It’s hard, in a state as small as Delaware, not to discover all there is to do and see. We poked around and found these 10 little gems that surely aren’t well known by most in the state, let alone those who just come through to visit the beaches! How many of these hidden gems in Delaware have you visited? Are there any that you expected to see on our list, that we missed? Check them out below!
- University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum, Newark
UD Museums - Penny Hall Mineralogical Museum / Facebook Get it? Hidden gems. In operation since 1971, the UD Mineralogical Museum displays approximately 350 dazzling gems and minerals. It is housed in Penny Hall, home of UD’s Department of Geological Sciences. Read more about it right here.
- Marian Coffin Gardens at Gibraltar, Wilmington
Mandy Jansen / Flickr The historic home, Gibraltar, was built in the mid-1840s and its surrounding gardens were landscaped by a leading female landscape artist from 1916 to 1923. The beautiful, historically accurate gardens were restored in 1997 and are now open to the public.Read more about it right here.
- Blackbird Creek Reserve
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr One of two sites managed by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Blackbird Creek Reserve highlights one of the most pristine waterways in Delaware. Hike the trails, paddle on the water or sign up for a guided program online. There is no official visitor’s center but the property is open to the public. Read more about it right here.
- 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center
3 Palms Zoo This tiny little ‘zoo’ is tucked in the woods outside Blackbird State Forest west of Clayton. Most folks would drive right on by and not know it was there. Featuring rescued native animals and some other exotic creatures, this makes for a fun trip for the kids. Read more about it right here.
- Ted Harvey Wildlife Conservation Area
Brian Henderson / Flickr Just off Route 9, south of the Dover Air Force Base is the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, managed by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Primarily a prime location for hunting and fishing, hiking through the woods or along the path out to the sandy shore of the Delaware Bay in the non-shooting season is extremely peaceful and chock full of wildlife viewing. Read more about it right here.
- Geocaching Trail, Statewide
Lee Cannon / Flickr Want a way to explore some off-the-beaten path spots in Delaware? Try the Geocaching Trail! Use your navigation skills and GPS to find over 60 caches throughout the state.Read more about it right here.
- The Clayton Theater, Dagsboro
The Clayton Theater, Dagsboro Step back in time and catch a feature film at Delaware’s last remaining true single screen theater still open. It celebrates 67 years of operation in 2016. Read more about it right here.
- Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Georgetown
Delaware Cooperative Extension (Michele Walfred) / Flickr Wander through the gardens behind the Sussex County Cooperative Extension office in Georgetown for a glimpse of what every green-thumb hopes their garden will be. Bring the kids to check out the water features and fish below. Stroll through the shaded hosta garden, and get tips for making your lawn eco-friendly. If you’re up north, check out the one in Newark at the New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office. For more information on the Georgetown gardens, click here.
- Nanticoke Indian Museum
Lisa G. / Flickr The little building that contains this museum is bursting with artifacts and information about the Nanticoke Native Americans who call southern Delaware home. Read more about it right here.
- Disc golf courses, Statewide
Steve Ganz / WikiMedia In at least six of Delaware’s state parks, tucked between trees, streams, meadows and sand dunes are disc golf courses. Take a disc (frisbee) and try and toss it into each basket. A great way to exercise and experience nature all in one. Read more about it right here.
We know that some of you won’t want to tell us about your hidden gems, because you want them to stay that way, but let us know if there’s another on your list that we should know about! You can nominate your favorite Delaware attractions right here.
UD Museums - Penny Hall Mineralogical Museum / Facebook
Get it? Hidden gems. In operation since 1971, the UD Mineralogical Museum displays approximately 350 dazzling gems and minerals. It is housed in Penny Hall, home of UD’s Department of Geological Sciences. Read more about it right here.
Mandy Jansen / Flickr
The historic home, Gibraltar, was built in the mid-1840s and its surrounding gardens were landscaped by a leading female landscape artist from 1916 to 1923. The beautiful, historically accurate gardens were restored in 1997 and are now open to the public.Read more about it right here.
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr
One of two sites managed by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Blackbird Creek Reserve highlights one of the most pristine waterways in Delaware. Hike the trails, paddle on the water or sign up for a guided program online. There is no official visitor’s center but the property is open to the public. Read more about it right here.
3 Palms Zoo
This tiny little ‘zoo’ is tucked in the woods outside Blackbird State Forest west of Clayton. Most folks would drive right on by and not know it was there. Featuring rescued native animals and some other exotic creatures, this makes for a fun trip for the kids. Read more about it right here.
Brian Henderson / Flickr
Just off Route 9, south of the Dover Air Force Base is the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, managed by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Primarily a prime location for hunting and fishing, hiking through the woods or along the path out to the sandy shore of the Delaware Bay in the non-shooting season is extremely peaceful and chock full of wildlife viewing. Read more about it right here.
Lee Cannon / Flickr
Want a way to explore some off-the-beaten path spots in Delaware? Try the Geocaching Trail! Use your navigation skills and GPS to find over 60 caches throughout the state.Read more about it right here.
The Clayton Theater, Dagsboro
Step back in time and catch a feature film at Delaware’s last remaining true single screen theater still open. It celebrates 67 years of operation in 2016. Read more about it right here.
Delaware Cooperative Extension (Michele Walfred) / Flickr
Wander through the gardens behind the Sussex County Cooperative Extension office in Georgetown for a glimpse of what every green-thumb hopes their garden will be. Bring the kids to check out the water features and fish below. Stroll through the shaded hosta garden, and get tips for making your lawn eco-friendly. If you’re up north, check out the one in Newark at the New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office. For more information on the Georgetown gardens, click here.
Lisa G. / Flickr
The little building that contains this museum is bursting with artifacts and information about the Nanticoke Native Americans who call southern Delaware home. Read more about it right here.
Steve Ganz / WikiMedia
In at least six of Delaware’s state parks, tucked between trees, streams, meadows and sand dunes are disc golf courses. Take a disc (frisbee) and try and toss it into each basket. A great way to exercise and experience nature all in one. Read more about it right here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 3 Palms Zoo, 1060 Vandyke Greenspring Rd, Townsend, DE 19734, USAAddress: Blackbird Creek Reserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Rd, Townsend, DE 19734, USAAddress: Marian Coffin Gardens at Gibraltar, 1405 Greenhill Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806, USAAddress: Ted Harvey Conservation Area Logan Lane Tract, Delaware 19901, USAAddress: US Cooperative Extension Services, 16684 County Seat Hwy, Georgetown, DE 19947, USAAddress: University Delaware Museums, 30 N College Ave, Newark, DE 19716, USAAddress: Clayton, Delaware, USAAddress: Nanticoke Indian Museum, 26673 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE 19966, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
hidden gems in Delaware August 13, 2021 Kim Magaraci Which little-known places in Delaware are good for families? Delaware’s state parks and wildlife refuges are perfect for families looking to get outside! Visit White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, or Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to spot all sorts of wildlife without the crowds. Fort Miles is a fascinating spot on the Delaware coast that’s often overlooked, and the STEMporium is a great place for a family day trip learning and playing. Are there any quiet, hidden parks in Delaware? Delaware’s most popular state parks can get pretty busy, but there are always places where you can find some peace and quiet. Visit the Marian Coffin Gardens, the Goodstay Gardens, or Valley Garden Park to find serenity near Wilmington. Farther down south, Burton Island provides a seaside escape, and both Blackbird and Redden State Forest are frequently empty, too - save for some hunters. Wear orange if you venture into the state forests during hunting season! What are the most unique attractions in Delaware? There are plenty of unique attractions in Delaware, including more than a dozen roadside oddities that are sure to make you look twice. The most famous is Delaware’s largest resident, Miles! Stop by to see Miles the Monster - the world’s largest monster - outside of Dover Downs. Some other unique attractions in Delaware include Rockford Park, Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, and the state-run waterpark at Killens Pond State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
hidden gems in Delaware
August 13, 2021
Kim Magaraci
Which little-known places in Delaware are good for families? Delaware’s state parks and wildlife refuges are perfect for families looking to get outside! Visit White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, or Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to spot all sorts of wildlife without the crowds. Fort Miles is a fascinating spot on the Delaware coast that’s often overlooked, and the STEMporium is a great place for a family day trip learning and playing. Are there any quiet, hidden parks in Delaware? Delaware’s most popular state parks can get pretty busy, but there are always places where you can find some peace and quiet. Visit the Marian Coffin Gardens, the Goodstay Gardens, or Valley Garden Park to find serenity near Wilmington. Farther down south, Burton Island provides a seaside escape, and both Blackbird and Redden State Forest are frequently empty, too - save for some hunters. Wear orange if you venture into the state forests during hunting season! What are the most unique attractions in Delaware? There are plenty of unique attractions in Delaware, including more than a dozen roadside oddities that are sure to make you look twice. The most famous is Delaware’s largest resident, Miles! Stop by to see Miles the Monster - the world’s largest monster - outside of Dover Downs. Some other unique attractions in Delaware include Rockford Park, Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, and the state-run waterpark at Killens Pond State Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Delaware’s state parks and wildlife refuges are perfect for families looking to get outside! Visit White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, or Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to spot all sorts of wildlife without the crowds. Fort Miles is a fascinating spot on the Delaware coast that’s often overlooked, and the STEMporium is a great place for a family day trip learning and playing.
Are there any quiet, hidden parks in Delaware?
Delaware’s most popular state parks can get pretty busy, but there are always places where you can find some peace and quiet. Visit the Marian Coffin Gardens, the Goodstay Gardens, or Valley Garden Park to find serenity near Wilmington. Farther down south, Burton Island provides a seaside escape, and both Blackbird and Redden State Forest are frequently empty, too - save for some hunters. Wear orange if you venture into the state forests during hunting season!
What are the most unique attractions in Delaware?
There are plenty of unique attractions in Delaware, including more than a dozen roadside oddities that are sure to make you look twice. The most famous is Delaware’s largest resident, Miles! Stop by to see Miles the Monster - the world’s largest monster - outside of Dover Downs. Some other unique attractions in Delaware include Rockford Park, Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, and the state-run waterpark at Killens Pond State Park.
