Wilmington, DE

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Darlene Perrone
Wilmington showing outdoor art
Wilmington Riverwalk which includes a garden and a sunset
Grand Opera House featuring heritage architecture
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library featuring outdoor art and a park

With music festivals, lively neighborhoods, museums and wineries, this “midway city” between Washington, D.C. and New York is an attraction in its own right. 

Delaware’s largest city combines historic charm and a dynamic cultural scene. Whether you want to dine and shop in one of the many neighborhoods, tour perfectly landscaped gardens or absorb culture in a variety of museums, Wilmington has plenty to do.

The city comprises many distinct neighborhoods, each offering something unique. Step back in time at the Colonial houses of Quaker Hill or enjoy the shops and tourist attractions of the Riverfront. If you visit during June, attend the Italian Festival. The city shuts down several blocks to make way for carnival rides and traditional Italian food and music.

Wilmington hosts a variety of music festivals each summer. The most popular are the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, a weeklong event in Rodney Square, and the Peoples’ Festival, a Riverfront tribute to Bob Marley.

Get in touch with your wild side at the Brandywine Zoo. This small zoo is home to a variety of exotic creatures, including a clouded leopard, a Siberian tiger and a two-toed sloth.

Browse through the extensive collections at the Delaware Art Museum or take the younger members of your family to the Delaware Children’s Museum for hands-on learning. Buy a ticket for Frawley Stadium, home to Minor League baseball team the Wilmington Blue Rocks, as well as the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.

In the countryside surrounding Wilmington, visit local wineries along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. Tour the homes and gardens of nearby estates like Nemours Mansion and Winterthur. The area has a rich history dating back to the American Revolution visit key battle sites such as Cooch’s Bridge and Brandywine Battlefield.

Wilmington is a fairly small city with a huge variety of offerings. Between the many restaurants and shops downtown or the museums and galleries scattered throughout the city, you’ll find endless attractions for visitors of all ages. The city sits on the bank of the Delaware River halfway between New York City and Washington D.C.

Where to stay in Wilmington

Stopped by Del Pez Gastropub in Wilmington after the Philadelphia Flyers game

Riverfront

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

Unique features of Riverfront include the restaurants and river views. Make a stop by Daniel S. Frawley Stadium or Delaware Children's Museum while you're exploring the area.

Riverfront
Wilmington featuring a park, a castle and a statue or sculpture

Downtown Wilmington

3.5/5(211 area reviews)

Unique features of Downtown Wilmington include the bars and theaters. Make a stop by Grand Opera House or World Cafe Live at the Queen while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Wilmington
One of my stops while visiting Wilmington, DE.

Full story here: http://www.travelingken.com/whats-there-to-do-in-wilmington-de-part-1/

Trolley Square

While Trolley Square might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Delaware Art Museum and The Playhouse on Rodney Square.

Trolley Square
Default Image

Hilltop

When in Hilltop, you can plan a visit to World Cafe Live at the Queen and Grand Opera House, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Hilltop
An awesome little cafe/dessert place in the Trolley Square neighborhood of Wilmington, DE.

Check out the full story here: http://www.travelingken.com/whats-there-to-do-in-wilmington-de-part-1/

Forty Acres

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Forty Acres and surrounding area, you can visit Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Creek.

Forty Acres
Delaware Art Museum featuring art and interior views

Highlands

While visiting Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Creek.

Highlands
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington

4 out of 5
4727 Concord Pike Wilmington DE
The price is NT$3,225 per night from Jan 1 to Jan 2
NT$3,225
NT$3,580 total
Jan 1 - 2026/1/2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Wilmington. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Breaker blew on heater in room and it was cold. It was fixed by maintenance in 10 min. Everything was good.

Reviewed on 2025/12/16

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington
DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Wilmington - Legal District

DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Wilmington - Legal District

4 out of 5
700 N King St Wilmington DE
The price is NT$2,965 per night from Jan 1 to Jan 2
NT$2,965
NT$3,262 total
Jan 1 - 2026/1/2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Wilmington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
The staff in the lobby were excellent, beautiful lobby great food in the restaurant and the staff really pays attention to its guest. My only issue with this Doubletree is whoever owns. It may be independent from the Hilton brand because they obviously don’t care about their employees. the lobby ...

Reviewed on 2025/12/19

DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Wilmington - Legal District
Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

4 out of 5
1628 Chestnut St Philadelphia PA
The price is NT$3,651 per night from Dec 29 to Dec 30
NT$3,651
NT$4,248 total
Dec 29 - Dec 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,256 reviews)
Great location, quiet, good value. Would stay there again.

Reviewed on 2025/12/23

Club Quarters Hotel Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay

Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay

4 out of 5
4630 Island Ave Philadelphia PA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,366 reviews)
My only issue was the oven wasn’t cleaned properly so when I went to use it the room became smoky and the smoke alarm went off I had to open the windows. I cut the oven off and cleaned it myself

Reviewed on 2025/12/3

Philadelphia Suites-Extended Stay
4211 Suites

4211 Suites

4.5 out of 5
4211 Chestnut St Philadelphia PA
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Rittenhouse Square ...
9/10 Wonderful! (511 reviews)
This is at least my fifth or sixth time staying here. The reception staff are always polite and friendly. The rooms are consistently clean. My car is the appropriate size for their garage. It is very convenient and I appreciate the in/out privileges. The area is up and coming. Very close to the center ...

Reviewed on 2025/12/22

4211 Suites
Sosuite at The Ovation - Avenue of The Arts

Sosuite at The Ovation - Avenue of The Arts

4 out of 5
701 S Broad St Philadelphia PA
Stay at this aparthotel in Philadelphia. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Rittenhouse Square and Xfinity Mobile ...
7.2/10 Good! (19 reviews)
Clean and great location

Reviewed on 2025/12/19

Sosuite at The Ovation - Avenue of The Arts
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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