First State National Historical Park · NPS Photo · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
Delaware

Explore Delaware

Delaware is 96 miles long and 9 to 35 miles wide, and much of its border with Pennsylvania is an arc of a circle with a 12-mile radius centered on New Castle. The National Park Service describes it as one of the few circular borders in the United States.

Around 12 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Delaware. 10 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in Delaware

4 National Park Service sites in Delaware. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in Delaware

17 state parks we know of in Delaware. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 17

Alapocas Run State Park
Auburn Valley State Park
Bellevue State Park
Brandywine Creek State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park
Delaware Seashore State Park
Fenwick Island State Park
First State Heritage Park
Fort Delaware State Park
Fort DuPont State Park
Fox Point State Park
Holts Landing State Park
Killens Pond State Park
Lums Pond State Park
Trap Pond State Park
White Clay Creek State Park
Wilmington State Parks

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in Delaware

3 lakes in Delaware that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Killens Pond
near Felton · 75 acres · millpond (former)
- Fishingyes - bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, perch, pickerel
- BoatingBoat ramp; canoes, kayaks, rowboats, pedal boats
- Rentals & marinayes - kayaks, canoes, pedalboats
- SwimmingPond swimming not stated; Killens Pond Waterpark (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
- CampingYear-round campground: 59 hookup sites, 17 walk-in tent sites, 11 cabins; online reservations
- Entry$5/day DE vehicle; $10/day non-DE
- SeasonCampground year-round
Run by DE Division of Parks & Recreation (Killens Pond State Park)
Lums Pond
near Bear · 189 acres · impoundment
- Fishingyes - largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, pickerel, crappie, catfish, carp; fishing pier
- BoatingBoat ramp; bring your own (motor rules not verified)
- Rentals & marinayes - kayaks, canoes, pedalboats
- CampingRV (full hookup) and tent sites; online reservations up to 1 year ahead
- Entry$5/day DE vehicle; $10/day non-DE
Run by DE Division of Parks & Recreation (Lums Pond State Park)
Trap Pond
near Laurel · 90 acres · millpond (dam-created)
- Fishingyes - crappie, bluegill, some bass and pickerel
- BoatingBoat ramp for private shallow-draft boats; pontoon tours
- Rentals & marinayes - canoes, kayaks, pedalboats
- SwimmingNO - beach permanently closed since 2000 (Wikipedia)
- Camping142 sites (130 water/electric), plus yurts/cabins; online reservations only
- Entry$5/day DE vehicle; $10/day non-DE
- SeasonOpen daily 8am-sunset
Run by DE Division of Parks & Recreation (Trap Pond State Park)

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. Each state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

3 across Delaware, by town.

3 Palms Zoo & Education Center — some details below are unconfirmedClayton
* We could not confirm: official site blocked automated fetch. Check their site before you go.
Coastal WildsFrankford
Hours
Daily 9-5, but the site adds that you must check the booking site for actual dates and times
Admission
Not tour-only: a self-guided Wild Walkthrough ticket exists.
Reservations
Required
Every guest needs a ticket and a completed waiver; the park does not let anyone walk around without one. The FAQ says only select dates and times are open and each time slot has a capacity, while the tickets page says tour walk-ins are taken when space allows - so turning up unbooked is a gamble. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Tickets are non-refundable. The walking tour is outdoors on concrete, grass and gravel, flat enough for wheelchairs, and runs in rain. Restrooms are portable toilets. No pets and no service animals.
Brandywine Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedWilmington
Hours
10am-4pm daily; last admission 3:30pm
Season
year-round (implied; daily)
Reservations
Not required
Tickets sold online
* We could not confirm: admission not captured. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 1 of these carries an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. 2 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Water Parks and Amusement Parks

2 across Delaware, by town.

Funland (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware)Seasonalamusement parkRehoboth Beach
Boardwalk amusement park, summer season; 2026 dates not shown on site.
Jungle Jim'sSeasonalwater parkRehoboth Beach
Water park plus mini-golf/go-karts; closed for season, reopens Memorial weekend 2027.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Every one of these runs a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Wineries in Delaware

2 producers in Delaware that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery
winery · Frankford, DE · Sussex County (coastal)
Coastal Sussex County winery; no outside alcohol; groups of 10+ call ahead.
- HoursSun-Thu 12-6pm; Fri 12-8pm; Sat 11am-7pm
- Reservationswalk-in
- Phone302-436-1500
32512 Blackwater Road, Frankford, DE 19945
Nassau Valley Vineyards
winery · Lewes, DE · Sussex County (coastal)
Coastal Delaware winery near Lewes.
- Toursyes - 'Tours & Tasting' section linked (no details)
- Phone302.645.9463
32165 Winery Way, Lewes, DE 19958

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. None of these say anything about children, so do not plan around it without asking them.

Venues and Annual Events

3 across Delaware, by town.

Where to see something

The Grand Opera House — some details below are unconfirmedtheaterWilmington
Address
818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone
302-652-5577
Operated by The Grand for more than 140 years; also runs The Playhouse on Rodney Square.
* We could not confirm: Opened-year not verified. Check their site before you go.
The QueenclubWilmington
Hours
Box office Wed 2pm–6pm
Address
500 N Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone
(302) 400-7020
Concert venue in a restored downtown theater building.

What is on, and when

Delaware State FairfairHarrington
Usually
Late July, over several days
Held at
Delaware State Fairgrounds

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. One entry is marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through Delaware

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Delaware Bayshore BywayDelaware · 10 places we publish Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway2 states · 3 places we publish

What to wear in Delaware

Illustrated outfit board for Delaware: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 65°/44°F (18°/6°C)

Spring has changing temperatures and frequent chances for rain.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 85°/65°F (30°/18°C)

Summer is warm, with humidity and coastal breezes.

Wear: Choose a loose, breathable tee or shirt with quick-drying shorts, lightweight pants, or an airy dress. Carry a thin layer for chilly indoor stops.
Shoes: Breathable walking sneakers; secure sandals for casual paved stops.
Pack: sun hat
sunglasses
light indoor layer
light rain shell
spare tee

Fall 68°/48°F (20°/9°C)

Fall brings cooling days and breezy beach stops.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 46°/28°F (8°/-2°C)

Winter is cold, with wind, rain, and occasional snow.

Wear: Layer a moisture-wicking long-sleeve top under a sweater or fleece and an insulated coat. Wear long pants; add thermal bottoms when the forecast calls for them.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated boots for snowy stops, with warm wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated coat
beanie
gloves or mittens
warm spare socks

Adjust for your route. For beach and bay stops, carry a wind-resistant shell. Coastal moderation does not remove the need for a winter coat.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore Delaware

Locations in Delaware

Dover

Lewes

Rehoboth Beach

Wilmington

National parks and federal sites in Delaware

State parks in Delaware

Lakes in Delaware

Killens Pond

Lums Pond

Trap Pond

Zoos and Wildlife Parks

3 Palms Zoo & Education Center* — some details below are unconfirmedClayton

Coastal WildsFrankford

Brandywine Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedWilmington

Water Parks and Amusement Parks

Funland (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware)Seasonalamusement parkRehoboth Beach

Jungle Jim'sSeasonalwater parkRehoboth Beach

Wineries in Delaware

Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery

Nassau Valley Vineyards

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

The Grand Opera House* — some details below are unconfirmedtheaterWilmington

The QueenclubWilmington

What is on, and when

Delaware State FairfairHarrington