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100 Classic Outings - Great things to do around Wilmington
Especially for Kids
1. Meet Siberian tigers, river otters, llamas, monkeys and more at the Brandywine Zoo (571-7788)
2. Visit dinosaurs at the Delaware Museum of Natural History (658-9111)
3. Ride a real steam train on the Wilmington & Western Railroad (998-1930)
4. Pet the Merino sheep and see how cloth was made at Greenbank Mill (999-9001)
5. Take in a play at Delaware Children’s Theatre (655-1014)
6. Go to Rockford Park, if it’s summer you could fly a kite, if it’s snowing bring your sled
7. Hike around Brandywine Creek State Park (577-3534)
8. Watch ocean-going ships sail by on the Delaware River at Fox Point Park
9. Pony rides at Carousel Park (995-7670)
10. Learn how gunpowder is made and granite is split at Hagley Museum (658-2400)
11. See real space suits and visit Grandma’s Attic at the Delaware History Museum (656-0637)
12. Get involved in Longwood Gardens' daily programs and special activities for children (610 388-1000)
13. Explore the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur (888-4600)
14. Drive across the Brandywine River over Smith Bridge, America’s newest covered bridge
Flower Market in May
Greek Festival in early June
Italian Festival mid June
Summer Children’s Theater series at the Grand Opera July/August
For History Buffs
15. Experience life aboard a 17th-century vessel on Delaware’s Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel (429-7447)
Visit Fort Christina and Old Swedes Church/Hendrickson House (652-5629)
16. Experience the interactive ”Distinctively Delaware” exhibit at the Delaware History Museum and turn the clock back to the 1700s at historic Willingtown Square (655-7161)
17. Visit the Quaker Meeting House that was the Last Stop on the Underground Railroad and is the burial site of famed abolitionist Thomas Garrett (658-4200)
18. Read 21 colorful interpretive plaques depicting the area’s heritage on a stroll down the Riverwalk along the Christina riverfront
19. Explore the Old Court House that was Delaware’s capitol from 1704 to 1777, the George Read House, gardens and shops, and see one of the nation’s earliest train stations, all in Historic New Castle (322-8411)
20. Take a walking tour that includes some 250 period structures and the old C&D Canal locks in Historic Delaware City (834-4573)
21. While there, visit the Civil War prison (Fort Delaware) on Pea Patch Island (834-7941)
22. Have tea in the Butler’s Pantry at Rockwood Mansion (761-4340) off Shipley Road
For Art and Antiques Lovers
23. Absorb the latest culture in Art on the Town, with gallery exhibitions and receptions at venues throughout city on the first Friday of each month (except summer) (576-3095)
24. Get acquainted with art glass by Dale Chihuly and paintings by the Pre-Raphaelites and members of the Brandywine and ”Ashcan” Schools, at the Delaware Art Museum (571-9590)
25. See 18 Robinson Crusoe paintings by N.C. Wyeth in the Wilmington Institute Library at Rodney Square in Downtown Wilmington (571-7402)
26. Find out what’s lookin’ good at the Delaware College of Art & Design on Market Street (622-8000)
27. Check out the exhibitions in seven galleries at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (656-6466)
28. See what’s happening at the Bank One Center at the Riverfront (425-4890)
29. See the nation’s best collection of historic American interiors and antiques at Winterthur, an American Country Estate (888-4600)
30. Compare the work of three generations of Wyeths and other artists from the famed Brandywine School at the Brandywine River Museum on Rt. 1 in nearby Chadds Ford, Pa. (610-388-2700)
See the newly painted flag at the Brewery on rt 52 in Greenville
For Sports Lovers
31. Visit the Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame at Frawley Stadium (452-3263)
32. Play golf - many courses are open to the public including Rock Manor Golf Course (652-4983), Cavaliers (737-1200) or the Delcastle Golf Club (995-1990) or on nearby courses: Back Creek (378-6499), Brantwood (410 398-8848), Frog Hollow Golf Club (376-6500) or Hartefeld (610/268-8800), Chesapeake Bay at North East or at Rising Sun (410 287-0200).
See Sports under ”Attractions & Recreation“ on the GWCVB web site: www.VisitWilmingtonDE.com.
33. Watch Olympic skaters train at the University of Delaware Ice Arena (831-2868). Skate there, or at the Skating Club of Wilmington (656-5005)
34. Play tennis on the many public courts around New Castle County (478-1313)
35. Cheer for the home team at a Blue Rocks minor league baseball game at Frawley Stadium (888-2015)
36. Watch one, two, and eight-person skulls practice and race on the Christina River (777-4533)
37. Get involved in a foot or bicycle race (656-6400)
38. Watch intercollegiate football, basketball and other sports at the University of Delaware (831-4367)
39. Thrill to the action of micro-sprint auto racing, at the Airport Speedway near the New Castle County Airport, most Saturday nights during the season (328-8302)
40. Watch ‘em work on and see famous Harleys at Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson (658-8800)
41. See the Annual McDonald's LPGA Championship in June (428-1681)
Mom & Dad’s Night Out
42. Bet on thoroughbreds and enjoy the slots casino at Delaware Park (994-2521)
43. Enjoy the fun on the City Loop Series, a citywide pub crawl - often costumed - featuring more than 15 nightspots, plus free shuttle service (655-9942)
Book a room at the Inn at Montchanin Village, voted best hotel 2006 by
For Aficionados of Nature, Gardens and the Great Outdoors
44. See the gardens at Longwood Gardens (610-388-1000), Winterthur (888-4600), Nemours (651-6912), Hagley Museum (658-2400) and GoodStay (652-0116)
45. Walk the Swinging Bridge, enjoy Josephine Gardens’ cherry trees, fountain and roses in Brandywine Park
46. Visit Valley Garden Park off Rt. 82
47. Watch the stars at the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory (654-6407)
48. Walk part of the Greenway from Rockwood Park (761-4340) to Bellevue State Park (761-6963) and back again
49. Explore the mansion, stables and tennis courts at Bellevue State Park (761-6963); walk around the woods and the old racetrack
50.
51. Go tubing or canoeing down the Brandywine River (654-2227)
52. Ride the Water Taxi along the Christina River (530-5069)
53. Walk through the nature preserve south of Battery Park in Historic New Castle, or the shore bird sanctuary on Pea Patch Island (800-758-1550)
54. Take a nature hike and walk through the picturesque covered bridge at Ashland Nature Center (239-2334)
For Music and Drama Lovers
55. Find out what’s on at OperaDelaware (800-37-GRAND)
56. Let the Delaware Symphony pour beautiful music all over you (800-37-GRAND)
57. Eat well and take in a good show at Three Little Bakers (368-1616) or the New Candlelight Theatre (475-2313)
58. See a Broadway play or musical at the Playhouse Theatre in the Hotel duPont (656-4401)
59. See the best in professional drama at the Delaware Theatre Company (594-1100)
60. See what’s playing at the Grand Opera House or the Baby Grand (800-37-GRAND)
61. Catch a rock or pop concert at Kahunaville (571-8401)
For Shoppers
62. Brandywine Town Center - north of Wilmington, Naamans Road at Rt. 202 - Target, MJM shoes, Michaels, Bombay/Bombay Kids, World Market and Regal Cinema
63. Christiana Mall - south of Wilmington off I-95 - Macy’s, JC Penny, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn/Pottery Barn Kids
64. Concord Mall - north of Wilmington on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) - Macy’s, Sears,
65. First State Plaza - off Rt. 4 (Newport Pike, West) in Stanton
66. Greenville and Centreville shops - on Rt. 52 north of Wilmington
67. Hockessin Corner shops - off Rt. 48 northwest of Wilmington - Everything but the Kitchen Sink, Casual Marketplace
68. New Castle County Farmers Market - on Rt. 13 near the New Castle County Airport
69. Olde Ridge Shops - on Rt. 202 north of Wilmington
70. The Riverfront Market on the Riverwalk, near the Amtrak Station
71. The Shipyard Shops (catalog outlet stores) - on South Madison Street and the Riverwalk
72. Trolley Square boutiques and galleries - on Delaware Avenue
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