The Strand in New Castle, New Castle County

Pettit and Patrick agree: If you like history as well as waterfront living, The Strand is your place. Paralleling the Delaware River, this unique street is lined with 300-year-old Colonial homes that haven’t changed in any significant way since they were built. Long, narrow backyards on the east side of the street stretch down to the river’s shores. Views from your back windows are across the broad waterway and face the sunrise. Homes aren’t priced for small budgets, and properties don’t turn over often, but the lucky few who live there enjoy a walkable town loaded with historic sites such as the old courthouse, The Market Green and Immanuel Episcopal Church. Delaware Street offers Jessop’s Tavern, Nora Lee’s French Quarter Café and Trader’s Cove Coffee Shop at Penn’s Place. Popular Battery Park provides strolling along the water, as well as a free summer evening concert series and access to the moorings of the New Castle Sailing Club. Esprit de corps is expressed through civic celebrations such as Separation Day, which commemorates Delaware’s severing from Pennsylvania to become an independent state in the 18th century, candlelight tours of historic homes during the winter holidays, more home tours during Day in Old New Castle each May and the local Lions Club’s Art on the Green. “Talk about character,” Patrick says. “It’s very, very special there.” See also No place—nothing compares.