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.