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    • Wilmington

    Wilmington travel guide

    View United States of America travel guide View Delaware travel guide

    Overview

    Wilmington has undergone a revitalisation in recent years, and though doing business is perhaps still the main attraction, it's definitely worth a visit. Visitors can stroll along a waterfront path leading to the Shipyard Shops, the rowing centre, and various restaurants and museums.

    The city comprises many distinct neighbourhoods, and for those seeking a less touristy experience, Trolley Square is an excellent option. It's full of sidewalk cafes, cosy bistros, and lively pubs, including Kelly's Logan House which is a local institution since 1864 and by far the best place to be on St Patrick's Day.

    Stately old homes and restored townhouses surround the area. Not far away is Little Italy, home to Mrs Robino's, one of the city's oldest and most popular spots for authentic Italian food. During the summer, the best way to cool off is with a treat from one of the historic community's countless Italian water ice stands.

    For many visitors, the most appealing attractions lie just outside the city limits, in the beautiful Brandywine Valley. The area is a horticultural delight, with endless gardens and arboretums, as well as the 'American castles' of the du Pont family, including Winterthur and Nemours, magnificently preserved and packed with artwork and antiques.

    Delaware Museum of Natural History

    Featuring some fantastic exhibits, the Delaware Museum of Natural History is a great attraction for visitors of all ages and persuasions. The dinosaur gallery is a favourite with most visitors, with Tuojiangosaurus and Yangchuanosaurus skeletons towering over awe-inspired visitors. View the Elephant Bird egg in the Hall of Birds; admire animals from around the world in the Hall of Mammels; or explore the Shell Gallery which boasts an impressive collection of two million shells. In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are constantly changing special exhibits on display, tours, and interactive outdoor experiences.

    Website: www.delmnh.org
    Delaware Museum of Natural History Delaware Museum of Natural History Jim Capaldi
    Delaware Art Museum

    Holding a collection of more than 12,000 works, the Delaware Art Museum was founded in 1912 by the Wilmington Society of Fine Arts in honour of the artist Howard Pyle, whose painting 'Battle of Bunker Hill' was in the museum's possession until it went missing and was presumed stolen in 2001. Apart from the remaining works of the much-loved local artist Howard Pyle, and some of his American contemporaries, the museum is perhaps best known for its extensive collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art. The urban landscapes of John Sloan can also be viewed here. Temporary exhibitions are hosted regularly and public and group tours of the museum are available.

    Website: www.delart.org
    Delaware Art Museum Delaware Art Museum Jeffrey
    The Delaware Contemporary

    The state's only museum solely dedicated to contemporary art, the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (now usually just called the Delaware Contemporary), features displays of local, regional, and international artists in its seven galleries. It also features about 26 artists' studios, a gift shop, a high-tech auditorium, and a classroom where workshops and lectures are held. The museum is best known for its challenging and intriguing exhibitions, curated to be relevant and topical. The fact that admission is free is an extra incentive for visitors with time to kill in the city, and the quick turnover of art on display ensures that there is always something new to see.

    Website: www.thedcca.org
    Andrea Stanislav, 'The Vanishing Points' Andrea Stanislav, 'The Vanishing Points' Jenni C
    Hagley Museum and Library

    The Hagley Museum and Library collects, preserves, and interprets the history of American enterprise and is a non-profit educational institution. With a range of exhibitions, guided tours, walking trails, and demonstrations, there is so much to learn at the Hagley Museum. Visitors can experience 19th-century living on Workers' Hill, visit the Powder Yard, where massive stone mills, storehouses, and a waterwheel echo a time when water was the main source of energy, and tour the Eleutherian Mills, a mansion that has been home to five generations of the famous du Pont family and features breath-taking views over the Brandywine Valley.

    Website: www.hagley.org
    Hagley Museum and Library Hagley Museum and Library

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    English Pronounciation

    Wilmington has a humid subtropical climate, with cool winters and hot, humid summers. Average winter temperatures range between 50°F (10°C) and 65°F (18°C), while summer temperatures average a balmy 80°F (27°C) to 90°F (32°C). Spring is warm and mild, with the many gardens of the Brandywine Valley bursting into bloom, and visitors should note that often rooftops and cars can be turned yellow due to the pollen dusting during the season.

    Wilmington is midway between New York and Washington DC, so it is perfectly situated for a weekend getaway or stop-over. In addition, it is full of undiscovered gems, like the Mt Cuba Center's indigenous gardens, which makes it an ideal setting for a romantic holiday. The Brandywine Valley is lovely for couples, though its many museums cater to children as well. Beer lovers should sample the libations of the Twin Lake Brewery just north of town.

    Wilmington holds some treasures for art lovers, with the Delaware Art Museum and the Delaware Contemporary both highly regarded. History buffs should find something of interest in the Hagley Museum and Library, and the Delaware History Museum.

    For those keen to discover some of the stately old homes of the region, the Nemours Mansion is in Wilmington and offers tours of the estate and gardens, and the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, another du Pont mansion, is nearby.

    Sports fans may want to catch a game at Frawley Stadium, and the Grand Opera House is an impressive venue for the performing arts. Those looking for a taste of Delaware's scenic beauty within the city limits should visit the Alapocas Run State Park or the Brandywine Creek State Park.

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