8 Off-The-Grid Delaware Towns To Visit In 2025

Delaware was the first state inducted into the United States, so naturally, it is expected to be filled with numerous historical landmarks, buildings, and resources. The First State also borders on the Atlantic Ocean, so it provides ample opportunity for beachgoing and water-based activities. Take a trip to this prominent state and step into one of the smaller, timeless towns to experience life from the past, or visit a beachside town and relax in the surf and sand. From exploring Civil War sites on Pea Patch Island in Delaware City to tasting craft brews in the charming town of Milton, make 2025 the year to discover one of these eight off-the-grid towns.

Bethany Beach

Start your visit to Bethany Beach with a traditional seaside activity, the boardwalk. Walk the half-mile stretch of Bethany Beach Boardwalk and enjoy all this small strip has to offer. Stop in at one of the souvenir shops or eateries located on the boardwalk. Continue the traditional beachy activities at the Shore Fun Family Fun Center, because what trip to the beach is complete without an arcade? Challenge yourself in Skee Ball, play arcade games for prizes, or grab a memento from the trip with photos from the photo booth.

For a bit less touristy attraction, head to the Bethany Beach Nature Center. Tourists can walk along the Baldwin Trail and see how many wild birds, reptiles, and amphibians they can locate during the walk. Or visit the Addy Cottage. Built in 1903 by one of the original founders of Bethany Beach, you will find the Nature Center within the cottage. For one last stop, visitors can go see the Chief Little Owl Totem Pole. Since 1976, this 24-foot statue has been greeting visitors at the entrance to Bethany Beach. Although not original, this totem pole was recreated three times due to rot.

Milton

Visit Milton and stop at one of their more notable attractions, the Dogfish Head Brewery. It is one of the first brewpubs to open in the state of Delaware and is open to the public for guided tours of their brewery as well as their tasting room and the coveted Steampunk Treehouse. Book your tour as spots do fill up quickly and are limited. If a cold one isn’t your wheelhouse, visit the Milton Historical Society. The society preserves and displays artifacts and relics related to Milton. The Society has a new exhibit on display that features the history of trains, railroads, passenger cars, and more.

For an outdoor excursion, see the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Protecting over 10,000 acres of habitat for wildlife, the refuge is a mix of fresh and saltwater wetlands. With 7.5 miles of hiking trails, a visitors’ center, and four county roads through the marshes, the refuge can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. For one last stop in Milton, challenge yourself at The Rookery. This 18-hole golf course, set in the DelMarVa peninsula, features picturesque landscapes nestled between swelling mounds and a heron rookery.

Rehoboth Beach

Another seaside town with a traditional boardwalk is Rehoboth Beach, and you don’t want to miss the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. Shop, dine, or just enjoy the ocean view. And what goes best with a boardwalk? An amusement park! After the boardwalk, families can head over to Funland Rehoboth and enjoy one of the two dozen rides and games available, and experience the fun at any age. For a quieter, secluded excursion, visit Gordon's Pond Trail, a 900-acre saltwater lagoon, and walk through the marshes that fall between Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth Beach.

For one last trip, adventurers should head to Delaware Seashore State Park. With six and a half miles of ocean and 20 miles of shoreline in the park, it is an angler’s dream. As well as for beachgoers, paddlers, and those enamored with history. The park provides plenty to explore, no matter what interests you.

New Castle

Learn about the history of this small town at the New Castle Court House Museum. Built in 1732, the building served as the state’s first court as well as its capital. Registered as a National Historic Landmark, the courthouse has displays pertaining to the Underground Railroad, cultural influences from Swedish, Dutch, and English settlements, and more. Another historical building is the Read House & Gardens. “Possibly the best surviving example of domestic architecture from Philadelphia’s grand Federal period,” the home and garden are currently open for tours.

History enthusiasts can continue learning about the state’s past at the First State National Historical Park. The historic park is spread over multiple towns and consists of six establishments. The New Castle Court House Museum and the Sheriff’s House Welcome Center are part of the park located in New Castle. Stop and view the exhibits on display and learn significant stories that shaped the nation’s first state. Before leaving New Castle, make a final stop at the Amstel House Museum. The house itself is New Castle’s earliest remaining Georgian-style residence. Prominent guests, including George Washington, visited the house.

Lewes

Enjoy the scenic views of Lewes with one of its many famed attractions, such as Cape Henlopen State Park. Comprised of 5,000 acres where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean come together, there are beautiful beaches, maritime forests, nesting habitats, and plenty of land for outdoor recreation. After an outdoor excursion, spend some time learning the town’s history at the Zwaanendael Museum. Established in 1631 by the Dutch, this significant building is now a museum that teaches Lewes’s history about maritime, military, and social status. They also provide rotating online exhibits.

For more about the past, one can visit the Lewes Historical Society’s Main Campus. Preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment are how the society prides itself on educating the community. Check out the exhibits, attend an educational program, or peruse historical research to learn what made this town what it is today. Before heading out of Lewes, don’t miss a chance to visit the Lightship Overfalls (LV-118). Even more preservation of maritime history can be seen here. The LV-118 is a floating lightship decommissioned in 1972 and became a National Historical Landmark, offering public tours.

Georgetown

The county seat of Sussex County, Georgetown, is a must-visit for all kinds of travelers in Delaware. Upon arrival, most head to the Marvel Carriage Museum. Displaying antique carriages and original, but restored buildings, the museum displays date back to the 1800s. One of the historic buildings to tour is a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1833. And the carriages are just as enticing. View the Queen’s carriage as well as the Disney carriage as part of their historic collection! To tour another museum, one should stop at the Georgetown Train Station. The station went through multiple renovations and even a fire before being restored and opened to the public. Through all the repairs and upkeep of the station, it has finally returned to its role as a hub for the commercial and social life of the community.

Not as historical, but still as automotive-driven, is the Georgetown Speedway. Attend a race at the legendary clay track that has been a tradition for over 70 years. Watch late model, crate late model, and stock cars have their go at the half-mile oval. For an altogether different experience in Georgetown, hike any of the 44 miles of trail at Redden State Forest.

Delaware City

When it comes to offbeat gems for history lovers, few places beat Fort Delaware, one of Delaware City’s more unique historical attractions. Located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, it was once a Confederate POW camp and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a habitat for migratory birds. After touring the fort, one can go bird watching on the island and learn the history of Pea Patch Island.

Another Civil War era park to consider is Fort DuPont State Park. Originally built to protect port cities along the Delaware River, the park now preserves the land for recreation. Spend the day fishing or hiking on this historic land. For another rare outing, visit Cozy Quarters Farm and take a horse ride through town. The guided 50-minute horseback tour takes you up and down the streets of Delaware City. For a final stop, head to William Bubby Sadler Field. An outdoor venue that offers recreational activities for all ages.

Seaford

Make your last stop in the first state, Seaford. While there, make sure to visit two of the town’s most important museums preserving state history. The Seaford Museum has been hailed as one of the best museums in Delaware. Volunteers have saved and converted the town’s old post office into a museum. Exhibits consist of artifacts relating to agriculture, shipbuilding, canning, railroads, and so much more. Also preserved by the Seaford Historical Society is the Governor Ross Mansion. The Victorian Italianate mansion is set on 20 acres and also houses a granary, stable, smokehouse, and corn cribs. Those interested can stop by for a guided tour of the grounds. For a small trip from Seaford to Bethel, DE, hop aboard the Woodland Ferry. Since 2008, this ferry has been shuttling roughly 225 vehicles a day and managing 45,000 trips annually. For one final outing, head to Hooper’s Landing Golf Course. Eighteen holes encompass the DelMarVa Peninsula on a course by Alfred H. Tull and Richard Mandell. Tull designed the first nine holes in 1949, and the later nine were added in 1996 by Mandell’s design.

Finishing Thoughts

Delaware holds a unique place in the nation’s story, and a visit here offers the chance to explore its deep historical roots while enjoying its quieter coastal and inland towns. Whether you're soaking up local heritage in New Castle, strolling a boardwalk in Bethany Beach, or hiking through Redden State Forest, each destination offers something special. Make the most of your time in the First State by exploring these eight off-the-grid towns where history, charm, and coastal beauty come together.