Delaware offers a hidden gem of beautiful communities just waiting to be discovered. Often ignored by tourists who swarm to its neighboring states. These lesser-known locations provide a distinctive fusion of local culture, natural beauty, and history.
Get away from the throng and explore the undiscovered gems of Delaware’s lesser-known villages, where friendly locals and genuine experiences await.
Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach, a charming Sussex County neighborhood between Miller Creek and Indian River Bay, is bounded to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the town of Ocean View, to the north by Delaware Seashore State Park and Salt Pond, and to the south by South Bethany.
Known as “The Quiet Resorts,” together with the other coastal communities of South Bethany and Fenwick Island, the town offers residents of other nearby crowded towns a tranquil getaway with unrestricted beach access.
Take in the breathtaking views of the setting sun and rising sun from the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. You can also venture to the nearby Fenwick Island Lighthouse and Bethany Beach Nature Center.
Lewes
Lewes, named “The First Town In The First State,” is located in Sussex County, southeast Delaware, at the mouth of Delaware Bay and is part of the Salisbury, MD-DE Metropolitan Statistical Area.
This laid-back seaside village, which is sandwiched between the pristine beaches of Cape Henlopen State Park and the wetlands of Great Marsh Preserve, is home to a plethora of fully renovated houses, such as the William Russell House, Ryves Holt House, and Lewes Presbyterian Church.
Those who enjoy the great outdoors should definitely visit Cape Henlopen State Park, where they may engage in a variety of recreational activities, walk the Gordons Pond Trail among the park’s many ecosystems, and see breathtaking sunsets.
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New Castle
This tiny community in New Castle County near the Delaware River is about 6 miles south of Wilmington and is a part of the Delaware Valley metropolitan area.
The Dutch West India Company, led by Peter Stuyvesant, established New Castle in 1651. It is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Delaware.
Discover the town’s other notable sites of interest, including the New Castle Court House Museum, Old Dutch House, Amstel House Museum & Gardens, Immanuel on the Green, and Read House & Gardens, as well as the innumerable well-maintained buildings from the 17th to early 19th centuries that line the cobblestone streets of the New Castle Historic District.
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Millsboro
A classic Southern Delaware community, Millsboro boasts a charming downtown area and a more leisurely pace of life. Numerous important locations, such as the Issac Harmon Farmhouse, Indian River Archeological Complex, Indian Mission Church, Harmony Church, and Nanticoke Indian Museum, may be found in this seaside village of 6,863 residents.
Moreover, the town’s location near the Indian River’s headwaters makes it the perfect destination for adventurers looking to engage in water-based sports like swimming, boating, crabbing, fishing, and so forth.
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Hockessin
Hockessin is located in New Castle County close to the state’s northwest border and is 1.2 miles from the Delaware–Pennsylvania border.
It was first founded by a group of people on the eastern shores of Mill Creek in 1688. While driving through the neighborhoods of Hockessin, visitors must marvel at the several iconic properties, including the Hockessin Friends Meetinghouse, Springer Farm, T. Pierson Farm, and Lamborn Library (Public School No. 29).
In the summer and spring, the Ashland Nature Center is a terrific spot to see butterflies, and the Swift Memorial Park’s miles of walking trails and sizable playground are perfect for quality time spent with loved ones.
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To Conclude
Travelers looking to get away from the masses will have a memorable experience in Delaware’s underappreciated towns. Every site has its own unique character and charms, from the ancient streets of New Castle to the quaint seaside hamlet of Bethany Beach.
These undiscovered treasures have enough to offer everyone, whether your interests are in tranquil relaxation, history immersion, or environmental exploration.
So gather your belongings and head out to explore Delaware’s quaint towns’ underappreciated beauty.
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