11 Ways to Have Fun in Wilmington, Delaware this Spring

Our family recently spent a wonderful weekend enjoying the historic sites, kid friendly attractions, beautiful parks, delicious food, and warm hospitality of Wilmington, Delaware. Spring is the perfect time to visit Wilmington, as many of the historic homes are opening for the season and the gardens are alive with vibrant flowers and plants.

Known as the city of “Independence and Liberty”, Wilmington is located in the northern part of Delaware, less than two hours north of Washington, D.C. and two hours south of New York City.   The city, which about 70,000 people call home, has several popular areas, including Market Street, the Riverfront,  Midtown Brandywine, Historic New Castle, and Little Italy.

Wilmington was known as “New Sweden” after the Swedes who settled to the Delaware Bay in the late 1630s. The Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip ships arrived on what is now known as the Christina River. There are several sites open to the public, where visitors can learn all about the colonial heritage of the Delaware Valley, and some of the most famous and influential families, including the du Ponts.

Getting Started: I began researching for our trip by exploring VisitWilmingtonDe.com. The site has tons of information on attractions, lodging, dining, and a thorough calendar of special and seasonal events.  Their Visitors Guide (both print and online versions available) was helpful in planning our itinerary.  There are two Visitor Centers: Downtown (open Monday through Friday; located inside the Community Services Building) and on the Riverfront (open Thursday through Sunday), which offer tons of in person help. A good map of Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley can be found here.

Be sure to download the FREE Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley Discount Pass before you go. The digital pass includes discounts at many restaurants and attractions on this list, and a few spots we’ll see on our next visit. 

Getting around town: The downtown area is walkable and offers over 1,000 metered street parking payable with Parkmobile app (get more info here) and several garages with reasonable daily max rates- see this map for the full list. 

Where to stay and eat: There is a good index of lodging options here. The Riverfront area has a few hotels within walking distance to plenty of restaurants and some popular, family friendly attractions.  Wilmington has dozens of restaurants, appealing to every palate and interest. A good index of restaurants can be found here (and you can filter by category, location, price, and amenities)

11 Kid Friendly Activities in Wilmington:

1. Learn about Delaware’s rich history at the Delaware History Museum and Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage. The museum, which opened in 2016, includes two permanent exhibits: Discover Delaware and Journey to Freedom. Discover Delaware, which highlights the rich history of the state, includes dioramas, displays about the farming and shipbuilding industries, and celebrations of special holidays like “Return Day” and “Punkin’ Chunkin”. Journey to Freedom, spotlighting African American culture and history in Delaware, broadcasts oral history interviews, displays featuring churches in the Wilmington area, and showcases collections of artifacts from the museum. The 1798 brick building was the original Town Hall and the first government building in Wilmington. There is a glass enclosed connector to the Poole Gallery, which has exhibits showcasing the art of photography. 
   Kids will like some of the interactive elements of the exhibits (like voting with yellow chips).
   Travel tips: The museum is open Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-5pm; info on admission rates here; metered street parking available; gift shop, restrooms, and coat check/lockers available near admissions; no need for a stroller; plan on 60-75 minutes to explore the museum exhibits.

2. Climb to the top of the stratosphere in the middle of the Delaware Children’s Museum. The hands-on, super engaging museum, aimed at kids ages 10 and younger, opened in April of 2010 and has several themed exhibits, including ECOnnect, Structures, Peach Blossom Fair, STEM Lab, Car Care Center, and Training Wheels. The museum hosts daily programs in the aquarium space and STEM room, and weekend puppet and musical shows. 
   Younger kids will love the Power of Me obstacle course, Block Party building, and the aquarium tanks.
   Older kids will love the Speedway with roller races and the Blue Rocks Bullpen for pitching practice.
   Travel tips: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am-5pm  – check here for up to date information on hours and admission; free parking available at the 601 South Madison Street, Public Lot K; small gift shop located near the admissions desk; restrooms located near admissions and in the middle the exhibit space; guests are welcome to bring in their own food and drink to enjoy at tables near the Stratosphere; plan on at least an hour to explore the exhibits- children will surely want more time.

3. Ring the church bells of Holy Trinity Church at Old Swedes Historic Site. Part of the First State National Historic Park, Old Swedes is the site of the 1724 home built by the Hendrickson family that was moved to the current location (and rebuilt stone by stone) in 1958. The Hendrickson family were Swedish Americans who came to “New Sweden” (Wilmington) and when Mr. Hendricksen died in 1722, leaving his second wife with ten children, she had the house built, using stones from the quarry on the property. The property is also home to the oldest, active Protestant church in America, which opened in June of 1698, and the oldest pulpit in America (made of walnut wood). Up to 20,000 people are buried on the property, many under the (now) railroad tracks and buildings, but hundreds of gravestones are visible throughout the cemetery. The church is now home to the Trinity Episcopal Parish. Other parts of the First State National Historic Park include the New Castle Court House Museum (located six miles south of Wilmington and open Wednesday through Sunday), Fort Christina (a 1938 park commemorating the 300th landing of the Swedish settlers, located next to Kalmar Nyckel and open from late May through mid October)
   Kids will love checking out the graffiti carved on the church doors (and uncovered under 30 coats of paint!) dating back to 1711 and ringing the church bells.  Make sure to get your National Parks and Junior Ranger stamps from the admission desk.
   Travel tips: The site is open for guided tours from March through December- up to date information on hours and admission rates here; plenty of free parking out front; no restroom facilities on site; a small gift shop near admissions; plan on 60 minutes for a guided tour of the home, cemetery, and church.

4. Climb aboard the reproduction of the Tall Ship, Kalmar Nyckel, and explore the world of sailing at the Copeland Maritime Center.  The original Kalmar Nyckel was one of two ships that brought Swedish settlers to the Brandywine region in the 1630s. The Wilmington factories built over 10,000 ships and over 30,000 rail cars during the 19th and 20th centuries. The indoor museum exhibits showcase the early history of the Delaware Valley with a three-quarter scale replica of the main deck  (practice the order of command for hoisting the sails), the personal collection of replica ships from the Forey family in the Watercraft of the World exhibit (check out the map painted on the floor), and a replica 1700 Finnish log cabin in the Destination Delaware exhibit. Wilmington, Delaware is the sister city to Kalmar, Sweden, and the king of Sweden comes to Wilmington, and to the museum, every 25 years. Be sure to check out the original blacksmith shop located outside.  The Kalmar Nyckel offers a variety of guided deck tours and 90 minute Christina River sails, as well as New Castle Day sails and day sails to other Tall Ships in Connecticut, Virginia, and Massachusetts! Check here for the dates, times, and fees. 
   Kids will love stepping into a 1700 Finnish log cabin, hoisting the blocks and tackles and trying one of five ways to belay a line.
   Travel tips: The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, with additional Sunday hours in the summer- check here for up to date info on hours and admissions; plenty of free parking in front of the museum and across the street; museum exhibits on the second floor accessible via elevator; there is a small gift kiosk near admissions; there are picnic tables outside to enjoy a BYO lunch; plan on 70-90 minutes to explore the museum exhibits.

5. Walk, Run, or bike part of the Delaware Greenways Riverwalk and check out the DuPont Environmental Science Center. The 1.4 mile path, which starts at the DuPont Environmental Science Center, follows along the Christina River and has tons of family friendly attractions including restaurants, sporting events, and special seasonal programs. The DuPont Environmental Center opened in 2009 with indoor nature exhibits and a quarter mile long Pond Loop Path, part of the Russell Peter Urban Wildlife Refuge, a 212 acre marsh that is home to 400+ species of plants and animals. There’s also trailhead access to the 5.5 mile JAM Trail that runs all the way to New Castle, Delaware. 
   Kids will love seeing the 12+ varieties of fish in the aquarium tanks, turtles, and snakes, peeking through the telescope to see nests of birds on top of the bridge, and exploring the outdoor Hoot’s Hollow play area (look for the wooden owl at the top!)
   Travel tips: The Science Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am-5pm- check here for up to date information on hours; check here for the full calendar of events; plenty of free parking in front of the walkway; restrooms located inside the Center; plan on 60 minutes to explore in the indoor exhibit and walk part of the RiverWalk.

6. Watch a blacksmith demonstration at Hagley Museum and Library. The 230+ acre property was the original manufacturing plant of the DuPont Company, founded in 1802 by E. I. du Pont. The DuPont company created black powder, which included products like blasting powder (used to clear land and help build canals, roads, and tunnels) and gunpowder (used for hunting and in fireworks) in manufacturing sites on the property. E. I. du Pont also built his Georgian-style mansion on the property in 1803 and five generations of the du Pont family lived there until the early 20th century.  It opened as Hagley Museum and Library in 1957 and now welcomes visitors to explore the museum exhibits, take self guided tours of the Powder Yard Trail, tour the mansion, walk the grounds and gardens, and learn all about the DuPont family and company. 
   Kids will love the Nation of Inventors  exhibit, with over 120 patent models of various inventions, the ScienceSparks activities in the Discovery Loft (check the weekly calendar for dates and themes), and the garage of antique cars.
   Travel Tips: Hagley is open Thursday through Tuesday from 10am-5pm; information on hours and admission fees here (kids six and younger are free); plenty of free parking (enter at 200 Hagley Creek Road); plenty of restrooms throughout the property; bring the stroller; shuttles pick up and drop off visitors at the Visitor Center, Powderman Building, mansion and Workers’ Hill Community; a good map of the campus is here; no dining facilities on site; a Museum Store is located next door to the Visitor Center, see the full list or events here (families will especially enjoy Science Saturdays); plan on 3-4 hours to explore all of the exhibits and building on the campus.
   Read our full post here. 

7. Walk through the gardens at the Nemours Estate. Nicknamed the “Versailles of the Brandywine Valley”, Nemours is the 77 room mansion that Alfred I. Du Pont built for his second wife, Alicia, between 1909-1910. Nemours is home to the largest French formal garden in North America. Nemours continues to be a stunningly beautiful estate that welcomes visitors from around the world each year to explore the grounds, tour three floors of the mansion, check out the Chauffeur’s Garage, and learn all about the Wilmington area and the du Pont family. 
   Kids will love the Garden Tram Tour (find all 7 gnomes!), the bowling alley in the basement of the mansion, the Chauffeur’s Garage, and completing the scavenger hunts (grab them at the ticket office)
   Travel Tips: Nemours is open from April 1st through December 30th from 10am-5pm; Up to date information on hours and admissions here; plenty of free parking; restrooms are located by the ticket office and inside the house; bring a stroller for the toddler crew; no dining facilities on site, but visitor are welcome to bring a picnic; plan on 3-4 hours to fully explore the estate, gardens, and take the tram tour; a good map of the estate is here.
   Read our full post here.

8. Open the mailboxes and uncover challenges at the Mount Cuba Center and Gardens. The 630 acre estate was originally owned by Lammot du Pont Copeland and his wife and includes their 1935 mansion built high on the hill to afford stunning views of the Delaware Piedmont. Mount Cuba Center now invites visitors to explore the Conservatory and enjoy a short film about the family and estate in the Copeland House and explore the gardens and grounds. There are four distinct gardens (Trillium, Trial, Round, and South) spread throughout the property, as well as several walking trails (all under one mile) that offer views of three ponds, meadows, and woods. The Trial Garden showcases the research the Center is conducting on several native plants.
   Kids will love the scavenger hunts (different ones each season!) and playing games and reading garden themed books in the Conservatory. Be sure to grab the seasonal plants guide.
   Travel tips: Mount Cuba is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am-6pm from April through October, with shortened hours in November- info on hours and admission here; plenty of free parking in front of the brick house admission building; wear sneakers and bring the stroller for the toddler crew; restrooms located in the admission building and the Copeland House; snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the Copeland House; check here for special events and programs; plan on 75-90 minutes to fully tour the grounds. 

9. Play in the Enchanted Woods of Winterthur. Built in 1839 for Jacques Antoine and Evelina du Pont, Winterthur is a 1,000 acre estate that includes a 175 room home; museum and research library;  60 acres of gardens, rolling hills, and vistas; and the three acre Enchanted Woods, covered by maple trees that offer shade all year. The “Woods” include a giant bird’s nest, Faerie Cottage, witch cottage, tearoom for tea parties, water features and Tulip Tree House and infinite ways to use your imagination.  
   Kids will love everything about the Enchanted Woods (check the schedule for weekly storytimes), but will also enjoy the tram tour, walking through some of the gardens, and (most likely quickly) exploring two floors of the house.
   Travel tips: Winterthur is open April through November from 10am-5pm; check here for up to date information on admission hours and fees; tickets are valid for two consecutive days; tram tours leave from the Visitor Center every 30 minutes; plenty of free parking; bring the stroller for the toddler crew; plenty of restrooms throughout the property; the Visitor Center Café offers a wonderful variety of freshly made soups, salads, paninis, and sweet treats (and yes, they have chicken tenders and mac and cheese for the kids!) and plenty of space to take a break; the Museum Store offers several rooms of curated housewares, souvenirs, and gifts; Winterthur offers a wide variety of daily, weekly, and seasonal programs and special events; plan on spending at least 3-4 hours to explore the major parts of the property; a good map of the gardens here and a map of walking trails here.
   Read our full post here.

10. Complete all sorts of STEM activities of the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.  The 1972 Delaware Museum of Natural History underwent a major renovation (and new name!) in 2022, and now includes six galleries of interactive exhibits and rotating special exhibits.  There are tons of weekly storytimes, encounters with animals, and STEM activities. Be sure to spend time exploring the grounds- there are tons of sculptures, three gardens, and bird feeders. 
    Kids will love all the exhibits but especially the Nature Nook, PaleoZone, and walking through Larry D. Scott Nature Trail (just under one mile total). 
    Travel tips: The museum is open from 10am-4pm seven days a week (but closed on Wednesdays from Labor Day to Memorial Day); there’s a Gift Shop and the Rest, Relax, and Recharge Cafe and a Respite Room for visitors with sensory overload; plenty of free parking in front of the museum; restrooms and a coat check are located near admission and the entire museum is handicap accessible on one floor; the museum offers a wide variety of special events and programs- check here for the calendar; plan on 90 minutes to fully explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor trails. This is a good map of exhibits.
    Read our full post here.

11. Get up close to hundreds of animals at the Brandywine Zoo. The almost five acre zoo, opened in 1905, is home to over 50 species and 150 animals, including red pandas, bobcats, crowned lemurs, a Southern pudu, and capybara.  Located in Brandywine Park on the Brandywine River, the exhibits are organized by geographical areas (North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Madagascar). 
    Kids will love getting up close to so many animals and special programs like  Family Fun Nights in the summer and Stuffed Animals Vet Clinics.
    Travel tips: The zoo is open from 10am-4pm year round, but charges various admission fees from March through November- check here for up to date information on hours and fees; the entire zoo is handicap accessible (bring the stroller for the toddler crew!); plenty of free parking and restrooms are located throughout the zoo; there is a gift shop and Snack Bar (selling mainly snacks) open during zoo hours and plenty of places to picnic; plan on 2 hours to fully explore all the exhibits; a good zoo map here.

Bonus spots we couldn’t fit into our schedule, but come highly recommended for families:

• Ashland Nature Center: Four miles of hiking trails, a butterfly house, and 130 acres of woodlands, meadows, and the headquarters of the Delaware Nature Society. 
• Abbott’s Mill Nature Center: Part of the Milford Millpond’s Nature Preserve, the center has a working gristmill, Visitor Center, and boat ramps for motor boats and kayaks and canoes for fishing. 
• Longwood Gardens: The most visited public garden in America is set to reopen after a renovation in the fall of 2024.
• Wilmington has several nearby State Parks. Check the full list here.
• Wilmington Blue Rocks: Catch a game of the Minor League team at Frawley Stadium, right on the Riverfront from April through August.

Looking for some of our other City Guides? Check out the index here. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Disclosure: Our family was gifted a media pass for most of the locations on this list. All opinions expressed are my own.