Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Newark, Delaware

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Newark is a small “College Town” in Delaware known for its Great American streets, iconic eats, and festive downtown.

Its outskirts boast miles of forest trails, immersive parks, and historic sites, including the 18th-century mansion of Judge Morris.

Located 12 miles west-southwest of Wilmington, Newark is considered one of Delaware’s best places to visit. It offers a suburban ambiance with a diverse, welcoming community.

While considered a small city, Newark ranks as the third largest city in the state. It is home to the award-winning research school, the University of Delaware!

Newark also celebrates its culture through a calendar of community events and various downtown activities involving art, music, and performance.

The things to do and places to visit in Newark, Delaware, are eclectic and worth the drive! From quaint comic and jewelry shops to unique restaurants, there’s something for everyone in the city of “culture and class.”

You can ask the locals about more fun and exciting things you can do in the city. For now, peruse the following list of the best things to do and places to visit in Newark, Delaware!

Aunt Margaret’s Antique Mall

Just a little off the path of Newark’s main street, you can spot the quaint antique mall of Aunt Margaret.

Its two floors contain rare antiques, vintage, and primitive items with better prices than any antique stores in Delaware. Aunt Margaret’s Antique Mall offers a walk in the past with its diverse collection of “history and olden” items.

It’s almost magical walking into the mall’s rooms and individual booths. Each is filled with hard-to-find treasures, ranging from chest drawers and vintage furniture to jewelry and handstitched art.

You’ll never know what awaits you once you step foot in the mall. It could be the 60s and 70s type of craft or vintage kitchenware set. That’s what makes it the perfect place to buy a gift!

Whether looking for a missing item or a replacement piece to a set or collection, Aunt Margaret’s may have it.

With over 30 dealers, leaving without something to bring home is impossible. You could spend all day and not get sick of all the cool things to look at. Something shiny or catchy pops up from every corner.

People across the state do not mind driving to Newark to shop at Aunt Margaret’s Antique Mall. Their incredible staff helps make the best experience happen with excellent service and product recommendations.

Address: 294 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Axxiom Escape Rooms Newark

Delaware’s largest and first escape room brings “the best fun in town” with exciting and challenging entertainment.

Axxiom Escape Rooms deliver Newark, Delaware’s most technologically advanced and immersive architecture. It offers a top-tier experience that is challenging yet rewarding within multiple themed rooms with interesting storylines.

Unique on its own, every room has a touch of mystery and tradition. It requires a certain escape plan while racing against time.

Find your way out with the right puzzle-solving and pick up clues as you go! Bring a family, friend, or loved one to embark on a fun journey. Axxiom Escape Rooms is also a hit venue for special occasions, whether a birthday or corporate event.

Moreover, the escape room facility can tailor your experience to suit your event and taste. The Pirates Cove, Sorcerer’s Quest, and Christmas rooms are some of its top-rated rooms.

You can try another attraction on every visit with different levels of difficulty! The amount of craft and ideas put into every room are unmatched! You’ll first enter the room with absolutely no idea what’s coming. But your Game Masters will walk you through the important guidelines!

If you have what it takes, put your skills to the test and visit this premier destination in Newark, Delaware!

Address: 280 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Bob Carpenter Center

This multi-purpose arena, known as “The Bob,” is a venue for many concerts and events in Newark, Delaware.

Located on the University of Delaware campus, Bob Carpenter Center is home to Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens and women’s basketball. The 5,000-seat sports center is also a primary location for UD’s convocations, banquets, homecoming ceremonies, and more!

The Bob is an excellent arena offering no bad seats with wide concourses. It’s equipped with well-maintained facilities, from the main arena and comfortable seating to multiple restrooms, concessions, and convenient parking.

In addition, the 20,000-square-foot arena has a unique setup with good acoustics and lighting but is overall easily accessible.

New additions to The Bob are the two full-size basketball courts and an entrance plaza in 2010.

Catch an event at the Bob Carpenter Center, whether a sports event, concert, comedy show, WWF wrestling, or graduation! It can accommodate any type of event without compromising quality and comfort.

Bring your family or friends and enjoy a wide selection of food, drinks, and great concession stand accommodations.

Bob Carpenter Center gives justice to every show and event, giving the audience a full experience.

Address: 631 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716, United States

Christiana Mall

Experience tax-free shopping in Newark with lots of affordable and quality options!

With over 130 shopping stores, Christiana is your ultimate shopping and dining destination in Newark, Delaware. Conveniently located off of I-95, the mall houses your favorite big brands like Sephora, Mac, Pandora, H&M, and more!

It offers many restaurant and fast-food chain options, including Popeye’s, The Grill, Rubi Thai, Chick-Fil-A, and Master Wok. You can stop by Starbucks, Cinnabon, or Jamba Juice for pastries, coolers, and refreshments!

Head to Cinemark in Christiana Mall’s premises near the Cabela for fun family entertainment. The 17-screen cinema theatre is Newark’s motion picture exhibitor, where you can comfortably watch upcoming movies.

Christiana Mall is northern New Castle County’s “super-regional” shopping center attracting over 20 million visitors every year. It was named after basketball player Charles Barkley’s daughter.

A combination of individual and anchor stores, Christiana Mall offers a diverse shopping experience in the Delaware Valley area. It’s every shopaholic’s happy place, especially for its large size with many offerings.

You can guarantee well-maintained and sanitized facilities as you stroll. The complexes are also strategically organized, not making you feel lost.

It’s the place for residents wanting to get out of the house or travelers looking forward to shop. There’s always something for you to do and stores to visit in Christiana Mall!

Address: 132 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE 19702, United States

Fred Rust Ice Arena

Enjoy sports on ice in Delaware’s ice arena on the University of Delaware campus.

Fred Rust Ice Arena is a multi-purpose, Olympic-sized arena that offers multiple ice sports and recreation in Newark, Delaware.

Formerly known as “The Blue Arena,” Fred Rust is home to the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens ice hockey team. It’s also home to UD’s Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating Clubs.

Although the facility is mainly used for professional ice sports, it also accommodates public skating sessions and private events. The rink is consistently commended for being well-maintained and clean after many uses!

Burn some calories and enjoy a family weekend at Fred Rust Ice Arena. This attraction gets crowded mostly on winter breaks or holidays. This is an exciting indoor activity, especially when outdoor recreation at the time is no fun.

You can purchase admission online or on the ticket window at varying rates.

If you only pass through Newark without skating equipment, the facility will happily rent you one. Lace it up and skate away the stress on the smooth-surfaced ice rink with the other skaters!

You can also enjoy plenty of freestyle options or ask for coaching assistance. The music and colorful lights are dramatic additions to the fantastic facility!

Address: 549 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716, United States

Glasgow Regional Park

Explore a country park with everything you need for outdoor recreation within Newark’s scenic woodland!

Glasgow Regional Park is a lovely park with a 4.2-km paved walking path following a loop trail. The route is generally easy to get to; you can easily complete it in over 45 minutes. With approximately 8 feet wide paved asphalt, the park provides dog walking, hiking, and biking opportunities.

Open 365 days a year, Glasgow Regional Park offers the best nature view in Newark, Delaware. It features a fenced dog park, skate bowl, bank barn, and fishing pond. It also has several playgrounds to enjoy family recreation and kids’ play.

Moreover, the park houses basketball and tennis courts, pavilion rentals, and a sledding hill. Glasgow also holds the annual Farmer’s Market featuring local vendors up for good bargaining!

Check out a few stands carrying various Newark products, including fresh produce, baked goods, and homemade crafts!

Glasgow is popular with visitors from the mass it attracts, besides being the only park in the area.

Nonetheless, it’s a great park with high peaks but can still accommodate a crowd with its multiple amenities and spaces.

Spend some peaceful time with nature without having to spend money. The drive to Glasgow Regional Park does not take that much gas, either!

Address: 2275 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE 19702, United States

Grain Craft Bar & Kitchen

Meet and catch up with old friends at Grain Craft for fruitful conversation over upscale beer and food!

Grain Newark provides good times down Main Street with live music and entertainment, including Trivia Nights and Classic Bingo. Not a regular yet? This “rustic-chic gastropub” will make you one!

Enjoy well-crafted food, drinks, and excellent cocktails in the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor dining. The Grain Craft Bar & Kitchen serves in-house and seasoned dishes in generous portions to share with friends.

In addition, you won’t run out of flavors with the pub’s 24 craft beers on tap. Pair them with Grain Craft’s bestsellers, including Hangover Burger, Caesar Salad, Hula Bowl, Crab Cake Sandwich, and French Toast.

Finally, celebrate Newark heritage, where “local history meets modern American fare,” through shared experience within their welcoming space. Grain Craft’s inviting and casual atmosphere makes them “that neighborhood spot” in Newark, Delaware.

This American gastropub is also an excellent place for brunch and happy hour! Its location is conveniently near hotels and attractions, so it widens your dining options from hotel food to upscale dishes!

Address: 270 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Klondike Kate’s Restaurant & Saloon

Visit Delaware’s staple when it comes to world-famous nachos and cocktails in the heart of Newark!

Klondike Kate’s Restaurant & Saloon is your friendly neighborhood bar specializing in delicious homemade foods and American cuisine. Its homemade specialties include Angus burgers, chicken wings, and top-notch nachos.

The restaurant also makes the best salads and sandwiches on top of its healthy options.

Its circa-1880 building features a porch called “the spot,” perfect during spring or summer when the weather is lovely.

Enjoy a rustic vibe with the saloon’s vintage railroad station interior and casual atmosphere. This bar/restaurant is close to the University of Delaware, so it’s a usual hangout spot for alumni and students.

For daily entertainment in the heart of the city, Klondike Kate’s hosts live music and events. This includes Happy Hour, Quizzo, Karaoke, Music Video Bingo, and Icon DJs!

If you need a space to host a banquet, the restaurant houses the “Rockwell Room” for special occasions. Their private banquet rooms can accommodate small and large groups with a bar and stage.

Take a break from chores and relax at Klondike Kate’s place while listening to great tunes!

Before you leave, check out their gift store at the front desk for giftable items, merch, and gift cards!

Address: 158 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Liquid Alchemy Beverages

There’s no better place in northern Delaware to find the best honey-made wines and apple-based ciders than Liquid Alchemy.

Liquid Alchemy Beverages offers a premier little spot to taste award-winning handcrafted meads and cider just 20 minutes from Newark.

Using modern technology, Liquid Alchemy incorporates old and new-world techniques to make quality products like “magic in a bottle.” It’s a combination of meadery and cidery in one industrial building.

Their world-class mead flavors include Sweet-Nothing, Cosmo-Naughty, Pucker-Up-Baby, and Overly-Hoptimistic. Try their lineup of award-winning ciders In-Core-Rigible, First State Cider, and Cash-Ually-Hoptimistic!

Come to Liquid Alchemy Beverages and catch the Friday night “Koi On The Go” food truck for delicious treats! Their 5000-square-foot outdoor patio is perfect for hanging out with friends or family after a long day.

If you prefer indoor seating, their bar with multiple barrel tables and stools is your spot. The place is charmed with funky, Medieval-time decor, attracting locals and tourists alike.

Moreover, trying different mead and cider flights to find your local favorite wouldn’t hurt! If you’re not from the area, you might as well take home some flavors.

You can pick a few elements from every sip, such as fresh oranges and cherries, chili peppers, and other spices.

Don’t miss Delaware’s first meadery and cidery, the only ones you can find in New Castle!

Address: 28 Brookside Dr, Wilmington, DE 19804, United States

Milburn Orchards

Drive a little 10 minutes further from Newark to pick some fresh, plump apples (and more!)

There’s no bad time to “keep it local” and go apple-picking in Delaware’s apple-growing region except for non-Apple seasons.

Milburn Orchards is technically not in Delaware, but it’s only a little far north and generally easy to reach. Besides being a pick-your-own-apples orchard, Milburn also grows peaches, blueberries, and blackberries.

Every pick guarantees freshness, juiciness, and quality taste. They make the best apple cider and apple cider doughnuts in the area!

Milburn Orchards celebrates over 120 years of family tradition. It’s often listed as one of the best apple orchards in Delaware! Every family visit results in positive feedback for having well-maintained facilities and friendly staff.

Enjoy a slow afternoon, beautiful views, and delicious ice cream from the Orchard View Deck. Milburn serves light lunches, snacks, and flavorful desserts from Fridays through Sundays.

Milburn also features a farm-like “Big Backyard” where children and young at heart can play and make new friends!

You don’t want to miss the backyard’s fun happenings, including Milburn’s Fall Festival Weekends, Summer Pancake Breakfasts, and Harvest Parties! The orchard is also a hit on Easter Festival and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny.

Milburn Orchard has everything you need and more for quality time and family fun!

Address: 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD 21921, United States

Painting with a Twist

What could go wrong in a fun-filled night at Delaware’s best paint-and-wine spot?

Gather the gang and create memories at Painting with a Twist in Newark, Delaware. It’ll be your new favorite sanctuary to “sip, socialize, and create!”

This Newark art studio offers easy-to-follow art lessons and painting classes for individuals and groups. Painting with a Twist goes by the saying, “A little bit of paint, a little bit of wine, a whole lot of fun!”

You get this precisely while creating a new outlet through a unique art experience. Harness your inner artist with an apron, brush, and a glass of wine!

Each class lasts 2-3 hours and includes complimentary wine and beer. You can bring your food to snack on and get something solid with your beverages. You’ll work with the local pros who will guide you through the entire process (art supplies provided).

Don’t forget to bring a camera and occasionally document your art. You’ll take home an excellent piece for sure! Your creativity can’t get any more authentic than this.

Painting with a Twist offers a well-lit facility and comfortable space. In-studio events vary but often include Open Studio/Stencil Special, DIY candle, and Date Night.

They love to host private parties for special occasions like bachelorettes, baby showers, anniversaries, birthdays, holiday celebrations, or a simple girl’s night out! You don’t need a reason to request a private party room.

Address: 400 Suburban Dr, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Taverna

The heart of Newark, Delaware, houses tons of must-visit attractions, including the rustic Italian restaurant Taverna.

Inspired by Italy’s warm kitchens and watering holes, Taverna Newark brings a rural touch to its cooking style. They make the best coal-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, and world-famous Italian dishes!

The wood and brick-walled restaurant is a combination of sophisticated and simple. Its light and casual atmosphere earns it the “neighborhood gathering place” in the city. The restaurant includes an overstretched bar with a polished marble rest, adding the place a bold feature.

Family and friends choose Taverna for its delicious skillet and homemade pork sausages, main plates, pizza, and daily specials. Their “humble menu” is carefully curated to please every palate.

Moreover, the restaurant pours seasonal drinks, 18 draft beers, and the first wine on tap in the state! Their flavors vary from fruity and sweet to spicy and stronger flavors.

If you’re traveling through Newark and want an eye-rolling solo lunch, Taverna’s entree and main course selections got you! There are more than enough dishes and solid options to power you throughout the day.

Celebrate special occasions with their customized events, whether in your home or their venue. Taverna will bring your ideas to life that everybody will remember!

Address: 121 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, United States

University of Delaware

Join a tour of the University of Delaware campus in the “college town” of Newark!

Even before stepping into the University of Delaware, you can already tell what a college town exactly looks like. Newark’s main campus is one of the oldest universities in the US and is nationally ranked for excellence and performance.

UD’s location on Main Street is conveniently accessible to cafes, restaurants, and many shopping hubs.

Visit the award-winning faculty and buildings of the beautiful campus, including its cutting-edge labs and classrooms! Stroll the bricked walkways of its green space and know what life is like at the UD.

The University of Delaware promotes its “increasingly diverse population” and programs and degrees, ranking them higher among top public universities.

Feel free to have a leisurely stroll around the campus or a student-guided one for a more extensive tour. Learn about the school’s history, significant milestones, and the story behind each building and structure.

The UD community celebrates historical and traditional events, from a celebration of Women and Gender Studies to annual block parties!

Address: 210 S College Ave Newark, DE 19716, United States

White Clay Creek State Park

Discover the best trails in Delaware state park along White Clay Creek!

With more than 37 miles of hiking and biking trails, White Clay Creek State Park features a diverse trail system. Explore the paved trails and the park with historical Delaware monuments.

The heavily-stocked creek provides fishing opportunities and supports the river’s vegetation and spring wildflowers. Its flora along the “Wild and Scenic River” include mayapple, lily, spring beauty, and bloodroot.

Visit the state park’s Chambers House Nature Center for resources on the park and creek’s rich history. The creek trail per se provides a closer look at White Clay’s views and wildlife.

For more wildlife viewing opportunities, head to Bryan’s Field Trail, while more advanced trails for bikers include Post Mark’d West.

White Clay Creek is not only a widely known Delaware state park but the largest!

Play disc golf in the park’s 18-round course or enjoy brunch in one of their picnic spots. Its pavilion can host small to large parties for special occasions, perfect for a casual barbeque in a wooded space!

This local gem in the middle of Newark offers extensive park activities that create sentimental memories. Despite its location in a densely populated “college town,” you’ll experience a rural atmosphere, peace, and quiet.

Don’t leave your furry pets behind, and enjoy a morning stroll with scenic views in this Newark destination.

Address: Park Office, 750 Thompson Station Rd, Newark, DE 19711, United States

Xtreme Zone

Enjoy karting and axe throwing at Xtreme Zone’s state-of-the-art facility within New Castle.

Xtreme Zone is every thrill-seeker’s destination for high-adrenaline fun, including axe throwing, VR racing, and indoor karting! A new addition to their facilities is the Airsoft shooting gallery.

Originally a Delaware Indoor Karting facility, Xtreme Zone brings virtual reality and adrenaline rush recreation into New Castle. The 20-minute drive from Newark, Delaware, is worth ten-fold with its quarter-mile track Go-Kart and hundreds of virtual sports cars.

Toss your stress away along with the axe at Xtreme Zone’s new range with digitally-projected targets.

Other amenities in this attraction include a snack bar and catering services for any event. Xtreme Zone accommodates birthday parties, corporate events, bachelorettes, and family entertainment in a well-maintained space.

Moreover, facilities are tailored to any skill level, whether in a competitive mood or simply having a fun night. It also houses pool tables and arcade machines for light and fun games.

Established in 2005, first impressions do last at Xtreme Zone. Their friendly and fast service gets them wide reach. Visitors and locals alike enjoy everything it has to offer. Even its location is conveniently away from heavy traffic!

Visit Delaware’s indoor go-kart, axe throwing center (and more!) for a worthwhile drive!

Address: 4060 N Dupont Hwy Suite 11, New Castle, DE 19720, United States

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