Delaware, USA

Delaware isn't exactly a holiday destination, but I call this place home so I had to include it on my website. Delaware is very small and everyone knows everyone. Wilmington and its suburbs accounts for the largest population in the state. However, from Memorial Day to Labour Day, the popular beach towns of Lewes, Dewey, Rehoboth and Bethany are packed with tri-state residents. 

 

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Wilmington

Our family lived in a town called Greenville, a suburb of Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Greenville is located in the historic Brandywine Valley, an area locally known as "chateau country" thanks to the grand mansions built by generations of the DuPont family. Rolling countryside dominates the landscape, with a country club or private school never more than five minutes away.

 

Activities:

• For nature lovers, the Mt. Cuba Center is a beautiful botanical garden with over 500 acres of land to roam. Ashland Nature Center is another great option, offering group hikes, educational classes and camps for all ages. For a brisk run or walk with the dog, head to Valley Garden Park. The daffodils in spring are not to be missed!

• To experience the DuPont family heritage, take a trip to Winterthur, Hagley Museum, or Longwood Gardens - all within driving distance. 

• On summer and autumn weekends, check to see if there's a match on at Brandywine Polo Club. Picnics, tailgates, children and pets are all welcome. 

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Food:

• Our family go-to is Pizza by Elizabeth's - a Greenville staple since 1993. In high school, I picked up a lunchtime take out order for 22 seniors. If that's not a sign everybody loves this place, I don't know what is! Servers never forget to deliver a plate of homemade toffee alongside the bill. For a delicious take-away pizza, we also love the family run Two Cousins Pizza in Hockessin.

• For a more traditional, upscale dinner, head to Krazy Kats in Montchanin. The cats in the paintings have the most splendid sartorial look.

• Grab a bite at the BBC, a rustic American bar and restaurant in the center of town. This is one of just a few places that stay open late (well, until 1am).

• Don't leave Wilmington without buying an ice cream cone from Woodside Creamery in Hockessin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nightlife:

• The Copperhead Saloon is a newcomer to Greenville, serving up trendy cocktails.

• Buckley's rooftop bar in Centerville, DE is one of my favourite spots to spend a summer night with friends. Be sure to call ahead to check the rooftop is open.

• The younger crows sometimes goes out in an area called Trolley Square in Wilmington, especially on Thanksgiving eve.

• For a more lively night out, grab an Uber or Lyft to Philadelphia (30 minutes).

• Need recovery food in the morning? Order hot food at Janssens Market. Expect to run into everyone from last night.

 

Accommodation:

• The Inn at Montchanin Village is a family run hotel, restaurant and spa. A Historic Hotel of America.

• If you'd prefer to stay downtown, look no further than the elegant Hotel DuPont (another Historic Hotel of America.) The hotel's grand Gold Ballroom serves as a venue for the annual debutante ball, weddings, and charity galas.

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Southern Delaware: The Beaches

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Activities:

• Lewes is a quiet beach town and site of the first European settlement in Delaware. Cape Henlopen State Park has miles of ocean, great for swimming, boating, fishing, paddle-boarding and wind-surfing. (Beaches are patrolled by lifeguards from Memorial Day - Labour Day). The park's campground and trails are perfect for hiking, biking, and nature exploration.

• If you head back to the traffic-jammed Route 1, drive a few miles south through the Tanger Outlets feature shops such as Kate Spade, Lululemon and Ralph Lauren. Welcome to the town of Rehoboth. Rehoboth Beach is known for its child friendly boardwalk and  as one of the mid-Atlantic coast's most LGBT-friendly towns. If you'd like to avoid shopping or traffic, the Junction & Breakwater Trail is a 6.4 mile bike path connecting Lewes and Rehoboth.

• Further along is Dewey, known for its rather rowdy nightlife, frequented by college students and retirees alike. Cross the bridge to Fenwick Island and you'll feel a completely different vibe: relaxed, quiet, residential. Fenwick is a great spot for surf fishing and windsurfing.

• In June, Firefly Music Festival kicks off in Dover, Delaware, and hour north of the beaches. Firefly is a 4-day music experience set in the wooded landscape, featuring both renowned headliners and emerging artists. 

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Food:

• My favourite place to eat at the beach is Agave. There are no reservations at this exquisite Mexican restaurant, lounge, and tequila bar, but it's definitely worth the wait. Follow up dinner with dessert from King's Homemade Ice Cream.

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Nightlife:

• The rowdy nightlife at the Delaware Beaches is centered in Dewey. Start at the Rusty Rudder for dinner, reggae music and a view of the bay, followed by Bottle & Cork for live music or Starboard to get sloshed.

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Accommodation:

• Try booking a waterfront Airbnb - great for large groups.