Delaware

The hardest part of a visit to tiny Delaware is choosing from the myriad things to see and do: beaches of sugary sand, state parks with kayaking, fishing, and hiking, and historic houses of the state's richest industrialists, the du Ponts (think chemicals, textiles). Dover, the capital, offers a plethora of museums, galleries, theater, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, ideal for bird watching. Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island make up the beach resort areas. Wilmington, along with being home to the Delaware Art Museum with a magnificent collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and paintings by American artists ...

The hardest part of a visit to tiny Delaware is choosing from the myriad things to see and do: beaches of sugary sand, state parks with kayaking, fishing, and hiking, and historic houses of the state's richest industrialists, the du Ponts (think chemicals, textiles). Dover, the capital, offers a plethora of museums, galleries, theater, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, ideal for bird watching. Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island make up the beach resort areas. Wilmington, along with being home to the Delaware Art Museum with a magnificent collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and paintings by American artists N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish, also boasts two world renowned historic houses: Henry Francis du Pont's mansion, Winterthur; and Nemours Mansion. Winterthur is a beautiful repository for du Pont's vast collection of furnishings, art, and textiles, while Nemours Mansion was once home to Alfred I. du Pont. Its 102 rooms are filled with antiques, rare oriental rugs and paintings dating to the 15th century, and its 300 acres are laid out in French formal gardens.

About the Expert

Frances Folsom is the author of CitySpot Palermo, a contributor to the Reiskits guides to Milan and Italy's Lakes Region, and Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.