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If you’re looking for the best businesses providing fun and leisure in Delaware, check out this list selected by Delaware Today’s readers.
FUN & LEISURE
Annual Festival
Downstate, Readers: Seawitch Festival
Rehoboth; 227-2233; beach-fun.com
Upstate, Readers: St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
901 N. DuPont St., Wilmington; 421-2790; stanthonysfestival.com
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Art Gallery Downstate, Readers: Sean Kelley Art & Friends
42 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth; 703-966-6520; seankelleyart.com
Upstate, Readers: Grand Galleries
818 N. Market St., Wilmington; 652-5577; thegrandwilmington.org
Bike Trail Downstate, Readers: Junction and Breakwater Trail
Gills Neck Road, Lewes; delawaregreenways.org
Upstate, Readers: Jack A. Markell Trail Wilmington Riverwalk;
delawaregreenways.org
Charity Gala
Downstate, Readers: The Harry K. Foundation Christmas Ball
313 South Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach; 226-0675; harrykfoundation.org
Upstate, Readers: The Grand Gala
818 N. Market St., Wilmington; 652-5577; thegrandwilmington.org
Community Theater
Downstate, Readers: Clear Space Theatre
20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach; 227-2270; clearspacetheatre.org
Upstate, Readers: The Grand Opera House/Playhouse
Multiple locations, Wilmington; 652-5577; thegrandwilmington.org
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Dinner Theater
Editors: The Candlelight Theatre
This intimate, 150-seat venue doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. First known as the Harvey Barn, the theater transformed in the 1930s. Over the years it has been updated, including adding a larger stage, sound system upgrades and new restrooms. It offers five to six shows each year, including a returning production of
Fiddler on the Roof. 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown; 475-2313; candlelighttheatredelaware.org
Extended Hotel Stay
Editors: Hotel du Pont
Boasting luxurious accommodations along with a spa and top-notch dining (plus a swanky bar), the historic Hotel du Pont is within walking distance of downtown Wilmington’s popular sites and attractions. Booking a stay? You might want to add some time to your reservation.
42 W. 11th St., Wilmington; 594-3100; hoteldupont.com
Garden Tours
Editors: Nemours Estate
After you’ve wandered the 200 acres of French-inspired gardens (exotic blooms, fountains, ornate statues—check, check, check), there’s still a 77-room mansion of equal magnificence to tour. Opt for one that’s docent-led and learn about the history of the home’s former duPont residents. Don’t skip the garage, where a fleet of still-running classic cars is | on display.
1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington; 651-0912; nemoursestate.org
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Ghost Tours
Editors: Rockwood Park and Museum
As seen on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters, Rockwood Mansion offers quite the thrill for those interested in the paranormal. Guests have reported seeing the ghosts of former residents, and some have allegedly smelled the perfume one of them wore. On the Paranormal Tour, learn to use professional spirit-detecting equipment while investigating the space, top floor to bottom.
4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington; 395-5555; newcastlede.gov
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Golf Course (Public)
Downstate, Readers: Baywood Greens
32267 Clubhouse Way, Millsboro; 947-9225; baywoodgreens.com
Upstate, Readers: Back Creek Golf Club
101 Back Creek Drive, Middletown; 378-6499; backcreekgc.com
Hiking Spot
Downstate, Readers: Trap Pond State Park
33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel; 875-5153; destateparks.com
Upstate, Readers: Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington; 577-3534; destateparks.com
Kayaking
Downstate, Readers: Trap Pond State Park
33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel; 875-5153; destateparks.com
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Upstate, Readers: Lums Pond State Park
1068 Howell School Road, Bear; 368-6989; destateparks.com
Museum
Downstate, Readers: Zwaanendael Museum
102 Kings Highway, Lewes; 645-1148
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Upstate, Readers: Delaware Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington; 571-9590; delart.org
Music Venue
Downstate, Readers: Freeman Arts Pavilion
31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville; 436-3015; freemanarts.org
Upstate, Readers: The Grand Opera House/Playhouse
Multiple locations, Wilmington; 652-5577; thegrandwilmington.org
New Gardens
Editors: Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek
It began with a dream to add horticulture education and a public garden to Sussex. A small group of volunteers came together to plan and design the botanic garden.
Their dream was realized in 2019 when the first guests walked through the landscape, which features five main gardens, an observation deck and outdoor classroom.
30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro; 321-9061; delawaregardens.org
Night Spot
Downstate, Readers: The Starboard
2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach; 227-4600; thestarboard.com
Upstate, Readers: The Reef Seafood & Steak
2618 Carpenter Station Road, Wilmington; 529-1985; thereefde.com
Sports Venue
Downstate, Readers: DE Turf Complex
4000 Bay Road, Frederica; 330-8873; deturf.com
Upstate, Readers: Daniel S. Frawley Stadium
801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington; 777-5772; delawarestadiumcorp.com
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Sports Venue
Editors: Chase Fieldhouse
Located on the perimeter of Wilmington, Chase Fieldhouse is a hub for athletic activity in northern Delaware. The 161,000-square-foot complex is home to the 76ers G League team—the Delaware Blue Coats—Titus Sports Academy and Nemours Sports Medicine. Three NBA-regulation basketball courts can convert into one large arena, and there is seating for 2,500. With three outdoor turf fields, the facility is a boon for youth and adult programs, clinics and tournaments. Not athletic? It’s also ideal for social events.
401 Garasches Lane, Wilmington; 351-5954; thechasefieldhouse.com
State Park
Downstate, Readers: Cape Henlopen
State Park 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes; 645-8983; destateparks.com
Upstate, Readers: Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington; 577-3534; destateparks.com
Skatepark
Editors: Epworth Skatepark
The concrete skatepark at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach was created to instill a sense of community among skaters in the area. On any given day, kids and adults alike can be seen rolling along the ramps and doing jumps on their skateboards.
19285 Holland Glad Road, Rehoboth Beach
Related: These Best of Delaware Award Winners Make the First State Great
