Things to do · New Castle County
Garden estates, riverfront nights and a little bit of city.
Delaware’s northernmost county packs the most into the least space. Spend the morning wandering a du Pont estate in the Brandywine Valley, grab lunch on Newark’s Main Street and catch a show in Wilmington, all without much time in the car.
The can’t-miss list
If you only have a weekend, start here.
- Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Henry Francis du Pont’s former country estate, with 1,000 acres of rolling hills, naturalistic gardens and one of the country’s great collections of American decorative arts.
Insider tip: Kids love Enchanted Woods, a fairy-tale garden made for climbing and exploring. - Hagley Museum
The original du Pont gunpowder works from 1802, set along the Brandywine River, with working mill demonstrations and the family’s first home.
Insider tip: Go in spring or fall, when the river paths are at their prettiest. - Wilmington Riverfront
A walkable stretch along the Christina River with a riverwalk, restaurants, the Delaware Children’s Museum and minor-league baseball at Frawley Stadium.
Insider tip: Plan a summer evening around a Blue Rocks game, then dinner on the water. - Historic New Castle
Cobblestone streets, the Old Court House and colonial homes in the town where William Penn first landed in America in 1682.
Insider tip: Come for a fall ghost walk or the May house-and-garden tour. - White Clay Creek State Park
Miles of wooded trails and creekside paths just outside Newark, popular with hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and anglers.
Insider tip: Pair a morning hike with ice cream from the UDairy Creamery in Newark.
Get outside
Parks, trails and river time.
Riverside paths, a rose garden in season and a small, family-sized zoo.
Rock climbing on the old quarry walls, trails and the Can-Do Playground, built so kids of all abilities can play.
Delaware’s largest freshwater pond, with kayak rentals, trails and a treetop ropes course.
A flat, paved trail along the C&D Canal, made for bikes, strollers and long sunset walks.
Eat & drink
Where locals actually go.
Wilmington’s neighborhood for brunch, bars and patios, with a lively crowd on weekends.
Old-school Italian bakeries and red-sauce restaurants. Come in June for St. Anthony’s Italian Festival.
A college-town strip of cafés, brewpubs and casual spots, buzzing year-round.
Every September, local restaurants offer special prix fixe menus. It’s a great way to try somewhere new.
Arts & culture
Museums and stages with real character.
Known for its Pre-Raphaelite collection and its Howard Pyle illustration gallery, plus a sculpture garden.
A restored 1871 theater on Market Street hosting concerts, comedy and touring shows.
A French-style mansion and formal gardens, one of the most elegant house tours in the region.
A botanical garden devoted to native plants, gorgeous during spring wildflower season.
Hidden gems
The spots people are surprised to find.
Take a short ferry to Pea Patch Island and explore a Civil War-era fort with costumed interpreters.
Trails, a covered bridge and family nature programs from the Delaware Nature Society.
Dinosaurs, a big shell collection and hands-on exhibits for kids.
Delaware has no sales tax, so a trip to Christiana Mall or the shops along Route 202 goes further.
Your year here
What locals look forward to, season by season.
Spring
- Wildflowers at Mt. Cuba Center
- Azaleas at Winterthur
- Point-to-Point races at Winterthur
Summer
- Blue Rocks baseball on the Riverfront
- St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
- Kayaking at Lums Pond
Fall
- Hagley Craft Fair
- Ghost walks in Old New Castle
- Pumpkins and corn mazes on local farms
Winter
- Yuletide at Winterthur
- Holiday shows at The Grand
- Riverfront ice skating
Love this lifestyle?
Where to live in New Castle County
Historic row homes, Riverfront condos and walkable neighborhoods like Trolley Square.
Larger lots, top-rated schools and the Brandywine Valley at your door.
University of Delaware culture, parks and an easy commute toward Philadelphia or Baltimore.
Newer communities, more space for the money and a growing downtown.
Picture yourself in New Castle County?
Tell me what you love to do on weekends, and I’ll show you the New Castle County neighborhoods that fit.
Keep exploring
Hours, seasons and fees change. Check each attraction’s website before you go.