Delaware may be America’s second-smallest state, but it packs a surprising amount into a relatively tiny area. Known as “The First State” for being the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Delaware combines colonial history, Atlantic beaches, wildlife, small towns, and a few unique attractions that are easy to reach in a short trip.
Rehoboth Beach is probably the state’s best-known destination, but there is plenty more to explore beyond the coast. Wilmington has roots going back to early Swedish settlement, Dover offers the history of the state capital, Fort Delaware preserves an unusual island fortress, and the state’s wetlands and beaches support everything from bald cypress forests to the annual horseshoe crab migration.
Explore Wilmington
Wilmington grew near the site of one of the earliest Swedish settlements in the region, and parts of that history can still be found around the city today. Its redeveloped riverfront, Trolley Square, museums, parks, restaurants, and nightlife make it one of the easiest places to begin exploring Delaware.
Explore Trap Pond State Park
Trap Pond State Park offers one of Delaware’s most unusual natural landscapes. Its wetlands are filled with bald cypress trees, giving parts of the park an almost southern swamp-like appearance. Hiking, paddling, wildlife watching, and exploring the waterways make it a completely different experience from Delaware’s beaches and cities.
Explore the Horseshoe Crab Migration
Each spring, enormous numbers of horseshoe crabs come ashore along Delaware Bay to spawn. The migration is one of the state’s most unique wildlife events and also attracts huge numbers of migrating shorebirds that rely on the crab eggs for food.
Explore Dover
Dover is Delaware’s small and historic state capital. The city center contains government buildings, museums, and colonial-era sites that make it easy to explore on foot. Its compact size gives Dover a much different atmosphere from larger state capitals around the country.
Explore Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware is a massive 19th-century fortress built on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. Reached by ferry, the fort served as a defensive position and later as a prison during the Civil War. Today its isolated location, preserved fortifications, and history make it one of the state’s most unusual places to visit.
