These 9 Incredible Places In Delaware Will Bring Out The Explorer In You
Feeling like you’re in a rut? It’s time to tap into your inner explorer and check out some attractions in Delaware that will pique your curiosity and stir up a little excitement in your life. Delaware has hundreds of hiking trails, cycling routes, parks, and historic areas to keep you on your toes ready to explore what’s around each corner. These are a few destinations to get you started.
1. Fort DuPont (Delaware City)
Fort DuPont was an active military base from the Civil War through World War II. Today it is used as a state park overlooking the Delaware River and C&D Canal. You’ll feel like an explorer as you check out the historic structures on the property, which include an abandoned gun battery.
2. Lums Pond (Bear)
Hike around the entire pond on the 8.1 mile Little Jersey trail and then adventurously tackle the obstacle and zip line course by Go Ape! Cowabunga!
3. Brandywine Springs (Wilmington)
In the 1800s and early 1900s Brandywine Springs was an amusement park and vacation spot for many people in the region. Today you can still see remnants of the past and participate in ‘history hikes’ organized by Friends of Brandywine Springs.
4. Fort Delaware (Delaware City)
Fort Delaware is a fortress built in 1815 to protect the Wilmington and Philadelphia ports. Today it is part of Fort Delaware State Park, which brings history to life with a little help from actors who play a blacksmith, laundress and more. Visit the POW barracks to see how the prisoners of war lived during the Civil War. You’ll also see lots of birds, as the area around Pea Patch Island is home to the largest rookery of mixed species on the East Coast.
5. Winterthur Enchanted Woods (Wilmington)
Pint-sized explorers will get a kick out of the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur. They’ll feel like they’ve been transported into a story book as they climb into a giant bird’s nest and tiptoe into the faerie cottage.
6. Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes)
Climb up the spiral staircase of a World War II observation tower to relive history and enjoy a breathtaking view, too.
7. Trap Pond (Laurel)
The canoe and kayak trail at Trap Pond guides you through the pond and into the swamp. Bald cypress trees will create a canopy overhead as you paddle by turtles, ducks and other critters that call this pond home.
8. Rockford Park (Wilmington)
Climb to the top of the hundred-year-old stone water tower and see spectacular views of Wilmington.
9. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Smyrna)
You don’t have to be a dedicated birding enthusiast to see remarkable species at Bombay Hook – just open your eyes and look around. Experienced birders will often be seen with their spotting scopes identifying rare species seen only in our area during peak migration.
Do you have a favorite place in Delaware that brings out your inner explorer? Tell us about it in the Facebook comments!
