The small size of Delaware often means that travellers will overlook it. This is a huge shame because there is a lot to discover in this fantastic state.
Let us take the town of Viola, for instance. Sure, it is small. It has around 150 inhabitants. However, strict planning regulations for the town has helped it to retain that ‘small town America’ feel, something which you would now struggle to find anywhere else in the country. Of course, as brilliant as Viola, Delaware is, this isn’t the only place to see in this great state.
Dover International Speedway
If you love your NASCAR, or high-speed motor racing in general, then the Dover International Speedway is where you need to head. Sure, the track may be nothing more than a simple oval, but it is the fastest 1-mile oval in the world. A trip to the Dover International Speedway will have you see vehicles travel at breakneck speeds.
Air Military Command Museum
This is one of the best museums to visit in Delaware. The best part? A trip to the Air Military Command Museum is 100% free of charge. You will be able to enjoy 30 different military aircraft. A lot of these aircraft are cargo and hauler aircraft in the military, so it provides a nice little break from other museums that focus on those fighter jets, although this museum has one or two of those too!
Hagley Museum and Library
This place was one of the first industrialized locations in the United States. It is here that the de Pont family started to produce their gunpowder. All of the original gunpowder mills have been fully restored. You can also see how both the de Pont family and their workers lived while working in the area. You can also explore the beautiful gardens. This is a full day trip.
Rehoboth Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach is a ‘must visit’ place in Delaware itself. However, if you want the most excitement on your trip to Delaware, then you absolutely need to visit the Rehoboth Boardwalk at night. The place is brimming with activity, with plenty of shops and restaurants for you to explore. During the daytime, you can explore the rest of the area, or maybe catch a couple of rays on the beach.
Fort Delaware State Park
Fort Delaware State Park is perhaps known for hosting an old prison. While no prisoners are held here nowadays, it played host to countless Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. Nowadays, the old building is nestled in the heart of some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Delaware. It feels great to head here and just kick back and relax, enjoying nesting birds darting through the trees or nesting around the water.
Nemours Mansion and Garden
This is another location that goes to show the amount of impact that the de Pont family had on the state of Delaware. This is an old 77-room mansion, with a stunning amount of land and gardens that surround it. It was owned by the de Pont family (the same people that ran the gunpowder mills in the area). The real highlight of a trip to Nemours Mansion is the massive collection of vintage vehicles that they have. It is one of the finest vintage vehicle collections in the entire United States of America.
Cape Henlopen State Park
There are plenty of things to do around the Cape Henlopen State Park. The entire park is a beach. From here, you can surf, swim, or fish in the beautiful waters. A trip to the local nature center will show you all of the amazing creates that live around here. We do encourage you to check out the aquarium exhibits here. That way, you can start to get a feel for the unique wildlife that lurks beneath the water in Cape Henlopen.
Trap Pond State Park
The third state park in Delaware goes to show just how varied the state is, despite its smaller size. The Trap Pond State Park is formed of a massive pond. This place is fantastic for fishing, kayaking, and camping. However, if you are not a fan of the water, there will still be plenty to do around the Trap Pond State Park. Perhaps the biggest highlight is the amazing walking trail that will take you around the entire area, allowing you to enjoy the trees, wildlife, and the peaceful tranquillity.
Delaware Seashore State Park
Offering stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean, the Delaware Seashore State Park is a ‘must visit’ for any tourist heading into the state of Delaware. It is a tremendous place for all sorts of water activities. If you do head into this state park, then make sure that you stick around for the sunset. Seeing that sunset over the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding waters is a sight that is going to live with you forever.
Winterthur Museum
This is another location that was owned by the de Pont family. Here, they spent many of their days just relaxing in the beautiful home. Nowadays, the Winterthur Museum is a key research place for many scholars looking to discover the history of the De Pont family and the impact that they had on the state of Delaware. Wilmington
While Wilmington may not be the capital of the state, it is the largest city in Delaware. As a result, it is a ‘must visit’ for anybody taking a trip to Delaware. With plenty of hotels, shops, and activities, this is a place that you could easily spend many a day exploring. It also makes a fantastic ‘home base’ for exploring the rest of the state, with most of the things you would want to see within close proximity of Wilmington.
Conclusion
If you browse through this website, you will be introduced to some of the best places to travel in Delaware. Not just in Viola (although, we very much recommend that you travel there), but in a multitude of places throughout the state.