Do you remember the “small wonder” signs that used to welcome you into Delaware? Turns out they were really onto something – our state is a magical place! These 9 places really capture that “small wonder” spirit, and they’re some of the most enchanting spots in Delaware, hiding right under your nose.
- Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods
Flickr / Harvey Barrison Winterthur’s Enchanted Forest is a fairytale land come to life. With several spots created by fairies such as a bird’s nest, an acorn tree room, the Tulip Tree House and the off-limits fairy ring, this section of Winterthur is the very definition of enchanted. Learn more about it here.
- Hedgeville Children’s Community Garden
Facebook / Hedgeville Children’s Community Garden Local Wilmington residents started a garden club in 2001, and neighborhood children took lots of interest in the empty city lot that was turning into a floral wonderland. Local kids love to help create and tend to the garden here, so much so that the oringial vision has shifted to make the entire space a children’s garden. They meet weekly to take care of their plot, and the group of volunteers grows every year. You’ll find flowering shrubs, a cherry tree, a beautiful driftwood birdhouse, a bike pathway for the kids and a bench donated by a community artist to rest in the garden.
- Dogfish Head’s Steampunk Treehouse
Flickr / DSLRNovice Dogfish Head’s steampunk treehouse was rescued from a Burning Man festival in California, and now it lives the life that treehouses dream of… if treehouses dream. It sits outside of the brewery and is the best brainstorming place in Delaware. You can visit it on a tour - it’s certainly a unique experience.
- The Inn at Montchanin Village
Facebook / The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa Montchanin Village is one of the more enchanting spots in Delaware for sure. The Inn here will make you forget you’re in busy New Castle County. Instead, you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked off to a Chateau in France. The Inn at Montchanin even completes the experience by being the location of the best French restaurant in Delaware - Krazy Kat’s.
- The Delaware Contemporary
Facebook / The Delaware Contemporary From the outside, The Delaware Contemporary looks like a pretty cool art museum. Step inside, however, and be prepared to be blown away. 26 artist studios and seven galleries make up this incredible enchanting contemporary art museum. There’s always a unique exhibition featuring local and international artists. The Delaware Contemporary is 35,000 square feet of wonder.
- Delaware Park
Flickr / UD Library Is there anything more enchanting than putting on a sundress or a seersucker suit and heading off to watch the races? The entire country fell in love with racing in the early 1900s with legends such as Man O War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat. More recently, the country was swept up in racing mania when American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown. Relive some of racing’s most glorious days with a visit to our own little slice of racing paradise, Delaware Park, just outside of Wilmington.
- The Kalmar Nyckel
Facebook / Kalmar Nyckel Rediscover Delaware by visiting this replica Pioneer ship, where Joe Biden once completely reenacted the first landing. Enjoy the magic of learning what life was like after sailing across the ocean on this historically accurate sailing vessel. It sails from Wilmington and will be one of your favorite Delaware activities of all time.
- Nemours Mansion and Gardens
Facebook / Nemours Estate Sure, everyone knows about Winterthur, and Hagley is usually busy year round, but did you know that Nemours Mansion is home to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world? It used to be the type of spot where you needed a reservation to tour, so it was frequenlty passed over in favor of other DuPont corridor attractions, but now it’s open for self paced and self guided tours. For admission information, hours, and more, visit their website.
- Bancroft Mills
Facebook / H8Rfish Photography This incredible Abandoned Mill in Delaware is now the site of luxury condos - but it’s also half abandoned. Watching the old mill along the river is a sort of eerie, enchanting experience, and definitely one that you don’t expect when you’re wandering around the area. Walk by Bancroft Mills and think about what life was like when this mill was a bustling, busy factory, helping to build the state that we love so much.
There’s really a lot to love about Delaware! Where do you go to embrace your imagination?
Flickr / Harvey Barrison
Winterthur’s Enchanted Forest is a fairytale land come to life. With several spots created by fairies such as a bird’s nest, an acorn tree room, the Tulip Tree House and the off-limits fairy ring, this section of Winterthur is the very definition of enchanted. Learn more about it here.
Facebook / Hedgeville Children’s Community Garden
Local Wilmington residents started a garden club in 2001, and neighborhood children took lots of interest in the empty city lot that was turning into a floral wonderland. Local kids love to help create and tend to the garden here, so much so that the oringial vision has shifted to make the entire space a children’s garden. They meet weekly to take care of their plot, and the group of volunteers grows every year. You’ll find flowering shrubs, a cherry tree, a beautiful driftwood birdhouse, a bike pathway for the kids and a bench donated by a community artist to rest in the garden.
Flickr / DSLRNovice
Dogfish Head’s steampunk treehouse was rescued from a Burning Man festival in California, and now it lives the life that treehouses dream of… if treehouses dream. It sits outside of the brewery and is the best brainstorming place in Delaware. You can visit it on a tour - it’s certainly a unique experience.
Facebook / The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa
Montchanin Village is one of the more enchanting spots in Delaware for sure. The Inn here will make you forget you’re in busy New Castle County. Instead, you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked off to a Chateau in France. The Inn at Montchanin even completes the experience by being the location of the best French restaurant in Delaware - Krazy Kat’s.
Facebook / The Delaware Contemporary
From the outside, The Delaware Contemporary looks like a pretty cool art museum. Step inside, however, and be prepared to be blown away. 26 artist studios and seven galleries make up this incredible enchanting contemporary art museum. There’s always a unique exhibition featuring local and international artists. The Delaware Contemporary is 35,000 square feet of wonder.
Flickr / UD Library
Is there anything more enchanting than putting on a sundress or a seersucker suit and heading off to watch the races? The entire country fell in love with racing in the early 1900s with legends such as Man O War, Seabiscuit and Secretariat. More recently, the country was swept up in racing mania when American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown. Relive some of racing’s most glorious days with a visit to our own little slice of racing paradise, Delaware Park, just outside of Wilmington.
Facebook / Kalmar Nyckel
Rediscover Delaware by visiting this replica Pioneer ship, where Joe Biden once completely reenacted the first landing. Enjoy the magic of learning what life was like after sailing across the ocean on this historically accurate sailing vessel. It sails from Wilmington and will be one of your favorite Delaware activities of all time.
Facebook / Nemours Estate
Sure, everyone knows about Winterthur, and Hagley is usually busy year round, but did you know that Nemours Mansion is home to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world? It used to be the type of spot where you needed a reservation to tour, so it was frequenlty passed over in favor of other DuPont corridor attractions, but now it’s open for self paced and self guided tours. For admission information, hours, and more, visit their website.
Facebook / H8Rfish Photography
This incredible Abandoned Mill in Delaware is now the site of luxury condos - but it’s also half abandoned. Watching the old mill along the river is a sort of eerie, enchanting experience, and definitely one that you don’t expect when you’re wandering around the area. Walk by Bancroft Mills and think about what life was like when this mill was a bustling, busy factory, helping to build the state that we love so much.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
