12 Out Of This World Summer Day Trips To Take In Delaware
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Kim Magaraci
Author
It’s easy to find a great Delaware day trip – after all, everything is within driving distance in our tiny state! If you’re making up your best day trips in Delaware bucket list, be sure to include these 12 spots for unforgettable fun. We’re featuring fantastic hiking spots, tea rooms, places to paddle, and so much more. If you haven’t really gotten out to explore Delaware yet, what are you waiting for? There are so many adventures hiding right in your own backyard. Here are just a few of the best day trips in Delaware.
Killens Pond State Park Entrance, Killens Pond State Pk Entrance, Delaware 19943, USA
Killens Pond in Felton is full of fun for the entire family. Not only is it one of the nicest campgrounds in the state, but the miles of gorgeous trails will take you right to a hidden water park! This is one of the best day trip destinations in Kent County, and it's the perfect place for a short hike or paddle and a picnic.
Read more about Killens Pond.
Read more about Killens Pond.
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968, USA
If you're up for some physical activity, rent a canoe or kayak and drop in at tiny Waples Pond. Once you paddle under Route 1, you'll be immersed in a true paradise as you paddle the Prime Hook Creek into Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. If you take only one of these Delaware day trips, make it this one. It is life changing.
Get all the details about paddling Prime Hook Creek.
Get all the details about paddling Prime Hook Creek.
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Terry House Bed & Breakfast, 130 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720, USA
If you would rather relax and avoid the more physical Delaware day trips, perhaps afternoon tea is more your style! Delaware's tearooms in Wilmington, New Castle, Newark, and Dover will treat you to a perfect afternoon tea.
Check out some of the best Delaware tearooms.
Check out some of the best Delaware tearooms.
Hagley Museum, 200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA
Watch history come alive at the first DuPont mill and home in Delaware! You'll be transported straight to the past with a trip to the Hagley Museum! Explore the working mills, the stunning gardens, or the Museum of American Industry throughout the grounds.
Get more details to help plan your visit on the official website of the Hagley Museum.
Get more details to help plan your visit on the official website of the Hagley Museum.
Harrington, DE 19952, USA
One of the best day trips is certainly the State Fair in Harrington! This is the ultimate destination for foodies, for sure. Plus, the rides and games will remind you of the fun you've had at carnivals and fairs when you were younger. Does anyone else get addicted to fair games like ring toss, water races, and Plink? No? Just me?
Get all of the details about the State Fair in Harrington.
Get all of the details about the State Fair in Harrington.
Lewes, DE 19958, USA
You don't need an excuse to visit Lewes, but if you want one, just add it to your list of must-go Delaware day trips. The first town in the first state is full of history and charm,
and the restaurants are absolutely unforgettable.
Take a peek at why Lewes is the best day trip in Delaware.
Take a peek at why Lewes is the best day trip in Delaware.
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, USA
Make your child's day magical with a trip (or two, or five!) to the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur. This unbelievable playground features fairy houses, oversized birds' nests, story stones and more. Don't forget the Fairy Wings!
Learn more about taking a scenic day trip to Winterthur.
Learn more about taking a scenic day trip to Winterthur.
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Maybe you just want to get away, to nowhere in particular, and drive around the First State. Avoid beach traffic and drive along Delaware's scenic byways for a relaxing trip that will show you the best of Delaware's views and towns.
Take one of these scenic day trips in Delaware.
Take one of these scenic day trips in Delaware.
Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Bald Cypress Ln, Laurel, DE 19956, USA
Paddle out among the Bald Cypress trees, take a hike around the pond, watch for wildlife, and set up a picnic during the best day trip to Trap Pond! It's a favorite Delaware State Park for so many reasons - if you've never been, get down here soon!
Get some help for planning your trip to Trap Pond.
Get some help for planning your trip to Trap Pond.
Auburn Valley State Park, 3000 Creek Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707, USA
For some truly interactive fun, head over to the Auburn Valley State Park on one of their Steamin' Days! Get up close with vintage automobiles and ride the 1/8-scale steam engine train, and finish your day off with a stroll around the beautiful estate.
See what makes Auburn Valley State Park such an awesome Delaware day trip.
See what makes Auburn Valley State Park such an awesome Delaware day trip.
Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
Some of the easiest and best day trips in Delaware involve visiting a park for a hike. Even if you have no experience with longer hikes, there are plenty of hikes under three miles, like the trails in Bellevue State Park,
that will show you jaw-dropping views.
What Delaware hike will you go on next?
What Delaware hike will you go on next?
Bethany Beach, DE, USA
We have to include at least one beach town, right? Bethany Beach made the cut, and if you visit just one beach town this year, make it Bethany! Check out the nature center and the events going on downtown when you visit.
Discover all you can do in a visit to the adorable town of Bethany Beach.
Discover all you can do in a visit to the adorable town of Bethany Beach.
What’s on your Delaware summer bucket list? What do you think are the best day trips in Delaware? Let us know in the comments and we’ll get out and explore all of your suggestions! We’re so happy to find all of the hidden gems that Delaware has to offer, and we love sharing them with you!
Be sure to include eating on your scenic day trip. Check out these famous Delaware restaurants.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
More to Explore
best day trips in Delaware
What are some unique things to do around Delaware?
Despite its small size, there are some really unique things to do in Delaware:
- Try walking the Wilmington Riverfront, visiting a hidden water park, or standing in three states at once.
- There is even a mythical spring hidden in the Delaware woods! You'll never think Delaware is boring again once you get out and get to know your own backyard.
If I live in Delaware, where are the best getaway spots near me?
There are a lot of great getaway spots in Delaware:
- Inn at Montchanin Village: Located in New Castle County, this is a great spot for a relaxing weekend in the gorgeous Brandywine Valley.
- Down south, campgrounds at Cape Henlopen, Killens Pond, and Trap Pond make for great escapes, too!
- For a spooky, haunted hideout, stay at the Addy Sea Inn on the coast. There's truly something for everyone!
What are the best day trips in Delaware for foodies?
If you're looking to explore the culinary side of the First State, we've got a great list of day trips in Delaware for foodies:
- One of the top foodie destinations in Delaware is Wilmington's Little Italy neighborhood, where you'll find a cheese cave, homemade pasta, and so much more.
- Other top culinary spots are Fifer Orchards, the entire town of Georgetown, and the only restaurant in the country where the staff is entirely robotic.