Tucked inside museums and tiny towns are some really weird Delaware attractions, oddities, and events. Some are downright creepy, and others take you on a walk on the wild side. If you’ve ever thought of visiting the weirdest places in Delaware, then we’ve got you covered. Here are 13 unique things to do in Delaware that we thought deserved to be on your list of must-visit places in the First State.

1. The Zwaanandael Museum, Lewes
Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Zwaanandael Museum / Facebook
While the museum itself isn't weird, the "Merman" display in it will surely give you the willies! Rumor has it that there are seven Fiji mermen like this around the country; this one was given to a local family by an old sea captain before being donated to the museum.

This fascinating museum in Lewes is a great place to visit on a rainy beach day.
2. Delaware State Fair Midway, Harrington
Delaware State Fair, 18500 S Dupont Hwy, Harrington, DE 19952, USA
Lee Cannon / Flickr
Like any good midway, the Delaware State Fair boasts some classic side show attractions, from giant snakes to tiny horses and just about everything in between.

Read more about why it's the best state fair in the Country and start counting down the days 'til it's back in town.
3. Delaware Museum of Nature and Science (formerly the Delaware Museum of Natural History), Wilmington
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA
Beverly Velach / Flickr
Check out the dinosaur display, seashell collection, and giant dung beetle complete with giant ball of poop! Go on. Stick your hand inside.

For anyone who loves science and learning, this is the best museum in Wilmington.
4. Apple-Scrapple Festival, Bridgeville
Apple Scrapple, &, S Laws St &, Delaware Ave, Bridgeville, DE 19933, USA
Apple Scrapple Festival / Facebook
Delaware has festivals for just about everything, but this one might be considered the oddest. A festival that plays homage to apples and breakfast meat is held annually in Bridgeville, featuring tons of crazy food offerings, a Miss Apple-Scrapple pagent, and the Mayoral Scrapple Sling!

Visit the event's official website to learn more about the Apple-Scrapple festival this year.
5. Oddity Bar, Wilmington
Oddity Bar, 500 Greenhill Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805, USA
Oddity Bar/Google
When you walk inside the Oddity Bar you'll be greeted by the obscure decorations, like a deer head smoking a cigarette, dim lighting, and an eclectic vibe. This beer pub features theme nights, live music and funky bar games.

Oddity is certainly the quirkiest bar in Wilmington!
6. Octagonal School House, Little Creek
Octagonal School House, 6926 Bayside Dr, Dover, DE 19901, USA
Jimmy Emerson / Flickr
Tucked back off the road along Route 9 near Little Creek is an old school house with an unusual shape. Also known as the Eight-square School House, this one-room building was opened in 1836 and was a fully functioning school well into the 20th century.
7. Pirates of Lewes Expeditions, Lewes
Pirates of Lewes, 400 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr
If you see the Jolly Roger flying high aboard a boat in the Lewes Canal, be prepared to walk the plank! Embracing Delaware's tales of Blackbeard the Pirate, this tour group has a variety of swashbuckling adventures for the young, and young at heart.

Interested in sailing? Learn more about Pirates of Lewes Expeditions.
8. Johnson Victrola Museum, Dover
Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901, USA
Jeffrey / Flickr
Eldridge Reeves Johnson was born in Wilmington, DE in the 1800s. After moving to Dover in his youth, he went on to establish the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901. He created the victrola, basically the predecessor to the record player. The museum features many of his inventions, and a collection of memorabilia about Knipper the Dog, the company's mascot.

This Museum in Dover, Delaware is truly a must-see.
9. Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach
Jeffrey / Flickr
The Sea Witch Festival every October in Rehoboth is surely a place to catch some weird things. In addition to costume parades (one for humans, one for dogs), there are games, crafts, a fiddler fest, a 5K and a broom tossing competition.

Sea Witch is hands-down the best Halloween festival in Delaware.
10. Dogfish Head Brewery Steampunk Treehouse, Milton
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 6 Cannery Village Center, 6 Village Center Blvd, Milton, DE 19968, USA
Chris Potako / Flickr
Now on display at the Dogfish Head Brewery, the Steampunk Treehouse was first displayed at Burning Man in Nevada in 2007. It was built by Sean Orlando and the 5-Ton Crane Arts Group of Oakland. It traveled to a variety of locations until Dogfish purchased it in 2009.

See all of Dogfish Head -- this brewery tour in Delaware belongs on your bucket list.
11. The Zepplin and the Unicorn, Wilmington
The Zeppelin and The Unicorn Antique Shop, 400 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
Zepplin and Unicorn / Facebook
A shopping trip inside this funky antique shop is sure to delight those looking for something vintage, unique, or downright odd.

We can't ever get enough of this quirky Delaware antique store.
12. Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Wilmington
weirdest places in delaware
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, USA
Jim the Photographer / Flickr
While Winterthur is not in itself weird, what is weird is that you can sit inside a human-sized bird nest. It's tucked inside the Enchanted Woods area of Winterthur and is accompanied by faerie houses and other whimsical things.

Spend a day exploring this garden near Wilmington and you'll fall in love.
13. Eagle Crest - Hudson Airport, Milton
Eagle Crest-Hudson Arprt-DE25, 29710 Eagle Crest Rd, Milton, DE 19968, USA
James Hynes/Google
Only one of the items on this list probably qualifies as a roadside attraction, and this spaceship in a field is it. Originally designed as portable ski chalets by architect Matti Suuronen in the 1960s, these Futuro Houses are scattered around the country, and one 'landed' in Milton.

See one of the last Futuro houses right here in the First State.

Want a glimpse into more weird places in Delaware? Check out this YouTube video by Dodong Bibo highlighting some of the cool and unusual places to visit:

It might be small, but Delaware is definitely full of some unexpectedly weird things.

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More to Explore

unique things to do in Delaware

Kim Magaraci | July 15, 2022

What are the most unique things to do in Delaware?

The DuPont Estates are unique to the Brandywine Valley, and it's always worth visiting Mt. Cuba, Hagley, Winterthur, or Nemours. Each estate is one-of-a-kind and features architecture, gardens, and plenty of interesting history. Another fun, off-the-beaten-path excursion in Delaware is the Wilmington and Western Railroad. You can take a rolling tour of the Red Clay Creek Valley on their themed, scenic train rides. Here are some more unique things to do in Delaware that we recommend:

  • Fort Delaware, Delaware City
  • Miles the Monster Statue, Dover
  • Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights, Yorklyn
  • Chalybeate Spring, Wilmington
  • Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge, Wilmington
  • Crabby Dick's, Delaware City
  • The Oddporium, Arden


Be sure to read our previous article with some more unique places to visit in Delaware.

Are there any Delaware attractions near the beach that are good for a rainy day?

Luckily for Delaware beachgoers, there's always something to do in the First State, even if your vacation days are rained out. Head to one of the many museums and nature centers on the Delaware Coast, like the Zwaanendael Museum or Bowers Beach Maritime Museum, and you're sure to be able to fill your day with entertainment! If you prefer to shop, there are outlets in Rehoboth Beach, and the town's quaint Penny Lane alley has all sorts of boutiques.

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