > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Lums Pond State Park > Newark > Mt. Cuba Center > Winterthur
Distance: 121 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours
From September to November, fall in Delaware appears like a fireworks show on the trees of our state parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Even the major cities turn a beautiful shade of amber and orange, and it's one of the best times to tour the Diamond State. This fall road trip in Delaware will be the best scenic drive you can take!
Route: Wilmington > Hockessin > New Castle >Townsend > Odessa > Milford > Cape Henlopen State Park > Rehoboth Beach
Distance: 132 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours
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During the holiday season, it's practically a requirement to check out some of the most unbelievable light displays in the state! From small towns with quaint, lit shopping districts to Santa's very own house, these light stops will surely brighten your holiday season. This Delaware holiday lights road trip will put you in the spirit of the season.
Route: Winterthur > Hagley Museum > Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Bowers Beach Maritime Museum > Abbott's Mill Nature Center > Cape Henlopen State Park
Distance: 120 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours 26 minutes
Have you ever wanted to discover some of the most magical places around the First State? If so, you should consider taking the
fairy tale road trip through Delaware. This trip will keep the entire family enchanted along the way and create memories your children will cherish. Don't be surprised when you consider this one of the best road trips in Delaware.
Route: Alapocas Run State Park > White Clay Creek State Park > Woodland Beach > Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge > Cape Henlopen State Park > Trap Pond State Park > Killens Pond State Park > Augustine Wildlife Area > Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge
Distance: 261 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours 41 minutes
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Starting at Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, DE, this road trip is full of natural wonders around the state. If there's one must-do road trip in Delaware it's certainly this one as you'll get to see some of the most beautiful spots on the east coast.
Delaware's small towns are lively and charming, with a sense of community that really resonates with all of those who visit. Check out some of the tiniest towns in the state during the spring on this Delaware road trip, and enjoy all of the friendly faces (and delicious restaurants) that these little towns proudly show off.
So, which Delaware road trip adventure resonates with you the most? The best weekend road trips in Delaware? Quick road trips in Delaware? What are some of your favorite places to visit in the state? What do you consider to be the best road trips in Delaware? Tell us in the comments!
If you're not afraid of the Delaware ghost stories that you grew up hearing, gather your bravest friends and set off to discover the most haunted places in Delaware. In order to make this road trip list, these places all had to be explorable, so you won't just be driving around looking at places that someone claims were haunted. Get the full Delaware haunted road trip experience - if you dare.
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See the spookiest places in Delaware by following the directions below.
This trip will take you from Fort Delaware, down to Lewes, over to Frankford and back up to Bear, with several stops along the way. Get the full directions on Google.
1. Of course, we've got to start at Fort Delaware.
Not only is Fort Delaware considered one of the most haunted places in Delaware, but many call it among the most haunted places in the world! Fort Delaware was once a Confederate prison, and today they are open for tours. There have been reported hauntings here for decades, thanks to a dark history of torture and terrible conditions experienced by the prisoners. In the fall, you can even experience an overnight excursion, if you dare.
2. Running from Fort Delaware Ghosts will work up an appetite - go have lunch at Crabby Dick's.
The restaurant is located in the old Delaware City Hotel, which is another one of the most haunted buildings in Delaware. What is it with Del City? Don't be surprised if you find orbs and shadows in your photos here. Ghost hunters have logged strange paranormal readings here, too, and many guests hear unexplained noises and see objects being moved or flung about. You'll hear many Delaware ghost stories if you ask around.
Previously, the building was used as a Civil War recruiting house. Apparently, some soldiers regretted their decision to sign up, because they just won't leave. Visitors talk about how they feel watched, see furniture move, and hear unexplained noises and voices when they're in the museum. These eerie ghosts in Delaware like to linger and tell others of their sad and hopeless fate.
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4. Make sure you stop at Woodburn, the Governor's House.
Woodburn is one of the most haunted places in Delaware, and many of the most famous Delaware ghost stories come from this spooky Governor's mansion. Nearly every resident of Woodburn Mansion has reported ghosts, spirits, or strange happenings in the house. Luckily, the ghosts of Woodburn seem pretty friendly, and they prefer drinking the owners' wine more than they like to jump out and scare people. Read more about the Woodburn Ghosts here.
5. From Woodburn, it's time to head to the beach town of Lewes.
Nearly everyone knows where this house is located in Lewes, but did you know about the paranormal history of the home? The Cannonball House survived the shelling of Lewes during the war of 1812, and apparently some spirits who did not have now flocked to the house for safety. Screams, footsteps and voices have been heard by many, many people over the years here. It's one of the most talked about Delaware hauntings if you ask the locals for their creepiest stories.
6. Catmans' Grave in Frankford might be the end of your road trip, if you aren't careful.
Catman's Grave at Long Cemetery in Franford is one of the spookier places to check out on your Delaware Haunted Road Trip. The Catman is a gravekeeper who had catlike features, watches over the cemetery. Local legend says if you disturb his rest, he'll tinker with your car, and you might not be able to leave. This is one of the few haunted places in Delaware that you'll hear about over and over again, no matter where you go.
7. Before you head back upstate, take a quick detour over to Seaford to see Maggie's Bridge.
Maggie's Bridge, on Rt 78 in Seaford, is named after a pregnant woman who died here in a car accident. If you want to summon her ghost, stand on Maggie's Bridge at night and shout "Maggie, I have your baby!" you'll hear the rustling of a mother trying, at last, to find peace.
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8. Lums Pond is where you'll finish your Delaware Haunted Road trip - hopefully, it's dark out by now.
We dare you to explore Lums Pond after the sun goes down - but not before first reading about the dark history of this famous Delaware ghost whose screams can still be heard from the Swamp Trail today. The trail is one of the eeriest haunted places in Delaware, and you can almost feel a sad stillness in the woods on a clear and quiet night.
Hopefully, after you visit the most haunted places in Delaware, you'll make it back home with some great ghost stories. You can also modify it and check out just a few places, or make a weekend out of it and stay overnight somewhere in between. If you're really brave and want to pitch a tent and stay in the woods between all of these spooky locations, check out our guide to the best camping sites in Delaware. Just don't forget a trusty flashlight!
