Located on the Cape Fear River, this North Carolina port city has a well-preserved 230-block historic district with antebellum mansions and brick-lined streets from the 1700s.
Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, sits where the Christina River meets Brandywine Creek. You can explore Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces at the Delaware Art Museum, walk through the 175-room Winterthur mansion, or catch a Blue Rocks baseball game at Frawley Stadium. The Christina River waterfront has restaurants, theaters, and a mile-long Riverwalk connecting museums and entertainment venues.
Transportation Hub
You can reach Wilmington through the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station, with Amtrak and SEPTA trains running hourly to Philadelphia and New York. The city lies 30 minutes from Philadelphia and one hour from Baltimore via I-95. While Avelo Airlines operates from Wilmington Airport (ILG), Philadelphia International Airport, 20 miles north, serves as the main air gateway.
Art and Culture Centers
The Delaware Art Museum houses North America's largest Pre-Raphaelite art collection and works by Wilmington illustrator Howard Pyle. The galleries follow artistic movements chronologically from the 19th century to today. At the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, you'll find regional ecosystem dioramas and research stations where you can conduct experiments. The Delaware Contemporary rotates experimental installations and multimedia works across multiple galleries.
DuPont Family Legacy
The DuPont estates tell the story of industrial wealth in the Brandywine Valley. At Winterthur Museum, you can tour 175 rooms filled with American decorative arts and walk through gardens including the Enchanted Woods children's area. The Hagley Museum preserves the original DuPont gunpowder works, with restored worker houses and riverside gardens. Nemours Estate includes a 77-room Louis XVI-style mansion and 200 acres of French gardens with geometric pools and water fountains.
Riverfront Activities
The Christina River Riverwalk connects major waterfront destinations. From April through September, you can watch Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball at Frawley Stadium. Children can explore hands-on science exhibits at the Delaware Children's Museum, housed in a former industrial building. The Chase Center hosts year-round events, while restaurants along the water range from casual cafes to upscale dining rooms.
Getting Around
A car is essential for exploring Wilmington's spread-out attractions. You'll find several parking garages in the central business district, and the main visitor center operates on West 10th Street. While the downtown and tourist areas have regular police patrols during business hours, it's best to avoid outlying neighborhoods after dark.
Food Districts
Market Street forms the core of Wilmington's dining scene, from quick lunch spots to evening restaurants. In Little Italy, centered on Union Street, family restaurants prepare recipes passed through generations. Trolley Square comes alive in the evening with bars and restaurants, while the Riverfront includes outdoor patios and restaurants in converted industrial buildings serving American cuisine.
