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

Guide - Attractions -Outdoor Activities

Alapocas Run State Park & Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803 302-577-1164

Description: Opened in 2007, with landscaping and work ongoing, much is already in place to enjoy. At the center is the Blue Ball Barn, a much loved local landmark once part of A. I. du Pont's Nemours property. It was renovated using all "green" technologies and now houses historic exhibits of the barn and the Delaware Folk Art Collection in an upstairs gallery. Biking and walking trails are part of the Delaware Greenway trail, a nearly continuous link of existing parklands between the Delaware River and Brandywine Creek. Trails between Alapocas Drive and the Brandywine Creek pass through an old quarry and beautiful valley. Rock climbing, hikes, and other activities are led by park staff throughout the year. See website for latest schedule and details.
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Ashland Nature Center, Delaware Nature Society

3511 Barley Mill Rd, at Brackenville Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-2334

Description: HOCKESSIN. Winding narrow roads and few signs, but don't give up Ashland is worth finding! Follow the scenic Red Clay Creek to Ashland Nature Center by the Ashland covered bridge. Only miles from the city, it is a world apart. Here it is easy to see the characteristics of the Piedmont landscape typical of northern Delaware: rolling wooded hills slope to meadows and water, granite blue rocks and jutting stones line creeks that are gentle one day and a torrent the next. Songbirds, hawks and wildlife are abundant here. Headquarters for the Delaware Nature Society, a visitors' center offers educational exhibits for all ages. Many activities and guided hikes offer interpretive walks, bird watching and discovery days. Ashland preserves more than 80 acres to wander on several self-guided trails. Weekdays, Ashland is a popular school field trip destination. The society is a membership organization committed to educating the public and conserving the state's natural resources. Check the website to register for events or explore on your own and discover why Delaware is called "the Small Wonder." About a mile away on Way Road is Coverdale Farm, the DNS educational historic farm open Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-2:30pm, April-November.
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Brandywine Park and Brandywine Zoo

1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801 302-571-7747

Description: DOWNTOWN. Several parks along Brandywine Creek offer activities, trails and entertainment year round. Features span walking trails to playing fields, open areas for pick-up games for soccer or ultimate frisbee, even off-leash pet areas. Brandywine Park also includes the 12-acre Brandywine Zoo (I-95 at exit 8; www.brandywinezoo.org) with educational programs, special exhibits, and more than 100 exotic animals.
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Can-Do Boundless Playground at Alapocas Run State Park

4361 Weldin Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803 302-577-1164

Description: The Can-Do Playground literally "levels" the playing field for all. The first of its kind in Delaware, it is obstacle free for children with or without disabilities. The project was a gift to the city from Wilmington-area Rotary Clubs and many supporters. Set back among shady trees along the northern trail of the Alapocas Run State Park and convenient to the nearby Nemours Children's Hospital, it is an area much enjoyed and appreciated. Parking is nearby.
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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 Museum of Natural History

4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807-0937 302-658-9111

Description: GREENVILLE. Delaware Museum of Natural History explores natural wonders large and small for all ages. Educational displays rotate with changing programs from reptiles to birds, to bats to butterflies, and dinosaurs to microbes. A nature trail and butterfly garden encourage outdoor discovery. Lifelike sculptures of wildlife on the grounds will make you look twice! The museum hosts special events including Earth Day and special Dinosaur Days. Check the website for details.
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Races2Run

Montchanin, DE 19710 302-654-6400

Description: RIVERFRONT. Races2Run brings Wilmington's active running community and charitable organizations together for fun while benefiting many worthy causes in the Delaware region. A glimpse at the Races2Run website lists a year-round calendar of walks, stroller rolls, fun runs, 5- and 10-Ks and marathons all benefiting charities. Some months there are more events listed than there are weekend days. Publicity, registration, course maps, race day activities and directions are posted online providing runners with complete information to participate. Races are often set at the nice and flat Riverfront or around picturesque rolling Rockford Park. Race for a cause or just "cure" your boredom with a race in Wilmington.
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Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball

801 Shipyard Dr, Frawley Stadium, Wilmington, DE 19801 302-888-2583

Description: RIVERFRONT. The Wilmington Blue Rocks Minor League Baseball Team plays in Frawley Stadium at the Riverfront. They are the Carolina League Class A Advanced Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Games are entertainment-filled even before the first pitch. On sponsor nights, fans collect promotional caps, cooler bags, bobble heads and such. Fireworks nights and Fourth of July sell out. Blue Rock mascots "Rocky Bluewinkle" moose and blue rock "Rubble" lead antics on and off field. Mr. Celery, a 7-ft tall stalk of celery and crowd favorite runs out to "CELE-brate" at home plate after the Blue Rocks score. No nose-bleed seats here every seat is great! Take your glove there's good chance you'll need it. Box office is open weekdays and game days.
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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.