Top 10 Best Small Towns in Delaware
Delaware was established as the first official state in the modern United States in 1787. It is now one of the smallest in terms of both size and population. ... read more...There are small towns everywhere, most of which have well-preserved historic buildings, parks, and natural features. Surprisingly, nearly every small town you visit will have played an important role in American history. While many may appear similar on the surface, each small town has a distinct personality that can only be discovered by visiting in person. And here are the best small towns in Delaware.
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Because Delaware is known as the "First State", you can expect to find a lot of history here! Some of the most charming towns are also among the oldest, and a visit to Odessa, a historic Delaware town, will demonstrate the state's history and charm. Enjoy a tranquil stroll through the well-kept gardens and landscapes, learn about early Delawareans, and dine in a 200-year-old building. After just one visit, you'll understand why Odessa is one of Delaware's best small towns. The cobblestone streets of this historic Delaware town transport you to the state's early days. In the early 1800s, this town was known as Cantwell's Bridge.
Stop by Cantwell's Tavern for lunch and a history lesson. The structure dates from the early 1800s and was one of the area's first hotels. The menu served is New American cuisine, with fresh dishes to suit all tastes. As you walk through Historic Odessa, you'll notice beautiful gardens and grounds everywhere you look. Both the Corbitt-Sharp House and the Wilson-Warner House are worth seeing for their timeless architecture. The bright red Collins-Sharp house is difficult to overlook! Visit to learn about one of Delaware's oldest homes. It dates from the 1700s. Before leaving town, make a stop at the historic Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House. Odessa was an important stop on the Delaware Underground Railroad, and the Quakers who met here were powerful abolitionists.
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This lovely and charming coastal town is an underappreciated gem. It's not far from Rehoboth Beach or Lewes, but it lacks the traffic and high prices of this waterfront towns. Despite not being known as a true seaside town, Milton has plenty of water to enjoy. On a beautiful and clear day, Waples Pond is a great place for a picnic or to watch the sunset. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go birding and paddling in a beautiful and protected marsh ecosystem. All year long, charming antique shops and farmers markets draw shoppers to town. If you're looking for somewhere to treat yourself or go gift shopping, you'll find it here.
Milton real estate is a diverse mix of historic structures and modern new builds, many of which have large backyards. Homes for sale in Milton are in high demand, so buyers must act quickly to secure their dream home. Properties on and near Union Street are ideal for those who want to be close to convenience stores and other amenities. The spacious homes along Mulberry Avenue, which overlook Wagamons Pond, are a good choice for the best views.
The Milton Historical Society's artifact and photograph-lined walls will reveal more about Milton's rich history. Locals enjoy bird watching and hiking the scenic trails at the nearby 10,144-acre Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, while Milton Memorial Park is a smaller, but equally beautiful, spot for a family picnic. Many residents make the short trip to Slaughter Beach, which fronts the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean, during the warm summer months. Restaurants and cafes line the seafront, making for a picturesque setting to sample some freshly caught seafood.
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This small private community is located on the outskirts of Kitts Hummock Road, southeast of the state capital of Dover. Kitts Hummock, located approximately three miles from Dover Air Force Base, provides public access to a small beach on Delaware Bay. Although the beach appears to be safe for swimming, closer inspection reveals that the shore begins with sand but quickly turns muddy as one approaches the bay, particularly during low tide.
Due to the enormous mudflats, swimming is thus impossible because just a few feet of the sticky mud will trap one in, much like quicksand. As a result, visitors should stick to the sand-covered section of the beach. The best option here is to walk along the shoreline and observe wildlife. The surroundings are serene and immaculate. There are also evergreen trees, low-growing cacti, and dune grasses all along the shore.
Horseshoe crabs can be found in abundance at Kitts Hummock, making it one of the best places in North America to see them. The world's largest population of these amazing creatures can be found in Delaware Bay. Visitors are welcome to watch these beautiful creatures swarm the beach in May and June as they spawn. People travel from all over the world to see these spawning crabs and the migratory shorebirds that accompany them. Horseshoe crab sanctuaries can be found in several Delaware Bayshore communities, including Kitts Hummock. The sanctuary's goal is to change how communities interact with their natural resources, a change that will last much longer than the regulatory process. The horseshoe crab colony must be protected at all costs for the sake of the bay ecosystem.
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Make plans to visit Bowers, a top Delaware bayside destination where you and your family will be immersed in history and culture. Bowers Beach, Delaware is a peaceful bayside fishing village that is one of the best places in the state for a summer day trip. With a population of only about 300 people, you'll quickly get to know everyone if you spend some time here. This peaceful, historic town is home to waterfront homes, two delectable restaurants, and historic structures such as this tiny chapel. JP's Wharf and Bayside Tavern attract two distinct, enjoyable crowds. Bayside Tavern is a rowdy little joint perfect for a drink and some comfort food.
JP's Wharf is the place to go if you want to enjoy an incredible waterfront dining experience while feasting on fresh-from-the-bay seafood. They're famous for their raw oysters and sweet, fresh strawberry pie. The Maritime Museum is one of the most interesting places to visit on Delaware Bay. This swashbuckling collection of maritime memorabilia contains a wealth of information about the town's history, as well as a wealth of information about bayside pirates. Every year, the museum hosts enjoyable events such as the Buccaneer Bash. Bowers Beach has been a popular destination for decades, and it only takes one visit to fall in love with this Delaware bayside destination.
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Millsboro, Delaware has plenty to do with all of the enchanting towns New England has to offer. The Diamond State is brimming with charming and historic small towns, and it's easy to overlook some of the lesser-known gems, especially when they're located inland in Sussex County. Millsboro, Delaware is one of the state's most underappreciated small towns. Millsboro, Delaware, located along US Route 113 and Delaware State Routes 20, 24, and 30, is less than 20 miles from several charming beach communities such as Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey Beach, Ocean City, Maryland, and Bethany Beach. Millsboro Pond is located along the Indian River.
You are surrounded by natural beauty because of its location, such as Cupola Park, the ideal place to spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoors in the town of Millsboro, Delaware. In the spring and summer, the town staff frequently hosts events ranging from a farmers market to live music in the park. Delicious restaurants such as Blue Water Grill and the Plate & Palette Gastropub, both located downtown, are open all year. On a nice day, La Tonalteca serves tacos and margaritas outside. Or try the creamy crab bisque made with jumbo lump crab and cream at Paradise Pub. Or, if you prefer, order a cold brew with an all-American cheeseburger and fries.
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Wyoming, Delaware combines small-town charm with modern conveniences such as nearby shopping, parks, businesses, and community events. Wyoming is known for its charming culture and strong agricultural roots, and it is a fun destination for shopping, exploring parks, and attending local events and happenings. Fifer's Orchards, a charming farm, country store, and popular destination for travelers looking for fresh produce and homemade pastries, is also located in Wyoming. This one-of-a-kind community, dubbed "one of the best little towns in Delaware", is yours to explore.
Attend the Wyoming Peach Festival in August, which features homemade peach ice cream and pageants. Stop by Simply Charming for antiques and vintage finds. Every August, the "Wyoming Peach Festival" takes place. It hosts pageants, homemade peach ice cream, and tours of Fifer Orchards, Delaware's largest peach and apple producer. Every November, the Caesar Rodney Homecoming Parade is held to support the Caesar Rodney Riders in their homecoming football game.
Consider a mirror-calm pond surrounded by well-kept lawns, playgrounds, game areas, and picnic areas. All of this is available at Wyoming Park. Wyoming's (self-proclaimed) best little town is focused on creating a strong sense of community and comfort. Surprisingly, it is best known for its peaches. Every summer, the town hosts the Peach Festival, which features a variety of peach pies, peach flavored ice cream, and tours of Fifer Orchards, the state's largest peach orchard.
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Bethany Beach, Delaware, is a small beach town on the Atlantic Ocean. It has a year-round population of slightly more than 1,000 people, with a summer population of around 15,000 people. That's still a lot less than what Rehoboth Beach or even Dewey Beach sees during peak season. This is one of the quieter beach towns in the area, but there are plenty of things to do. In fact, Bethany may be the state's best kept secret. When it comes to Delaware beach towns, Bethany Beach is a true gem. Many people overlook Bethany because of its reputation as a quieter, family-oriented town. They have no idea what they are missing.
Surfing, swimming, and sunbathing are exactly what Delawareans require in the summer, and Bethany is the place to go to avoid the crowds. And the boardwalk is ideal for grabbing fries after a dip in the Atlantic. All of the classic sandy summer foods are available, so grab some fries, ice cream, or popcorn and wander around the shops that line the beach. The beach and boardwalk are obvious draws, but there are so many events in town! The town's Event Calendar will astound you with everything from pirate festivals to late-night bonfires. Starting in June, you can watch a movie on the beach, attend a Caribbean kickoff party on Memorial Day Weekend, or listen to live music at the Bandstand on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.! These performances begin on Memorial Day and continue through Labor Day.
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Arden is a lovely, tiny village that is the most unusual town in Delaware. Will Price, a well-known architect, and sculptor Frank Stephens founded the Village of Arden in 1900. Both men desired to establish a utopian, radical, and Georgist single-tax community. The village is about 160 acres in size, with more than half of the land preserved as open space. Arden has a population of less than 500 people, but it is perhaps the most close-knit community in Delaware. Arden, Delaware, as a whole, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Will Price designed the majority of the houses, and several that are still standing are known by their names.
Friendly Gables, The Lodge, Rest Cottage, Green Gate, The Second Homestead, and The Fels House were all built in 1909-1910. Arden, Delaware, has been home to a number of notable people. Upton Sinclair, vagabond poet Harry Kemp, Lizzie Magie, inventor of the game Monopoly, and respected economist, activist, and educator Scott Nearing are all Arden residents. Russell W. Peterson lived in Arden for a time, and President Joe Biden briefly lived there. The many "Gilds" that exist in Arden, Delaware, contribute to the town's uniqueness. Summer performances at the Arden Shakespeare Gild are popular at the Frank Stephens Memorial Theater. These dedicated actors dress in period attire, recite their lines flawlessly, and capture the true spirit of Shakespeare in their performances. Arden Gild Hall is the main attraction in the Village, attracting visitors from all over the world to its concerts and events.
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Rehoboth Beach has evolved as a close-knit seaside town, from its beginnings as a spiritual center to the public's embrace of the seacoast as a mecca for leisure activity. It's a nod to the past that the city's present-day charter includes words that are nearly identical to several from the 1872 charter of the Camp Meeting Association, referring to "the maintenance of a permanent seaside resort and the furnishing of proper conveniences and attractions requisite to the same". Downtown Rehoboth Beach matured during the Victorian era and has continued to evolve through the generations. Despite their growth and maturation, both Rehoboth's residential and commercial areas have retained the warm and friendly charm and ambiance that reflect Rehoboth Beach's historic past.
With a 30-mile coastline, manicured walking trails, great restaurants, attractions, and breathtaking scenery, Rehoboth Beach is a popular family vacation destination. Rehoboth Beach and Boardwalk is the best scenic venue in town, with family entertainment, shops, restaurants, and open-air concerts. Visitors can explore the area by hiking one of the numerous trails, such as Gordons Pond or the Junction and Breakwater Trail. Delaware Seashore State Park is a swimming and sunbathing paradise, complete with bathhouses, chairs, umbrellas, and snacks. Jungle Jim's, Rehoboth Beach's largest water park, features water slides, a wave park, an activity pool, and a kiddie pool.
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This Delaware town may be the most haunted in the state! Whether you plan on visiting Belmont Hall, Smyrna Museum, or the shores of Woodland Beach, there will undoubtedly be something eerie in store for you. Spirits have been reported to haunt these and other locations in Smyrna. When visiting this charming and historic town, there is plenty to see. Smyrna, a small town in Delaware, has a haunted past. If you visit the following spooky locations, you might encounter some ghosts or strange occurrences. Belmont Hall, a Georgian mansion, is one of Smyrna's most celebrated historic houses.
This historic structure is said to be haunted by a guard who was shot to death during the American Revolution. Belmont Hall gives tours to visitors. You can learn about the grounds' history, as well as stories about people who lived there. The Smyrna Museum is another late-1700s Georgian structure. There are local artifacts on display. It is said to be haunted by old Civil War soldiers who enlisted to serve there. People have the impression that they are being watched, and there have been reports of things moving on their own. Woodland Beach is well-known for its moonlight appearances. They're said to be walking along the site of an old boardwalk. Look for it when the moon is bright enough to illuminate the shores.