‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, glad tidings . . . and out-of-town guests. At some point, everyone will want to get out of the house for a bit. So here are itineraries for many of Delaware’s most vibrant locales.
First State Heritage Park
A Day in Dover
Many parks, restaurants, businesses and historical sites call the capital of the First State home, making this Kent County town a great place for visitors of all ages.
TIME-TRAVEL: Dive into Delaware’s past during a visit to First State Heritage Park, home to several museums and sites that highlight local history. Park for free at the visitor center, then head into the park to tour the Biggs Museum of American Art, Johnson Victrola Museum, Legislative Hall, Old State House and the Delaware Public Archives.
SHOP: Still need to cross some items off your holiday gift list? Spence’s Bazaar and Auction — a combination flea and farmer’s market — is the perfect spot. Here, you’ll find all sorts of goods, antiques, clothing, housewares and food at bargain prices.
DINE: Don’t fill up on baked goods! Save your appetite for Restaurant 55, a family-owned burger joint that uses local ingredients on its menu. The kids’ menu features burgers, fried shrimp, chicken tenders, grilled cheese and fish & chips.
New Castle Historical Society
A Day in New Castle
This New Castle County town has much more going for it than prime views of the Delaware River: It’s home to more than 300 historic properties and 30 major historic sites.
DISCOVER: Where better to kick off the day than the New Castle Historical Society? Its three adjacent museums provide distinct perspectives into the area’s past. You’ll huddle around a fireplace in a house once shared by laborers to see where they slept after a hard day’s work; step into a former governor’s swanky parlor, where George Washington helped celebrate a wedding; and walk brick paths that wind through early gardens.
CRUISE: Journey back to the present day — aka a 15-minute drive — over to Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix. This indoor go-kart racetrack lets speedsters aged 7 & up go head-to-head on up to six miles of track. Ample twists and turns allow plenty of chances to leave your opponents in the dust.
DINE: Visitors to Joseph’s Tavern call the meal an “experience,” and it’s no wonder: In addition to the historic building, which dates back 300 years, the pub features Colonial-era fare — think shepherd’s pie, fish & chips and meatloaf — and servers in period garb.
Penny Lane Mall
A Day in Rehoboth Beach
Reader’s Digest once dubbed the boardwalk here the “best in the country.” Luckily, most shops stay open through the holiday season, making this Sussex County vacation destination a year-round hotspot.
SHOP: Just steps from the boardwalk, Penny Lane Mall is a favorite stop for both locals and vacationers. The alley is lined with quaint boutiques, including souvenir & jewelry shops, a toy store and a café. After your bags are stuffed, relax in the garden-like space with a cup of cocoa from the café.
DINE: Stroll over to Go Fish! to enjoy lunch with the day’s catch. While the restaurant is praised for its super-popular fish & chips, the menu offers a variety of options for seafood- and land-lovers, including kiddie meals.
GET FESTIVE: Worth the half-hour trip to Lewes, Winter Wonderfest is a must-do during the holidays. From Nov. 16 through New Year’s Eve, the attraction draws families with a drive-through light show, Christmas Village shopping
