Big History in a Small City

Don’t let Wilmington’s small scale fool you. Halfway between New York and Washington, D.C., where the Christina and Brandywine rivers meet, this enterprising Delaware city rose from the first Swedish settlement in the USA to a hub of history, culture, dining and parkland.

Historic districts & deep roots

Explore nine districts shaped by Swedish settlers, industry and the Underground Railroad.

Parks & riverfront vistas

Unwind in 225 hectares of parkland where the Christina and Brandywine rivers meet.

Dining, culture & shopping

Catch performances, visit the art museum and shop tax-free after enjoying regional cuisine.

Experience Wilmington

Grand Estates & Gardens

  • Explore a renowned collection of American antiques set amid rolling gardens and trails.

  • Walk the original du Pont Gunpowder Works and grounds where Wilmington’s industry began.

  • Tour a 77-room chateau and admire the largest formal French gardens in North America.

Arts & Early History

  • Catch comedy acts, concerts and performances inside a historic 1871 theater.

  • View American art from the 19th to 21st centuries and stroll the sculpture garden.

  • Visit Old Swedes Church, learn about the New Sweden Colony and step aboard the Kalmar Nyckel.

Experiences

Aerial view of Fort Delaware in Wilmington; Credit: Joe del Tufo

Ferry to Fort Delaware

Tour the grounds of this island stronghold, with reenactments on select dates.

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The Kalmar Nyckel, a replica of the ship that brought the first colonists to Wilmington, Delaware

Step aboard the Kalmar Nyckel

Explore a full-scale replica of the ship that brought the first colonists to Wilmington.

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A scenic waterfront view near the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware

Walk Along the Water

Stroll Riverfront Wilmington, then explore nearby parklands and riverside paths.

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A group tour at Hagley Museum & Library in Wilmington, Delaware

Explore Immersive Museums

See working-history exhibits at preserved sites from Wilmington’s past.

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Entertainment at the DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Wilmington, Delaware; Credit: Leslie Kipp

Experience Annual Festivals

Attend the East Coast’s top free jazz fest and can’t-miss cultural celebrations.

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Wilmington, Delaware, Riverfront on the Christina River; Credit: Joe del Tufo

Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley

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