Wilmington Sights, Activities & Attractions | Hotel du Pont, Wilmington, Delaware

Chateau Country & America's Byway: Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Rt 52 & Rt 100 from downtown Wilmington to PA state line, Wilmington, DE 19807

Description: Northwest of Wilmington, a beautiful scenic route through what is known as "Chateau Country," is the first Delaware route to be recognized as a national "America's Byway" by the US Department of Transportation. The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway includes Routes 52 (Kennett Pike) and 100, and is one of about 125 byways in the National Scenic Byways program which preserves routes of significant beauty, history and culture. Stretching north in a "y" shape from downtown, the byway traces the legacy of the du Pont family and their impact on the landscape and history of the Brandywine Valley. The byway passes through rolling open spaces and by historic du Pont mansions, gardens, museums, villages, state parks and farms. Sites along the way include Hagley, Winterthur, Montchanin Village, Centreville Village, and Brandywine Creek State Park.
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Delaware History Museum

504 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801 302-656-0637

Description: DOWNTOWN. The Delaware History Museum uses hands-on displays and educational presentations to interpret Delaware's history. "Grandma's Attic Kids Museum" offers games, toys, an old-fashioned corner store, and stations to learn by doing. Located on Market Street in a renovated Woolworth's store, it is easy walking distance to Willingtown Square, a small historic park of 18th-19th century homes.
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Hagley Museum and Library

200 Hagley Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807 302-658-2400

Description: GREENVILLE. Here in 1802, on a quiet hillside that slopes to the Brandywine River, E. I. du Pont founded his family estate, Eleutherian Mills, and blackpowder factory what would become the DuPont Company. The serene setting does not prepare visitors for the power of the mills and the significant scientific discoveries that began here with the first du Pont mill. About 235 acres of the original property along the Brandywine River are preserved along with the Georgian-style family home and French-design gardens. Interpretive and living history demonstrations depict a restored workers village, school, machine shop, and the operating Eagle Roll Mill. Year-round, the museum hosts numerous special events, seminars and lectures including the Invention Convention, Hagley Car Show, Bike and Hike days and Yuletide tours. An onsite restaurant is open for lunch and refreshments. See website for complete list and details. Winter weekdays offer one guided tour at 1:30pm.
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Old New Castle and New Castle Court House Museum

211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720 302-323-4453

Description: NEW CASTLE. Just a few minutes south of downtown Wilmington, a residential colonial town thrives on the shores of the Delaware River where William Penn landed. Old New Castle's historic lanes are preserved along with homes and buildings dating to 1700s and before. Founded in 1651, and the center of colonial government, the town still has important structures within easy walking, including the George Read II House and Gardens, the Dutch House, and the New Castle Court House the centerpoint of the 12-mile circle marking Delaware's northern border and part of the Mason-Dixon Line. The city is not an "attraction"; it is the real deal, where people live their modern lives on the old cobblestone streets and paths along the town Green. Shopkeepers, attorneys, bed & breakfast houses, and businesses hang their old-style shingles by their doors. Shops, taverns and restaurants cater to residents and visitors; Jessop's Tavern offers colonial ambiance and a cozy fireplace. Battery Park along the river offers walking paths and a playground. Once a year, in May, the city hosts its town-wide festival and garden tour, A Day in Old New Castle.
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Old Swedes Church

606 Church St, Wilmington, DE 19801 302-652-5629

Description: Constructed by the early settlers of the Swedish Colony in 1698, the Old Swedes church is an active congregation and the oldest church building still in use in the country. Inside, its furnishings are preserved with pews, herringbone bricks, and black walnut pulpit and canopy. The Swedish traditions are preserved, too. A highlight of the year is the annual Santa Lucia celebration in December when young ladies process in white robes and crowns of candles.
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Wilmington & Western Railroad

2201 Newport Gap Pike, Greenbank Station, Wilmington, DE 19808 302-998-1930

Description: PRICES CORNER. To see the beauty of the back roads of the Wilmington area without getting lost climb aboard the historic Wilmington & Western Railroad. The vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives and cars carry passengers along the wooded Red Clay Creek Valley, across bridges, past mills, scenic vistas and historic homes. This is a rare opportunity to ride trains of the Golden Age in an unspoiled setting. Operated by a non-profit organization and volunteers, the railroad is a great source of community pride. Themed seasonal tours, restaurant runs, rides with Santa, fall foliage and picnic tours and more are offered. Board at Greenbank Station near Prices Corner (Route 41, 1/4 mile north of Route 2).
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Winterthur Museum & Country Estate

5105 Kennett Pike, Rt 52, Winterthur, DE 19735 302-888-4600

Description: In the heart of "chateau country" only minutes from downtown, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate is the former home of Henry Francis du Pont. Surrounded by acres of naturalized gardens and forests, the mansion now houses du Pont's priceless collection of 17th-19th century American furniture and decorative arts. Several guided tours through the period rooms are offered. Visitors should allow plenty of time to explore the gardens; marked walking paths and a tram bus take guests to every corner. A children's Enchanted Woods is a garden of whimsy and play with hollowed trees, "serpentine path," stone cottage with thatched-roof, and May Pole green. In the galleries, a "Touch-it Room" offers a special exhibit providing hands-on learning for all ages. The museum's famous research, conservation studios and library are also onsite. Winterthur hosts special events throughout the year including Point-to-Point Steeplechase and Yuletide tours. The onsite restaurant offers meals, refreshments and a popular Sunday brunch.
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Choose from many attractions, sights and activities near the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington.

Set in the historic Brandywine Valley, the Hotel du Pont is close to popular attractions including Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Garden and Library. The Delaware Art Museum, spectacular Longwood Gardens and Conservatories and Hagley Museum are also convenient to the Hotel du Pont.

Explore and enjoy the country estate of Henry Francis du Pont. Tour the museum of magnificent American antiques showcasing the best in style and craftsmanship. The Galleries offer permanent and changing exhibitions. Stroll in the 60-acre garden and delight in the children’s Enchanted Woods. Shopping, dining and special events are also features of this historic Brandywine Valley estate. Call for admission fees.


The Hagley Museum Library collects, preserves, and interprets the unfolding history of American enterprise. Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802. View early American Industry with restored mills, a worker’s community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.


Longwood Gardens, sometimes referred to as the Du Pont Gardens, was created by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont. Attracting nearly one million visitors annually, Longwood Gardens features 1050 acres (425 hectares) of gardens, woodlands and meadows, 20 outdoor gardens, and 20 indoor gardens with 4 acres (1.6 hectares) of heated greenhouses.

Discover 11,000 different types of plants, spectacular fountains, and extensive educational programs including horticultural career training and internships. Open every day of the year, Longwood Gardens offers 800 horticultural and performing art events each year, including flower shows, gardening demonstrations and courses, children’s programs, concerts, organ and carillon recitals, musical theatre and fireworks displays.

The distinguished collections of the Delaware Art Museum are comprised of 12,000 works of art and focus on American Art of the 19th through the 21st centuries and English Pre-Raphaelite art of the mid-19th century.

Its outstanding overview of the evolution of American art includes a pivotal collection of works from the "Golden Age" of American illustration and the country's largest collection of the work of John Sloan. The Samuel and Mary R. Bancroft collection is the premier public collection of Pre-Raphaelite art outside the United Kingdom.


Housed in a restored 19th century Gristmill, the museum showcases an extensive collection of Wyeth family art, plus American illustrations, still life and landscape painting. Adults, $8; Seniors, Students & Children 6-12, $5; Children under 6 and Members FREE.

Opulent 102-room Louis XVI-style chateau built 1909-10 as the home of Alfred I. du Pont. 36 rooms are featured on the tour, featuring fine antique furniture, rugs, tapestries, paintings, and china. Nemours is home to the largest formal garden in North America, with 300 acres filled with fountains and sculpture, and antiquities including gates once owned by Catherine the Great and Henry VIII. One fo the grandest "Grand Homes" of America.


Rural Gothic mansion built 1851 by Joseph Shipley. 12 Rooms are open to the public of this gothic country house, set within 72 acres of serene parkland with six acres of formal landscape in the gardenesque style, and 2.6 miles of paved hiking trails.