The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In Delaware
Delaware packs a surprising number of can't-miss towns into a compact state. Many trace their roots to colonial ports and riverfront trading posts that still shape their character today. Some are known for maritime history and lighthouses. Others draw visitors with breweries, art galleries, or long-standing traditions. Each one rewards an afternoon of wandering. Here are nine worth adding to your list.
Lewes
Lewes is a small town located along the Delaware Bay. One of the oldest towns in Delaware, Lewes is a treasure trove of maritime history and waterfront vistas. Enjoy the water via boat, kayak, or even water taxi. And if you're into fishing, definitely charter a boat and enjoy a day on the water!
This town of about 3,300 is home to Cape Henlopen State Park, one of the most beautiful state parks in Delaware, and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, a favorite for photographers. Lewes also boasts myriad museums for history buffs: Lewes Historical Society, the Zwaanendael Museum, and the WWII museum at Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Milton
Located at the head of the Broadkill River, Milton is the perfect day trip in Delaware: the town's home to a historic theater, riverside park, and robust shopping district. Brewmasters and beer enthusiasts know Milton as home to Dogfish Head Brewery's production facility and tasting room, one of the region's best breweries.
If you're into vintage markets, Milton's a great place to go! Definitely plan to visit The Mercantile at Milton, which has 50 vendors selling everything from art and jewelry to antiques and furniture, and A Walk Thru Time and Monstrful are must-visits for lovers of curiosities shops.
Georgetown
Georgetown is as teeming with old-fashioned charm and sensibility; the town likes to say it's 16 miles from everywhere in Sussex County. Historic homes dot the street and a sense of community runs strong in Georgetown, which hosts regular events like Concerts in the Park and Wings and Wheels.
Return Day is perhaps the most unique festival in Georgetown; held the Thursday after Election Day every even-numbered year, Return Day features an old-fashioned town crier who pronounces the election results, along a parade and hatchet burying ceremony.
Millsboro
Small-town sensibility makes Millsboro a must-visit town in Delaware, a community of roughly 7,800 residents. The town's Chamber of Commerce actively supports local businesses, with a robust directory of retailers, restaurants, and services in its walkable downtown.
Millsboro's location on the Indian River make it a popular place for paddling, canoeing, and taking in the river scenery. And everyone visiting Millsboro should check out the Nanticoke Indian Museum, an immersive lesson in the area's indigenous history and traditions that displays arrowheads, pottery, and other ancient artifacts.
New Castle
Overlooking the Delaware River, New Castle is a delight of a town to visit and live. It's the kind of town you'd see in a Hallmark movie, in all the best ways: a walkable downtown, beautiful outdoor spaces, trails and river recreation, a library, and museums.
Hometown pride runs deep in New Castle, which publishes a monthly town crier newsletter that harkens back to olden days. Parades, artisan markets, art shows, and seasonal festivals make every time of year a great time to visit New Castle; the summer concerts in Battery Park are especially fun!
Centreville
Centreville, Delaware, is a step back in time, in all the best ways. An 18th Century village listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Centreville is full of old country estates and esteemed museums, making it beautiful to both drive through and explore on foot.
Centreville's business district on Kennett Pike features lots of local shops, businesses, and restaurants located in beautiful old buildings. Located in a building from 1817, Buckley's Tavern is a must-visit restaurant in Centreville famed for its comforting dishes, with the mac 'n cheese a fan favorite.
Harrington
Home to the annual Delaware State Fair, Harrington is an inviting town to visit year-round. Located in Kent County, Harrington feels simultaneously suburban and small town, with the town boasting everything from museums and local businesses to major headliners like Harrington Raceway.
One could easily plan a day of retail therapy in Harrington: Ole Vintage Finds is 9,200 square feet featuring over 50 vendors; YumYum4Dogs is a must-visit for pet people; and equine enthusiasts should definitely check out Chick's Discount Saddlery.
Hockessin
A suburb of Wilmington, Hockessin is a beautiful town of about 13,500 that's known for its upscale vibe and scenic surroundings. The town's Mt. Cuba Center is a renowned botanic garden teeming with native plants, a love letter to the natural beauty of the Northeast.
In town, Lantana Square is the place to go shopping; there you'll find grocery stores, the town post office, banks, doctors, and dance studios. And Woodside Creamery is a family-owned farm that's beloved for its fresh ice cream made using milk from its herd of Jersey cows. In fact, in 1996, the Mitchell family celebrated their 200th year of operations and was recognized by the state of Delaware as one of the few remaining Centennial farms.
Odessa
Originally founded as Cantwell's Bridge in the 18th century and renamed in the 19th century after the Russian town of the same name, Odessa is a small town in Delaware's New Castle County. A National Historic District, Odessa is home to one National Historic Landmark and two National Park Service Network to Freedom sites.
The Odessa Historic District is an 18th-century grain port that invites visitors to take a step back in time while wandering the tree-lined streets filled with old Colonial homes. The Corbit-Sharp House is open for tours and there, visitors can learn about its fascinating and pivotal role in the Underground Railroad.
Exploring Small-Town Delaware
Delaware may be compact, but its towns hold centuries of history, active food and arts scenes, and traditions you will not find anywhere else. A day in maritime Lewes feels nothing like an afternoon among the colonial homes of Odessa, and that contrast is the whole appeal. Whichever town you choose, you will find plenty of reasons to linger.
