Let’s Visit Delaware
- Join our virtual tour highlighting the top attractions of Delaware
- For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Delaware
Highlights
Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Delaware.
- Rehoboth Beach (Rehoboth Beach) is famous for its family-friendly atmosphere, mile-long boardwalk, and clean sandy beaches, making it one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in the state.
- Hagley Museum and Library (Wilmington) is renowned for being the site of the original du Pont gunpowder mills, showcasing early American industrial history with exhibits on innovation, manufacturing, and the famous du Pont family.
- Nemours Estate (Wilmington) is known for its opulent French-style mansion and gardens, built by Alfred I. du Pont. The estate features 200 acres of formal gardens, fountains, and one of the largest French chateaus in North America.
- Delaware Seashore State Park (Dewey Beach) is famous for its pristine beaches, sand dunes, and salt marshes. It offers various outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking, making it a popular spot for nature lovers.
- Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library (Winterthur) is famous for its collection of American decorative arts, showcasing the opulent lifestyle of the du Pont family. It also features extensive gardens and beautiful landscapes.
- The Grand Opera House (Wilmington) is known for its stunning Victorian architecture and as a premier performing arts venue in Delaware, hosting concerts, theater productions, and other cultural events throughout the year.
- John Dickinson Plantation (Dover) is renowned as the home of John Dickinson, one of the Founding Fathers and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Visitors can explore the plantation and learn about 18th-century life and the early history of the nation.
- Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes) is famous for its scenic beaches, historic lighthouses, and sand dunes. It also offers outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing, and was once a military base during World War II.
- Delaware Art Museum (Wilmington) is known for its impressive collection of American art, particularly its works by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and illustrations by Howard Pyle, a famous Wilmington-born artist.
- Fort Delaware State Park (Delaware City) is famous for its Civil War history, as the site of a Union fort that held Confederate prisoners. The island fort is accessible by ferry, and visitors can explore its historic structures and learn about its military past.
Intriguing mysteries and weird facts
Discover these little-known facts about Delaware.
- Delaware Was the First State
Delaware holds the title of being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787. This is why its nickname is The First State. - Delaware Has No Sales Tax
Unlike most other states, Delaware doesn’t charge sales tax, making it a popular shopping destination for people from neighboring states looking for tax-free purchases. - It’s the Second Smallest State in the U.S.
Delaware is the second smallest state, with only Rhode Island being smaller. Despite its small size, Delaware is densely populated, especially along the I-95 corridor. - Delaware’s Official State Bug Is the Ladybug
In 1974, Delaware schoolchildren successfully petitioned for the ladybug to become the state bug. - You Can Drive Through Delaware in Less Than an Hour
Because of its small size, it’s possible to drive from one end of Delaware to the other in under an hour, making it easy to explore the entire state in a short time. - Delaware Was the Only State Without a National Park
Although Delaware has plenty of beautiful state parks and historical sites, it didn’t have a national park until 2013, when the First State National Historical Park was created. - Home to the World’s Largest Twin Span Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge, which connects Delaware to New Jersey, is the largest twin-span suspension bridge in the world, making it an impressive feat of engineering. - Delaware Once Had a Whalehouse
During the 19th century, Lewes, Delaware, had a whalehouse, where stranded or beached whales were processed. The town was famous for this unusual industry. - Delaware Is a Corporate Haven
More than half of all U.S. publicly traded companies (Fortune 500) are incorporated in Delaware due to its favorable corporate laws. This means Delaware has more corporations than people. - Delaware Is Home to a Giant Pea Soup Fog
Thanks to the Delaware Bay, the state is known for experiencing thick pea soup fog that can reduce visibility to almost zero, especially along the coast, creating eerie conditions for drivers and boaters.
Notable People
Here are 10 famous men and women from Delaware.
Famous Men
- Joe Biden (1942– ) was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but spent most of his political career representing Delaware. He is the 46th President of the United States and served as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
- Caesar Rodney (1728–1784) was born in Dover, Delaware, and is famous for his midnight ride to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote for Delaware in favor of American independence, making him a key figure in the Revolutionary War.
- Henry Heimlich (1920–2016) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and became famous for inventing the Heimlich maneuver, a lifesaving technique used to prevent choking.
- George Read (1733–1798) was born in Maryland but lived in New Castle, Delaware. He was one of the signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, making him an important figure in U.S. history.
- Chris Christie (1962– ) was born in Newark, Delaware. He became a prominent politician, serving as the governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018, gaining national attention for his policies and leadership during Hurricane Sandy.
Famous Women
- Elena Delle Donne (1989– ) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and became a WNBA basketball star. She has won two MVP awards and is known for her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and disability awareness.
- Annie Jump Cannon (1863–1941) was born in Dover, Delaware, and became a pioneering astronomer. She is best known for developing the Harvard Classification system for stars and was a key figure in early 20th-century astronomy. She was the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University.
- Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823–1893) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and became an activist, journalist, and educator. She was the first African American woman in North America to edit and publish a newspaper.
- Stephanie Kwolek (1923–2014) was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, but spent much of her career in Delaware. She is famous for inventing Kevlar, the strong, heat-resistant fiber used in bulletproof vests.
- Ellen Kullman (1955– ) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and became the CEO of DuPont, one of the largest chemical companies in the world. She was named one of the most powerful women in business by Fortune magazine.
Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union
December 7, 1787 (1st)
State Capital and Government
Area and total population
Area: 1,948 square miles | Total Population: 936,000 |
Major cities and their population
City | Population |
Wilmington | 71,000 |
Dover | 40,000 |
Newark | 30,000 |
Education
Educational Resources
Fairs and festivals
Flag
The flag of Delaware consists of a buff-colored diamond on a field of colonial blue, with the coat of arms of the state of Delaware inside the diamond. The date December 7, 1787, below the diamond, declares the day on which Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Geography
Location
Glimpses Into History
Breathtaking Landscapes
Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Delaware.
National Landmarks and Historic Sites
National and State Parks
Sports
NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams
State Motto
“Liberty and Independence” since 1847. “Delaware. Endless Discoveries” is a new tourist slogan adopted in 2015.
State Nickname
- The First State
State Symbols
Seal
See Official symbols. Delaware
The great seal of the state of Delaware was first adopted on January 17, 1777, with the current version being adopted April 29, 2004. It contains the state coat of arms surrounded by an inscription.
A shield of horizontal orange, blue and white stripes is at the center of the coat of arms. A sheaf of wheat and a cob of corn is on the orange stripe. An ox standing on grass is on the white stripe. A sailing ship is above the shield. Supporting the shield are a farmer on the left and a rifleman on the right. The state motto appears underneath the shield.
The blue stripe above the ox represents the Delaware River. The sheaf of wheat and the ear of corn symbolize the agricultural basis of the state economy. The farmer with a hoe represents the central role of farming. The soldier, a militiaman with his musket, recognizes the crucial role of the citizen-soldier.
License Plate
State Animal
State Bird
State Flower
Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations
Watch a video
- Delaware (US Embassy Vienna)
- Discover Delaware. A travel guide to the First State (The Travel Guide)
- 25 best things to do in Delaware (Anna and Karl Travel)
- 10 best places to travel in Delaware (Sky Travel)
- Top 10 places to visit in Delaware (Travelmoji)
- 10 best Delaware cities to visit (Travel the United States)
Weather
- Today’s weather in Dover
- Today’s weather in Wilmington
More Resources For The Best Things To Do
Dover
Townsend
Wilmington
- Visit Delaware. Wilmington’s can’t miss attractions
- Brandywine Zoo
- Cathedral of Saint Peter
- Delaware Art Museum
- Visit Wilmington