Famed as the first state to ratify the Constitution back in 1787, Delaware occupies a peninsula that juts into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s been nicknamed the “Diamond State” due to its dune-backed beaches and rugged national parks and holds strong ties to the prominent American family, the DuPonts.

Things to do

Whether you want to soak up the history of Dover and Wilmington or escape to windswept landscapes of Cape Henlopen, Delaware offers something for everyone.

Discover Wilmington’s DuPont legacy. The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington, a riverfront settlement that’s clustered with buildings linked to the prominent DuPont family. Admire the monumental architecture of the early-20th-century DuPont Building and tour the French-inspired gardens of Nemours Estate before exploring the original DuPont gunpowder mills at the Hagley Museum.

Explore Dover’s First State Heritage Park. Spend a day wandering between the Colonial-era buildings of the First State Heritage Park, which includes the 1791 Old State House. Learn about the development of the sound recording industry at the Johnson Victrola Museum before admiring the outstanding collection at the Biggs Museum of American Art.

Get active in Cape Henlopen State Park. With its rolling dunes and bird-filled wetlands, Cape Henlopen State Park exemplifies Delaware’s coastal beauty. It’s a popular destination for surfing, fishing and hiking, with several wildflower-fringed trails weaving behind its beaches. For sweeping views across the region, climb to the top of the World War II observation tower at Fort Miles.

Take a step back in time at Fort Delaware. Fort Delaware is a Union fortress that was built in 1859 to house Confederate prisoners of war. Costumed interpreters help to bring the fort’s history to life, as does the regular firing of an eight-inch columbiad cannon.

Getting around

New Castle Airport is a 15-minute drive south of Wilmington and the main aviation gateway to Delaware. Wilmington railway station connects along the Northeast Corridor to New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Long-distance buses connect throughout the state, although having your own car is a more convenient way of getting around.