Need an escape this summer? Then 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.
If you’re in the tri-state area and looking for a fun and convenient getaway, Wilmington is a great choice. 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.
**This post is sponsored by Visit Wilmington. All opinions are my own. Thank you Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting us!**
Visit Wilmington’s 3-2-1 Getaway Package is the perfect way to explore Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley. As part of this promotion, you’ll receive free admission to 3 of Wilmington’s top attractions; Mt. Cuba Center, Hagley Museum and Library, and Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, when you book a 2-night hotel stay at a participating hotel. Passes are valid through June 30, 2021. Click here to book your getaway today.
Where to stay in Wilmington
homewood suites wilmington downtown
The Homewood Suites is one of my favorite hotel brands because their spacious guest suites offer the comforts of home to make your stay extra special. This hotel is suitable for families and solo travelers alike.
If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Wilmington, I highly recommend staying at the Homewood Suites Wilmington Downtown. This modern, waterfront hotel is perfect for an extended stay or a quick weekend getaway in the city. It sits along the Christina River and is just steps from restaurants, bars, and attractions along the Riverfront.
the room and amenities
We stayed in a rear-facing Queen bedroom suite that overlooked the Christina River. It was spectacular! The suite included a full fridge, electric stovetop, microwave, and plenty of cupboards for storage. The room was exceptionally clean, cozy, and comfortable.
When you stay here, I highly recommend booking a studio room facing the Christina River – you’ll love waking up to glorious views of the Wilmington skyline.
At the Homewood Suites, you’ll also enjoy amenities such as free parking, free breakfast, a fitness center, a business center, complimentary bikes, and more.
One of my favorite parts of our stay was utilizing the complimentary bikes. They were a nice touch and provided a fun way to explore the area. If you’re feeling adventurous, bike the J. A. M. (Jack A. Markell) trail, a 7.9-mile pathway that starts in front of the hotel and connects the Wilmington Riverfront and Historic New Castle.
At the hotel, protocols were in place to ensure everyone’s safety and the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and accomodating. Our stay was absolutely superb. As far as amenities and location, you couldn’t ask for better accommodation. Check out my IGTV video review on Instagram to see more of the hotel.
Additional hotel options around the area include Hotel DuPont, Homewood Suites Wilmington-Brandywine Valley (read my review HERE), and Residence Inn Wilmington Downtown.
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What to see and do in Wilmington
From spectacular gardens to history and art museums, Wilmington boasts a variety of attractions for every traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure or history, Wilmington has something for you.
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.
The center aims to inspire appreciation of nature and promotes the conservation of our natural habitats. 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 formal garden, ponds, and trial garden. The pictures simply don’t do this place justice!
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.
Visit their website for more information: https://mtcubacenter.org/
hagley museum and library
History buffs, you’ll for sure want to make a stop at Hagley Museum and Library. The Hagley Museum is the home of the gunpowder works (The DuPont Company) founded by French immigrant Éleuthère Irénée DuPont in 1802.
Located on 235 acres along the Brandywine Creek, the site includes the DuPont family home and gardens, a worker’s community, and restored powder mills. In addition, it features one of the best technology research libraries in the nation.
A guided bus tour provides a deeper look into the life and legacy of the DuPont family. At each stop, you’re able to walk around and explore at your leisure. I recommend stopping to see the steam engine demonstration for a more in-depth look into the history of Hagley and the experiences of the mill workers.
The Hagley Museum and Library is included in the 3-2-1 Getaway Package. The museum is open 7 days a week from 10 am – 5 pm. Allow 2-3 hours for your visit.
Visit their website for more information: https://hagley.org/
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. The site includes blooming gardens, ponds, and waterways.
Winterthur also features an extensive research library with world-class collections, including rare books, manuscripts, and photography.
Reservations for the guided tour are recommended, as spots fill up quickly. Allow 2-3 hours for your visit and be sure to take a tour of the stunning mansion and 60-acre garden.
Visit their website for more information: https://www.winterthur.org/
nemours estate
Situated on 200 acres of scenic woodlands, Nemours Mansion and Gardens is the marvelous country estate built by American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Alfred I. DuPont. The site includes a Mansion, Formal Gardens, and Chauffer’s Garage. DuPont constructed the lavish estate for his second wife, Alicia, who he adored greatly. Inspiration for the estate came from the late 18th-century French architectural style that she loved.
Nemours Estate is the largest formal French garden in North America and the mansion itself includes 77 rooms across 5 floors. From the conservatory to the formal dining room, there is beauty at every turn. My favorite room is the conservatory, where Alicia spent a great deal of time. The room was designed to blend the outdoors and indoors and she always kept it filled with birds, plants, and flowers.
If you plan to visit Wilmington, you can’t leave without taking a trip to Nemours – undoubtedly one of the most marvelous places to visit in the area. The rich history and elegant French architecture make it such an intriguing place to explore.
Furthermore, there is a garden tour shuttle that guides you through the grounds and explains the history of the estate. I recommend taking the garden tour first, and then visiting the Mansion and Chauffer’s garage afterward. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring an umbrella in case of inclement weather conditions. Nemours is open from Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and is closed on Mondays. Reservations are not required and there is no timed entry, so tickets can be conveniently purchased upon arrival.
Visit their website for more information: http://nemoursestate.org/
brandywine zoo
If you’re interested in seeing wildlife during your visit, head to Brandywine Zoo, which is conveniently located in the beautiful Brandywine Park. This is a smaller zoo but great to visit, especially for families with kids. In addition, they offer an array of programs and events throughout the year so be sure to check out their website for more information.
Brandywine Zoo features a unique variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. My favorites were the toucans, the serval, and the capybara. Be sure to check out the endangered lemurs – they are so interesting and energetic! Brandywine Zoo is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased in person or online.
Visit the zoo website here for more information: https://brandywinezoo.org/
delaware art museum
Delaware Art Museum opened to the public in 1938 and now includes multiple galleries and a 9-acre sculpture garden. The museum is full of many unique pieces and holds a variety of classes and events throughout the year. Collections at the museum include American Art 1757 – 1960, American Illustration, British Pre-Raphaelites, Contemporary Art, Copeland Sculpture Garden, and Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives.
My favorite gallery to see was the contemporary collection. The contemporary art exhibit includes eclectic, thoughtful pieces from the second half of the 20th century through today. Since the early 2000s, the museum’s collection of contemporary artwork has grown significantly.
The Delaware Art Museum is also an independent bookstore that carries a wide selection of books and specialty items from local artists. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday and offers free admission on Sundays.
Visit their website for more information: https://delart.org/
Where to eat in Wilmington
riverfront bakery
Riverfront Bakery is Wilmington’s newest French-style bakery offering delicious pastries, coffee, and other fresh baked goods. The bakery is conveniently located on the main strip of Justison Street. The treats here were so delectable. We tried the croissants, raspberry chocolate scones, and a cheese danish. I also grabbed a latte which was absolutely delicious and not too sweet. Overall, I highly recommend getting breakfast here during your time in Wilmington.
Check out their website for more info: https://www.riverfrontbakery.com/
pizzeria bardea
If you’re looking for yummy pizza in Wilmington, I highly recommend Pizzeria Bardea. It’s located in DECO Wilmington at the Hotel DuPont building. The Margherita, tomato pie, and veggie pizzas were top-notch. The pizza here is easily some of the best I’ve ever had.
Check out their website for more info: https://www.pizzeriabardea.com/
connie’s chicken and waffles
If you’re in the mood for southern-inspired food, Connie’s Chicken and Waffles is another great option located in DECO Wilmington food hall. The crispy chicken tenders with waffles were absolutely delicious!
Waffle flavors include buttermilk, chocolate chip, red velvet, oreo, blueberry, and crunch berry.
Check out their website for more info: http://www.connieschickenandwaffles.com/locations/de-co-2/
the juice joint
The Juice Joint is a local juice bar serving made-to-order juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and more. I ordered the morning parfait smoothie and it was smooth, creamy, and flavorful. Additionally, we grabbed some cold-pressed juices for the road (‘Beets Me’ and ‘Green Tonic’ are my recommendations).
Check out their website for more info: https://thejuicejoint.de/
dockland’s riverfront
If you’re looking for a great restaurant with even better vibes, Dockland’s Riverfront is the place to go. Dockland’s is my absolute favorite restaurant in Wilmington and for good reason. The food is phenomenal and the service is exceptional! Even better, there’s a beautiful waterfront deck where you can enjoy live music and outdoor dining.
The menu consists of delicious entrees, burgers, seafood, desserts, and more. You can’t go wrong with the chicken penne (or any pasta dish) and roasted salmon salad. In addition, Dockland’s also has a wide selection of cocktails, beer, and wine.
If you’re looking for more great restaurants to try in the tri-state area, check out “8 Amazing Restaurants to Try in the NJ/PA Area.”
Check out their website for more info: https://docklandsriverfront.com/
jessop’s tavern
If you plan on visiting nearby Historic New Castle, I recommend getting lunch from Jessop’s Tavern. We ordered the Salmon Perziken and Fricken Chicassee. I was pleasantly surprised and would visit again!
Check out their website for more information: https://jessops-tavern.com/
Final thoughts
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. 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 the #GlobalGhanaGirlWilm tag on Instagram to see all my latest posts.
As a reminder, the 3-2-1 Getaway Passes are valid until June 30, 2021. Don’t delay! Check out the Visit Wilmington site here: https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/
This seems pretty cool, I will definitely include Wilmington on my next NE Corridor trip 🙏🏾
Thanks for reading! You’ll love visiting!
Looks so fun! I’d love to check out Mt. Cuba Center and the art museum. All of those food spots look amazing too! I’m surprised Delaware has so much to offer. Show us more 😍
Thanks for reading! It truly is a wonderful area to explore!
This is literally in my backyard and I had no idea they existed. Who knew Delaware had so much to offer?! Now I’m excited to explore the state. The mansions are GORGEOUS! 😍😍
Thank you for sharing this.
I haven’t really heard a lot about Delaware when it comes to tourism, so i appreciate you opening my eyes to the dope stuff I’ve been missing out on in the NE. When I make my trip up to Delaware I’ll def be using this as a guide. Thanks Global Ghana Girl!
Thanks, Sena! I’m so glad to hear that you found this helpful. Looking forward to your visit!
You have some of the best pictures on any travel blog. Wilmington sounds amazing!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and photos ☺️