I have questions about DE (Wilmington, Dover: real estate, restaurants, dangerous)
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I think five days is plenty. Old Odessa will only require an hour or so, for example. There is now a tavern in the old town that is in a building dating from the 18th or early 19th century. Similarly, Old New Castle can be done in a couple of hours. A good place to eat there is Jessop's Tavern, part of which dates from the mid-17th Century. Old New Castle was the Rockerfeller Foundation's first choice for a living historical park when they ended up choosing Williamsburg, VA because folks in New Castle wouldn't sell their properties.
By the way, try to see the interior of the Old Statehouse in Dover, which is on the Green and adjacent to the capital complex. The architectural features are lovely, especially the double staircase going up to the House and Senate chambers. The interior is mostly a restoration because over its history the interior of theoriginal statehouse was modified repeatedly, chopped up into lots of little offices and so forth. They have done a splendid job with the restoration to its original floor plan.
I truly don't think you'll find traffic bad at all, except try to stay off I-95, and try to do the beach town areas during the weekdays rather than weekends -- the summer traffic on Rt 1 which extends the length of the state and is the way to the beach can be quite heavy from Friday morning through late Sunday night. I'd advise doing the beaches between Tues and mid-day Thurs if at all possible.
I think five days is plenty. Old Odessa will only require an hour or so, for example. There is now a tavern in the old town that is in a building dating from the 18th or early 19th century.
In regards to the tavern, it's not slated to open until September. They're still finishing up work on it.
I've decided I've got to come see DE for myself this summer. I'm going to stay in Dover and explore from there. While I'm looking forward to a day or 2 at the beach (weekday of course) I think what I really need to do is simply drive around the suggested areas and hang out at some little diners to get a feel for how I'd fit in in various parts of DE.
DE sounds very unique to me. From the way you all have described it, DE sounds different from anywhere I've ever lived (MA, IL, CA, RI, NC, HI, NY).
I can't wait to see the state for myself.
If you don't mind changing hotels, I think you might be better served by splitting your time between greater Wilmington and the beach areas. The reason I say so is to re-enforce DrJef's observation that the Dover area is probably the least interesting of all and about an hour away from the more interesting areas to the north and south. There are a range of accommodations from lovely inns to roadside chains outside of Wilmington and several charming places to stay in Lewes. I'd recommend three nights in the Wilmington area and two in Lewes, with a drive through of Dover on your way to the beach.
Yes, that would be my suggestion too, because if you're driving here from NY you are going to enter DE from I-95 around Wilmington.
That's a pity the tavern in Odessa won't be open yet. I thought it was to open by this summer. Odessa is still well worth a visit, however.
In Lewes a cool place to stay is the Hotel Rodney, which is a renovated 1920s hotel that is right on the main street in the old town of Lewes, 2nd Street. It's not too pricey. If you like Mexican food, IMO the best Mex place in Delaware is on 2nd St. in Lewes, a little place called Agave that has more interior of Mexico type food.
In Wilmington a great dive bar - if you like those at all - is the Jackson Inn. We were there last night as they had a big party out in the parking lot with a really good band. The place has been there since the 1920s (don't know what they did during Prohibition though) and is a truly classic American bar/tavern.
A cool little place in Wilmington for breakfast is Angelo's Luncheonette in the Trolley Square/Forty Acres area. It's been around forever too. They'll make you pancakes with bunny ears, and you can have the regional delicacy, scrapple (mixed piggy parts cooked up with cereal grains and formed into a loaf which is sliced and fried up as breakfast meat). Cromwell's Tavern in Greenville often has a friendly crowd at the bar, as does Columbus Inn on Pennsylvania Ave. But above all, down in Rehoboth go to the Dogfish Head restaurant to sample numerous varities of Delaware's premier craft beer (you can also do a tour of the Dogfish Head brewery in the cool little town of Milton, which will be on your route down to the beaches, though you need to reserve a tour time ahead). All these places can be found on the internet (well, I don't think Jackson Inn would have a website, but you can find location and reviews I'm sure, and I think Angelo's has a facebook page).
The reasons I think Dover is the best place to start is because it's centrally located, and because of their wonderful Delaware Visitors Center, which is stocked with maps, and leaflets on what's going on in the state. They map out routes for visitors, and are aware of more busy traffic areas and times. Also, the Rt. 13 strip through Dover has a multitude of hotels/motels from which to choose, all reasonably priced.
I believe Wilmington has a state visitors center, but I've never been to that one, and not sure how to get to it. More busy up there and complicated for a newcomer, for sure. Dover is a straight shot down on Rt. 1 or Rt. 13. You can't begin to get lost.
http://history.delaware.gov/museums/vc/vc_main.shtml (broken link)
Click the Visitor Information Box at the Top for Times They Are Open
The reasons I think Dover is the best place to start is because it's centrally located, and because of their wonderful Delaware Visitors Center, which is stocked with maps, and leaflets on what's going on in the state. They map out routes for visitors, and are aware of more busy traffic areas and times. Also, the Rt. 13 strip through Dover has a multitude of hotels/motels from which to choose, all reasonably priced.
Agreed. Most times when we travel down, our base of operations is the Fairfield Inn on Route 13. From there, we are within an hour from just about anything and everything. And the folks at the Visitor's Center are terrific!
Agreed. Most times when we travel down, our base of operations is the Fairfield Inn on Route 13. From there, we are within an hour from just about anything and everything. And the folks at the Visitor's Center are terrific!
It would make sense to me since Delaware is 96 miles long, divided by 2 = Dover Lots of people like that Fairfield Inn.
I believe Wilmington has a state visitors center, but I've never been to that one, and not sure how to get to it.
The newly-upgraded one on 95 between Wilmington and Newark is supposed to be nice, although I haven't been there. Regardless, I often do my research on a state's official tourism site before vsiting. Del has a nice one, and they will send a visitor guide: Delaware State Official Website - Hotels, Restaurants, Events - Visit Delaware
Wherever you stay OP, have a nice visit. if you get the chance, make a post and share your impressions after your visit.
Aw man, now I've really got to figure this out between Wilmington and Dover.
I'll be in DE from a Wednesday to a Sunday. Wednesday after check in I just want to drive around and hang out, have dinner, relax. I know I want to do the beach Thursday and possibly a second beach 1st half of Friday. 2nd half of Fri., Saturday, and early part of Sunday I want to see as much as possible around the state.
The drive to the beaches - will there be a difference coming from Dover vs. Wilmington?
By the way, it is so funny that doctorjef mentioned both Mexican food and dive bars... its like you know me...
I am soooo excited to see DE - and I just talked my sister into coming along (that was easy) so its going to be a great trip no matter what! We'll be there next month.
The drive to the beaches - will there be a difference coming from Dover vs. Wilmington?
Wilmington is at the top of the state, mid point is Dover, about 45-48 some miles south of Wilmington. From Dover, beaches are about 40+/- miles south of there. Still not a long trip from any point in Delaware. Hope you enjoy yourself! You can't go wrong from any starting point, since we're only 96 miles long.
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) I think what I really need to do is simply drive around the suggested areas and hang out at some little diners to get a feel for how I'd fit in in various parts of DE.
Lots of people like that Fairfield Inn.
