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.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the city where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, and its compact historic core lets you cover that story on foot in a single day. Beyond Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the city offers the Reading Terminal Market for lunch and the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an afternoon, so the day mixes history with food and art rather than being a single-stop trip. As a day trip from Wilmington it works well because the historic district, the market, and the art museum are all within a short cab or walk of each other.
Highlights: Independence Hall - where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both debated and signed · Liberty Bell Center - the cracked bell itself, with exhibits on its symbolism · Reading Terminal Market - a long-running indoor market for a sit-down or grab-and-go lunch · Philadelphia Museum of Art - the museum behind the 'Rocky steps', worth two to three hours for its collection · Elfreth's Alley - one of the country's oldest continuously inhabited residential streets
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore's Inner Harbor is a walkable waterfront that packs an aquarium, historic ships, and casual seafood dining into one compact loop, making it an easy single-focus day trip. The National Aquarium is the main draw and can fill half a day on its own, while the harbor promenade itself is free to walk and popular for an after-lunch stroll. Taking the Amtrak from Wilmington avoids the hassle of harbor-area parking, which is the main practical headache of driving in.
Highlights: National Aquarium - Baltimore's marquee attraction, built around a multi-story rainforest and shark exhibit · USS Constellation - a restored Civil War-era sloop-of-war docked right on the harbor · Inner Harbor promenade - the walkable waterfront loop connecting the harbor's attractions · Fell's Point - a historic waterfront neighborhood a short walk or water-taxi ride from the Inner Harbor, good for an early dinner
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a Victorian seaside town at the southern tip of New Jersey, reached from Lewes by a ferry ride across the mouth of Delaware Bay that is itself part of the day's appeal. The town's draw is its preserved 19th-century architecture - wide porches and gingerbread trim along tree-lined streets - plus a walkable beach and lighthouse, so the pace here is slower than a typical city day trip. Because the ferry schedule structures the day, this trip works best if you plan around a specific outbound and return crossing rather than trying to maximize time on the ground.
Highlights: Cape May Lighthouse - a climbable lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park with views back over the point · Washington Street Mall - the town's pedestrian shopping street lined with Victorian storefronts · Cape May Point State Park - beach and birdwatching trails right by the lighthouse · The Victorian B&B district - blocks of preserved 19th-century houses best seen on a walking loop
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is Maryland's state capital and home to the U.S. Naval Academy, and its small historic downtown sits right on the water, making it easy to combine a bit of government history with a waterfront stroll. The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in legislative use, and the Naval Academy's public areas and chapel are open for a guided walk. It's a calmer, more compact day than Baltimore or Philadelphia, built around a few specific stops rather than a packed itinerary.
Highlights: Maryland State House - the oldest U.S. state capitol still in continuous legislative use · United States Naval Academy - public tours cover the chapel, where John Paul Jones is interred, and the yard · Annapolis City Dock - the working harbor at the foot of Main Street, good for crab cakes with a water view · Main Street, Annapolis - the sloping street of shops and restaurants connecting the State House to the dock
Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Longwood Gardens is a large former du Pont estate turned public garden, with indoor conservatories and outdoor display gardens that change character by season, from spring bulbs to summer fountains to the holiday light displays. It rewards slow walking rather than a checklist approach - the conservatory alone can take over an hour - and pairs naturally with Winterthur given how close the two estates sit to each other. This is a half-day to full-day trip depending on how much of the grounds you cover.
Highlights: Conservatory - a four-acre glass conservatory with seasonal indoor plantings year-round · Main Fountain Garden - a large illuminated fountain system that runs choreographed shows in warmer months · Idea Garden - a smaller demonstration garden aimed at home-gardening inspiration · Large Lake and woodland walking trails - a quieter, wooded counterpoint to the formal display gardens
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City is a classic Mid-Atlantic beach resort town built around a three-mile boardwalk, making it a straightforward sun-and-boardwalk day trip rather than a sightseeing one. The boardwalk itself mixes amusement rides, arcades, and food stands like Thrasher's fries, and the beach is wide and easy to access directly off it. Being only 35 miles from Rehoboth Beach, it's an easy swap-the-beach-town day rather than a long haul.
Highlights: Ocean City Boardwalk - the three-mile boardwalk with arcades, shops, and food stands · Trimper's Rides - an old-fashioned amusement park at the boardwalk's south end, including a historic carousel · Assateague Island - wild horses and a quieter beach a short drive south, worth the detour if you have a car · Ocean City beach - the wide public beach running the length of the boardwalk
Washington DC
Washington DC's National Mall puts the Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, and the major memorials within walking distance of each other, but the sheer size of the city means a single day trip has to be selective rather than comprehensive. Realistically this is a one-or-two-museum-plus-memorials kind of day, not a whole-city day, so deciding in advance what matters most to you is the key planning step. Taking the Amtrak from Wilmington is far less stressful than driving, since DC parking and traffic are both difficult.
Highlights: National Mall - the central green space connecting the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial · Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - one of the most visited Smithsonian museums, free like all Smithsonians · Lincoln Memorial - the memorial at the Mall's west end, especially striking at the Reflecting Pool · United States Capitol - visitable via free timed tickets booked in advance
Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Chincoteague is a small Virginia barrier-island town known for the wild ponies that live on the adjoining Assateague Island refuge, making it a nature-focused day trip rather than a town-sightseeing one. The National Wildlife Refuge has beach access and wildlife loop roads where the ponies are often visible from a car or on a bike, and the town itself is a low-key fishing village with seafood restaurants. At 80 miles from Rehoboth Beach it's a longer haul than Ocean City, so it suits travelers who want a full day built around the refuge rather than a quick stop.
Highlights: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - the protected land where the island's wild ponies roam · Assateague Lighthouse - a red-and-white lighthouse within the refuge, climbable seasonally · Wildlife Loop - a refuge road often closed to cars until afternoon and popular for biking to spot ponies · Chincoteague town waterfront - the small downtown strip of seafood restaurants and shops
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Multi-day tours from Delaware
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
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Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.