Whether you’re a First State native or planning a road trip, Delaware has more to offer than many people realize. 

This is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking – and perhaps, underappreciated – views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure in your area.

[ Most Treasured Views in America: National | West | South | Middle America | Northeast ]

Here are three hidden treasures in the Small Wonder.

Gordon’s Pond Trail

What makes Gordon’s Pond Trail special? These trails offer a coastal vibe that can linger from the summer into autumn, being known for coastal views and bird watching. These trails are primarily flat. The surface of the Gordon’s Pond Trail is a mix of crushed stone and boardwalk, so it’s a great option for walkers and anyone on wheels, too. It winds through dunes and forested coastal wetlands, with plenty of lookout points and benches to rest on. A wildlife viewing tower is less than a mile from the Gordon’s Pond parking lot.

Things to do at Gordon’s Pond Trail? If you are not an experienced hiker, that’s ok. Enter Cape Henlopen State Park and park at Herring Point to begin this 5-mile round-trip trail, or do it in reverse and start at Gordon’s Pond Parking lot in Rehoboth Beach. Great blue herons, green herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, dunlins, sanderlings and other sorts of shorebirds abound, making for great photography, as well.

Do you have to pay to see Gordon’s Pond Trial? Daily entry fees cost $5 for Delaware-registered vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles.

The trail edges the west side of Gordon’s Pond, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by only a dune, and visible to the west of the trail is the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. Leashed dogs are welcome on Gordons Pond Trail. However, Delaware State Law prohibits pets from all swimming and sunbathing beaches from May 1 to September 30. The trail is also handicap accessible.

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Valley Garden Park

What makes Valley Garden Park special? Tucked away near the Hoopes Reservoir in the heart of Delaware’s historic Chateau Country, Valley Garden Park remains one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Nestled among the rolling hills once home to the DuPont family estates, this scenic park offers visitors a peaceful retreat just minutes from the city.

Things to do at Valley Garden Park: The park is known for its meticulously landscaped grounds, winding trails, and picturesque vistas, which draw nature lovers, families, and photographers alike. It is a popular backdrop for wedding portraits and weekend picnics.

What is the closest city to Valley Garden Park? The site is off Route 82 near Greenville

The park was a 1942 gift from Ellen du Pont Wheelwright, the daughter of T. Coleman and Alice du Pont, to the city of Wilmington. Formerly a farm, it was converted into a landscaped park and garden. It’s a true, open-to-the-public gem in Wilmington. The park has a 1.3-mile loop trail that is open year-round. Although it may not be as widely recognized as some of Delaware’s larger attractions, Valley Garden Park continues to enchant those who stumble upon its beauty and keep them coming back.

Do you have to pay to see Valley Garden Park? There is no fee to enter the park. The park is dog-friendly. 

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Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

What makes Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge special? Last, but not least, is Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. And you don’t have to take our word for it. Honest Eco, a Florida-based eco-tours company, surveyed 3,000 families to reveal their top hidden gem bucket list destinations. Of the 150 nationwide locations, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, was ranked at No. 138. Established in 1937, the wildlife refuge is one of the largest remaining expanses of tidal salt marsh in the Mid-Atlantic region.   

Things to do at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: You can include a list of things, three or four, with a description of each. As a refuge directly in the path of the Atlantic Flyway, a visit here will also grant you a sneak peek at migrating birds. Other wildlife on-site includes bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and the northern diamondback terrapin.  The site also offers an auto tour of fall foliage with a glimpse of changing tidal marsh grasses.   

Do you have to pay to see Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge? The cost to enter Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is $4 per car. If you are hiking or bicycling, the cost is $2 per person, with children under 16 free. There’s also an annual pass available for $12, covering the pass holder and up to 3 guests in the same vehicle. 

Whether you’re discovering Delaware for the first time or seeing it with new eyes, these off-the-beaten-path spots prove there’s always something unexpected in the First State.

The attorneys general for Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware are filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration aimed at preventing it from legalizing devices that allow individuals to convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. 

The lawsuit stems from a May 16 settlement agreement that the Trump administration made with Rare Breed Triggers, a company that manufactures devices known as forced reset triggers.

What are forced reset triggers?

FRT’s are aftermarket triggers that enable semi-automatic guns to fire as fast as fully automatic weapons. 

In 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ordered the company to halt sales, and declared that FRT’s would be considered machine guns under federal law, which consequently made them subject to tighter restrictions.

Rare Breed Triggers disputed the ATF’s stance and continued selling its FRT’s, leading the federal government to file a lawsuit against the company in 2023.

At the same time, the National Association for Gun Rights sued the ATF in federal court in Texas, challenging its classification of the FRT-15 as a machine gun.

The May 16 settlement ended the litigation between the U.S. government and Rare Breed Triggers. 

“The Department’s agreement with Rare Breed Triggers avoids the need for continued appeals in United States v. Rare Breed Triggers and continued litigation in other, related cases concerning the same issue,” an announcement by the Department of Justice read.

“We’re seeking a preliminary injunction to block the redistribution of forced reset triggers into our states,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said Monday morning. “This is just part of what were doing in New Jersey and in the states were representing to reduce gun violence.”

Maryland leaders attempt to stop automatic weapon conversion

In a similar move, Maryland and Baltimore sued gun manufacturer Glock in February, alleging the company violated the state’s Gun Industry Accountability Act. 

The lawsuit alleged that Glock contributed to the gun violence crisis by promoting the use of switches, a device that converts a pistol into a machine gun. 

During the Maryland General Assembly, lawmakers proposed a bill banning a list of weapons that can be converted from semi-automatic weapons to fully automatic using an attachment referred to as an auto-sear, or “switch.”

Just last week, Baltimore Police arrested a group of teens who they said had multiple guns and ammunition, along with an auto-sear attachment. 

A bill making its way through the Delaware General Assembly seeks to toughen the state’s longstanding ban on most consumer fireworks by imposing steeper penalties, regulating sales and funding public education.

Sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Sen. Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House Bill 63 aims to clarify existing laws, deter illegal use and give the State Fire Marshal more authority to enforce regulations and prevent fire-related incidents.

If passed, the legislation would be the most significant update to the state’s fireworks laws in years. Violators of the law would be fined up to $1,000. Retailers who continue to operate without a permit could be fined up to $10,000.

Fireworks laws ignored or misunderstood

Delaware prohibits most consumer fireworks, including aerial mortars and bottle rockets. Only sparklers and ground-based fountains are permitted under specific circumstances. These items may be sold between June 4 and July 4, and again from December 1 to January 1. Use of these products is restricted to July 4, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the third day of Diwali.

Despite annual reminders, officials say many residents remain unaware of the rules, leading to widespread noncompliance and safety concerns.

Under the proposed amendments, anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could face escalating fines of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 or more for subsequent violations. Revenue from permit fees would fund public education and support enforcement efforts.

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Fireworks bill targets misleading advertising

Lawmakers also hope to curb confusion caused by aggressive marketing from out-of-state retailers, who promote banned aerial fireworks to Delaware residents through ads on TV, radio and billboards.

If enacted, HB 63 would increase fines for illegal fireworks use and create a permitting system for retailers. Under the new system, sellers would need to register with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which would oversee compliance and ensure only permitted fireworks are sold.

Retailers operating without required permits would face a fine of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second and $10,000 for each additional violation.

Fireworks bill aims to expand public outreach on safety concerns

The legislation also addresses safety concerns related to legally allowed fireworks. According to the State Fire Marshal, sparklers and other ground-based fireworks have caused multiple fires, often due to improper disposal.

Fire officials have warned that smoldering debris can ignite fires hours after fireworks are discharged, especially in trash bins or on rooftops where they may go unnoticed until they spread. This risk increases significantly during dry conditions.

The bill includes provisions to expand public outreach efforts, particularly around safe handling and disposal.

Fireworks legislation faces time crunch, hurdles

The bill has cleared a House committee and is headed to the House floor, where it awaits a full vote. If it passes there, it will move to the Senate. However, both chambers are in recess until Tuesday, June 10, for ongoing Joint Finance Committee hearings.

With the legislative session set to end on June 30, time is running short. Because the bill imposes a new license fee, it will require a three-fifths majority in both chambers to pass.

You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.