If April showers bring May flowers, what do three months of seemingly endless rain in Delaware bring? I’m not sure about flowers, but it does bring swarms of Delawareans who are tired of being cooped up in their houses.
There is plenty to do indoors throughout Delaware, but here are a dozen things that we recommend to keep you from going stir crazy during rainy days.
- Snap some soggy shots
Lee Cannon / Flickr Most people head indoors when the rain falls, but for those with a keen eye for stunning photography, the drippy wet weather gives a new perspective on classic scenery.
- Jump around
Stratosphere Trampoline Park / Facebook If staying inside is literally making you want to bounce off the walls, then why not head to an indoor trampoline park! Delaware has several. Stratosphere Trampoline Park has two locations–one at either end of the state.
- See how the DuPonts lived
John, the Photographer / Flickr Three mansions in Wilmington, once occupied by Delaware’s prestigious family, the DuPonts, are now museums. During a dreary day, take a drive and visit one or all three: Hagley Museum and Library; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; and Nemours Mansion and Gardens. There is plenty to see inside; just bring an umbrella if you want to walk the expansive grounds.
- Hit the trail
Visit Delaware Delaware’s Beer, Wine, and Spirits ’trail’ (http://www.visitdelaware.com/beer-wine-spirits-trail/discover-the-trail/) was developed by the state’s tourism office. Download a passport from their website, grab a designated driver and hit up Delaware’s breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries.
- Get lost in an art gallery
Jeffrey / Flickr Bet you didn’t know that Delaware has nearly 10 art museums and municipal galleries–from the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, to the Biggs Museum in Dover, down to the Rehoboth Art League!
- Learn about Delaware’s military air heritage
Air Mobility Command / Facebook The Air Mobility Command in Dover, at the southern end of the Air Force Base, has 30 aircraft on display–some of which you can enter. What most folks don’t realize is that there are plenty of indoor exhibits to see too, along with planes inside a hangar, a former Dover Air Force Base Control Tower and a flight simulator too!
- Visit a local library
Delaware Division of Libraries Delaware has over 30 public libraries! Libraries today still have shelves and shelves of books, and most have computer labs, special exhibits and additional programming.
- Immerse yourself in a movie at Penn Cinema on the Riverfront
Penn Cinema on the Riverfront / Facebook With 15 theaters, over 3000 seats and the state’s only IMAX theater, you’re sure to find something to watch. Let’s hope they’re not playing “Singing in the Rain.”
- Shop at the outlets
Tanger Outlet / Yelp With over 100 stores, the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach will keep you and your cash and credit cards busy all day!
- Explore nature (indoors)
Delaware Museum of Natural HIstory / Facebook A visit to the Delaware Museum of Natural History outside of Wilmington has a little something for any explorer, young to young at heart. Permanent exhibits include displays about dinosaurs, seashells, animal adaptations, birds, mammals and more.
- Gamble, eat, shop and relax at Dover Downs
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino If you and your fellow rain haters are 21 or older, head to Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Play the slot machines. Stuff yourself silly at the buffet. Or, relax with a massage at the salon.
- Get wet!
Kate McDonald / Flickr Go on! Do it! Put on a pair of rain boots (or not) and go for a walk in the rain. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When it gives you rain, you make mud pies.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Delaware on a rainy day?
Lee Cannon / Flickr
Most people head indoors when the rain falls, but for those with a keen eye for stunning photography, the drippy wet weather gives a new perspective on classic scenery.
Stratosphere Trampoline Park / Facebook
If staying inside is literally making you want to bounce off the walls, then why not head to an indoor trampoline park! Delaware has several. Stratosphere Trampoline Park has two locations–one at either end of the state.
John, the Photographer / Flickr
Three mansions in Wilmington, once occupied by Delaware’s prestigious family, the DuPonts, are now museums. During a dreary day, take a drive and visit one or all three: Hagley Museum and Library; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; and Nemours Mansion and Gardens. There is plenty to see inside; just bring an umbrella if you want to walk the expansive grounds.
Visit Delaware
Delaware’s Beer, Wine, and Spirits ’trail’ (http://www.visitdelaware.com/beer-wine-spirits-trail/discover-the-trail/) was developed by the state’s tourism office. Download a passport from their website, grab a designated driver and hit up Delaware’s breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries.
Jeffrey / Flickr
Bet you didn’t know that Delaware has nearly 10 art museums and municipal galleries–from the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, to the Biggs Museum in Dover, down to the Rehoboth Art League!
Air Mobility Command / Facebook
The Air Mobility Command in Dover, at the southern end of the Air Force Base, has 30 aircraft on display–some of which you can enter. What most folks don’t realize is that there are plenty of indoor exhibits to see too, along with planes inside a hangar, a former Dover Air Force Base Control Tower and a flight simulator too!
Delaware Division of Libraries
Delaware has over 30 public libraries! Libraries today still have shelves and shelves of books, and most have computer labs, special exhibits and additional programming.
Penn Cinema on the Riverfront / Facebook
With 15 theaters, over 3000 seats and the state’s only IMAX theater, you’re sure to find something to watch. Let’s hope they’re not playing “Singing in the Rain.”
Tanger Outlet / Yelp
With over 100 stores, the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach will keep you and your cash and credit cards busy all day!
Delaware Museum of Natural HIstory / Facebook
A visit to the Delaware Museum of Natural History outside of Wilmington has a little something for any explorer, young to young at heart. Permanent exhibits include displays about dinosaurs, seashells, animal adaptations, birds, mammals and more.
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
If you and your fellow rain haters are 21 or older, head to Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Play the slot machines. Stuff yourself silly at the buffet. Or, relax with a massage at the salon.
Kate McDonald / Flickr
Go on! Do it! Put on a pair of rain boots (or not) and go for a walk in the rain. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When it gives you rain, you make mud pies.
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