As the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp, there's no better place to enjoy the fall season in Delaware than at its state parks. Enjoy the beauty of autumn in the First State on a hike, bike ride, or even just a picnic... or better yet, a wagon ride!

This year, six of Delaware's state parks are offering hayrides and wagon rides through their grounds, for a unique way to admire the vibrant fall colors.

Bellevue State Park is offering multiple types of wagon rides. For groups of up to 20, you can take a private, 50-minute long wagon rides which end at an hour-long campfire. Each private wagon ride costs $130. Beginning October 8, you can also take Fall Foliage wagon rides for a mere $5 per person, also including an hour around the campfire at the end of the ride.

If you're looking for the perfect kid-friendly outing, try the caramel apple making & wagon ride at Bellevue. First, you'll get to make your own caramel-coated apples, topped with all kinds of sweets. Then, climb aboard for a leisurely wagon ride around Bellevue State Park, capped off with a campfire. It costs $15 per person to attend, and ages two and up are welcome.

At Brandywine Creek State Park, budding photographers will love the Photography Wagon Ride. First, you'll be given some photography tips and tricks, then you'll set off on a wagon ride around the park, followed by a campfire where you can enjoy looking through all the photos you took. The Photography Wagon Ride costs $12 per person. You can also reserve a private autumn hayride for $130 per wagon, accommodating up to 20 people.

Killens Pond State Park offers public wagon rides for $5 per person. Each wagon ride is approximately 35 minutes long, and you're encouraged to bring your own blankets as there will be no hay added to the benches on this wagon ride. We love these waterproof outdoor blankets from L.L. Bean (in fall colors of course)!

Lums Pond State Park is offering private group wagon rides only, also at $130 per group. The wagon can accommodate 25 people.

At Trap Pond State Park, wagon rides are free! However, space is limited, so be sure to sign up early. You'll get to tour the fields and woods on the park wagon, on Fridays throughout October at 5 PM.

White Clay Creek is running private hay rides, again at $130 per wagon, which can fit 20 to 25 people. Each hayride ends with a 45-minute campfire. There will also be a hayride with the park superintendent on Sunday, October 21 at 3 PM, for just $5 per person.

For wagon rides that are followed by a campfire, be sure to bring your own snacks, beverages (no alcohol is permitted), and cooking equipment (like skewers for marshmallows)!

Ramsey's Farm, located in Wilmington, Delaware, welcomes tons of visitors back each fall to pick out pumpkins and to engage in other fun fall activities, like wandering through the 10-acre corn maze. There's even a smaller corn maze for younger kids!

Pumpkins are charged by weight, at 70 cents a pound. Otherwise there's no charge or ticket needed to go pick your own pumpkin from the field. There are also some smaller and specialty pumpkins sold by the piece in a tent beside the pumpkin patch.

The pumpkins come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can go for the classic look, or bring home something a little more unique to spice up your autumn decor.

There are lots of fun activities for kids, from pumpkin painting to a farm yard playground to visiting and even feeding barnyard animals like chickens, sheep, cows, and more.

And of course, no pumpkin-picking excursion is complete without a hayride! Take in the autumn beauty of the Brandywine Valley as you ride along in the hay wagon. You can also take an extended nighttime hayride during bonfire night events at Ramsey's Farm.

Don't forget to check out the produce stand for fresh fall produce to bring home. Produce is grown on the farm and on neighboring family farms in the area.

Before you head out, be sure to try an apple cider doughnut for a sweet and cinnamon-y taste of autumn. It's the perfect way to cap off your pumpkin-picking adventure.

1. Killens Pond State Park

2. Lums Pond State Park

3. Trap Pond State Park

4. Cottages at Indian River Marina

5. Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay

6. Delaware Seashore State Park

7. Cape Henlopen State Park

8. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Delaware Beaches

9. Holly Lake Campsites

10. Big Oaks Campground

11. Tall Pines Campground Resort

12. Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground

13. Lost Lands RV Park

14. Homestead Campground

15. Redden State Forest

16. Blackbird State Forest

1. Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest in Newark, September 15th, 16th, & 17th

2. Art on the Green in New Castle, September 23rd

3. Faithful Friends 5K & Mutt Mile at Bellevue State Park, September 24

4. Fall Fest at Fifer Orchards, Saturdays from September 24th through November 5th

5. Wings and Wheels Fall Festival in Georgetown, October 7th

6. Apple-Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville, October 13th-14th

7. Blackbird Creek Fall Festival in Townsend, October 21st

8. Hagley Craft Fair in Wilmington, October 21st & 22nd

9. The Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach, October 27th-29th

This year, the fall foliage in Delaware will reach its peak around the second to last week of October. Leaves will begin to change color around the end of September. One of the best weekends for getting out and going on a Delaware fall foliage road trip will be the weekend of October 21st and 22nd. Where should you head? Well, there are a few places we'd recommend...

Trap Pond State Park isn't just known for its cypress swamp; it's also a wonderful place to view the fall foliage. You can take the 4.6-mile Bob Trail through the park and enjoy peaceful views of fiery leaves reflected in the water of the pond.

Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library is a must-see in any season. Its 60-acre garden is brimming with hues of red, orange, and yellow once fall rolls around, and there's nothing better for getting in the autumn spirit than taking a stroll around the grounds.

If you're not up for a stroll, what about a train ride? Wilmington & Western Railroad offers a Fall Leaf Special every year, where you can admire Delaware's fall colors from the comfort of your seat. You can even enjoy a half-hour layover at the Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove.

Speaking of Mt. Cuba Center, this is another great place to visit to see fall colors in Delaware. Meander through the gardens and trails (open Wednesday through Sunday) and make sure to take plenty of pictures.

Hagley is a can't-miss, as an indoor-outdoor museum with the Brandywine River running through the grounds. Walk along the river and admire the foliage as you go. There are often events going on at Hagley for adults and children alike, so be sure to check the Hagley event calendar.

Any of Delaware's state parks would make for a beautiful fall visit, but not all of them have the amount and diversity of trails you'll find at White Clay Creek State Park. Over 37 miles of trails, ranging from easy to moderate, with some being paved, are available for hikers and bikers to enjoy. White Clay Creek winds through the park, making it even more picturesque. Take the Pomeroy Rail-Trail, which runs right alongside the creek, for some truly lovely scenery.

Via Sophia by the Sea is located within the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott, which has recently undergone extensive renovations.

You can see the care put into the restaurant's design the moment you step inside. With 164 seats and an emphasis on fresh and local food, Via Sophia offers "a taste of the Italian seaside," marrying Delaware coastal cuisine with traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

Enjoy the summer weather and the sea breeze when you dine on the outdoor patio at this beachfront osteria. The location and the views really can't be beat.

Creative dishes such as saffron gnocchi (with pattypan squash, lump crabmeat, zucchini, and espelette) are standouts on the dinner menu. And Artisan pastas made from scratch of course play a starring role, along with local fish and poultry, and seasonal herbs and vegetables.

Via Sophia is also open for lunch, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Try the lemon ricotta pancakes with candied hazelnuts if you're stopping in for brunch. (Although you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.)

The cocktail menu is similarly inspired. For instance, take the "Long Walk Short Pier," which features old forester bourbon, house red aperitivo blend, vanilla-hibiscus syrup, lemon, and cherry bark vanilla bitters.

For dessert, dig in to some mouthwatering tiramisu to cap off a satisfying meal. Delizioso.

The Historic Lewes Byway, Gateway to the Bayshore spans twelve miles, six roadways, and almost 400 years of Lewes history along the way. The route may not be as long as other scenic byways, but we’d still recommend at least one full day to truly explore all there is to see.

There are multiple options where you can start the Byway route: "the Gateways from the Land" (Kings Highway, Savannah Road, and New Road), or the "Gateways from the Sea" (Pilottown Road, Neck Road, and Cape Henlopen Drive). The route travels along Pilottown Road/First Street, Gills Neck Road, New Road, Kings Highway, Cape Henlopen Drive, and Savannah Road, taking you right through the town of Lewes.

The Zwaanendael Museum, built in 1932, is a must-visit along your route, if only for its beautiful (and slightly out-of-place) Dutch architecture. It's worth stepping inside to learn about the first European colony, Swanendael (settled by the Dutch), in what is now Lewes, and to view some interesting artifacts...such as the "Fiji Merman," on display since 1941.

Stroll onward through the Lewes Historic District and you'll find plenty of other examples of historical architecture, like this home. One particular standout is the Cannonball House, which still has a cannonball lodged in its side from the War of 1812, during the Bombardment of Lewes.

Another must-see is the Lightship Overfalls, located in Lewes Canalfront Park. This ship was built in 1938 for the United States Lighthouse Service and, since being decommissioned, has been in Lewes since 1973. You can take a guided tour above and below deck -- visit the Lightship Overfalls website to find out current hours and plan your visit.

The Lewes Historical Society offers a variety of walking tours, from historic architecture tours to "Lewes Legends," with the latter highlighting Lewes's spookier side. Visit the Lewes Historical Society website and find out about current tours offered and upcoming events and exhibitions.

For a somewhat less historically accurate adventure, climb aboard a "pirate ship" in Lewes with Pirates of Lewes Expeditions. There's a daytime tour for kids, and an evening adults-only tour available. Both sail along the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal and make for a memorable adventure.

And of course, no trip along the Gateway to the Bayshore is complete without a thorough exploration of beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park. Over six miles of coastline, hiking and biking trails, a campground with cabins, and so much more await here.

Explore the diverse habitats that make up the ecosystem along the Delaware Bay. You can borrow a bike for free to travel along the trails if you'd like. Visit the Cape Henlopen State Park website for current Borrow-A-Bike hours.

At the end of the day, relax on the beach and watch the waves lap at the shore as you reflect on your travels along this historic, scenic byway.

Wyoming, Delaware is a charming, peaceful little rural town with only about 1,800 residents. In the 1860s, Wyoming was known as “the peach center” of Delaware ("the peach state"), with several growers and peach-based businesses.

The Peach Festival has been celebrated in Wyoming for over three decades, offering residents and visitors an annual opportunity to celebrate the area’s agricultural history and importance.

With craft vendors, music, a peach dessert contest, a raffle, and more, Wyoming’s Peach Festival is a wonderful way to get out for some summertime fun this August.

Stop by the friendly peach-themed information booth when you arrive to get oriented, and get some Peach Festival merch while you’re there. This year’s official t-shirt was designed by a local Wyoming, DE student.

This year’s festival will feature over 150 vendors, set up along Railroad Avenue and Broad Street. The 2023 festival as a whole will stretch from Southern Boulevard to Second Street, making it the biggest Peach Festival Wyoming has ever celebrated.

The entertainment schedule is packed with performers this year on two different stages, starting at 9 AM and going through till 2 PM, when the peach dessert contest winners will be announced.

And tons of businesses have donated special items for the Peach Festival raffle, giving you the chance to win lots of awesome prizes - so be sure to check it out while you’re there.

1. Chestnut Hill Trail, Newark

2. Alapocas Woods Trail, Wilmington

3. Rocky Run Loop, Wilmington

4. Walking Dunes Trail, Lewes

5. Killens Pond Loop Trail, Felton

6. Newark Reservoir Trail, Newark

7. Brandywine Creek Long Loop, Wilmington

8. Northern Delaware Greenway, Wilmington

9. White Clay Creek State Park Loop, Newark

10. Gordons Pond Trail, Lewes

11. Swamp Forest Trail, Bear

12. Prickly Pear Trail, Rehoboth Beach

13. Parsons Point Trail, Smyrna

14. Raymond Pool Loop Trail, Smyrna

15. Raymond Observation Tower Trail, Smyrna

16. Hunn Nature Trail, Dover

17. Fork Branch Nature Preserve Loop, Dover

18. St. Jones River Greenway Trail, Dover

1. Scrapple!

2. The Nic-o-Boli

3. Cheesesteak - the real kind.

4. Blue Crabs

5. Grotto's Pizza

6. ANYTHING from Wawa.

7. Crab Dip - with Ritz crackers

8. Sno-Cones

9. Dogfish Head Beer

10. Soft Pretzels

11. Fried Oreos

12. Frozen Custard

13. Disco Fries

14. Peach Pie