Hotels in Delaware

Visitors to Delaware can expect quiet beaches, historic towns, and endless opportunities for retail pleasure—after all the “First State” is famous for being the home of tax-free shopping. As one of the smallest U.S. states, Delaware has everything close by, too. Colonial towns, broad sandy beaches, and low forested hills all happily rub shoulders here. Delaware has also packed in plenty of history, with the Dutch, Swedes, and English all leaving their mark on this 100-mile strip of the Delmarva Peninsula.

Hotels in Delaware

With its wide sandy beaches proving such a lure for visitors, many hotels in Delaware are found in its east coast resorts. You’ll find large modern hotels with stunning pool complexes, boardwalk-fronting beach houses, and cozy little bed and breakfasts in Delaware’s sea-side historic resorts. There’s also a smattering of luxury accommodation here—first-class business hotels in its financial districts, or sumptuous 5-star spa resorts in the country. And if you’re looking to travel on a budget, you can find good hotel deals in Delaware’s broad range of motels and chain hotels.

Things to see in Delaware

One of the most intriguing attractions in Delaware is the Zwaanendael Museum, housed in a replica of a Dutch City Hall from the 17th-century. It commemorates the first Dutch settlement in Delaware, close to Lewes, in 1631. Nemours Mansion and Gardens is an historical house on a very different scale, a 105-room chateau built by the Du Pont family. Its spectacular gardens are the biggest formal French garden in the U.S., and include a maze and a temple of love. A faster pace is set at the "The Monster Mile" of Dover International Speedway, which has hosted fast-and-furious NASCAR and IndyCar races. The gentler pleasures of Delaware’s countryside can be appreciated at the Brandywine Creek State Park. As well as walking trails among its 900-plus acres, you can also enjoy Brandywine Zoo, which focuses on the conservation of endangered North and South American species.

Where to stay in Delaware

Stay at a hotel in Delaware’s most northerly city, Wilmington, and you’ll discover a slew of large shopping malls and retail centers right on your doorstep. As the largest city in Delaware, it makes a great base for taking advantage of the state’s zero sales-tax laws. The delightful town of Newark is home to the University of Delaware, historic buildings, and many pretty parks. Perhaps even more attractive is New Castle, with its brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets lined with trees. It’s also very walkable, and a good stayover choice for families. Finally, Rehoboth Beach is another family-friendly city that is reckoned to have the state’s best beaches.

How to get to Delaware

If you’re driving into Delaware, then there’s only one road that matters for this peninsular state. I-95 passes in-state from both Washington and Baltimore in the southwest and Philadelphia in the northeast. Rail travelers can make use of the frequent Amtrak Northeast Corridor service, with its high-speed links to New York, Boston, and Washington. However, the only stop is at Wilmington. For those flying in, the choice is between the rather limited direct links to New Castle Airport, or flying into an out-of-state airport—both Philadelphia and Baltimore Airports are close enough to make this practical.