It’s nudged into an overlooked corner of the Northeastern USA, an unexpectedly unique and fun area for outdoor sports. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-visit spot, Wilmington, Delaware could be it. Despite being a short ride from famous metropolises, the city is often missing from people’s itinerary. So let’s check out the top outdoor activities in Wilmington and make sure you aren’t missing out!
Biking & Hiking
Just a quick search on AllTrails shows dozens of hikes in the Wilmington area. But many of these are too short to be noteworthy. Of the rest, these are my favorite options:
Brandywine Creek State Park:
You wouldn’t be the first to feel that you’ve been transported a couple hundred years back, given the pristine views. This is a pretty park with a small nature center, a disc golf course, and rolling hills that make summer sunsets and autumn afternoons magical.
You’ve got two options here. One, is park near the nature center, where there are about 7-8 miles total of looped trails through forest and fields. That includes a 3.1 mile cross-country course with a killer hill. On the other side of the park, take the Brandywine Trail or Creekside Trail. These are out-and-back trails of 5.8 and 5.2 miles, respectively. As their names suggest, they are mostly adjacent to the water. Just make sure you check conditions first, as the Brandywine and Creekside Trails get muddy .
Brandywine Park-Alapocas Loop:
Brandywine Park is a small city park in Wilmington (not to be confused with Brandywine Creek State Park). For a nice long walk or a pleasant 1-hourish bike ride, you can take the trails and roads that connect Rockford Park with Alapocas Run State Park on to Brandywine Park, then head back. Check out the medieval Italian-inspired tower at Rockford Park and the Delaware Art Museum while you’re at it! You’ll pass through a beautiful neighborhood of huge yards and manors as you approach the museum.
If you drive, park in any of the parks or on the streets near the art museum.
First State National Historic Park
Ironically, the First State was last to be included in the National Parks System. Delaware finally joined the other 49 in 2013. This Park includes monuments and buildings from the time of the country’s founding.
There are also three trails which are lesser known and visited than those at Brandywine Creek State Park (but undeservedly so!). These wind through woods, over creeks, farmland and a vineyard (a regional rarity). The trails are not well marked in all locations, so use All Trails to stay on the right path. My personal favorite is the Beaver Valley Area Loop.
Museums & Gardens
Just wanna take it easy but still want to be outside? Check out the world-class gardens and museums. You’ll unwittingly spend a couple of hours strolling gardens and mansions, seeing how the other half lived hundreds of years ago.
Our favorites are the native-plant-obsessed Mt. Cuba Botanical Garden and Nemours Estate with its Versailles-like fountains. There is also Winterthur, where the staff go all-out at Christmastime, and the more history-centered Hagley Museum and Library.
Just up the road in Pennsylvania is Longwood Gardens; probably the most famous of the bunch!
Rock Climbing
One doesn’t expect rock climbing to be prominent in a state whose tallest point is only 448 feet (137 meters) above sea level. And one would be correct.
But there IS an exception at the refreshingly wooded and hilly Alapocas State Park in the middle of Wilmington. The 90-foot-tall wall faces the Brandywine Creek, is hugged by temperate forest, and is suitable for both bouldering and climbing with a harness.
Delaware State Parks offers an introductory rock climbing course during the spring, summer, and fall. It’s a great option for first-timers and climbers who want to shake some rust off.
All the information you need to get a permit (a requirement!) or to sign up for a course is on the state park website.
Tubing
Several local operators rent tubing equipment. This experience is known for being relaxingly slow, and most people bring booze and snackies to enjoy while doing some wildlife watching. Just remember sunblock and water.
Nearby
About 20 miles south of Wilmington are two fantastically fun zipline and rope courses. The ziplines fly you through the air like a hawk, 50 feet above the water at Lums Pond State Park. Lums Pond also offers kayaks and paddleboards for rent between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And If you want to get your hike (or bike) on, I recommend the 6.4-mile Swamp Forest Trail.
When to Visit Wilmington, Delaware
This is a temperate zone, which means Wilmington experiences all 4 seasons. You can certainly hike and bike all year round, but some of the outdoor gardens and museums are not open in winter. And it goes without saying, but you don’t want to put your butt in a tube down the Brandywine when the temperature is near freezing.
The best time to visit is spring (April-June) and fall (September-November). The mild temperatures are ideal for outdoor sports. Summer is fine too, but you’ll enjoy it more if you start your adventure early and beat the heat and humidity.
The exception: Christmastime in the Brandywine Valley takes on an old-world magic. Places like Winterthur, Hagley, and Longwood are excellent choices for getting in the spirit of the season (see “Museums and Gardens” above). If you come in the winter, book a ticket at one of these and enjoy a hot (spiked!) cocoa after your outdoor fun.
Where to Eat
Check out the Wilmington Riverfront for a good variety of places to eat. The best spot for a cuppa joe is the local chain BrewHaha. My quick-eats fav is El Diablo Burrito. And for your nightcap, the fancy Hotel DuPont downtown has an equally elegant bar with tasty drinks.
What to Pack
This really depends on when you go- it can get below freezing in winter, and can be stupidly humid and hot in summer. Obviously wear clothes that go with the weather forecast.
Always bring a basic first aid kit. Have snackies so nobody gets hangry, and a thermos of coffee or cocoa is most excellent for the cold. If it’s not winter, bug spray and sunblock are key. And of course, bring water (although most parks have water fountains).
How to get to There
Because of its location, you can visit Wilmington pretty easily once on the East Coast. Amtrak trains arrive from Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC regularly. The city is on the I-95 corridor, making it easily accessible by car, too. Finally, the budget airline Avelo connects Delaware’s largest city with several national destinations.
What to Do in Wilmington, Delaware- Conclusion
Wilmington is a short 32-mile drive from Philadelphia, and it boasts the colonial charm and history of the Brandywine Valley. Outdoor sports aren’t the number one game in town, but bucolic settings and some surprising experiences like rock climbing make it a fun spot for lovers of outdoor adventures anyway.
It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other spots in the Northeastern US, making Wilmington a nice budget option for visitors. You can easily make a day trip from Philly (or even Baltimore), too. So if you’re looking for an under-the-radar spot for outdoor fun, maybe it’s time you Wilmington is on your list!
