It’s hard to get lost in our little state, but sometimes you’ll stumble upon a museum, restaurant, or park that you never knew was there, and those hidden gems can quickly become your favorite places in the First State. These are the best hidden attractions in Delaware – those that are treasured by locals but don’t often make the tourist brochures or travel guides.
- Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, Wilmington
Flickr / Edward Weston The little-known Russell W. Peterson Refuge is the first urban wildlife refuge in Delaware. It’s located along the Wilmington riverfront. You’ll be able to learn about river conservation and wildlife while you explore the trails and education center.
1400 Delmarva Ln Wilmington, DE
- The Well, Hockessin
Facebook / The Well Coffeehouse We keep the Well to ourselves, but it’s a poorly kept secret! Expect to wait for a parking spot on a busy morning, but the shopping, food, and experience at this marketplace, cafe, and coffeeshop are all worth the wait.6949 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, Delaware
- Blackbird State Forest, Smyrna
Facebook / Blackbird State Forest Blackbird State Forest is the most serene, isolated spot in Delaware. It’s hard to find some true quiet in the crowded first state, but here you can be sure to have it almost to yourself. Enjoy walking the trails or camp out here for an experience you won’t soon forget.502 Blackbird Forest Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Wilson’s General Store, Georgetown
Facebook / Wilson’s General Store Wilson’s General Store has been family owned and operated for generations, and this little known spot still serves up the best breakfast sandwich in Delaware. Plus, while you’re here, you can load up on snacks and coffee.24730 Springfield Rd Georgetown, Delaware 19947
- 3 Palms Zoo, Clayton
Yelp / Adrienne A. Visit the only alligators in Delaware at 3 Palms Zoo! This animal sanctuary is the only one of its kind in the state, and you’ll love meeting all of the rescued animals and learning their stories. Dominick the Donkey is my favorite 3 Palms Zoo resident.924 Blackbird Forest Rd Clayton, DE 19938
- Messick’s Agricultural Museum, Harrington
Taylor Messick Messick’s Ag. Museum oringially opened to preserve and display antique and vintage agricultural equipment, automobiles, farming tools and more. Over the years, the museum has grown to include several more buildings and sheds. Messick’s is a Delaware secret, and by traveling to the middle of a cornfield in Harrington, you’ll get to look at Delaware’s agricultural history. Admission is free, and it’s open to the public during normal business hours - Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Taylor & Messick, Inc., 325 Walt Messick Road, Harrington, Delaware 19952
- 301 Plaza, Middletown
Yelp / 301 Plaza The 301 Plaza is a restaurant in the middle of a travel plaza! They’ve been serving up delicious breakfasts for decades, but most people drive right by without checking out this unique Delaware diner.921 Middletown Warwick Rd Middletown, DE 19709
- C.R. Hummingbird to Mars, Wilmington
Facebook / Hummingbird to Mars The top-secret Hummingbird to Mars is the best speakeasy in Delaware. Be sure to get the code from their social media networks and dress to impress - they’ve been known to turn people away at the door (if you can find it!).1616 Delaware Ave Trolley Square Wilmington, DE 19806
- Bowers Beach Maritime Museum, Bowers Beach
Facebook / Bowers Beach Maritime Museum The Bowers Beach Maritime Museum is one of the coolest museums in Delaware! Learn about the pirate and shipwreck history of the Delaware coast and about the vibrant fishing communities and how they helped shape Delaware today.3357 Main St, Frederica, DE 19946
- White Clay Creek State Park, Newark
Facebook / White Clay Creek State Park White Clay Creek is Delaware’s most underrated state park. Hike through the woods to a hidden pond, into Pennsylvania and Maryland, and along the Mason-Dixon line. It can get crowded in the summer with people looking to cool off, but strolling in the fall and winter will bring you nothing but peace and quiet.Thompson Station Rd, Newark, Delaware
- Nanticoke Museum, Millsboro
Facebook / Nanticoke Indian Tribe The best festival in Delaware is the Nanticoke Pow Wow every fall, but you can visit the Nanticoke Museum year roud. The two-room museum has a handful of interesting artifacts, but the best way to experience it is to speak to the curator and learn as much as you possibly can about the tribe and its history in Delaware.27073 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966
If you like discovering hidden attractions in Delaware, I’m sure you’ll love taste testing at these Delaware hole in the wall restaurants. Start with this list: These 12 Hole In The Wall BBQ Restaurants In Delaware Will Make Your Tastebuds Go Crazy and then tackle our collection of 8 Little Known Restaurants In Delaware Are Hard To Find But Worth The Search
Flickr / Edward Weston
The little-known Russell W. Peterson Refuge is the first urban wildlife refuge in Delaware. It’s located along the Wilmington riverfront. You’ll be able to learn about river conservation and wildlife while you explore the trails and education center.
1400 Delmarva Ln Wilmington, DE
Facebook / The Well Coffeehouse
We keep the Well to ourselves, but it’s a poorly kept secret! Expect to wait for a parking spot on a busy morning, but the shopping, food, and experience at this marketplace, cafe, and coffeeshop are all worth the wait.6949 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, Delaware
Facebook / Blackbird State Forest
Blackbird State Forest is the most serene, isolated spot in Delaware. It’s hard to find some true quiet in the crowded first state, but here you can be sure to have it almost to yourself. Enjoy walking the trails or camp out here for an experience you won’t soon forget.502 Blackbird Forest Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Facebook / Wilson’s General Store
Wilson’s General Store has been family owned and operated for generations, and this little known spot still serves up the best breakfast sandwich in Delaware. Plus, while you’re here, you can load up on snacks and coffee.24730 Springfield Rd Georgetown, Delaware 19947
Yelp / Adrienne A.
Visit the only alligators in Delaware at 3 Palms Zoo! This animal sanctuary is the only one of its kind in the state, and you’ll love meeting all of the rescued animals and learning their stories. Dominick the Donkey is my favorite 3 Palms Zoo resident.924 Blackbird Forest Rd Clayton, DE 19938
Taylor Messick
Messick’s Ag. Museum oringially opened to preserve and display antique and vintage agricultural equipment, automobiles, farming tools and more. Over the years, the museum has grown to include several more buildings and sheds. Messick’s is a Delaware secret, and by traveling to the middle of a cornfield in Harrington, you’ll get to look at Delaware’s agricultural history. Admission is free, and it’s open to the public during normal business hours - Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Taylor & Messick, Inc., 325 Walt Messick Road, Harrington, Delaware 19952
Yelp / 301 Plaza
The 301 Plaza is a restaurant in the middle of a travel plaza! They’ve been serving up delicious breakfasts for decades, but most people drive right by without checking out this unique Delaware diner.921 Middletown Warwick Rd Middletown, DE 19709
Facebook / Hummingbird to Mars
The top-secret Hummingbird to Mars is the best speakeasy in Delaware. Be sure to get the code from their social media networks and dress to impress - they’ve been known to turn people away at the door (if you can find it!).1616 Delaware Ave Trolley Square Wilmington, DE 19806
Facebook / Bowers Beach Maritime Museum
The Bowers Beach Maritime Museum is one of the coolest museums in Delaware! Learn about the pirate and shipwreck history of the Delaware coast and about the vibrant fishing communities and how they helped shape Delaware today.3357 Main St, Frederica, DE 19946
Facebook / White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek is Delaware’s most underrated state park. Hike through the woods to a hidden pond, into Pennsylvania and Maryland, and along the Mason-Dixon line. It can get crowded in the summer with people looking to cool off, but strolling in the fall and winter will bring you nothing but peace and quiet.Thompson Station Rd, Newark, Delaware
Facebook / Nanticoke Indian Tribe
The best festival in Delaware is the Nanticoke Pow Wow every fall, but you can visit the Nanticoke Museum year roud. The two-room museum has a handful of interesting artifacts, but the best way to experience it is to speak to the curator and learn as much as you possibly can about the tribe and its history in Delaware.27073 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966
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