7 Bucket-List Small Towns In Delaware
Delaware's coastal atmosphere paves the way for seaside boardwalks and historical treasures, such as the Ryves Holt House, which is the oldest surviving house in Delaware. Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach are both home to standout boardwalks that invite visitors to access local shops and dining directly alongside the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Milford, on the other hand, allows for a different kind of stroll by the water. The Mispillion Riverwalk is a relaxing, mile-long path that weaves directly through downtown and leaves space for shops and baked goods along the way. There is even the opportunity to combine history and the outdoors at Fort Delaware State Park in Delaware City, which transports visitors back to the 1860s. Needless to say, these seven towns are the perfect addition to any bucket list, especially during the summer months when beachside vacations are particularly desirable.
Bethany Beach
Located right on the Atlantic Ocean, Bethany Beach is one of Delaware’s best coastal towns, featuring plenty of waterfront attractions and a laid-back atmosphere, with a population just under 1,000. This town is home to Bethany Beach Boardwalk, where travelers can stroll and explore local establishments, like the Candy Kitchen, which offers an extensive collection of candies. From this boardwalk, it's easy to hit the town’s life-guard-protected beach to surf, relax, and swim. And perhaps even more exciting, Delaware Seashore State Park is just north of Bethany Beach, offering even more beach pleasures, with its six miles of shoreline on the Atlantic, featuring multiple swimming areas and other facilities. The park also provides opportunities for surfing, fishing, waterfront camping, and kayaking, plus it hosts the Indian River Marina, the largest in the state, with nearly 300 slips, a public boat ramp, and year-round boat charters. Meanwhile, downtown Bethany Beach is filled with unique draws, from Chief Little Owl, a 24-foot totem statue depicting a Nanticoke Indian Chief, to Off the Hook, which serves fresh seafood and other delicacies with a farm-to-table concept.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach sits beautifully on the Atlantic Ocean, where it flaunts some of Delaware’s most sought-after attractions, making it truly bucket-list worthy. For starters, it is home to the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, a charming mile-long stretch offering access to the soft-sand public beach and lined with notable establishments, including Funland, a family amusement park open from May to September, featuring over a dozen rides and other attractions. Meanwhile, summer visitors here will have the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand to enjoy free music and live entertainment. This open-air venue is also located on the boardwalk, making it a one-stop destination.
Beyond this part of town, travelers have plenty to enjoy, including the Gordon Pond Wildlife Area, a quieter part of Cape Henlopen State Park with opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking, and biking. The area features the Gordon Pond Trail, which offers an adventure through sandy beaches, salt marshes, and pine trees, where shorebirds, horseshoe crabs, and a variety of mammals can be seen. South of Rehoboth Beach, more exciting natural attractions await, including Delaware Seashore State Park, home to 20 miles of ocean and bay shoreline, a full-service marina, hundreds of campsites, and nature trails winding through salt marshes and wooded areas.
Lewes
Lewes is one of Delaware’s premier towns, combining historic significance with abundant recreation and coastal allure. Located on Delaware Bay and first founded in 1631 by Dutch colonists, it is the state’s oldest settlement and one of the first to be established in what became the United States. Now nicknamed the First Town in the First State, Lewes is home to priceless historic draws, including a charming historic district with 17th, 18th, and 19th-century architecture. Notable structures in this part of town include the Ryves Holt House, built around 1685 and representing the oldest standing house in Delaware. Zwaanendael Museum is also in the historic district, showcasing 17th-century Dutch architecture and featuring exhibits about the area’s maritime, military, and social history.
Outside its rich history, Lewes is famous for being home to the 5,000-acre Cape Henlopen State Park, located at the meeting point of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This park is a haven for coastal recreation, with six miles of beaches, a fishing pier, and oceanfront campgrounds. Opportunities abound in the park for bird and wildlife watching, alongside hiking and biking. Plus, the park hosts the Seaside Nature Center, which features live marine creatures and other exhibits highlighting the park’s ecosystem. For wine lovers, Lewes is the proud home of Nassau Valley Vineyards, the oldest of its kind in Delaware, established in 1993 and featuring a variety of award-winning wines that promise a pleasant wine tasting experience.
Smyrna
Smyrna is known for its small-town charms and historical draws. Established in 1755, walking the streets of this town feels like a step back in time with ages-old structures, like the Smyrna Opera House, which was first built in the 1870s and reopened in 2003 as a beloved local venue for the performing arts. Meanwhile, lined around the town center are quaint establishments, from Jack’s on Main, which serves barbecue, seafood, and salads, to the Elizabeth Esther Cafe, where a cozy ambience meets historic allure, fresh coffee, and baked goods.
Elsewhere, the Belmont Hall stands as one of the most unique venues in Delaware for special events, particularly weddings. The majestic Georgian mansion was built in 1773 and features manicured gardens and spacious grounds. And when it comes to outdoor recreation, the Smyrna Rest Area is a spacious green area ideal for relaxing, strolling, and picnicking. A few miles east of the town, the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area features ponds, woodlands, and marshes for nature lovers to explore and see birds and other wildlife. The area also boasts a fishing pier and a quiet beach.
New Castle
Beautifully positioned on the Delaware River, New Castle is one of the towns where Delaware’s history shines bright. For one, it is home to the New Castle Court House Museum, one of the oldest courthouses in the US, built in 1732. This courthouse was where independence was declared from Pennsylvania and England in 1776, creating the state of Delaware, the first in the United States. The courthouse also served as the first capital building and meeting place for officials of the newly created state, and today it offers tours and exhibits illustrating the social, political, and archaeological history of Delaware. Meanwhile, across the town are several other notable historic attractions, including the Immanuel Episcopal Church, which was originally built in 1703 and contains gravesites of locals from as far back as the 17th century.
Notably, New Castle is home to Jessop’s Tavern and Colonial Restaurant, an establishment located in a 1720s building and offering a dining experience. To add to that, the town hosts Battery Park Plaza, a beloved attraction on the river, famous for being the venue for the Separation Day Festival, held every June to commemorate the independence of Delaware from Pennsylvania and Great Britain. The park also features riverside trails and picnic facilities, making it a great place to relax.
Delaware City
This small town, named after the state, sits on the Delaware River with a couple of pleasant experiences to offer, especially for retreat seekers. To begin, there’s the Cozy Quarters Farm on Madison Street, where families can ride horses, hold birthday parties, or get up close to animals such as chickens, goats, and ducks. Meanwhile, a short ferry from town, travelers will be met with Fort Delaware State Park, one of the area’s premier attractions, mixing history with nature-based activities. Located in the middle of the Delaware River, this park preserves Fort Delaware, a former 1860s harbor defense facility that served as a prison until it was abandoned in 1944. Today, the fort is open for tours and features reenactors offering a glimpse into life during the Civil War.
Notably, the park hosts the Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve, home to one of the country’s largest populations of herons, egrets, and ibises. The two-mile out-and-back Prison Camp Trail offers opportunities to see these birds, as it winds through wooded areas leading to an observation platform. Furthermore, Fort DuPont State Park is located along the river, a short distance from downtown Delaware City, with opportunities for waterfront picnicking and fishing. The park also features the Riverview Trail, which winds along the Delaware River and through military batteries and wooded areas. Birds are frequently spotted here.
Milford
Milford is arguably the most beautiful town in Delaware, with a charming downtown area, sliced through by the Mispillion Riverwalk. Strolling on this paved mile-long path is one of the coolest things ever, as it winds along the river and right through the heart of town, with access to unique draws, including My Sister’s Fault, which serves delicious baked goods, sweets, and Puerto Rican-inspired delicacies. The Milford Museum is also easily accessible from the riverwalk, offering history lovers the opportunity to delve into some local history. The museum features over 13,000 artifacts encompassing the town’s shipbuilding, military, and medical history. Those who love target sports have Kiss My Axe to enjoy a memorable axe-throwing experience. And as for nature lovers, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center is just outside town with a 20-acre pond open for kayaking and fishing. Covering a 376-acre area, the nature center also features live animal exhibits, picnic areas, and trails winding along a stream, through meadows, and wooded areas.
One of the unique things about Delaware is its laid-back, coastal atmosphere, often complemented by historical attractions dating to the colonial era. Across most of these towns, travelers will be met with this appealing mix, alongside cozy local establishments, including shops offering tax-free shopping, and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Moreover, there’s always something exciting to do in each of these towns, and in a state reputed as the second smallest in the country, nothing is ever too far away. With that said, make plans to visit these bucket-list towns in Delaware today.
