Delaware

9 Prettiest Towns to Visit in Delaware

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2024

The oldest state in America, Delaware harbors a rich tapestry of national history woven among its scenic landscapes and shores along the Delaware River and Bay. From its founding in colonial times through the era that shaped our nation’s core values, Delaware’s small towns tell an enlightening story. Spread across the diverse landscapes of the First State; these pretty hamlets have all the hallmarks of a satisfying getaway. From riverfront ports offering a window to bygone trade missions to quaint villages enjoying rebirths as art communities, they reward travelers with captivating history, iconic landmarks, and vistas around each bend.

If you are planning a tour of the East Coast, these exciting towns to visit in Delaware promise an unforgettable vacation, whether a history enthusiast, culinary connoisseur, culture vulture, or outdoor thrill seeker.

Rehoboth Beach

Sunrise on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Editorial credit: Michelangelo DeSantis / Shutterstock.com

Rehoboth Beach’s tiny population of about 1,200 permanent residents grows over tenfold in the summer as a barrage of beach-loving tourists descend upon the adorable town. Set on the scenic Atlantic Coast, it enjoys stunning beach scenery that complements its cozy, sunny weather. The mile-long Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk presents a popular visitor hub where the young and old converge to explore a blend of family-friendly attractions, from amusement parks and restaurants to beach stores and souvenir shops. The town has ample opportunities for good-natured social interactions, especially at the weekly Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market.

Year-round events and festivals help keep Rehoboth Beach on many travelers’ itineraries, and the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand serves as the town’s primary entertainment center during summer. This open-air venue hosts a string of concerts featuring enthralling live performances.

New Castle

Situated less than 15 minutes from Wilmington, this historic community on the Delaware River offers a relaxed escape from the big city. Thanks to a rich heritage spanning over three centuries, it is the perfect destination for historically inclined travelers. This manifests through the numerous historical sites across the town, housed in rustic buildings with conspicuous red-brick construction. The Amstel House Museum is an excellent example, a well-preserved colonial mansion from the 1730s. Touring the Read House & Gardens delivers a glimpse into the late 18th century inside a Federal-style mansion.

Meanwhile, the Dutch House Museum is one of the town’s oldest structures, dating back to the 1600s. Inside the venue, guests can explore a library of historical information and artifacts documenting Dutch heritage in the area. Beyond this rich past, New Castle welcomes tourists to shop for farm produce, handicrafts, and collectibles at the bustling New Castle Farmers Market.

Lewes

Rich history meets scenic outdoors in this coastal community on Delaware Bay. Lewes was the state’s first European settlement, settled by the Dutch in 1631. Its long and colorful past is preserved at the Lewes Historical Historical Society through old photographs, archives, and artifacts. Visitors can delve deeper into local history at the Zwaanendael Museum, which commemorates Delaware’s first European settlement and is modeled after the former city hall in Hoorn, Netherlands. Touring the facility reveals a selection of artifacts chronicling the region’s social, military, and maritime heritage.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market supplies residents and visitors with fresh produce straight from the farm, from vegetables and fruits to meats. It also offers an opportunity to mingle with townsfolk and experience local culture. Finally, Pirates of Lewes are among the different outfitters that take visitors on themed boat tours for a unique experience.

Milton

This quaint village in Sussex County lies along the banks of the Broadkill River, which flows into the Delaware Bay. Its origin traces back to 1672 when English colonists settled in the area, later becoming a vital shipbuilding hub. This rich history comes alive in the Milton Historic District, which houses over 150 historical structures from the 1700s to the early 1900s. The Milton Historical Society lures those curious to uncover the town’s past with enlightening exhibits. Milton is also known for its thriving cultural scene, which newcomers can sample by catching entertaining live shows at the Milton Theatre.

Milton Memorial Park assures guests of readily available outdoor opportunities. This riverside reserve offers a chill atmosphere for those who enjoy rich natural settings. It has a nice walking path and picnic spaces, and the Broadkill River is accessible if you fancy a laid-back kayaking or canoeing excursion.

Bethany Beach

First-timers easily fall for the small-town charm and beautiful vistas synonymous with this coastal community. Walking down the Bethany Beach Boardwalk hints at why Bethany Beach is considered among the most charming towns to visit in Delaware. The area boasts a festive atmosphere with a mix of shopping spots, dining outlets, and souvenir shops to explore while taking in the fresh Atlantic breeze. Further inland, the Bethany Beach Nature Center exposes you to gorgeous greenery spread across an approximately 26-acre park with tidal wetlands and forested upland habitats.

Bethany Beach has the ideal vibe for a remarkable family getaway, a credit to attractions like the Shore Fun Family Fun Center. The fabulous facility guarantees wholesome fun for all ages with various entertaining activities, such as pinball machines, arcade games, and air hockey.

Georgetown

Tourists visiting Georgetown keep returning for the immersive historical journey it delivers. The seat of Sussex County has a rich legacy stretching back to the 18th century and harbors numerous landmarks and sites preserving its past. Prominent among these is the Marvel Carriage Museum, which exhibits a collection of restored buildings and antique carriages depicting life in the formative eras. Meanwhile, the Georgetown Train Station documents the town’s railroad heritage inside a 19th-century facility.

With multiple antique shops spread across downtown, guests can leave with a piece of the town to remind them of the experience by shopping at the Georgetown Antiques Market. Art lovers will, however, prefer to get cultured by watching a delightful live performance at Possum Point Players.

Dover

Despite being Delaware’s capital, Dover has a quintessential small-town feel with a population under 40,000 and lovely natural spaces. Most travelers praise the community for its impressive blend of attractions, which caters to all visitor preferences. History enthusiasts are spoilt for choice and can find a treasure trove of sites to explore, including the First State Heritage Park and the Johnson Victrola Museum. Elsewhere, art enthusiasts can look forward to visual and performance art experiences at the Biggs Museum of American Art and the Schwartz Center for the Arts, respectively.

Finally, ardent outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring Silver Lake Park to enjoy its recreational opportunities. This urban oasis features an easygoing and welcoming atmosphere that draws adventurers to stroll along its wooded trails, picnic on its grassy grounds, and fish for striped bass, catfish, and bluegill in Silver Lake.

Middletown

This lovely community of about 25,000 is home to the Delaware Technical Community College. Its welcoming atmosphere and friendly locals allow first-timers to feel at home. This is evident at the Dutch Country Farmers Market, where you can interact with down-to-earth local vendors while combing through diverse Amish delicacies, including fresh baked goods, dairy products, and artisanal candles. The Charles E. Price Memorial Park provides a lovely escape to the great outdoors with its quiet walking trails, peaceful picnic pavilions, and an idyllic fishing pond.

Art lovers and movie enthusiasts can converge at the Everett in downtown Middletown for a compelling cultural experience. This iconic venue hosts varying events to entertain the audience, from local art exhibitions and live stage productions to cinematic films. It was immortalized in the 1989 flick “Dead Poets Society.”

Fenwick Island

Fenwick Island is the perfect Delaware getaway for those seeking an escape from the crowds to unwind and forget all their troubles. With less than 400 people calling it home, tourists can comfortably explore miles of pristine, sandy shores without competition. This is best embodied by the 344 acres of Fenwick Island State Park, which promises a mix of secluded beaches, charming picnic areas, and designated surfing spots. The area’s maritime past comes alive at the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, which displays a collection of treasures salvaged from numerous shipwrecks off the Atlantic Coast.

Guests can also witness and learn about one of the state’s oldest lighthouses by touring the nearby Fenwick Island Lighthouse, a rustic landmark dating back to 1858. Before leaving the island, remember to buy a precious souvenir at the Seaside Country Store to keep the fun memories.

Delaware’s Must-Visit Small Towns

The First State is an inviting destination that lets travelers delve into the landmark years that made America what it is today. However, it also harbors unmatched natural beauty and cultural heritage, which become evident when you explore the most exciting towns to visit in Delaware. From walking along picturesque riverfronts to strolling through well-preserved downtown streets, visitors gain vivid lessons in local history and character. Planning your travel itinerary around any of the above offers the perfect introduction to this enduring home of American tradition.

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Delaware

Major bills loom as Delaware lawmakers face final day of session

Published

3 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

Major bills loom as Delaware lawmakers face final day of session

Why Should Delaware Care?
As lawmakers face their final working day of the year, a slew of significant bills have yet to be considered. Any bill that is not approved by both chambers as of midnight June 30 is officially marked dead, and must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly that begins in January.

As the final day of the 2026 legislative session approaches on Tuesday, several bills face uncertain futures, including a slate of property tax reforms and legislation that seeks to rein in healthcare costs.

Also pending is the state’s often-contentious capital budget that would distribute nearly $1.26 billion dollars to state building projects.

The list of pending legislation remains despite a lively penultimate week in Dover during which lawmakers passed immigration enforcement reform, gun control legislation, and affordable housing requirements for municipalities.

Lawmakers also shockingly failed to advance a proposed amendment to the Delaware Constitution that would enshrine the rights to gay and interracial marriage in the state. Both are currently legal in Delaware, but an amendment would make it considerably harder for lawmakers to remove those protections.

In all, the final days of the 2026 legislative session cap off a generally subdued year of lawmaking – particularly when compared to last year’s fights over the state’s corporate franchise, the Port of Wilmington and control of zoning rules for marijuana shops and a wind-farm substation.

The session also heads toward a close as several lawmakers prepare for what is expected to be hard-fought campaigns for reelection.

What passed this week?

Lawmakers passed a slew of significant bills this past week relating to land use, immigration, education funding and part of the state’s 2027 fiscal year budget.

Those bills now will all advance to Gov. Matt Meyer’s desk to be considered for signatures or vetoes.

Senate Bill 23, which generated substantial pushback from local governments across the state, passed the House on Tuesday with an unusual mix of bipartisan support. If signed into law, the bill would require municipalities to increase housing density and incorporate additional affordable housing reforms in their comprehensive plans.

Senate Bill 13 sponsor Sen. Marie Pinkney (D-Bear) holds her nephew during a Senate hearing on Thursday. SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY TIM CARLIN

Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 13, which would greatly increase the number of patients eligible to receive free or reduced-price treatment – often called charity care – from the state’s nonprofit hospitals.

That bill was introduced months after a Spotlight Delaware investigation called into question the charity care practices at the state’s largest healthcare system, ChristianaCare.

A pair of immigration reform bills passed the Senate on Thursday, following a lengthy debate about the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration policy.

House Bill 368 would prohibit local and state law enforcement officials from detaining individuals simply because of their immigration status. People accused of serious crimes could still be held for prosecution. House Bill 94 would ban law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in specific spaces — schools, churches and healthcare facilities.

Two bills focused on the funding structure for public schools unanimously passed the House on Wednesday, following up on long-debated changes to how education is funded in Delaware.

Senate Bill 302 allows the state to begin implementing the new hybrid school funding formula, which allocates more money for schools with more low-income or English-language learning students. Senate Bill 303 charges the Public Education Funding Commission to continue studying education funding in future years.

Both chambers also passed the fiscal year 2027 operating budget with relatively little fanfare. The budget includes a 6.3% spending increase from last year, above the 5% growth that Gov. Meyer called for in his original budget proposal in January.

What’s left to do?

Several bills are left to be considered during the General Assembly’s final working day on Tuesday, including the state’s billion-dollar capital budget.

That bill, which requires a three-fourths majority vote in order to pass, presents a rare opportunity for Republicans to exert power over the negotiations. Democrats are currently one seat short of a three-fourths majority in the Senate and four seats short in the House, requiring them to receive at least some Republican buy-in on the final proposal.

There could be a few sticking points in bond bill negotiations, including $35 million earmarked for the expansion of Legislative Hall. It would be the third largest appropriation anywhere in the bond bill.

John Flaherty, a director of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, decried the lack of public notice or input for such a massive project in the waning days of the legislature.

“The Delaware General Assembly is in full session for just 43 days out of the entire year. Spending $35 million to expand a complex that sits largely empty or underutilized for more than 300 days a year is an indefensible use of state revenues, especially when community-facing infrastructure projects face strict funding limits,” he said in a statement.

Other bills left to be considered include a slate of property tax reforms that were introduced earlier this month in response to the fallout from last year’s first-in-a-generation property reassessments.

Those bills, which were filed following months of committee hearings to investigate what exactly went wrong in the aftermath of reassessment, include a proposal to indefinitely extend New Castle County school districts’ controversial ability to tax commercial and residential properties at different rates.

Another healthcare-focused bill, Senate Bill 1, also remains up for consideration in the House.

SB 1 sponsor Sen. Bryan Townsend (D-Newark) sits in the Senate Chambers on Thursday. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY TIM CARLIN

A primary care reform bill that also includes price caps for government-regulated insurance plans, SB 1 was scaled back from its original form through months of negotiations with the state’s healthcare lobby.

Those changes would delay the implementation of price caps on hospital procedures, limit some state oversight in setting those caps, and completely exempt some hospitals from the law altogether.

The bill unanimously passed in the Senate last month, but it has not yet been considered in the House.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate are set to reconvene for the final time this year at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Those hearings could extend long into the night depending on how readily legislators can strike deals, reach consensus or find compromise on any number of the proposals remaining before them.

Delaware

After changing Delaware’s library system forever, she’s stepping away

Published

13 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

After changing Delaware’s library system forever, she’s stepping away

For most, 41 years of service is more than enough. For State Librarian Annie Norman, though, even retirement can’t slow her down.

“The work is never done; there’s always something to do,” she said. “I’m going to have to continue to help in other ways.”

Norman will step away this fall after 24 years as the Delaware state librarian and director of the Delaware Division of Libraries.

Throughout her tenure, Norman made waves; the director helped create the Delaware Library Consortium, which allowed all of Delaware’s Public libraries to share items, and brought the library system along during a wave of technological change. For these achievements, she was named to the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame in 2016 and appointed by President Joe Biden as a member of the National Museum and Library Services Board.

We spoke with Norman as she wraps up an accomplished career about her proudest achievements, and the state of libraries in 2026.

Question: As you look back on your tenure, what was your proudest accomplishment?

Answer: What I’ll be known for more than anything is probably the statewide library catalog and consortium. The politics of bringing all of those libraries together, after years of there being four separate library catalogs in Delaware, took about eight years. More recently, I think bringing the school libraries into that catalog is going to be really significant. We’ve got more than 50 school libraries to be a part of the statewide catalog, something we think can really help with the literacy crisis in this state.

One of the biggest challenges of your tenure was adjusting to the large wave of technology that came about. How have you and the Delaware libraries handled it?

It’s been very systematic. We have a great IT team that helps manage for us, as well as the state funding 100% of library technologies. The growth of the iPhone has certainly had a huge impact on literacy, but we’re really just working hard to bring back the excitement of reading.

The Delaware libraries’ programming have always been a popular resource. How important do you view these offerings to local communities, and will they continue to expand?

Yes, libraries are about enrichment, which means helping support people in things like entrepreneurship, education and innovation. We’ve had libraries start up job centers, which were so successful we could expand to entrepreneurship, and even help with more basic social needs, by starting a “social innovation team” to help with more of the social services-type work.

Where we still struggle is we can only help people access Delaware systems to help with their needs, not fix things within those systems. For that reason, we always encourage these systems to work with us, so the Delaware library system can fit everyone’s needs.

Cuts toward libraries just occurred in New Castle County, with the potential for more to come. How will the library system look to stay afloat?

Because of the economy, because of federal changes, things can get difficult, it’s not the first time we’ve experienced budget cuts. We’ve progressed significantly over the years, but there is much more work to do, and I don’t know that the public understands how critical libraries and librarians are to literacy.

The power of walking into a library and being able to choose what you want to read for a child is powerful, and until people understand that, we can’t achieve our literacy goals.

Adam Denn is an intern reporter for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at apdenn@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Thousands moving to Delaware County fuels need for more housing

Published

23 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Thousands moving to Delaware County fuels need for more housing

DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — People in Delaware County said it feels like new housing developments are popping up on every corner.

WSYX

“What haven’t you noticed, right? The whole area just exploded,” said Scott Shonebarger.

Scott Sanders, the executive director of the Regional Planning Commission, said companies like Intel and other industries are a main driver for thousands of people moving to Delaware County.

With the big boom comes an urgent need for more housing.

John Wicks is the developer at Real Property Design and Development.

He has spent over a decade building homes for families in Delaware County.

Wicks said the Olentangy School District is one of the hottest spots for new homes.

“I started with one high school up until the 90s, then now we’re up to four up to five different high schools so it’s just a big draw,” said Wicks. “It’s a beautiful community.”

The district has grown into the fourth largest in Ohio with a new elementary school opening next year, and a fifth high school in 2028.

Wicks said the growth has presented some challenges over the years like labor shortage and some opposition.

“It’s become a big issue for a lot of people that live in and around these areas. They tend to oppose new growth and new development, so restrictions have gotten a little bit harder. Costs have obviously gone up over the last 20 years,” said Wicks.

The planning commission says between 275,000 and 350,000 people could call Delaware County home by 2040.

That’s up from 214,000 in 2020.

Scott Shonebarger said he supports growth but wonders when is enough.

“I mean to a certain extent I think you know at some point right you have to have some sort of boundaries I think, getting into the fact that now you have five high schools,” said Shonebarger. “What’s the limit?”

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