Some of the most unique attractions in Delaware get overlooked for the more common and popular museums and historic sites, but our little state is full of hidden gems. Here are a few of the most unique attractions in Delaware, and each of them shows a little bit of what makes the First State so special, and what helps it stand out from the larger and busier states surrounding us.
Built in 1876. the Indian River Lifesaving Station was among the first in the United States. Fellow mariners dedicated their lives to helping those in danger. The station has been restored to how ti looked in 1905, and it serves as a museum and memorial to those who lost their lives in the service.
The Zwaanendael Museum is a look at Delaware's history through the eyes of the Dutch, who were the first European settlers. Get a true understanding of the history of Lewes and see a "real" preserved mermaid.
Step back in time with a meal at Jessop's Tavern. The restaurant is located in a 300 year old building, and it is colonial themed. Dine with the founding fathers and try traditional American recipes at this entertaining restaurant.
Sail aboard a restored 17th century ship as you cruise through the Delaware waterways or sail on a pirate adventure. This ship is a replica of the first to land in Delaware, and you'll love your journey on this Tall Ship.
The Nanticoke Indian Tribe is based in Millsboro, and they're a part of a vibrant local community. The Nanticoke Indian Museum is run by the tribe and will teach you about the original settlers of Delaware and the history of the First State through the centuries. 27073 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966
Overfalls is one of the last remaining lightships that were built as part of a US Coastal Service project. Now, she's a floating museum and a tribute to the services that helped prevent many shipwrecks along our coast. The Lightship Overfalls is one of the most overlooked attractions in Delaware, and it is well worth a visit.219 Pilottown Rd, Lewes, DE 19958
Our very own Miles is the largest Monster in the world! He's 46 feet tall and weighs over 20 tons - that is the equivalent of 4,000 cats. You can visit him at The Monster Mile, Dover International Speedway, and you can see his glowing red eyes from Route 1.1131 N. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE.
The Governor's Mansion at Woodburn is one of Delaware's most haunted houses! What makes this one of the truly unique attractions in Delaware, though, is the nature of the ghosts. Instead of pulling hair, appearing in photos, or haunting visitor's dreams, the ghosts of Woodburn are known t drink fancy wine. To schedule a tour and see how haunted it is for yourself, contact Corey Marshall-Steele at (302) 739-5656 or via e-mail at [email protected] Kings Hwy E, Dover, DE 19901
Climb high into the treetops at Lums Pond and zip across the pond on sky high ziplines. Delaware's largest freshwater pond is home to a Go Ape adventure course, where you'll complete obstacles that lead you up to higher, faster, and longer ziplines. 1042 Howell School Road, Bear, DE 19701.
Dogfish Head Brewery is not only one of the most unique attractions in Delaware, but it's one of the most interesting breweries in the country! After all, where else can you find a steampunk treehouse that was flown in from Burning Man, on a whim?6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, DE 19968
Winterthur is home to hundreds of acres of stunning garden, but one of the most unique attractions in Delaware is their Enchanted Woods, at the top of the hill. Walk through the Tulip Tree House, cross the Troll Bridge, and spot a fairy at home in an old hollowed oak tree.5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Wilmington, DE 19807.
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Where do you like to go when you want to enjoy some quality time in Delaware? This time of year, I love to escape into our beautiful state parks and spend a weekend hiking and camping in the cozy fall cabins.
There’s certainly something to be said for staying cozy indoors during the holidays and marathoning Christmas movies. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting to do in the First State this holiday season, why not climb aboard a Delaware Christmas train? And once your train pulls back into the station, top it all off with a stay at Delaware’s most festive holiday hotel for a Christmas adventure you’ll never forget. It's a family-friendly itinerary for getting the absolute most out of winter in Delaware.
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The Wilmington & Western Railroad has two different holiday-themed trains: the Santa Claus Express and the Holiday Lights Express. Both are magical adventures, with the Holiday Lights Express being an evening trip and the Santa Express generally running at two separate times in the afternoon. These train excursions are a little bit like taking a trip back in time, as the original railways were built in the 1870s!
The Santa Express is a popular choice for families. When you climb aboard for this hour-long roundtrip to Ashland, you’ll be greeted by the Jolly Old Elf, and each child gets a chocolate treat. But the most exciting part of the Santa Express is, of course, meeting Santa Claus, who comes around to visit with each child on board. Be sure to bring your camera for photos with Santa!
The Holiday Lights Express is no less exciting. It features century-old heated coaches decked out in thousands of holiday lights, on a one-hour roundtrip through the Red Clay Valley. Along the way you may see houses and yards similarly decked out for the holidays. It’s a unique and festive way to enjoy the glittering lights of the season. Both the Santa Express and the Holiday Lights Express are extremely popular excursions and are often sold out far in advance each season. Visit the Wilmington & Western Railroad events page to find dates and tickets for these and more upcoming excursions.
Once you’ve enjoyed your holiday adventure by train, head to Wilmington’s Hotel DuPont for even more Christmas cheer. The Hotel DuPont has become synonymous with stately, elegant hospitality in Delaware. In addition to the striking architecture, guests rave about the comfortable beds and the excellent service.
This historic hotel, which first opened in 1913, celebrates the holiday season like no other, with activities and events set to a backdrop of stunning decor. With activities like gingerbread house decorating, afternoon holiday tea, brunch with Santa, and more, Christmas at Hotel DuPont is a time to enjoy the most magical season, whether you’re just visiting for the day or booking a stay.
Looking for something sweet? Stop by the onsite bakery, Spark’d, for some Christmas cookies and pastries. Each morning, this delightful bakery offers fresh pastries straight from the oven as well as espresso from La Colombe. Or you can even enjoy Christmas Day brunch at the hotel restaurant, Le Cavalier. Kids and adults alike can get into the holiday spirit and exercise their creativity by decorating gingerbread houses. There are multiple gingerbread house decorating workshops to choose from, with ready-to-decorate houses, icing, and candy provided by the pastry chefs at Spark’d Creative Pastry.
The Hotel DuPont also offers special holiday-themed packages, like the “Holiday Splendor” package. This includes two general admission tickets to either Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library or Longwood Gardens, both of which are decorated beautifully for the holiday season. Book your stay at the Hotel DuPont for a Christmas in Delaware you won't soon forget!
For more ways to enjoy the holiday season in the First State, check out these magical Christmas towns in Delaware. And speaking of Christmas, be sure to check out our ultimate gift-giving guide for the travel enthusiasts on your list this year.
What are your favorite unique ways to celebrate Christmas in Delaware? We’d love to hear from you!
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...
