- One of the smallest US states and an easy add-on to Philadelphia, Washington DC or Baltimore
- Rehoboth Beach and Lewes are relaxed, family-friendly Atlantic resorts
- The Brandywine Valley has the grand du Pont estates and gardens
- Delaware has no sales tax, so prices on the label are what you pay
- Airports
- Philadelphia (PHL), direct from Heathrow, about 30 minutes' drive to Wilmington and 2 hours to the beaches; Baltimore (BWI) is a similar distance to the coast
- Best time to go
- May-September for the beaches; spring and autumn for gardens and history
- Type
- State
Delaware is America's second-smallest state and proudly "The First State", because it was the first to ratify the US Constitution in 1787. It is rarely a destination in its own right for British travellers, but it rewards a few days: elegant gardens and mansions in the Brandywine Valley, colonial streets in New Castle, and a strip of easy-going Atlantic beach towns.
It sits between Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC, so it fits easily into an East Coast trip. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.
Things to do
- Rehoboth Beach – a wide sandy beach, boardwalk, independent shops and a lively restaurant scene, popular with families and a long-standing LGBTQ+ community.
- Lewes – a charming historic town near Cape Henlopen, with good seafood and the ferry across to Cape May in New Jersey.
- Cape Henlopen State Park – dunes, beaches, cycle paths and old Second World War observation towers.
- Winterthur – Henry Francis du Pont's vast estate with a museum of American decorative arts and a celebrated naturalistic garden.
- Nemours Estate and Hagley Museum – a French-style mansion and gardens, and the original du Pont gunpowder works on the Brandywine River.
- Longwood Gardens – just over the border in Pennsylvania, one of the finest gardens in the US, with fountain shows and glasshouses.
- New Castle – cobbled streets, colonial houses and the courthouse where Delaware's early government sat.
- Tax-free shopping – outlet malls near Rehoboth Beach are popular because there is no sales tax.
Where to stay
- Rehoboth Beach – hotels and guesthouses close to the boardwalk; book early for summer weekends.
- Lewes – quieter, with historic inns and B&Bs.
- Wilmington – business hotels and a handy base for the Brandywine Valley.
- Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach – livelier and quieter beach alternatives respectively.
Getting there
Fly direct from Heathrow to Philadelphia (PHL), then drive about 30 minutes to Wilmington or around two hours to the beaches. Amtrak trains on the Northeast Corridor stop at Wilmington, linking it with Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC. Baltimore (BWI) and Washington airports are also within reach of the coast. A car is the easiest way to get around. UK visitors need an ESTA.
Best time to visit
June to August is beach season, with warm water, busy boardwalks and higher prices. May and September are quieter and often still warm. Spring is lovely in the Brandywine Valley gardens, and autumn is pleasant for history and walking. Winter is cold and the beach towns are quiet.
Visit the beaches midweek or in September to avoid summer weekend traffic from Washington and Baltimore.
Top attractions in Delaware
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
Delaware on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Delaware worth visiting?
It is worth a few days as part of an East Coast trip, especially for the gardens and beaches, though it is not a standalone long-haul destination for most people.
Does Delaware really have no sales tax?
Yes. There is no general sales tax on purchases, which makes its outlet shopping popular.
How far is Delaware from Philadelphia?
Wilmington is about 30 minutes from Philadelphia by car or train.
Can you combine Delaware with Washington DC?
Easily. Wilmington is under two hours from Washington by train, and the beaches are around three hours' drive.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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