If you’re in need of a weekend escape, consider adding Wilmington, Delaware to your list! Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is a gorgeous region filled with museums, estates, parks, and other incredibly stunning places to fill your itinerary. I can honestly say that Wilmington never disappoints! From the exciting attractions to delicious eateries, there’s something for everyone.
Wilmington is a great choice if you’re in the tri-state area and looking for a fun and convenient getaway. It’s located just 40 minutes from Philadelphia and 2 hours from NYC and offers a mix of fun, adventure, and relaxation. Keep reading for the best places to stay, explore, and eat in Wilmington.
Thanks, Visit Wilmington for hosting me!
Where to Stay in Wilmington
Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington-Brandywine valley
Location: If you’re looking for a great place to stay in the Wilmington area, I highly recommend the Homewood Suites Brandywine Valley. The hotel is conveniently located near major highways and popular attractions. Nearby sites and attractions include Brandywine Creek State Park, Concord Mall, Hagley Museum, Winterthur Museum & Garden, and Rockwood Park & Museum.
Rooms and Amenities: This residential suite-style hotel is perfect for solo travelers, families, and groups. Amenities include free hot breakfast, free parking, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a business center, and a beautiful outdoor patio with a grill. The hotel also offers a free shuttle, a free grocery shopping service, and an evening social on Wednesdays. Our 2 bedroom suite was well-appointed with plush beds, a living room, a full kitchen, three TVs, two bathrooms, and a work desk. Everything was exceptionally clean and very comfortable.
Dining: The hotel offers complimentary hot breakfast which includes items such as pastries, fruits, yogurt, potatoes, breakfast meats, biscuits, oatmeal, and more. Popular restaurants are also only a short distance from the hotel. For other bars, restaurants, and nightlife, downtown Wilmington is only a short drive away. Philadelphia is also only a 30-minute drive via I-95.
Our stay was absolutely superb. The suite was spacious, comfortable, and stocked with everything needed for an amazing stay. The Homewood Suites is an excellent choice due to its prime location, comfortable rooms, amenities, and quality customer service. You really can’t go wrong with booking a stay here! Visit their website to book your next getaway https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ilghwhw-homewood-suites-wilmington-brandywine-valley/
Fun Things to do in Wilmington
Wilmington and western railroad
Wilmington is filled with history and one unique way to explore the area is through the Wilmington and Western Railroad.
The Wilmington and Western Railroad opened in October 1972 and operates both steam and diesel locomotives over the former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad branch line. The Railroad offers a dive into history while traveling through the scenic Red Clay Valley of Wilmington. The Railroad is perfect for adults and children alike and is such a fun way to explore the area!
Along the route, the train stops briefly at Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove, where you have the option to de-train and enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring the beautiful scenery. Otherwise, you can stay aboard the train and continue another few miles to Ashland and Yorklyn. On the train, there’s also a recording playing that dives deeper into the history of the railroad. Back at the station, there’s a gift shop offering an array of books, apparel, and other souvenirs. This experience is truly the perfect blend of educational and fun!
Wilmington and Western Railroad offers a variety of excursions and special events throughout the year, as well as private rentals. Visit their website for more information https://www.wwrr.com/
Mt. Cuba Center
Nature lovers, be sure to add Mt. Cuba Center to your list. The sprawling botanical garden is filled with collections of native and historic plants native to the Eastern Temperate Forests of the United States. This is by far, one of the best botanical gardens I’ve ever visited! It’s easy to see why it was voted “Best Botanical Garden” by USA Today in 2020.
As you stroll through the serene, picturesque gardens, you’ll feel relaxed and inspired by the beauty of nature. I particularly enjoyed venturing through the Copeland House, formal garden, ponds, and trial garden.
I recommend giving yourself about 2 hours to fully explore and take photos. If you can’t make it there just yet, virtual tours are available on their website (click here).
The center is open from April to November and offers programs and events throughout the year.
Winterthur museum, garden, and library
Take a step back in time and visit the magnificent Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library. Located in Winterthur, Delaware, Winterthur Mansion was the childhood home of Henry Francis DuPont, an antique collector, and horticulturist. In 1951, the home was converted to a museum that now displays beautiful American artifacts – nearly 90,000 objects across 175 rooms!
In addition, Winterthur sits on 1,000 acres of sprawling, enchanted woodlands which include blooming gardens, ponds, and waterways.
On display currently is the Jackie Kennedy exhibit, where you can walk the path Jackie took during her visit to the Winterthur in 1961. Jackie Kennedy invited Henry Francis du Pont to lead her project to restore the White House interiors. This historic partnership transformed the White House and garnered attention from some of the most iconic interior designers of the century. This exhibition is marked by images, artifacts, and archives giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration. The restoration led to a televised tour of the White House, which was the most-watched program in American history at the time.
In addition to this exhibition, visitors can also enjoy Jackie-themed dining and shopping, and tour the garden, trails, and library.
While there, you’ll also want to see the extensive research library with world-class collections that include rare books, manuscripts, and photography.
Reservations for the guided tour are recommended, as spots fill up quickly. I recommend allowing 1-2 hours for your visit to tour the stunning mansion and gardens.
Click here for more information and to book a tour.
Where to eat in Wilmington
mikimoto’s Asian Grill and Sushi bar
Looking for delicious Asian cuisine? Head to Mikimotos Asian Grill and Sushi Bar, a restaurant in downtown Wilmington known for its extravagant sushi platters, and upbeat atmosphere. The chef-inspired menu features dishes like Drunken General’s Chicken and Crispy Stir-Fried Tofu. You can’t go wrong with the tempura brownie sundae for dessert. The service here is excellent and this is a great spot for happy hour with colleagues or a night out with friends!
Centreville cafe
The Centreville Café + Montrachet Fine Foods is a quaint cafe serving up lattes, and teas, as well as breakfast and lunch. They also offer an elegant afternoon high tea experience with a four-course menu. This is such a cute cafe to visit during a weekend afternoon while running errands or sightseeing. It’s also conveniently located near popular Wilmington attractions. Be sure to check out their website for more information. https://centrevillecafe.com/
wilma’s
Wilma’s is an upbeat, New Orleans-inspired restaurant with duckpin bowling, signature cocktails, arcade games, and delicious eats with a Southern flair. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for entertainment, fine dining, and signature cocktails. Here’s what we ordered: Double cut pork chop, Hickory grilled chicken, and Snapper. For dessert, we had Wilma’s ice cream sandwich, banana’s foster, and beignets. The food here is flavorful and the staff is also incredibly friendly and accommodating.
We had so much fun dining and bowling at Wilma’s! I definitely recommend checking it out for a night out, birthday party, or private event. Check out their website for more information: https://www.goodtimewilmas.com/
Ciro forty acres
Circo Forty Acres is a cute neighborhood cafe serving up all-day brunch. The menu includes items such as chicken and waffles, French toast, Croque Madame, breakfast bowls, pastries, and more.
sweet Nel’s
This ice cream shop is a must-visit if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat. They offer homemade ice cream, gelato, milkshakes, smoothies, and everything in between! There are so many options available here that it was difficult to choose, but we landed on the butter brittle, baklava, stracciatella, and hazelnut crunch. Everything was so fresh and delicious! I definitely recommend visiting this shop during your time in Wilmington.
I hope this list put Wilmington on your radar and provided some fun ideas of what to do and where to eat around the area. Check out this blog post for more of my recommendations.
Let me know below: Have you ever visited Wilmington? What places did you go to? Will you consider visiting this year? Let’s chat in the comments! Be sure to follow along on Instagram to see my latest posts.
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