This Delaware Town Has The Most Walkable Downtown
Milford stands out for its walkability, thanks to the mile-long Mispillion Riverwalk, which runs through downtown and provides access to its top sights. The riverwalk runs along both the north and south banks, with small pedestrian walkways crossing the river at certain points, linking attractions along the greenway, such as Bicentennial Park and Gallery 37. Along the way, downtown stops like the Riverfront Theatre and the Milford Museum give visitors worthwhile places to step inside between stretches of the riverwalk. With scenic river views tying the main points of interest together, a stroll through Milford makes for a pleasant and walkable downtown experience in Delaware.
Connected Downtown Greenways
The Mispillion Riverwalk is primarily paved with brick and concrete, and it links multiple green spaces throughout the town. Start your day with a visit to the Riverwalk Farmers Market on South Walnut Street. It is the longest-running farmers' market in the entire state, running seasonally from May until early December.
Follow the riverwalk east, and cross one of the bridges over into Bicentennial Park, a small park with benches, picnic tables, open grass for relaxing, a basketball court, and the opportunity to fish from the bridge.
The eastern end of the riverwalk reaches Goat Island. Visitors can walk the 0.75-mile boardwalk trail, popular among nature lovers, with the potential to see wildlife species such as eagles, otters, deer, and foxes.
Arts and Culture on Walnut Street
Head back into town toward South Walnut Street to dive into Milford’s arts scene. Gallery 37 represents more than 45 professionally active artists and artisans from all over the United States, showcasing all kinds of pieces from fine art paintings and sculptures, ceramics and pottery, jewelry, and marquetry furniture.
The Riverfront Theatre is adjacent to Gallery 37. It is a year-round community theatre, producing everything from musicals, dramas, comedies, original works, and children's theater. Shows are produced by the Second Street Players, whose shows cover almost every genre.
Across the river on North Walnut Street, the Mispillion Art League brings visual arts and art education to Milford. As well as hosting workshops and classes for all ages, they also have a gallery space with no admission fees.
Milford's Historical Attractions
There are several landmarks in Milford where you can learn about the town's history. The Milford Museum, on South Walnut Street, is housed inside Milford’s original post office building in downtown Milford. The museum has permanent exhibits which cover the town’s history from the 1700s to the present, covering Milford’s past from shipbuilding to canned goods to wooden spoons. Additionally, the museum preserves and displays artifacts from Milford’s past, currently holding over 13,000 items.
Nearby Towns
While you are in Milford, take the time to venture out to some other Delaware towns like Milton, which is about 12 miles southeast, and has riverside parks of its own. Milton Memorial Park is on the banks of the Broadkill River. The park serves as a central community hub, laced with walking paths and dotted with facilities like playground equipment and shaded picnic areas.
Georgetown is another nearby town, about 16 miles south of Milford, with its own set of historical buildings, like the Georgetown Train Station, which was built in the 1860s. The Historic Georgetown Association acquired the property in 1996. It now operates as a museum, hosting events, and is filled with exhibits and model train displays. The Old Fire House is adjacent to the train station. It was first built in 1904 behind the old jail. Visitors can view murals inside the firehouse, which pay homage to local firefighters.
Lewes is about 20 miles southeast of Milford, right on Delaware Bay. It is a historic town with Dutch heritage, which can be explored at the Zwaanendael Museum. The museum displays exhibits that showcase the maritime, military, and social history of Lewes. Alternatively, you can use Lewes as a gateway to Cape Henlopen State Park, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The park comprises 5,000 acres of trails, historic landmarks, beach access, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Downtown Milford, Delaware
Due to the way trails, parks, and downtown streets are seamlessly connected, exploring Milford, Delaware, on foot has never been easier than it is today. The Mispillion Riverwalk ties together green spaces like Bicentennial Park with cultural spots such as the Riverfront Theatre, creating a downtown where nearly everything is just a short stroll away. For visitors, that means taking in more river views than thought possible, browsing the works of local artists at galleries, and discovering small details along the way. It is obvious that Milford’s charm is best experienced one step at a time.
