There are endless things to do and places to visit in Delaware’s largest downtown and urban hub.
If you’re unsure how to spend a day in downtown Wilmington, you’ve come to the right page! It’s no surprise to be thrown off guard by the plethora of attractions and scenes that await in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington could be your next successful spontaneous getaway not far from major points in the Mid-Atlantic region. You’ll be waking up on the right side of the bed for being “Close to home, yet worlds away.”
Be amazed by the city’s beautiful rolling hills and southern beaches to new dining and urban scenes up north. It’s called “Greater Wilmington” for a thousand reasons than one!
This includes the city’s reputation as the best place to shop with its tax-free shopping!
Furthermore, get a piece of France in the city’s English countryside thanks to Delaware’s charming Chateau Country. Visit the historic mills and colonial hamlets along the Brandywine Valley of Old New Castle!
Get your Delaware spirit kicking with this list of things to do and places to visit in Wilmington, Delaware.
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Bardea Steak
A memorable trip starts with a delighted appetite which is what you’ll get exactly at Bardea Steak.
If you’re expecting an average Delaware steakhouse, you are favorably mistaken. Wilmington recently opened an Italian cuisine downtown with your favorite American protein.
Bardea Steak was featured as one of America’s most anticipated openings for its classic and contemporary style.
Bardea’s expansion in Wilmington was more than five years in the making to create an impact on the local community. As a result, the Italian restaurant beckons people into their store with much energy and delight.
Try various selections of beef cuts, whether off-cuts or custom-made ones, in the best steakhouse in town! Complement your Ribeye, Porterhouse, or Filet beef with their American-sourced wines and cocktails.
The restaurant also serves diverse, flavorful dishes with local ingredients from Delaware Valley farms. While it started its footing on traditional Italian flavors, Bardea started to venture into creating classic American dishes.
Enjoy the inviting and intimate ambiance in Wilmington’s authentic steakhouse and restaurant with excellent service from your friendly hostesses.
Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, date night, or casual family dinner, it’ll be your go-to location for a wonderful steak night!
Address: 608 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Big Fish Riverfront
What’s a better scene than dining at a riverfront with your favorite fresh seafood dishes?
Big Fish expands its location to Wilmington, Delaware, for the ultimate “Big Fish experience.” Once you see it, their place at Wilmington Riverfront couldn’t get any better.
Their riverfront space offers a casual dining atmosphere, served with first-class food. If you want to live on the edge and ditch seafood, Big Fish is all about spontaneity. Their general menu options attract hungry visitors who simply want something familiar and comfortable.
Try their hand-cut steak, signature pasta dishes, and house salads worth a chef’s kiss! Pair them with a great selection of cold beers, cocktails, or red and white wines. Lucky you, their food and drinks are reasonably priced and served in generous portions.
Enjoy a platter at their nice little booths within a comfortable, large space. On top of that, the view from the outside is just brilliant adjacent to the waterfront. Watch people row their boats across the river while some stroll along the Riverwalk.
Moreover, the seafood restaurant is conveniently located near stores and hotels, so it is seeing a crowd is typically easy.
Big Fish Riverfront is ready to provide exceptional service from brunch, dinner, and happy hour! It’s the “holy grail of seafood restaurants” in Delaware.
It’s safe to say that Wilmington’s dining scene wouldn’t be complete without classic seafood specials from Big Fish!
Address: 720 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Brandywine Creek State Park
Brandywine Creek offers the most natural, rugged experience of water and land recreation within the Northern region of Delaware.
Enjoy more than 14 miles of nature trails running through an old forest at Brandywine Creek State Park. It offers a primitive setting in a 933-acre green space for the whole family to explore.
Accessible from sunrise through sunset, there are plenty of things to do in the park. It’s known for its incredible birding opportunities and water recreation, such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or tubing.
Grey stone walls nestle within its picturesque meadows built from local stones of the 80s. It’s impossible to miss this iconic scene as you walk along the property (as well as the adorable chipmunks!)
The state park houses Delaware’s first two nature preserves – the Tulip Tree Woods and Freshwater Marsh. All four preserves in the park support Brandywine Creek’s habitats and abundant flora and fauna.
Its six hiking trails, Rocky Run Trail, being the longest, make a perfect hiking adventure. Discover the best trails, from easier to more strenuous ones, using a hand-curated map!
Originally a du Pont family estate, this wonderful Delaware state park is worth a stop when traveling through Wilmington. It also offers primitive camping, regular day camps, Summer Day camps, and nature and cultural programs.
Address: 41 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, United States
Brandywine Zoo
This Wilmington zoo sitting in the panoramic Brandywine Park is the only AZA-accredited Zoo in Delaware.
Although small in area, Brandywine Zoo is a safe, comfortable home to many common and endangered species. Its nearly 5-acre space houses tropical and temperate animals and some exotic ones, too.
Meet the zoo’s formerly neglected pet, Candace, an adorable capybara, now healthily living the best life! The zoo is also home to various species of lemurs, tamarins, tortoises, and porcupines.
Watch red pandas snack on their favorite bamboo branch or the world’s largest bird of prey – Andean Condors. Visit the zoo’s barnyard with domestic goats and chicken coops for a more interactive visit!
The short stroll offers a more intimate interaction with the animals and gets you to see them easily. The best times to visit are fall, winter, and cloudy days for less crowd. However, some tropical animals tend to be less visible on colder days below 50°F.
To get more in touch with nature in the heart of Wilmington, explore Brandywine zoo’s Nature Playground. This immersive space features fun giant logs to crawl through and stepping block logs to balance on.
There may be a few distractions from insects, bugs, and small birds, but they didn’t stop or harm anyone!
More learning opportunities await through various events and educational programs at the Brandywine Zoo.
You can read or borrow a book at the zoo’s Little Free Library as you leave!
Address: 1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802, United States
Daniel S Frawley Stadium
Baseball fans would want to visit Wilmington’s minor-league stadium and home to Wilmington Blue Rocks Minor League Baseball.
Originally known as the Legends Stadium, Daniel S Frawley Stadium is an athletic venue in Wilmington, Delaware. It also serves as a multi-purpose facility where hundreds of events are held annually.
Its calendar of events includes college and high school games and amateur baseball games. The public stadium is also popular for many concerts, corporate, and Wilmington nonprofit events.
Delaware Riverfront envisions a first-class sports facility in the state and brings it to life. The Frawley Stadium is now running 30 after it was built in 1993. Up to 70 games home games and playoffs have been hosted here each year since then.
Start exploring Wilmington’s Frawley Stadium with the Judy Johnson field! As Delaware’s only professional baseball facility, watching behind the scenes of the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ home field must be fun.
While getting to the stadium’s entrance is easy, you may have to harness navigation skills in the parking area.
The stadium’s comfortable seating will make you last through the game without any bad views and disruption. You’re lucky if you’re in the front row, as the proximity does make a difference!
With the Frawley Stadium’s convenient location, great seats, and friendly locals, you’ll feel more at home in Delaware!
Address: 801 Shipyard Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Delaware Art Museum
Peruse a large collection of pre-Raphaelite art and illustrations of native artist Howard Pyle at the Delaware Art Museum.
The museum was founded in 1912 in honor of Howard and 19th-21st century American art.
When passing through Wilmington, Delaware, check out some interesting museum happenings comprising art exhibitions, classes, and performances.
The museum features family-friendly programs, special exhibition tours, and a community-led book club. Delaware Art focuses on making sound conversations, friendly debates, and connecting with the arts and its artists.
Delaware Art also houses the 9-acre outdoor Copeland Sculpture Garden, an independent bookstore, and a Museum Store of unique collections. Take home whimsical pieces like sculptural jewelry, pottery, and limited edition items only found in this Wilmington museum!
Getting an empty stomach after a day of art stroll and education happens! Visit the museum’s neighborhood cafe for a “creatively curated” food and drink menu. While at it, greet fellow visitors and discuss your respective museum experience over a cup of coffee!
The things to do in Delaware Art don’t stop here. Join an audio tour of the museum’s permanent collections or get along with groups for a guided tour.
This is a place to meet diverse groups of art lovers and historians in one large, beautifully designed space.
Address: 2301 Kentmere Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19806, United States
Delaware Theatre Company
Make your trip to Wilmington memorable with a professional, high-quality show at Delaware Theatre Company.
This Christina riverfront theater is Delaware’s only theater to develop and produce new shows and talents for Broadway! It’s also the largest professional theater in the state and a “cornerstone” of Brandywine Valley’s art scene.
With a production of more than 220 plays, Delaware Theater made more than just a face in the state. It has established a stage of classic and contemporary plays witnessed by over a million patrons.
For nearly half a decade, Wilmington has echoed its rich history and beautiful Riverfront through Delaware Theater’s performances. Professional theater performers and directors from around New York and the country per se are drawn to put on a show.
Its expertise surrounds plays, musicals, children’s theaters, and new productions. The theater’s past productions include A Christmas Carol, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Saint Joan.
As Delaware’s producer of professional talents, the company features enriching programs, education, and community work. You’ll even see their volunteer staff do more than what’s necessary to create world-class shows.
Catch one of their seasonal shows and see what the fuss is about! Delaware Theater sold out five theatrical productions annually attended by people from across states.
First-time viewers call Delaware Theater a “local gem” and “could not have been any better!”
Address: 200 Water St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Grand Opera House
There are top ways to experience Delaware’s performing arts scenes. One is just inside the corners of the Grand Opera House!
You can easily spot this opulent, four-story 1871 building in Downtown Wilmington, Delaware. You can call it “The Grand” or “Masonic Hall and Grand Theater,” whichever you feel like it!
Historically, its building was designed in a highly eclectic Napoleon III-style Masonic temple and auditorium. Just like the eclectic design of its building, its shows are also diverse, from symphony orchestras to comedic skits.
Over the course of its “Grand” time, it hosted various operas and live performances, with over 100 of them each year.
For a large city like Wilmington, having the Grand Opera House as an asset is something else! Its different high-quality shows give justice to its incredible architecture. Its interior greatly complements its aura from the outside, with comfortable 1,208 seating.
Besides enjoying an authentic Delaware performance, the opportunity for learning extends to all audiences for a greater Wilmington. All people, young and old, can participate in The Grand’s educational outreach.
Moreover, the Grand Opera House joins the holiday season vibe with a drive-thru light show on the Wilmington Riverfront! Its participation in special occasions like this makes it a vital part of old-town traditions.
Address: 818 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Hotel Du Pont
Experience a “historic” stay at a luxury hotel in the heart of Wilmington, Delaware.
At first glance, you can already tell Hotel Du Pont is a deluxe hotel with a sprinkle of elegance and tradition. Despite its naturally lavish facade, Hotel Du Pont has a vibrant personality with many stories to tell!
From its stunning American Gilded Age architecture to impeccable accommodation, your stay at Hotel Du Pont is something you’ll never forget. Whether your visit is for corporate purposes or leisure, you can enjoy its luxe amenities just the same.
“Recharge in style” for another fulfilling day of adventure in Wilmington!
All rooms and corners are elegantly designed as “homage to the past,” dedication to the present, and buoyant to the future.
Among Hotel Du Pont’s finest details are its amazing woodwork and French and Italian-styled floors and hallways. The handmade chandeliers add to the magical, fairytale experience. You can never tell if you’re in a hotel or a palace!
Celebrate a special occasion or romantic weekend in one of America’s most historic hotels. You know where to go if you’re looking for a five-star luxury in downtown Wilmington!
Stepping inside the hotel is a travel back in time and an open book of many generations.
Address: 42 W 11th St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Nemours Estate
Named after a French town, “Nemours,” the Nemours Estate is a fine example of French neoclassical architecture in Wilmington, Delaware.
With the 77-room mansion as its centerpiece, the 200-acre country estate resembles an 18th-century French château.
The three-story house features beautiful rooms and an eclectic collection of antiques and furniture owned by the Du Pont family. Alongside its historical objects and tapestries are 16th-century artworks and paintings, ranging from works of European to American artists.
Moreover, it features the largest formal French garden in North America, also called Jardin à la française. This Wilmington landscape comprises individual gardens in the style of the Gardens of Versailles.
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the garden with fountains and statues in the beautifully-lawned spaces – just beyond fabulous! It’s like walking into Paris, France, without leaving Delaware.
It also houses an incredible collection of vintage Rolls-Royces and automobiles in the estate’s Chauffeur’s Garage.
Learn more about Nemours Estate’s history with your friendly and knowledgeable docents. Although your tour is mainly self-guided, the estate staff is just a tap away for questions. You can also join a guided tour for a more extensive and educational tour.
Nonetheless, you’ll go home fascinated and will never see Wilmington the same way again. You just stepped into a different world and glorious history!
Address: 1600 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803, United States
Old Swedes Historic Site
Old Swedes is a historic site in Wilmington, Delaware, with one of the country’s oldest churches.
Since its operation in 1698, Old Swedes has offered public tours of its historical site. It houses the Old Swedes Church or the “Holy Trinity Church,” a designated National Historic Landmark.
As the only surviving building from the New Sweden settlement, Old Swedes is an essential site in Delaware Valley. The church is still actively used for worship and other religious activities.
The historic Hendrickson House museum and Burial Grounds are within its property along the Christina River banks.
Learn about the church’s long history and “almost-forgotten stories” from over the centuries, including the life of Swedish settlers.
Experience what it’s like living in an old Swedish farmhouse at the early 18th century Hendrickson House. Just outside, see the final resting ground of notable Wilmington residents.
After the tour, you can visit the charming little gift store for take-home souvenirs!
In just an hour, you’ll be rewarded with rich historical knowledge and unmatched experience in one of Delaware’s must-stops!
Address: 606 N Church St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Rockwood Park & Museum
This 19th-century museum and park are great additions to Wilmington’s town scenes and New Castle County parks and recreation.
Besides its recognition as one of Delaware’s Historic Places, it also offers various attractions and fun things to do.
Rockwood Park & Museum is a reimagined English country estate in Wilmington, Delaware, with two unique features.
Its Victorian house museum represents a “Rural-Gothic” design ahead of its time. Alongside the mansion is the historic Rockwood garden sitting on a six-acre landscape. This lovely piece of the larger Rockwood Park attracts many visitors from all over the state.
Join a tour around the property to see how wealthy people lived in earlier years of the republic! Unlike other large Delaware mansions, Rockwood provides a grounded, homey atmosphere.
Its original furnishings, from lace curtains to paintings, add character to the house’s detail even after all family successions.
Rockwood offers private and guided group tours all year, but its ghost tour is particularly interesting! It was believed that a ghost was occasionally seen from the mansion’s upstairs window.
In 2011, a TV channel featured Rockwood on an episode of My Ghost Story.
Address: 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19809, United States
Stitch House Brewery
Try a great selection of homemade beers and handcrafted cocktails in Wilmington’s downtown pub!
Stitch House Brewery offers 12 beers on tap alongside delicious salads and dishes in the heart of the city. It’s a great spot to hang out and watch sports if you have time to spare amidst the busy city life.
A slow, relaxing day is never a waste of time in Stitch House’s spacious, comfortable 180 seating. Their “savory menu” includes German-style house-brewed beers, happy hour specials, skillet, and farm-to-table dishes!
The brewery’s friendly service crews and casual dining atmosphere will make you feel at home. Whether here to kill time or have a quick drink and small bites, you won’t spend a single dull moment.
If you prefer curbside dining, Stitch House has a nice shaded outdoor patio good for people-watching. You can enjoy a Caesar salad and a pint of artisanal beer here on a slow Sunday!
You’ll get what you pay for, from great craft beer flights to good food and service, in this local brewery. Ditch the streets and stay for a while at Stitch House!
Address: 829 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
The Chancery Market
The Chancery Market is not your typical food hall in Wilmington’s central business district.
This downtown food hall and bar bring your hometown favorites in one place and seven unique food concepts. Its 12,000-square-foot culinary space houses an eclectic collection of bar and dining features.
Serving entrepreneurs and foodies, The Chancery Market attracts diverse merchants and visitors alike. This everyday market is Wilmington’s number one and hottest dining destination featuring innovative flavors of foods and drinks.
The pleasant atmosphere at The Chancery gathers the community as one. Located on the ground floor of an office building, experience an upscale food hall and bar like no other!
Enjoy a diverse food selection, from American pizzas and burgers to Indian dishes and bar refreshments. The market also has a crepe and coffee place, a perfect social hangout spot.
The hall is strategically designed with a modern, nurturing feel and cozy atmosphere. Don’t miss this turn while traveling through downtown Wilmington!
This welcoming treat is close to many stores and attractions in the city’s business district. Thus, it widens your dining options while strolling the beautiful downtown.
For future visits, you can ensure that The Chancery Market has something new that suits every palate.
Address: 1313 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Wilmington Riverwalk
Walk the scenic boardwalk along the Cape Fear River waterfront for a “showstopper stroll” in Wilmington’s historic Downtown.
Wilmington Riverwalk features a two-mile wooden walkway alongside the riverfront, with eateries and boutiques on the other side. It is home to a lineup of quaint stores and art galleries, easily accessible from the wide sidewalks.
It’s also a popular location for many outdoor cafes, restaurants, and concert venues near the marina. In addition, this attraction is not far from nice places to stay or hotels in the historic Downtown.
For first-time travelers or visitors outside Wilmington, join a narrated tour along the Riverwalk to learn more about its history. Watch the sunset in this part of town with spectacular river views and stunning vessels!
There is no bad view from every corner of Wilmington Riverfront, as most patrons say. Everything is here, from dining and sightseeing to unwinding and strolling. It’s also accessible to several attractions along Hilton Wilmington Riverside to Chandler’s Wharf.
Moreover, the Riverwalk “encapsulates” the Wilmington culture through its day scene and nightlife! Open 24 hours a day, Wilmington Riverwalk is free to all, lighted at night with beautiful streetlights.
If you want to expand your by-the-water adventures, take a water taxi to the Battleship USS North Carolina!
Address: Wilmington Downtown Riverwalk, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States
