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This is the perfect time to plan a trip through history along Delaware's Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. On the Byway, travelers can explore Delaware's fascinating back roads while visiting places that contributed to one of the 19th century's most crucial times.
The Underground Railroad was established as a secret system made up of free and enslaved blacks, white abolitionists and other social activists. Before the Civil War, the Delaware landscape was a key route for movement out of slave states to freedom. Delaware, a strict slave state, was the last step before reaching Pennsylvania, a free state.
Delaware's Byway is inspired by Harriet Tubman, who in 1849 escaped slavery from Maryland and made a temporary home in Philadelphia until she could return for her family. In the 1850s, with the help of a Wilmington Quaker named Thomas Garrett and other 'conductors,' Tubman led countless African American Freedom Seekers through Delaware to safer locations. Many private homes and buildings in Delaware provided safe havens for those who were traveling this secret route.
Today the trip is much less harrowing, and history buffs and adventure seekers alike can explore a 98-mile route around Delaware, stopping at several historic sites that the Freedom Seekers passed through. The trip also features places of abolitionist activities and legal actions during the 19th century, so modern-day travelers can get a complete sense of what was happening in this region at that time.
Hosted by the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware, the Tubman Byway is a way to remember the heroic efforts of Harriet Tubman, other abolitionists and all Freedom Seekers. This north-to-south trip takes two to three days for a true visit with stops at each of the sites, but the total drive time is only about three hours. The Byway begins directly after the Maryland Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway ends on Willow Grove Road or Route 10 in Kent County. It passes through sites in Camden and Dover, then moves north on Route 13 through Smyrna, Wilmington and 12 other Underground Railroad locations. It follows Kennett Pike and ends at the Delaware-Pennsylvania state line and then continues into Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. A full itinerary of stops is laid out for travelers, and additional destinations can be determined for particular interests.
Sites along the Byway offer 'Byway Bucks' that can be redeemed for discounts at local shops and businesses along the trail, creating a clever way to take a historical adventure while also taking advantage of Delaware‚s tax-free shopping. The official Byway Buck Flyer is available at stops along the Byway and on the bywaybucks.html website.
For more information about the Byway and Delaware's unique history, or to begin planning your own trip to Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley, check out VisitWilmingtonDE.com.
Like birdwatching? Consider joining the Delmarva Ornithological Society (D.O.S.). Whether you're a novice birder or an expert, you'll be happy with this group. Offered is an extensive schedule of exciting field trips throughout the year (most within or near the state of Delaware); and monthly meetings featuring informative and entertaining speakers covering topics of local and global interest. D.O.S. is very active in gathering critical data on bird populations thruogh censuses such as the annual Christmas Bird County, and the organization provides a strong voice for habitat preservation. Members receive the D.O.S. Flyer, a newsletter published monthly from September to June; the Delmarva Ornithologist, the organization's annual journal, field trips; member programs; and volunteer opportunities.
Membership fee: Student $10; Individual $20; Household $30; Sustaining $40; Life $400. To join, send your name, address, phone number and e-mail to: D.O.S., P.O. Box 4247, Greenville, DE 19807, or go to www.DOSbirds.org.
Bombay Hook received its name from the corruption of the Dutch “Bompies Hoeck” meaning “little tree point.” Today, the National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 15,978 acres. The refuge has one of the largest expanses of nearly unaltered salt marsh in the mid-Atlantic and over 1,100 acres of freshwater impoundments. This tour is complimented with visits to other noteworthy sites that may include Little Creek WMA, Port Mahon, and Woodland Beach WMA, dependent on recent conditions.
Although no two years are the same, this trip usually records 20+ species of shorebirds, large numbers of long-legged waders, and other surprises. Species we should encounter include Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Stilt Sandpiper, Caspian and Black Terns. The area is a magnet for rare birds as well, with past trips recording goodies like White Ibis, White-faced Ibis, Hudsonian Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-headed Gull, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Sedge Wren.
For further information , please contact Sandy Hook Bird Observatory at 732-872-2500 or mailto: shbo@njaudubon.org. Participants may register for one, two, or all three days. Fee varies accordingly: see www.njaudubon/Centers/shbo for prices. A list of Dover hotels is provided to registrants.
The DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve is most impressive. From the moment you enter, you'll see a multitude of exhibits; many which invite you to 'please touch.' Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Division of Fish and Wildlife owns and operates the $2.1 million conservation education interpretive center and wildlife observatory.The Center, with its distinctive red roof, includes an observation deck with spotting scopes to view the harbor, bay and shoreline.
Located at the edge of a harbor where the Mispillion River empties into the Delaware Bay, you'll immediately hear the sounds of thousands of birds resting or flying overhead. Each year, thousands of horseshoe crabs mate and lay millions of eggs on beaches visible from the Nature Center's observation deck. The eggs are a key food source for the red knot, a migratory shore bird that is endangered in many states. More than 130 species of birds, fish, shellfish, and other animals populate the area.
The history of the Center is quite interesting. As part of its ongoing effort to protect a habitat vital to both horseshoe crabs and red knots, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) purchased and donated the ground and building to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife in 2004. PSEGs Estuary Enhancement Program began working in 1994 to restore and preserve portions of the Delaware Estuary in both New Jersey and Delaware. The 1.7-acre property included a waterfront restaurant building on wooden pilings and an outbuilding. The nature center now occupies the newly renovated restaurant and the outbuilding has since been removed. DuPont's Clear into the Futre Delaware Estuary initiative contributed $500,000 in cash for interpretive displays and more than $50,000 in labor and building materials for the center's renovation.
Although you probably won't want to leave the observation deck, the inside of the Center has a wealth of hands-on exhibits devoted to the Delaware Bay's natural history and ecology. Inside is a tank containing live, juvenile horseshoe crabs; Delaware Bay natural history displays; an exhibit devoted to the history of the Mispillion Lighthouse; bird identification panels; shorebird exhibits; an interactive station; and monitors with live camera feeds from nearby breeding grounds. As a bonus, a naturalist is always on hand to answer questions. The bird identification panels are designed to help visitors spot many of the species that may be seen in and around the harbor.
One of the interactive exhibits sponsored by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, is "Fly the Delaware Bay," providing an aerial tour of the estuary. In addition, lovely murals illustrate the anatomy of the horseshoe crab, trace the migration of a red knot, and provide information about the biology and ecology of both species illuminating the connection between them. Young and old will enjoy the computerized touch-screens taking each visitor beyond the exhibits with lively closed-captioned video.
History buffs will love the historical displays which recollect early colonial time when shipyards, sawmills, tanneries and flour mills thrived on the Mispillion River. And that's not all: Additional exhibits describe research efforts to protect crucial shorebird feeding areas and nesting habitats, horseshoe crab spawning areas, bait use, and the importance of the horseshoe crab in modern medicine. An internet access station is available as an additional resource for educational information on wildlife and their habitat.
The Center's Hours of Operation are Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. It is closed Monday; the grounds and observation deck are open dawn to dusk.
Please note: Easterly winds, moon phases and weataher coditions may cause high tides which may flood the access road to the center. On occasion, 12 to 18 inches of water has covered the road at any given time. Please check prior to planning your visit.
For more information visit web site www.dupontnaturecenter.org or call Dawn Webb at 302-422-1329.
From 1873 until 2002, the Mispillion Lighthouse stood just a few feet south of where the nature center building now stands. The lighthouse served as an active navigation beacon until 1929, when the steel tower to the west of the nature center took its place. In May 2002 a lightning bolt struck and burned the lighthouse tower. A private party purchased the ruin and used it to build a replica, which is now at Shipcarpenter Square in Lewes, Delaware.
What exactly is Clear into the Future?? It is a DuPont initiative to enhance the beauty and integrity of the Delaware Estuary for generations to come. As a company founded on the Delaware Estuary, DuPont realizes it is a commercial and ecological treasure and, through Clear into the Future, DuPont hopes to demonstrate the value it places in its history on the estuary and in its commitment to a sustainable future. Science and education are two pillars of Clear into the Future, and Professor Green, a robot who teaches children about the importance of estuary ecosystems, has been utilized for this purpose. By the end of 2008, it is estimated that "Professor G" will have visited about 60 elementary schools assemblies in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Clear into the Future also provides universities with research assistance and fellowships, and is helping the University of Delaware researchers develop an alternative to horseshoe crabs which is a bait used by eel and conch anglers.
Location: The DuPont Nature Center is located at 2992 Lighthouse Road, Milford, Delaware 19963; 302-422-1329.
Approximately 3o minutes south of the City of Wilmington is the tiny residential community of Odessa. Known as Cantwell’s Bridge until 1855, the town developed as a thriving commercial center and then suffered a period of decline following the construction of the railroad.
Today, Odessa is a tranquil residential town with a population slightly over 300, tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks and pristine colonial buildings. Five of the town’s most distinguished properties are operated by the Historic Odessa Foundation. They provide a unique and well-documented picture of 18th- and 19th-century lifestyles and architecture.
The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as the community's customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors.
Just getting to Fort Delaware State Park is exciting -- for it's situated on Pea Patch Island -- a small island in the middle of the Delaware River. The Delaware River Bay Authority ferry in Delaware City, Delaware will take you there in about ten minutes, or you can board the ferry at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, New Jersey, for a pleasant half hour ride. Admission to the park is included in the ferry fare. Once on the island, you'll be whisked by jitney to the granite and brick fortress. On the way there, you may spot some of the island's wildlife and, as you get closer, the huge Fort where Union soldiers marched and drilled in the 1860s, and where Rebel prisoners were taken during the Civil War, comes into view. Step off the jitney at the entrance to the Fort, cross the moat, and you'll immediately go back in time as docents and soldiers in period attire greet you.
Walk the parade ground, check out the Officers' Quarters, the Mail and Supply Clerk's offices, the Mess Hall and, inside the orientation room, examine the artifacts and a scale replica of the Island during the Civil War prison years. Activity schedules are free, as are maps of the Fort and island.
Free daily programs, include:
Interpretive Tour of the Fort - Meet the people who lived on Pea Patch Island during the war as you investigate the various rooms. Hear about the restored rooms from both the modern-day perspective and the perspective of the people who lived here in 1864.
Heavy Artillery Demonstration - Hear how the artillery at Fort Delaware could fire over 40,000 pounds of iron in 30 minutes at an enemy ship. Check out the 8-inch Columbiad - the second largest Civil War cannon still fired in the United States, and hear what the fort's guns could do and how a crew fired this giant.
Heavy Artillery Drill - Visitors love this program which is interactive. Recruits are 'drafted' from the audience for the heavy artillery drill and, under the supervision of one of the officers, you'll learn how to handle the implements required to load and fire a 32-pounder gun.
Light Artillery Drill - This type of artillery was important to the war effort on both sides. The soldiers will teach you how these cannon work.
Reverand Isaac Handy: Rebel With A Cause - Find out how he came to be a political prisoner at Fort Delaware and figure out if he should be in prison, or if he's a traitor to the Union.
Captain G.S. Clark: Feeding Fort Delaware - Captain Clark served as the Commissary Officer for Fort Delaware. He was good at his job which was to make certain that all lthe soldiers, both the garrison and the prisoners, got fed the proper amount. This wasn't easy because the island had no drinking water!
Interpreters at various stations will relate the history of this important Fort as well as answer questions. Feel free to help the laundresses wash clothes the 19th-century way -- if you have the necessary strength. Chat with the Ordnance Sergeant: Keeper of the Guns, to learn how he took charge of all the ammunitition; learn how and why drilling was so important; hear stories of escape attempts; and about the dozens of African Americans who helped to build and operate Fort Delaware, and much, much more.
If you prefer a personalized, in-depth tour, opt for the Premium and Hands-On Programs (additional fee).
Birdwatching Opportunities -- If the ground is dry, take the 60-90-minute round-trip walk from the Fort's sally port (main entrance0 to the north end of the island to see some of the more than 10,000 herons, egrets, and other birds nesting here. You can do this alone or join experts who will discuss the history of this part of the island. Binoculars and insect repellent are recomended - as well as water-proof shoes if it has rained recently. Programs begin at 11:30 a.m. the bird observation tower. With binoculars you may spot many species. If not, you're sure to hear them. As I walked through the wetland areas, I spotted several muskrats - so have a camera ready to shoot the action.
Children's Programs --
Musketry Demonstration and Children's Infantry Drill: Youngsters will be taught some of the complicated drills of the 19th-century army.
Pea Patch Scavenger Hunt: Children will be given a list of questions and activities and to complete the hunt, they must visit nearly all of the restored areas and speak with a few of the charaters.
Civil War Games: Find out what children on Pea patch Island did for fun.
School Days: The school marm will bring fun to the classroom for visiting children - who, in turn - will get a sample of a typical day in school and the strict discipline and different lessons that were common at the time.
Hours: Fort Delaware is open the first three Saturdays in May. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend they are open on weekends and holidays. From Mid-June through Labor Day, Fort Delaware is open Wednesday through Sunday. After Labor Day, the Fort is closed for the season except for school groups, bus tours and ghost and paranormal tours. Hours of operation are 10AM-6PM and the last boat to the island leaves at 4PM from Delaware City. For more information call 302-834-7941.
Note: The lower level of Fort Delaware is accessible to people with disabilities. Restrooms are available outside the Fort. Picnicking is permitted and grills are available for public use. Water and soda machines are available to visitors. A full-service gift shop is located inside the fort, and operated by the Fort Delaware Society. An additional gift shop is located at the Delaware City Ferry ticket office. Tickets for limited edition programs may be purchased at either gift shop.
Visitors to Southern Delaware are in for some treats this year – they’ll find new activities, events, restaurants and distilleries, campgrounds, and more. Of course, everything they've always loved about Southern Delaware awaits as well. Here, in no particular order, are new reasons to visit Southern Delaware :
Beach Time Distilling in Lewes will begin offering tours, two per month during the winter with an expanded schedule in season. They also do private tours by arrangement. Beach Time Distilling is a small Delaware Craft Distillery producing Rum, Vodka, Gin, Specialty and Seasonal Spirits. The family business is run by founder and distiller Greg Christmas, who previously worked at Dogfish Head, and his wife Mary Ann.
Brimming Horn Meadery opened in early fall of 2016 on Route 9 in Milton. Co-owners JR Walker and John Talkington are also both Dogfish Head alums. Talkington has been making mead for nearly 20 years with 15 awards to his name and has nearly 40 different recipes. Brimming Horn will feature a tasting/sampling area as well as a Scandinavian-style mead hall. Both meads and ciders will be on tap, served in bottles, growlers, and glasses. Drink like a Viking!
Dogfish Head Distilling Company recently launched its 100% scratch-made spirits line. The new state-of-the-art distillery is located on its Milton campus, and employs two 500 gallon copper stripping stills and a 250 gallon copper vodka column. The first spirits to debut are Analog Vodka™, Compelling Gin™, and Whole Leaf Gin™. Other spirits including rum and whiskey are on the horizon. Also, in February, Dogfish Head will open
Chesapeake and Maine, a new seafood restaurant inspired by Dogfish founder and President Sam Calagione’s summers spent in Dogfish Head, Maine and Dogfish’s connection to the Chesapeake region. The casual maritime-themed space is located in Rehoboth Beach next to Dogfish’s original brewpub.
Heirloom is a new fine dining farm-to-table restaurant that is generating tons of buzz (and a great review from the Rehoboth Foodie!) The restaurant, set in a beautifully renovated historic mansion in Lewes, seats 65. Reservations.
Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth is expanding its season from 8 to 10 productions in 2016, and the accomplished and talented Christopher Peterson will be returning to perform in two of them. The theatre’s summer season offers patrons the choice of three musicals: PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, SHREK and CHICAGO. Peterson will star in PRISCILLA and be featured in CHICAGO. An award-winning veteran of screen and stage, Peterson appeared alongside Cuba Gooding, Jr in the motion picture “Rat Race”, in which he did a stint as Lucille Ball. He has been performing his EYECONS Show, a tribute to the Great Ladies of show business, at La Te Da in Key West since 1998.
Georgetown Speedway, an historic half-mile clay oval now under the management of BD Motorsports Media, has released a diverse schedule of events between March and November 2016. A variety of divisions are on the agenda including big-block Modifieds, small-block Modifieds, 360 Sprint Cars, Super Late Models, Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Cars, Delmarva Chargers, Delaware Super Trucks and Little Lincolns.
Escape Rehoboth is Southern Delaware’s first escape room, a one-hour race to get out of a “locked” room by solving a series of puzzles and clues related to a storyline. Groups of any size can choose a themed room to solve, from a mad scientist’s laboratory to a time machine landing in the turn of the century. However, smaller groups arriving at the same time will often be grouped together, which can make for a more interesting experience.
Cape Water Taxi became Cape Water Tours and Taxi in 2016 with the shift focus more toward tours, cruises and private charters. New us a Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruise; water taxi service will remain available on a limited basis. Cape Water Tours and Taxi has also added a new vessel, the Seahorse, a Trident a 49 passenger vessel is totally enclosed, climate controlled, and equipped with audio/visual equipment, LED television, sound system, a spacious restroom, table seating, capability for food and bar service, and LED lighting.
16. Lefty’s Alley & Eats opened in Lewes in October of 2016.is a 35,000-square-foot entertainment venue featuring 16 lanes of bowling; a state-of-the art arcade capable of holding 70 games; a 4,000-square-foot, two-story laser tag arena; four 20-foot-by-12-foot big screen televisions; a 110-person restaurant and bar offering banquet options for customized birthdays, corporate and group events. The restaurant, with prices between $8 and $20, will offer a large assortment of appetizers, gourmet brick-oven pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.
Bird Widget debuts on Southern Delaware Tourism Website: Southern Delaware Tourism’s website has become a richer information hub for birders interested in visiting our area. Now, not only can birders peruse the website for information about hotels, restaurants, nature trails, events, and activities, but they can also see, in real time, what species of birds are being reported in the area, thanks to the eBird Observation widget installed earlier this month. This widget displays, in real time, birds spotted in Southern Delaware and maps showing where individual species have been sighted, allowing birders to use the observations of their fellow birders to set their own itineraries based on what species they hope to see.
The Resort at Massey’s Landing is a pet-friendly RV retreat and campground in Long Neck on the shores of Rehoboth Bay that will celebrate its grand opening Memorial Day weekend. The resort offers private beach, pool with adult-only swim area, modern fitness center, convenient camp store and deli, and a coffee/ice cream shop for a morning wakeup call or an anytime decadent treat.
Surfing, skimboarding - Dewey Beach hosts the Zap Amateur World Championships of Skimboarding every year - beach sports and, of course, sunbathing are high on the list of activities for visitors. The jewel in the crown of Sussex County, though, is Cape Henlopen State Park. The park offers miles of beautiful hiking/biking trails that meander through coastal marshes, pine forests, and along ocean beaches. You’ll find a fishing pier, Frisbee golf, campgrounds, a nature center, cycling, hiking, and many other activities and events too. New this year is the scenic Gordons Pond trail that connects Rehoboth Beach with Lewes! This new trail can’t be beat for pure, unspoiled coastal beauty.
Trap Pond State Park, also with many beautiful trails, is a wetland forest and home to the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the United States. Have you ever taken a pontoon boat tour of a cypress swamp? At night? You can do that here in Southern Delaware!
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a huge draw for hikers, photographers, and birders - we’re right smack in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, so the birding is phenomenal here. The Nanticoke River in western Sussex County - the most pristine tributary of the Chesapeake Bay - provides countless opportunities for recreation and sightseeing too.
Love boating, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, skydiving, kiteboarding, stand up paddleboarding, hiking, and biking? You’ll find all of that – and more – right here.
Visit and become acquainted with our beautiful state parks and miles of 5 Star ocean beaches. Explore the inland bays and bay islands, tidal marshes, and rivers. Learn how to surf fish; enjoy a pontoon boat Eco Tour; attend a lantern tour of the historic Indian River Life Saving Station; view a reenactment at Fort Miles, the WWII fort that’s been transformed into an indoor-outdoor museum in Cape Henlopen State Park; take a walking tour of historic downtown Lewes; play a round of golf (or miniature golf!), or paddle out to an uninhabited bay island. There are outdoor adventures waiting year round for visitors of every age and level of ability in Southern Delaware.
Southern Delaware’s constellation of picturesque downtowns – all charming, yet each with its own distinct personality - are great getaway destinations. From quaint B&Bs to luxury hotels, guests will find welcoming accommodations in walkable historic fishing and shipbuilding villages rivaling those of New England, charming beach and riverside towns, and rural retreats. And they will find that off season visits offer the same great amenities at great savings as well.
Southern Delawar's shopping excursions make for fun family, mother-daughter, or girls’ weekend trips. Each of the area’s small towns offers singular shopping experiences thanks to the many unique boutique-style shops that line their streets. There are antique, vintage, and consignment shops sprinkled liberally throughout Sussex County. The area is also home to talented artists, artisans, and crafters and therefore to many small shops, galleries, and studios where their one of a kind works are exhibited and sold. And, of course, there are more than 130 outlet stores lining Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. The best part? No sales tax!
History buffs will delight in discovering the history of Sussex County through its small town museums. Our area’s history began long before Captain John Smith began exploring tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and met the Nanticoke Indian tribe near what’s now the town of Laurel. The Nanticoke Indian Tribe is still an active cultural force in the county, hosting a large Powwow every September and maintaining their own museum as well.
Find out about the fascinating social, agricultural, maritime, and military history of Sussex County from pre-Revolutionary days to the present by visiting 26 museums and viewing their collections of artifacts and memorabilia. Expert docents put collections in context and bring the area’s history to life with stories of shipwrecks, pirates and their booty, storms, and political intrigue. Museum locations include a train station, a caboose, a WWII bunker, a lighthouse, a town hall, a firehouse, an airport, a mansion, a lifesaving station, a lightship, a church, a barn, a post office, a renovated ice house, several historic homes, and a garden shed. How’s that for eclectic?
The towns are also brimming with large and small performance venues, including The Freeman Stage at Bayside, an open air performing arts venue located near Fenwick Island that presents diverse programming in the genres of dance, live music, theatre and children's programming as well as national performing artists. From architecture to history to haunted tours to festivals, the unique personality of each small Sussex County town ensures visitors’ explorations will be full of delightful surprises.
Wow. Where to start? Southern Delaware has become known as The Culinary Coast because of its incredible concentration of top notch, award-winning chefs and dining establishments. In fact, this year’s Mid Atlantic Wine and Food Festival took place in 11 locations throughout Sussex County! The area has developed into a mecca for foodies, with the Eating Rehoboth and Eating Lewes tours topping many visitors’ to-do lists.
While it may appear to visiting beachgoers that Sussex County’s #1 industry is sunshine and surf, in reality agriculture is our biggest economic driver. This is great news for visitors and locals alike because it means the restaurants of the Culinary Coast serve up delicious dishes made with the freshest possible ingredients. In fact, most visitors to Southern Delaware have traveled farther to get here than the food that’s served here! Love to cook? You can serve up the freshest ingredients too. The farmers’ markets are amazing and there’s at least one taking place every day of the week in season.
A Southern Delaware Tourism initiative called Local on the Menu pairs local farmers and producers with area restaurants that display the logo on their menus to let guests know their ingredients are the tastiest, freshest ingredients available. In fact, there are so many excellent restaurants to choose from here that Southern Delaware Tourism recently added a section to its web site to help visitors select eateries based on their desired location and dining preferences.
Southern Delaware is also home to many farms that welcome visitors and sell their own home grown products, including some that you can pick yourself. If you’ve never been to an alpaca farm, a winery, or a lavender farm, or if you haven’t tried farm fresh ice cream, lavender chocolate, cherry cider, or bison burgers, visit our local farmers and nurserymen and expand your horizons!
This area boasts two wineries and several renowned breweries. For instance, Milton is home to the very popular Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Wine tastings, winery and brewery tours, and cooking classes offered by award-winning chefs from several of our most popular dining establishments are must-dos for locals and visitors alike. A visit to Southern Delaware in the off season yields a tasty bonus as well: Many local eateries remain open year round and offer deep discount dining specials for locals and savvy visitors. Come to the Culinary Coast. Life tastes better here!
For more information go to web site www.visitsoutherndelaware.com.
This full-service hotel opened during Spring 2014 on property adjacent to the Chase Center on the Riverfront, the city’s largest multi-purpose event facility with 87,000 square feet of flexible meeting or exhibition space and plenty of free parking. It is conveniently located off I-95 and is less than one mile from the Amtrak Train Station.
The 10-story, Leed certified hotel has 180 rooms and suites. All equipped with 42” flat panel, high definition televisions, oversized work stations, high speed internet access, laptop-safes and spa-inspired bathrooms. The hotel also has 2,000 square feet of flexible function space including a ballroom suitable for meetings or events for up to 200 attendees. Other amenities include a permanent board room, hospitality suite, Law Center, Business Center, fitness center, upscale restaurant and bar and oversized indoor pool.
This summer, museums are no longer just a place to escape the heat. The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau invites you to explore a collection of 'moving' museums that truly bring history to life with experiences that will delight everyone in the family. From their rich history to their hands-on activities and events, these museums educate and inspire all visitors.
Train-loving little ones will marvel at the (www.wwrr.com) Wilmington & Western Railroad, the oldest steam-powered engine operating in the United States. Originally chartered in 1867 to move goods from the mills along the Red Clay Creek to the Port of Wilmington, today the Wilmington & Western Railroad continues to operate regular steam- and diesel-powered tourist trains on 10 miles of track in the scenic Red Clay Creek Valley. Rides are available March through December between Greenbank and Hockessin, an area rich in history, scenery ... and trains.
The (auburnheights.org) Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve features the world‚s largest collection of operating steam cars. On Steamin‚ Sundays, held the first Sunday of the month from June through November, visitors can take a ride in these automotive beauties or climb aboard a one-eighth gauge steam locomotive. There‚s also plenty of free, freshly popped popcorn to enjoy. The Marshall family home is also open for tours.
From the railroad to the open skies, West Chester‚s (americanhelicopter.museum) American Helicopter Museum is the perfect destination for aerial enthusiasts. This interactive museum educates visitors on the history and missions of helicopters, inspiring future generations through their educational programming. The museum offers a variety of special events throughout the year, and visitors can stay up-to-date and plan their visits accordingly by checking the (americanhelicopter.museum/events/upcoming-schedule) event schedule.
The perfect outing for the entire family, take a sail aboard the (www.kalmarnyckel.org/Index.asp) Kalmar Nyckel, a seaworthy replica of the ship that brought the Swedes to Delaware in 1638. This floating classroom educates people of all ages about the area‚s rich maritime heritage. Join the crew for a brief tour, where kids can ring the ship‚s bell, march around the capstan, and steer the ship using the whipstaff. When the Kalmar Nyckel is in port in the Greater Wilmington Area, it will dock at Historic New Castle, Dravo Plaza on the Wilmington Riverfront, and the Kalmar Nykel Shipyard (the exactwww.kalmarnyckel.org/bookasail.asp) sailing schedule is available online).
No matter which of these museums most appeals to your family, gather your group and set the wheels in motion for a trip to Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley. For more information or for help planning, please visit www.visitwilmingtonde.com.
Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley is in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region and less than a two-hour drive from both New York City and Washington. Steeped in American history and the legacy of the famed du Pont family, Greater Wilmington is a destination marked by sharp contrasts ˆ town and garden, past and present, historic and hip. From renowned gardens, world-class museums, colonial towns, outdoor adventure, festivals, and an ever-growing craft beer and restaurant scene, each experience is more vibrant, more unique and more authentic than the last. Learn more at VisitWilmingtonDE.com. And to see the beauty of the Brandywine Valley now, watch this: youtu.be/KyPWLnciO0E.
About the Delaware Art Museum
Founded in 1912, the Delaware Art Museum is recognized for its cornerstone collection of works by celebrated American artist and illustrator Howard Pyle, a Wilmington native, complimented by hundreds of works by some of most talented illustrators.
Also renowned for British Pre-Raphaelite art, the Museum is home to the largest and most significant Pre-Raphaelite collection outside of the United Kingdom, assembled by Samuel Bancroft, Jr., a Wilmington textile mill owner with a taste for Dante Gabriel Rossetti and other contemporaries of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
The Museum is famous for the preeminent collection of urban landscapes by American painter John Sloan and his circle. The Sloan collection lives alongside an esteemed survey of American art-spanning more than 200 years-from early 19th century through the present, including masterworks by Raphaelle Peale, Frederic Church, Thomas Eakins, Edward Hopper, Robert Motherwell, and Dale Chihuly. Visitors also enjoy the outdoor Copeland Sculpture Garden, featuring large-scale works by Tom Otterness and George Rickey.
For more than 100 years, the Museum has occupied a vibrant place in the life of the Brandywine Valley. More than a collection of beautiful objects, the Museum is a vital source of experiences and discoveries for visitors from around the world.
The Delaware Art Museum is at 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Friday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday: Closed. Adults (19-59) $12, Seniors (60+) $10, Students (with valid ID) $6, Youth (7-18) $6, and Children (6 and under) free. Admission fees are waived Thursdays 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. thanks to support from generous individuals. For more information, call 302-571-9590 or 866-232-3714 (toll free), or visit delart.org.
Always on view are the Museum's renowned collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art and the Museum's spectacular collection of American art and Illustration.
The Delaware Art Museum has announced a new interactive installation in Kids’ Corner, the children’s space on the Museum’s lower level. The installation—titled “Who Hears Twell Van Dunder” (Who here is 12 and under?)—fosters creative and imaginative play, hands-on exploration, and storytelling.
The new installation, an artist-made space designed and created by the New Jersey-based Smith family, has transformed Kids’ Corner into a colorful enchanted forest where visitors wander on paths winding around giant trees which contain tiny displays of magical places and original music by the Smiths. The installation also includes a shimmering, sequined fish pond where children can sit on lily pads and “fish” with magnetic poles; stool-sized mushrooms encircling a fabric campfire; and a plush bird’s nest perfect for curling up with a book. A gigantic sheepdog named “Twell Van Dunder”—the main character of this imagined space—greets children along the path. The walls of the space are covered with sunset murals and trees painted by the Smith children, Lilly, Ida, and Lukas. Tiered seating is available in the back of the room, where the Museum’s popular Friday morning story-time program, Glory of Stories, takes place.
“Who Hears Twell Van Dunder” is the latest installation in the Family-in-Residence program, which invites local families to conceptualize, design, and install the entire Kids’ Corner space. The Smiths also created the beloved 2017 installation “Lenny the Ice Cream Man,” which included a life-size ice cream truck, giant ice cream cushions, and an illustrated wall-magnet story.
“Who Hears Twell Van Dunder” is a two-year installation that will be open until summer 2021. It is open to the public during regular visitor hours.
About Kids’ Corner
The Museum’s interactive children’s space, now known as Kids’ Corner, was created in 1987 when the Museum opened a new wing. The space was significantly refreshed during the Museum’s 2005 expansion. The Family-in-Residence program, begun in 2016, is the first known program of its kind at an art museum with a children’s space. So far, the Museum has hosted four Family-in-Residence installations, including: Kaleidoscope Cove by the Volta Family, Lenny the Ice Cream Man by the Smith Family, and Creative Power by the Silverman Family. Families interested in applying for a future Family-in-Residence program can email Saralyn Rosenfield at srosenfield@delart.org.
For more information about the Kids’ Corner installation, or to request images, please contact Cynthia Smith at csmith@delart.org or 302-351-8514.
Location: Delaware Art Museum | 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806
Can rocks ring like a bell? How did Limestone Road get its name? What rock was once used as an ingredient to make chocolate? Visitors to the Delaware Museum of Natural History can learn the answers to these questions and more in a new outdoor display titled Delaware Rocks!
Located under a canopy of Willow Oaks between the upper and middle parking lots of the Museum, Delaware Rocks! showcases 14 large boulders - all from Delaware - within a garden-like setting of perennial groundcovers, grasses, ferns and flowers. Interpretive panels highlight the formation and historic significance of these geologic time capsules.
Delaware Rocks! is the culmination of more than a year of planning, design, and development between Museum staff and local experts from the Delaware Mineralogical Society and the Delaware Geological Survey.
The display includes:
Sillimanite (Delaware's state mineral)
Pegmatite
Gabbro
Brandywine Blue Gneiss
Barley Mill Gneiss
Baltimore Gneiss
Iron Hill Ore and Chert (2)
Cockeysville Marble (2)
Ringing Quartzite (2)
Quartzite (2)
At each interpretive panel, facts about the rocks provide context and background. Baltimore gneiss, for example, is the oldest rock in Delaware and underlies all of the other rocks. At over 1.2 billion years old, it was part of the ancient continent existing before the Appalachian Mountains began to form.
WHERE: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
MORE INFO: Visit www.delmnh.org or call (302) 658-9111
Live Table Games Plus 2,500 Slot Machines and Simulcasting - Delaware Park Casino, Racetrack & Golf
Invention Convention - Hagley Museum & Library
Restaurant Week - Downtown Newark
Orchid Extravaganza - Longwood Gardens
Winterthur Reopens for Guided Tours
The Sewell C. Biggs Furniture Forum -
Winterthur, Museum, Garden & Library
March Bank Blooms - Winterthur
Delaware Home Show - Chase Center on the Riverfront
Barrels on the Brandywine - Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
St. Patrick's Day Parade - Downtown Wilmington
Shrimp Feast - Middletown
Wilmington Winter Bluegrass Festival -
Crowne Plaza Wilmington North
International Orchid Show & Sale - Longwood Gardens
Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon & 5K Run/Walk - Wilmington
Annual Wine & Dine Downtown - Newark
Spring Blooms - Longwood Gardens
Auburn Heights Easter Egg Hunt - Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights
Kuerner Farm Tours- Chadds Ford, PA - Brandywine River Museum
N.C. Wyeth Home & Studio Tours - Chadds Ford, PA - Brandywine River Museum
Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball Season Opening Night - Frawley Stadium
Colonists' Day - Fort Christina Park
Meals from the Masters Weekend - Wilmington
Earth Day Festival - DuPont Environmental Education Center
City Restaurant Week - Downtown Wilmington
Annual Herb Festival & Sheep Shearing Day - Greenbank Mills
Nature Fest - Hagley Museum & Library
Annual Wildflower Celebration - Mt. Cuba Center
Nemours Mansion & Gardens Reopens for Tours
May Day Nature Walk - Hagley Museum & Library
Arasapha Garden Club May Market: Spring Plant, Herb & Flower Sale - Historic New Castle
Kalmar Nyckel Sailing Season
Wilmington Garden Day
Fort Delaware Reopens
Historic Autos - Winterthur
Point-to-Point Steeplechase Races - Winterthur
Wilmington Flower Market-Rockford Park - Wilmington
Family Fun Kids Fest & Helicopter Rides - American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
Annual Wildflower, Native Plant & Seed Sale -
Brandywine River Museum
Live Thoroughbred & Arabian Horse Racing -
Delaware Park Casino, Racetrack & Golf
Mother's Day Express - Wilmington & Western Railroad
Christiana Care Health System Delaware Marathon Running Festival Marathon, Half Marathon, 4 Person Relay Team
Wilmington Grand Prix & Gran Fondo
A Day in Old New Castle
Radnor Hunt Races - Radnor Hunt Club
Annual Memorial Day Parade - Downtown Newark
Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon - Delaware City
Festival of Fountains - Longwood Gardens
Fireworks & Fountains Shows - Longwood Gardens
Antiques Show - Brandywine River Museum
NASCAR Races - Dover International Speedway
Friday Nights Under the Stars - Polo Field in Toughkenamon, PA-Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
Wine & Jazz Festival - Longwood Gardens
Newark Day - Downtown Newark
Steamin' Sunday - Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights
Greek Festival - Trinity Church in Wilmington
Brandywine Food & Wine Festival - Myrick Conservation Center/Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
Separation Day - Historic New Castle
Light: Installations by Bruce Munro - Longwood Gardens
Prisoner of War Weekend - Fort Delaware
St. Anthony's Italian Festival
Delaware Chamber Music Festival
Enchanted Summer Day - Winterthur
FatherFest - American Helicopter Museum and Education Center
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival - Downtown Wilmington
Canal Fest - Chesapeake City
Big Bang Barbecue Weekend - Brandywine Wine Trail
Fourth of July Fireworks - University of Delaware Athletic Complex in Newark
Old Fashion Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park
Delaware Shakespeare Festival - Rockwood Mansion Park
Wilmington Beer Week
Delaware City Day & Fireworks Display - Delaware City
Delaware Handicap Race -
Delaware Park Casino, Racetrack & Golf
Best of Delaware Party - Dover Downs Hotel
Peoples' Festival, Annual Tribute to Bob Marley in Tubman - Garrett Riverfront Park
Annual Food & Brew Fest - Downtown Newark
Riverfront Blues Festival-Tubman - Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman Fine Craft Fair -
Chase Center on the Riverfront
Osun Festival - Brandywine Park
Garden Festivus - Read House in Historic New Castle
Brandywine Bike Tour
Peach Festival - Middletown
August Quarterly - Various Locations in Wilmington
New Castle Antiques Show - Historic New Castle
Arden Fair
Hispanic Festival - Wilmington Riverfront
Brandywine Festival of the Arts-Josephine Park in Wilmington
Autumn's Colors - Longwood Gardens
Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square
Chadds Ford Days in Chadds Ford
OktoberFest - Delaware Saengerbund in Newark
Canal Fest - Delaware City
Revolutionary War Reenactment - Brandywine Creek State Park
Hagley Car Show - Hagley Museum & Library
Newark Film Festival in Newark Cinema Center 3
Polish Festival - Wilmington Riverfront
WilmFilm Festival - Delaware Art Museum
Delaware Dines Out
Fringe Festival - Downtown Wilmington
NASCAR Race Weekend - Dover Downs International Speedway
Harvest Festival - Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
Taste of Newark - Old College Lawn on U of D Campus
Art on the Green - Historic New Castle
Rocktoberfest - Middletown
Delaware Auto Show - Chase Center on the Riverfront
Annual Kitchen to Garden Tour - Historic New Castle
Harvest Moon Festival - Ashland Nature Center
Vendemmia da Vinci Wine Festival - Tubman Garrett Park in Wilmington Riverfront
Rotor Fest - American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
Festival in the Country - Dansko Fair Hill International
Hagley Craft Fair
Hauntings in History Walking Tours - Historic New Castle
Trick or Treat on Main Street - Downtown Newark
Chrysanthemum Festival - Longwood Gardens
Delaware Antiques Show - Winterthur at Chase Center on the Riverfront
WRC Fall Fest - Market Street
Holiday Tours at Nemours
Historic Odessa's Holiday Celebration
Main Street Christmas & Parade - Middletown
Yuletide - Winterthur
Herr's Light Display
A Longwood Christmas
Christmas at Hagley
A Brandywine Christmas - Brandywine River Museum
Christmas in Odessa
Holiday Open House - Brandywine Valley Wine Trail
Winterfest - Downtown Newark
Spirit of Christmas - Historic New Castle
New Castle by Candlelight Tours- Historic New Castle
Festive Foods - Historic Houses of Odessa
Sankta Lucia Celebration - Old Swedes Church
Candlelight Tours - Historic Houses of Odessa
Plan your visit around one of these major events. Please contact the venue for dates/details as events may change without notice.
Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, 100 West 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801-1661; 302-652-4088. www.visitwilmingtonde.com.
Brandywine Conference & Visitors Bureau, 1501 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063, 800-343-3983. www.brandywinecvb.org.
Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau, 300 Greenwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 484-770-8550. www.brandywinevalley.com.
As the only natural history museum in the state, the Delaware Museum of Natural History opened its doors in 1972 to excite and inform people about the natural world through exploration and discovery. The Museum houses Delaware's only permanent dinosaur display, surrounded by exhibits of mammals, more than 2 million shells, 119,000 bird specimens, plus the Museum cares for world-renowned scientific collections of mollusks and birds, including one of the top-fifteen mollusk collections in the United States.
We loved watching children sharpening their five senses in the interactive Discovery Room, and then stepped outside to trek the scenic nature trail and butterfly garden. Exhibits change several times per year to highlight different facets of the natural world, and nature films complement these exhibits and run all day. There are also special events - Dino Days in December, and others. There are also special programs, including camps where kids have fun discoveries at summer, winter and holiday camps, tours and outreaches for schools and community organizations, scouts where groups meet patch and badge requirements at Scout Saturdays, Overnights and Late Nights, as well as Young Explorers - children age 2 and up use their senses to learn about nature while making new friends.
The museum has something for all ages and is not to be missed.
Location: Five miles north of downtown Wilmington at 4840 Kennett Pike (Rte 52).
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Sunday - Noon to 4:30 p.m.
Closed New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
An admission is charged but is free for members and children age 2 and ounger.
Free parking is available, and has level or ramped access to all public areas.
For more information contact the Museum at 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807, phone 302-658-9111 or check web site www.delmnh.org.
Greater Wilmington’s newest addition is Go Ape! This exciting outdoor adventure course features 4 zip lines that travel through the treetops high above a 200-acre pond. The 2-3 hour zip line course includes a challenging series of Tarzan swings, rope ladders, bridges and trapezes. Go Ape! is located off Interstate-95 in Lums Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware just a short drive from Downtown Wilmington and the Philadelphia suburbs.
President Obama created the First State National Monument in March, 2013 and Russell Smith, Superintendent of the First State National Monument, feels that the name causes quite a bit of confusion. Smith explains that the term “National Monument” is applied to any National Park established by the President using the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906. The First State National Monument joins Fort Sumter, Bandelier and Colorado National Monuments. Its mission is to highlight the crucial role Delaware played in the birth of the nation from the first settlement in Lewes to the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. Unlike other National Monuments, First State National Monument currently encompasses 3 locations: Woodlawn, which is a 1,100 acre tract of land north of Wilmington, the Old Courthouse Museum and Sheriff’s House in Historic New Castle and Dover Green. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/frst.
The Museum opened its doors to the public in 1972. Its mission is "to excite and inform people about the natural world through exploration and discovery," and is the only natural history museum in the state. While there, I found it appeals to all ages who receive educational and enriching experiences. I watched as young children's eyes popped wide open when they spotted the huge dinosaur, learned how eggs vary in size from the tiniest to those unbelievably huge, and spent a long time checking out the animal displays while their parents read the display's legend. As I walked along viewing the exceptional displayed exhibits, I paused when I got to the barrier reef -- for it was underfoot and I didn't know if the glass beneath my feet would support my weight. It did . . .and was one of the most unique displays I've ever seen. The bird collection is amazing; at 118,000 specimens, and 36,000 nests stored at the Museum, it is one of the largest collections in the nation. And, if that isn't rare, the Museum's collection of more than 2 million mollusks ranks among the top 10 in the United States!
You'll feel as though you're actually touring part of Africa in the African Watering Hole, or are at the beach discovering new shells at the Shell Gallery. No matter how old or young you are, you'll surely love learning where chipmunks sleep, what eagles feed their young, and much more, while exploring the hidden habitats and dwelling into the secret lives of forest animals. The beautiful murals - with images of wildflowers, blue herons, butterflies, and rabbits -- transported me to a grassy meadow where I followed four winding sets of animal tracks, and discovered which animals left them. The animal sounds added to my pleasure and education.
In addition, movies are shown in the Auditorium throughout the day, and the Discovery Room provides a fun, hands-on, environment for children to discover the natural world for themselves.
Don't leave without going on the Outdoor Scavenger hunt starting at the Boar Fountain. Actually created for children, I noticed how interested I and other adults were looking for the 'hidden' creatures on the museum's grounds. Everyone is encouraged to rub the boar's nose for good luck before tracking down the 8 lounging lizards hi8ding out under the leaves and in the open, the big toad, 14 snails, 7 crabs in different sizes, 9 frogs hiding around the boar, a snake, huge turtle, 2 tiny mice, and a bumble bee.
The Delaware Museum of Natural History is excited to introduce "Book in the Nook" storytimes every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Nature Nook, featuring themed children's books focusing on nature, science, and more.
The Nature Nook is a special place for young children to enjoy hands-on fun at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Children and their parents can experience science and nature up-close with interactive games, educational activities, and live animal demonstrations by the Museum's skilled docents.
"Book in the Nook" storytimes provide children even more opportunities to learn about science and nature at the Museum. Children and their parents can enjoy a featured children's book each week with themes based on the Museum's current special exhibit, science, nature, and more. In addition, science themes are explored throughout the year with hands-on activities and instruction from the Museum's docents and Education staff.
"The Nature Nook is a treasure for young children to engage with the world around them in a hands-on way," said Executive Director Halsey Spruance. "Our hope is that 'Book in the Nook' storytimes will allow children to expand on the knowledge they've gained and better understand the remarkable world outside their doors."
The Nature Nook is specially designed for children ages 2 through 10, and the space promotes interaction between children and their parents or caregivers, which is an important aspect of early childhood learning. Trained educators, docents, and volunteers facilitate educational interactions and provide children with an opportunity to learn about the world around them in a hands-on way. Interactive activities transport children inside a cave, stream, meadow, and woodland to explore wildlife and habitats using simple tools and their senses.
WHAT: Book in the Nook Storytimes.
WHERE: Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
DATE: Every Wednesday
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
ADMISSION: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children (3-17), FREE for children 2 and younger. FREE for museum members.
MORE INFO: For more information, visit www.delmnh.org or call 302-658-9111.
The Delaware Museum of Natural History recently unveiled dramatic interpretation for its giant squid model, on display in the Museum's entryway. The Giant Squid Kiosk, comprised of hands-on display panels including a basketball to represent the approximate size of a giant squid's eye, provides interpretation for the first thing Museum visitors encounter as they walk through the front doors. For several years, the giant squid model has hung from the ceiling of the Museum's entrance, but until now has not had any interpretation to accompany this remarkable display.
Giant squids (Architeuthis sp.) are the largest invertebrates alive on Earth today and until as recently as 2006, had never been photographed alive. The display includes the only-known image of a live giant squid, taken by Japanese scientist Dr. Tsunemi Kubodera of the National Science Museum in Tokyo. Although giant squids can reach lengths of up to 18 m (59 ft.), the model on display at the Museum a more typical size of 9.7 m (32 ft.) long.
The Giant Squid Kiosk is on permanent display at the Museum and in addition to the basketball representation of a giant squid's eye, includes a 3D model of a giant squid club (a series of suckers on the squids tentacles), a flip book of various types of squid and their relative size to humans, and a dissection model illustrating the various parts of a squid. This display serves as a complement to the range of other animals available for visitors to explore at the Delaware Museum of Natural History.
HOURS: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 12-4:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: $9 for adults, $7 for children (3-17), $8 for seniors, FREE for children 2 and younger. FREE for museum members.
MORE INFO: Visit www.delmnh.org or call (302) 658-9111.
Fall Highlights at Brandywine Valley Gardens, Museums, and Historic Sites
Foliage, art exhibits, family activities, and unique events create an awesome autumn in the Brandywine Valley. Highlights are below; visit BMGA member institutions' websites for more details.
The Museum has many other events this autumn, including a top-notch Craft Fair, the Golden Pheasants Seagram's Tasting, and All-American Day with a 19th-century baseball game.
Longwood's Garden Railway, a whimsical display set into motion with G-scale model trains. The railway will delight all ages with custom trains chugging along 450 feet of charmingly landscaped track in and out of tunnels, past water features, and over bridges—including one that's 17 feet long and 12 feet high. The littlest conductors will enjoy a special section installed at their eye level.
For more information, go to web site http://brandywinetreasures.us4.list-manage.com.
Brandywine Museums and Gardens Alliance
c/o Delaware Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19806
The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as the community's customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors.
-- www.nemoursmansion.org), the historic home of Alfred I. duPont, continues to dazzle visitors since it reopened in 2008 after its extensive restoration. This unique architectural and landscape jewel, with formal gardens, fountains, artwork, and sculpture, has been returned to the glory of its turn-of-the-twentieth-century magnificence. Admission: $15. Reservations highly recommended for individuals and required for groups.
-- www.winterthur.org) celebrates the culture of wine in a major new exhibition, Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition, a joyous celebration of objects and imagery created in response to society’s love of wine features more than 300 objects, nearly all from Winterthur’s collections. Tickets are on sale for Winterthur's 34th Annual Point-to-Point Steeplechase. Enjoy nonstop excitement as the culinary arts come hoof to hoof with elite horse racing. Two nationally acclaimed Delaware chefs—Dana Herbert (Next Great Baker) and Jennifer Behm (Master Chef)—serve up cooking demonstrations, tastings, and more. For details and to purchase tickets, or call 302-888-4994.
Stroll through a field covered with evocative glowing lights. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the studio where an American art icon painted for more than sixty years. Enjoy the old-fashioned fun of an ice cream social. Tap your toes to Civil War era music! These are just a few of the unforgettable opportunities that await visitors to Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance attractions this summer.
The Museum also announces that the Andrew Wyeth Studio in Chadds Ford, where the artist painted many of his most important works from 1940 through 2008, has undergone careful restoration and will be open for guided tours. Visitors will see where the artist worked and will learn about his creative process. Wyeth's library, photos, film collection, fencing gear, military miniatures collection, and costumes are among the many fascinating objects that add to this glimpse into his private world. Cost is $8 in addition to Museum admission. Details at www.brandywinemuseum.org or call 610-388-2700.
Experience Longwood Gardens in a whole new Light! through the imaginative art of Bruce Munro, British artist and light designer, never before seen in the United States, this debut exhibition illuminates the gardens with large-scale, site-specific light installations. Wander through a field of light reminiscent of flowers, discover a meadow of glowing towers that change hues, and delight in a shower of cascading raindrops fashioned from delicate lights as you are immersed in a unique garden experience. Indoors and outdoors, during the day and in the evening, Light! will change the way you see gardens. Timed admission tickets are required.Buy tickets online, in the Visitor Center, or by phone at 610-388-1000 (additional fees apply for phone orders).
The Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance promotes the art, culture, history, and beauty of the Brandywine Valley, and provides a central resource for journalists. For more information, visitwww.brandywinetreasures.org or contact Molly Keresztury, 302-351-8515; mkeresztury@delart.org.
Besides the 'eats' at Dogfish, there are regularly scheduled events.
For the past ten years, the restaurant's goal has been to bring guests an original experience. From pizzas, steaks and seafood grilled over oak and hickory logs, to a complete line of original Dogfish Head ales and spirits, it's a place where you can relax, enjoy great food & drink, listen to live, original music, and have a good time with your friends or family. On the evening I was there, my partner and I found the hamburgers gigantic, but overdone. However, our friends couldn't get over the unusual pizzas, which they passed around the table and were, indeed, delicious. So were the huge onion rings - nice and crispy with just the right amount of batter.
Dogfish also offers free Wi-Fi and is located at 320 Rehoboth Ave.
Located on Front Street in the quaint town of Leipsic, this tavern is indeed unique. Whether you are alone, with a friend or a group, you'll be accommodated at a table not set with a linen tablecloth, but with newspaper. And, you'll enjoy having a roll of paper towels at your disposal - because if you're like me, you'll be making a mess after ordering the restaurants specialty dishes ranging from soft shell crabs, clams, and the yummiest crab cakes I've ever tasted. Get your favorite dishes deep fried or steamed and wash it down with beer on tap or bottled, wine, or a variety of sweet teas and sodas. The house drink is Candied Crab - a frozen amaretto sour with Grenadine, so that should tell you a little about how different this place is! As a bonus, it's on the waterfront with great views of the fishing boats.
Warning: Credit cards aren't accepted and no one under 21 is allowed inside.
For reservations call 302-674-9724.
Great seafood, ambiance and service, and for those who love Soft Shell Crabs, this is the place.
Located at 101 South Market Street, Wilmington, De. 19801