Delaware, the First State, packs remarkable diversity into the nation's second-smallest state — from the cosmopolitan Wilmington riverfront and historic New Castle's cobblestone streets to the Victorian beach resort of Rehoboth Beach and the wild marshes of Cape Henlopen. Rich in colonial and Revolutionary War history, home to major corporate headquarters and the DuPont dynasty's legacy estates, and bordered by Atlantic beaches, Delaware rewards visitors who look beyond its modest size.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
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Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Do ask about the DuPont family legacy — locals take great pride in the Winterthur, Hagley, and Nemours estates that transformed Delaware into a cultural destination
- Do try local craft beer — Dogfish Head Brewery has made Milton and Rehoboth internationally recognized; exploring local taps is expected and appreciated
- Do say 'no sales tax' — mentioning it to locals will generate immediate positive conversation; it is a genuine source of statewide identity
- Do visit New Castle's historic district on foot — the correct way to appreciate its colonial architecture is a slow walking exploration
- Do observe beach courtesy: respect towel space, take trash when leaving, and avoid smoking on the beach (prohibited at many Delaware beaches)
Don't
- Do not confuse Delaware with Washington D.C. — visitors from abroad sometimes conflate the two; Delaware is a state and Wilmington is a city, not the capital of the US
- Do not park in Rehoboth Beach town lots without paying the meter — enforcement is active and fines are $50-75
- Do not litter on the boardwalk or beach — Rehoboth Beach and most Delaware beach towns have active cleanup culture and social norms around beach cleanliness
- Do not swim outside lifeguard hours at ocean beaches — rip currents are a serious hazard; red flag conditions mean no swimming
- Do not arrive for Winterthur or Nemours without a timed ticket reservation during peak spring and summer months — both can sell out
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
The First State
Delaware's nickname — first state to ratify the US Constitution, December 7, 1787
Going down the shore
Regional expression for visiting the Delaware beaches
Wawa
A beloved Delaware/Mid-Atlantic convenience store chain considered an institution; asking a local 'where's the Wawa?' is a standard request
Old Bay
The spice blend of choice on Delaware seafood and fries — ordering without it marks visitors as outsiders
Funland
The iconic Rehoboth Beach amusement park; a genuine local institution since 1962
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Delaware.
Items:
- Religion
- Christianity (multiple denominations)
- Presence
- Predominant; numerous Protestant and Catholic churches statewide; Old Swedes Church (1698) is the nation's oldest continuously active Christian church
- Religion
- Jewish community
- Presence
- Established community primarily in Wilmington; several synagogues including Beth Shalom (302-478-8101, 1801 Baynard Blvd, Wilmington)
- Religion
- Muslim community
- Presence
- Small but established; Masjid Ibrahim in Newark (302-368-6700, 28 Salem Church Rd)
- Religion
- Hindu and Buddhist communities
- Presence
- Small communities in Wilmington and Newark (University of Delaware area)