Young family things to do (Wilmington, Newark: for sale, rental, houses)

[sid369]

I have a love hate relationship with Delaware. I like that it small and don't have to deal with big city traffic but hate that there is noting to do here. We live in Newark and hate going to the beach in the summer due to traffic, once thereI quite like the beach town charm.

Its also close to the mountains and major cities but we hav not taken advantage of any of that except 1 or two time and now can't because of covid restrictions.

I have changed my attitude and started exploring this year as staying at home is really taking a toll on our mental health, so far we have explored (Lums Pond), Glasgow Park for the kids, Newark reservoir was a hidden gem.

We are now dining of renting for a few days or 1 week at the beach next spring/summer. I need help, which town should we chose and would like a nice house to our selves with water view would be great and if there are some amenities like pool, playground etc and somewhat close to the beach would be great.

Also, thinking of picking up the yearly state park pass and explore.

Need recommendations.

[nuts2uiam]

It would be helpful to know a budget range for days and weeks.

[culater88]

I just picked up my annual State Park pass at Cape Henlopen, great value and a great State Park!

[sid369]

Originally Posted by culater88

I just picked up my annual State Park pass at Cape Henlopen, great value and a great State Park!

It can be purchased online right? thinking of picking one up.

[culater88]

Yes you can, they just add a shipping cost, I think $3.

[toobusytoday]

I guess I'm a little confused when you say there's nothing to do, or maybe I just need more information. Family with kids? What ages are your kids? Do you like to kayak, swim, go biking? Do you like museums? I think you can find any of that within 30 minutes of Newark.https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/th...hoCx2UQAvD_BwE

Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens is amazing and just over the Delaware border in Pennsylvania. Right near there is the Brandywine River Museum, and houses many of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. https://www.brandywine.org/museum

[lyndyb]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I guess I'm a little confused when you say there's nothing to do, or maybe I just need more information. Family with kids? What ages are your kids? Do you like to kayak, swim, go biking? Do you like museums? I think you can find any of that within 30 minutes of Newark.https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/th...hoCx2UQAvD_BwE

Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens is amazing and just over the Delaware border in Pennsylvania. Right near there is the Brandywine River Museum, and houses many of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. https://www.brandywine.org/museum

Along these lines, the Brandywine Valley has offered the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport for sale that gives you access to 12 different attractions, most in the Wilmington area, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A Family Passport provides admission for two adults, age 18 or older, and up to three children, age 17 or younger. I can't locate the cost on the site right now, but I recall it being fairly modest - less than $100. We bought this a few summers ago while still living in MD and went to one of the attractions many weekends and really enjoyed returning to old favorites like Longwood Gardens and Winterthur and seeing some of the other attractions we'd never visited before.

https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/treasure-trail.html

There is also a book you could consider buying or seeing if the library has it - 100 Things To Do In Delaware Before You Die that may give you some ideas for activities or places to explore: https://www.100thingsinde.com/

[sid369]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I guess I'm a little confused when you say there's nothing to do, or maybe I just need more information. Family with kids? What ages are your kids? Do you like to kayak, swim, go biking? Do you like museums? I think you can find any of that within 30 minutes of Newark.https://www.visitwilmingtonde.com/th...hoCx2UQAvD_BwE

Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens is amazing and just over the Delaware border in Pennsylvania. Right near there is the Brandywine River Museum, and houses many of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. https://www.brandywine.org/museum

our kids are young (preschoolers) we explored all the playgrounds and went to lumps pond multiple times this year, besides that there is nothing else really to do safely at this time.

I am starting to plan for a week long rental at the beaches this spring and summer, can you or anyone else suggest a community not far from the breach that may have pool, bike trails, playground etc.

also, would Bethany beach beach be better suited for us or some other beach?

[toobusytoday]

Lums pond. I think it's more your kids ages and the pandemic that is the problem, not your location. When my kids were that little their activities were preschool, play dates, sports and storytimes at the library. As a family we went camping and took bike rides. A couple of times a year we would do a vacation with our extended family out west or go to the beach. None of that had to do with where we lived. My daughter, in Brooklyn, with a two year old is having similar, "what to do issues" because of the pandemic and her son's age. Is there something that you liked to do where you lived before that you can't do now? I think Bethany is a good choice if you are staying at a place like Sea Colony that has multiple pools. Another location is the town of Lewes which has a beach on the bay, so the waves are very mild and it's also easy to get to Cape Henlopen with showers and a concession stand. The town of Lewes is cute. The ferry to Cape May is lots of fun too and it leaves from Lewes.