Things to be sure to see. (Wilmington, New Castle: home, camping, live)

[Vjoe]

Hello, this is my first post here. My wife, myself and our cranky beagle will be coming to Delaware for a week in June. We will be camping at Killens Pond State Park.

We like Delaware. We have been here before, and we want to see some more. In the past we have camped or visited: Brandywine Creek, Trap Pond, Winterthur, the Mason-Dixon Marker and taken the ferry into Lewes. I wish we could have spent more time at most of them.

Can anyone suggest things we “Should not miss” on this trip. We like walking, and we may bring a canoe with us. But, I don’t want to limit this to just those things. We like interesting stuff. We will be coming from Elk Neck in MD, and hope to find something on the canal on our way down. We saw the canal in MD on another trip, but I figure Delaware must have something on it also.

Thanks

[jm02]

I see nobody's replied. It's not because there is a lack of things to do but perhaps because it's unclear what you kind of activities you enjoy. One of my favorite parts of DE is the Brandywine Valley, which spills over into neighboring PA. It offers a wealth of historical sites, gardens, museums, parks, and beautiful countryside: Brandywine Valley Attractions - Things to Do & See in the Brandywine Valley. On this list, Old New Castle is particularly charming. A couple other interesting attractions not on everyone's radar are the Wilmington and Western Railroad (Wilmington & Western Railroad - Delaware's Operating Railroad Museum) and Fort Delaware (Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, Delaware).

[Vjoe]

Well, I was just thinking if someone were to come to Connecticut in June, I might direct them to some things off the standard tourist list.

Connecticut is wooded and hilly, and there are two railroad tunnels through rock; each about a mile long and spooky. The striped bass are in the rivers, but moving out to Long Island sound, so there are some good charter boats I know about. There is the colonial era Old Newgate Prison that was also a copper mine. There is a part of the Appalachian Trail in northwest Connecticut that goes through some really nice cliffs and ravines. Closer to my home in central Connectcut there are ridge walks with great views. There are canoe and tube rides and very good fly fishing on the Farmington River.

But as I think about it, you are correct. There are too many things to see and do around Connecticut. I could not suggest all of them to a visitor. So, we’ll just wander around the southern and middle parts of Delaware and see what we find.

[rdlr]

Do some searches. There are discussions upon discussions about things to do here in Delaware. Here's just one:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/14484571-post1.html

[jm02]

It seems you like rural, remote sand watery. Western Sussex County is not frequented by travelers as much as other parts of the state but might be an enjoying place for you to poke around: Delaware Department of Transportation - Community Programs and Services. It will take you by numerous waterways, including Hearns Pond, Williams Pond, Records Pond as well as several tributaries leading into the Chesapeake. You might also look into Phillips Landing outside Laurel for canoeing.

One of the great things about the area is that you needn't restrict yourself to the political boundaries of Delaware. Maryland's Eatern Shore holds lots of treasures. The offerings on this site could keep you busy for quite a while: Eastern Shore Regional Map - Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Enjoy!

[beachliz]

If you're headed down to the DE beaches, then you might want to spend some time walking around historic Lewes and then go hiking in Cape Henlopen State Park. There are endless decent places to eat in the area as well. Prime Hook is good for canoeing (near Milton) and birdwatching too, but if you head south you really want to put the canoe out at Savage Ditch, just north of the new IR inlet bridge on the southbound side. It's quite shallow, but you'll see so many terrapins and nesting birds (mostly osprey)--it's one of my favorite places for kayaking.

If you think you'll travel as far south as the Bethany area, then please advise and I will recommend some entertaining outdoors activities in my area.

[queenofbavaria]

fort delaware state park ! we went there several times


Visitors take a ½ -mile ferry ride from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island. A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of 1864.

Fill your day with hands-on history. Help the blacksmith hammer out new parts for a cannon or work with the laundress. Be on hand when the 8-inch Columbiad gun fires a live gunpowder charge! See a replica of Pea Patch Island as it appeared in 1864 and artifacts from the Island's past.

Make a day of it - there is a food concession stand on the island. And if you like, you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in our picnic area - tables and grills are provided.


Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, Delaware

[soulsurv]

I would take the time to visit Longwood Gardens, close tot eh Delaware border. It is simply gorgeous. AHowever, I highly recommend going on a weekday, as it is rather insane on a weekend unless you go in the morning.

[Caladium]

If you go to Rehoboth Beach, look for the ice cream stand near where the main road hits the beach (south side of the road). They have all sorts of bizarro flavors (all of which are pretty good, IMO). You'll spend the next 5 years talking about the time you had bacon ice cream.

[Vjoe]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm sure we will follow some of them. That's what we were loking for; the things we would not find in the tourist guide from the visitor's center.

To me that's the best way to get the favor of the place.

Thanks again.