Whether it’s history, culture, or natural beauty you seek, it can all be found in Delaware. Among our many treasures, we have world-class museums, beautiful gardens, grand performances, and towns that were founded before the birth of our country. Ideally located halfway between New York and Washington, D.C., Delaware is a great place for an overnight stop, getaway weekend or a visit of several days.

History
Stroll the streets of towns that were founded before the birth of our country. Hear Civil War cannons roar at Fort Delaware. From tall ships and maritime museums, to restored Victorian homes and the oldest church in America (standing as originally built), the First State offers you a glimpse of the past in historic proportions.

Culture See world-class performing artists at Wilmington’s immaculately restored Grand Opera House. Visit a magnificent Louis XVI-style chateau and gardens built for Alfred I. du Pont in 1909. From first-run Broadway plays to world-renowned art museums, the Diamond State shimmers with the best in visual, literary and performing arts.
Value Whether you’re looking to update a wardrobe, buy special presents or install a home theater system, Delaware offers unbeatable tax-free savings no matter where you shop! Come see why we’re one of the top ten shopping destinations in the U.S.

Adventure
No matter where you look in Delaware, you’ll find outdoor fun of every description. From the roar of NASCAR at Dover Downs to the thunder of thoroughbreds at Delaware Park, from ocean and freshwater activities, to camping, hunting and sightseeing, if it’s going on outdoors, it’s happening here!

Events
Whenever you plan to visit, whatever your interest, you’ll find a special event that will guarantee a memorable experience. Nearly 400 events are held throughout Delaware each year—from cultural festivals and theater performances to sporting events and holiday celebrations.

Brandywine River Museum
A restored century-old gristmill features paintings by three generations of the Wyeth family and other American artists. It’s located on US Rte. 1, north of Kennett Square, PA. P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317.

Cooch's Bridge
This was the scene of the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, September 3, 1777. It was the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware. Tradition holds that the new 13-star flag, the Stars and Stripes, was first unfurled in this battle. Located on DE Rte. 4, east of DE Rte. 896, Newark, DE.

Delaware Art Museum
The museum holds nineteenth- and 20th-century American art including works by Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Edward Hopper, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Andrew Wyeth, and John Sloan. There is also a collection of late 19th-century English Pre-Raphaelite art, as well as a children's participatory gallery, museum store, museum cafe, and art sales and rental gallery. Located at 2301 Kentmere Pkwy .Wilmington, DE 19806.

Delaware History Museum
This is a renovated 1940s Woolworth's, which houses a high-tech, interactive exhibition of Delaware history from the state's first settlement in the 1600s through its incarnation as a 20th-century corporate capital. "Grandma's Attic" Discovery Center provides a hands-on history experience for children. Other galleries feature changing exhibits for all ages. The museum is part of the Delaware History Center, operated by the Historical Society of Delaware. Located at 505 Market St. Wilmington, DE, 19801.

Delaware Theatre Company
This is a resident professional theater producing plays and riverfront concerts, which feature contemporary singer-songwriters. The modern, 389-seat theater is located on the Christina River just west of Wilmington's Amtrak Station.

First USA Riverfront Arts Center
This 125,000-sq.-ft. Arts Center features a 25,000-sq.-ft. main exhibition area, a large lobby where current exhibition tickets may be purchased, and a 275-seat theatre. A large gift shop is also featured and a public dining area and banquet facility seating 1,100 is included. Major world-class exhibitions have been hosted here. Originally a World War II ship assembly building, the Arts Center was completely transformed for its opening in 1998. Located at 800 S. Madison St. Wilmington, DE 19801.

Fort Christina
This is the site of the first permanent settlement in Delaware Valley, where the Swedes landed in 1638. There is an historic park and early log cabin. Located at the foot of 7th St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

Holy Trinity Church and Hendrickson House Museum
Experience the timeless beauty of Old Swedes Church, churchyard, and Hendrickson House Museum. Enjoy sagas of survival in Colonial New Sweden as told beside the great fireplace in the 1690 farmhouse. Located at 606 Church St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

New Castle Courthouse
Built in 1732, this building served as the capitol for the English colony. Delaware’s first Constitution was adopted here in 1776 shortly after Delaware separated form Pennsylvania. Interpretive information and exhibits highlight the creation of Delaware’s unique boundaries, colonial government, and the impact of legislative and judicial practices on the lives of men, women, slaves, and free African-Americans. Period portraits, furnishings, and artifacts are displayed. Located at 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19770.

Old Town Hall Museum
This is a Georgian-style building that functioned as the center of city government and social activities through the early 20th century, and during the height of Wilmington's mercantile-milling economy. Now a museum admired for its exquisite architecture, it houses exhibits devoted to Delaware's history and artistic achievements. The Old Town Hall is part of the Delaware History Center complex, operated by the Historical Society of Delaware. Located at 505 Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

Quaker Hill Historic District
This, of course, was Wilmington’s first residential neighborhood, settled in 1738. Three of the original homes survive, along with fine examples of 19th-century architecture. Thomas Garrett and Harriet Tubman brought nearly 3,000 former slaves through Quaker Hill on their way to freedom from the south. “Penman of the Revolution,” John Dickinson, is buried in nearby Quaker Meeting Cemetery. Guided tours for groups of 5 or more can be arranged. Self-guided walking tour maps available. Located at 521 N. West St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

Wilmington State Park
This park includes a cluster of parks and facilities at locations throughout the city: Rockford Park, Brandywine Park, Brandywine Zoo, Kentmere Parkway, Alapocas Woods, Baynard Stadium, H. Fletcher Brown Park. Go to 1021 W. 18th St., Wilmington, DE 19802.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
This museum features Henry Francis du Pont's world- renowned collection of decorative arts made or used in America from 1640-1860, showcased in two buildings. The Galleries at Winterthur offer an introductory exhibition, "Perspectives on the Decorative Arts in Early America." The Period Rooms provide visitors with guided tours of rooms decorated as they might have been in days gone by. Spread over almost 1,000 acres, the garden features native and exotic plants, ponds, woods, and meadowlands. Year-round programming includes the annual Point-to-Point races in May and the Yuletide tour in November and December. Located of DE Rte. 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington. Winterthur, DE 19735.

Dover Downs International Speedway and Slots
June and September bring NASCAR racing to this super-speedway just north of Dover. Harness racing runs November-March. The Casino features coin-operated slot machines. Buffet dining overlooks the track. All games are video lottery games controlled by the Delaware State Lottery. Located off US Rte. 13, one mile north of Dover. P.O. Box 843, Dover, DE 19903.

Harrington Raceway
This was home to the first pari-mutuel harness racing in Delaware; it was opened in 1946 as Kent and Sussex Raceway. In 1967 its name was changed to Harrington Raceway. There is harness racing 5 nights a week May-July and September-November; slot machines and simulcast horse racing 7 days and nights a week. Located off US Rte. 13, P .O. Box 28, Harrington, DE 19952.

Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art
Here you’ll find fourteen galleries of fine and decorative arts, many of Delaware origin, and exhibits of over 200 years of American cultural history. Small changing exhibitions, family activities, and special programs are offered. Located at 406 Federal St. and North St., Dover, DE 19901.

Breakwater Lighthouse
Off the Lewes coast, the Lighthouse was commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1828 and removed from service in 1994. It remains a historic landmark.

Cape Henlopen Seaside Nature Center
The center is located at Cape Henlopen State Park. Jump into the ocean environment with full-moon beach hikes, nature programs including the dolphin watch, sunset dune walks, canoe trips, crabbing instructions, and autumn hayrides. There are exhibits, aquariums, touch tanks, and an auditorium. Daily and evening nature programs available for visitors, school groups, or organizations. Go to US Rte. 9, Lewes, DE 19958.

Cape May-Lewes Ferry
A 70-minute cruise across the open salt water, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry offers the perfect day trip from Lewes to Cape May, NJ. The ferry offers transportation for cars, foot passengers and bikers year-round, with on-board food and occasional entertainment.

Nanticoke Indian Museum and Pow Wow
The Nanticokes of Sussex County were Delaware's first residents; today the tribe numbers about 500 citizens. The museum and the Pow Wow celebrate their heritage, an event held annually Saturday and Sunday after Labor Day weekend. The Pow Wow invites remaining members of the tribe and the public to convene for ceremonial dancing, story telling, and Indian crafts and food. Located at the intersection of DE Routes 24 and 5, east of Millsboro near Oak Orchard, Millsboro DE 19966.

Area: 2489 sq.mi, Land 1955 sq. mi., Water 535 sq.mi.

Coastline: 28 mi., Shoreline 381mi.

Population: 753,538; 45th, 12/99.

Location: 39.15869 N, 075.51744 W.

State Capital: Dover.

Border States: Maryland - New Jersey - Pennsylvania.

Agriculture: Poultry, nursery stock, soybeans, dairy products, corn.

Industry: Chemical products, food processing, paper products, rubber and plastic products, scientific instruments, printing and publishing.

Flag: Adopted on July 24, 1913,the Delaware state flag has a background of colonial blue surrounding a diamond of buff color in which the coat of arms of the state is placed. Below the diamond are the words "December 7, 1787," indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States constitution. Because of this action, Delaware became the first state in the Union, and is, therefore, accorded the first position in such national events as presidential inaugurations. According to members of the original commission established to design the flag, the shades of buff and colonial blue represent those of the uniform of General George Washington. Inside the diamond, the flag recognizes the importance of commerce {the ship} and agriculture {wheat, corn, the ox and the farmer} to the state. Tribute is also paid to the revolutionary war soldiers. The words in the ribbon banner read Liberty and Independence.

Statehood: December 7, 1787

Largest Cities: Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Bethany, and Milton.

Geographical Center: Kent, 11 miles sout of Dover

Highest Point: Ebright Azimuth; 442 feet, 49th

Lowest Point: Atlantic coast; Sea level, 3rd

State Bird: Hen Chicken

State Flower: Peach Blossom Prunus persica

State Nickname: First State / Diamond State / Blue Hen State/ Small Wonder

Motto: Liberty and Independence

Origin of state's name: Named after an early Virginia governor, Lord De La Warr.

State Song: Our Delaware

State Tree: American Holly Ilex opaca