It’s almost time to ring in 2017 in Delaware, and there’s still so much I wish I had done in 2016! I can’t believe the year is almost over, but now it’s time to think about all of the amazing adventures I’ll have in Delaware next year. Which of these incredible places will you also explore?
- Travel back in time at Jessop’s Tavern, New Castle
Facebook / Jessop’s Tavern Start off 2017 in Delaware like you would have started off 1717 at Jessop’s, where the 300 year old building hosts a themed restaurant and serves colonial fare. 114 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720
- Go Ape! At Lums Pond
Flickr / Mandy Jansen Climb through the trees and swing on ziplines for the thrill of a lifetime at Lums Pond State Park. If you’re a thrillseeker, you’ve got to check this out in 2017.1068 Howell School Rd, Bear, DE 19701
- Tour the first DuPont Home at the Hagley museum.
Flickr / Ron Cogswell One of the coolest things to do in Delaware is to visit the first DuPont Home in America at Hagley. Learn all about how Delaware’s “first family” started off, and how they made their mark on our state.200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807
- Treat yourself to a meal at The Green Room
Facebook / The Green Room 2016 was rough for everyone, so start 2017 in Delaware off with an amazing gourmet meal at the fanciest Delaware restaurant, the Green Room at the Hotel DuPont. 11th & Market Street, Rodney Square, Wilmington
- Visit Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes
Flickr / Steve Snodgrass The most beautiful Delaware beaches surround the cape, and the stunning Cape Henlopen State Park allows you the best access to clean sand and clear water in Delaware.15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
- Enjoy the incredible 3 Palms Zoo, Clayton
Facebook/ 3 Palms Zoo This hidden gem of a Zoo is located in Clayton, and it’s an amazing place to bring your family. They’ve got a great array of wild animals, and every single one of them is a rescue.924 Blackbird Forest Rd Clayton, DE 19938
- Play lawn games and eat dinner at The Backyard, Milton
Google Local - The Backyard The Backyard in Milton is one of the most unique restaurants in Delaware. When the weather’s nice, you can hang out in the yard and play lawn games like cornhole in between bites of some of my favorite Delaware food.211 Broadkill Rd, Milton, DE
- See the Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba, Hockessin
Facebook / Mt. Cuba Center Every April, the Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin comes alive with stunning wildflowers, as part of their spring celebration! It’s always a welcome treat after a cold winter has gone by. 3120 Barley Mill Road Hockessin, DE 19707
- All aboard a Wilmington and Western Railcar
Facebook / Wilmington and Western Railroad The Wilmington and Western Railroad is certain to put on some of the best events of 2017 in Delaware. Whether it’s their dinner train, fireworks spectacular or their fall foliage ride, grab your ticket and hop on board. Learn all about their events here.
- Eat in the Middle of Nowhere
Facebook / Boondocks Boondocks in Smyrna is one of the best crabshacks in the state - and it’s in the middle of a cornfield. Trust us, though, the food and the Swamp Water that they serve up make this a trip worth taking.825 Lighthouse Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Explore the trails of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark.
Flickr / Gwirth Some of the best Delaware scenery is in White Clay Creek State Park, but not many people know about the oasis outside of Newark. Be sure to put this on your list of places to explore throughout 2017 in Delaware. You’ll love the Boundary Trail and the Nature Center, so start there.750 Thompsons Station Road, Newark, DE 19711
- Tiptoe through the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur
Facebook / Winterthur Museum The most enchanting place in Delaware is right at Winterthur, where fairies and elves (and one troll!) have taken over acres of the gardens for their own fairy trail. Visit with children, or with your friends. It’s really a magical experience. 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Wilmington, DE 19807
- Hang out at a drag show at Blue Moon
Facebook / Blue Moon Rehoboth Because, what else are you going to do when it’s too cold to walk on the sand? Rehoboth Beach puts on amazing drag shows - I love the one at Blue Moon. Enjoy gourmet food and an unforgettable performance here four nights a week. 35 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Find peace in Delaware’s tiny fishing village, Bowers.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie Ahh… peace and quiet are hard to find nowawdays, but walk the streets of Bowers Beach and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into an era where life was simple and nobody cared if you left them on open. Plus, catch up with a Mariner and score yourself some fresh fish, right out of the water. That’s something special.
- Make friends with a ghost at Fort Delaware
Facebook / Fort Delaware The creepiest place in Delaware is the incredibly haunted, incredibly historic Fort Delaware. Read about their ghost tours and paranomal happenings, then schedule a visit for yourself.
- Get greasy at Gus and Gus, Rehoboth Beach
Facebook / Gus and Gus This iconic Delaware landmark needs to make your list of meals to eat in 2017 in Delaware, and it should have made your 2016 list, your 2015 list, your 2014 list… every list way back to 1956, when they first opened up shop on the Boardwalk.
One of my Delaware New Year’s Resolutions is to take the Ultimate Delaware Foodie Road Trip. What are yours?
Facebook / Jessop’s Tavern
Start off 2017 in Delaware like you would have started off 1717 at Jessop’s, where the 300 year old building hosts a themed restaurant and serves colonial fare. 114 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720
Flickr / Mandy Jansen
Climb through the trees and swing on ziplines for the thrill of a lifetime at Lums Pond State Park. If you’re a thrillseeker, you’ve got to check this out in 2017.1068 Howell School Rd, Bear, DE 19701
Flickr / Ron Cogswell
One of the coolest things to do in Delaware is to visit the first DuPont Home in America at Hagley. Learn all about how Delaware’s “first family” started off, and how they made their mark on our state.200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807
Facebook / The Green Room
2016 was rough for everyone, so start 2017 in Delaware off with an amazing gourmet meal at the fanciest Delaware restaurant, the Green Room at the Hotel DuPont. 11th & Market Street, Rodney Square, Wilmington
Flickr / Steve Snodgrass
The most beautiful Delaware beaches surround the cape, and the stunning Cape Henlopen State Park allows you the best access to clean sand and clear water in Delaware.15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
Facebook/ 3 Palms Zoo
This hidden gem of a Zoo is located in Clayton, and it’s an amazing place to bring your family. They’ve got a great array of wild animals, and every single one of them is a rescue.924 Blackbird Forest Rd Clayton, DE 19938
Google Local - The Backyard
The Backyard in Milton is one of the most unique restaurants in Delaware. When the weather’s nice, you can hang out in the yard and play lawn games like cornhole in between bites of some of my favorite Delaware food.211 Broadkill Rd, Milton, DE
Facebook / Mt. Cuba Center
Every April, the Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin comes alive with stunning wildflowers, as part of their spring celebration! It’s always a welcome treat after a cold winter has gone by. 3120 Barley Mill Road Hockessin, DE 19707
Facebook / Wilmington and Western Railroad
The Wilmington and Western Railroad is certain to put on some of the best events of 2017 in Delaware. Whether it’s their dinner train, fireworks spectacular or their fall foliage ride, grab your ticket and hop on board. Learn all about their events here.
Facebook / Boondocks
Boondocks in Smyrna is one of the best crabshacks in the state - and it’s in the middle of a cornfield. Trust us, though, the food and the Swamp Water that they serve up make this a trip worth taking.825 Lighthouse Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Flickr / Gwirth
Some of the best Delaware scenery is in White Clay Creek State Park, but not many people know about the oasis outside of Newark. Be sure to put this on your list of places to explore throughout 2017 in Delaware. You’ll love the Boundary Trail and the Nature Center, so start there.750 Thompsons Station Road, Newark, DE 19711
Facebook / Winterthur Museum
The most enchanting place in Delaware is right at Winterthur, where fairies and elves (and one troll!) have taken over acres of the gardens for their own fairy trail. Visit with children, or with your friends. It’s really a magical experience. 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52), Wilmington, DE 19807
Facebook / Blue Moon Rehoboth
Because, what else are you going to do when it’s too cold to walk on the sand? Rehoboth Beach puts on amazing drag shows - I love the one at Blue Moon. Enjoy gourmet food and an unforgettable performance here four nights a week. 35 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Ahh… peace and quiet are hard to find nowawdays, but walk the streets of Bowers Beach and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into an era where life was simple and nobody cared if you left them on open. Plus, catch up with a Mariner and score yourself some fresh fish, right out of the water. That’s something special.
Facebook / Fort Delaware
The creepiest place in Delaware is the incredibly haunted, incredibly historic Fort Delaware. Read about their ghost tours and paranomal happenings, then schedule a visit for yourself.
Facebook / Gus and Gus
This iconic Delaware landmark needs to make your list of meals to eat in 2017 in Delaware, and it should have made your 2016 list, your 2015 list, your 2014 list… every list way back to 1956, when they first opened up shop on the Boardwalk.
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