Delaware Vacation PackageKathryn Hoyt2023-06-19T10:47:16-05:00
LET TRAVELKATZ PLAN YOUR DELAWARE VACATION PACKAGE
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MILITARY
Delaware Military
Delaware Military – Many of the forts and structures named were erected by the early settlers for their own protection, and all vestige of them has now disappeared. The exact locations of many are not positively known at the present day, but reference is made to them in State histories, State papers, etc. Some of those are now occupied by troops or are under the control of the War Department. The data available for consultation are known to be incomplete, and may be erroneous in some instances. TravelKatz has done some research on these forts and bases for your convenience. Check in with us for further information if Delaware is where you want to travel for this exciting aspect of our American History.
Fort Delaware – During the War of 1812, efforts were made to fortify Pea Patch Island. This plan of defense was largely coordinated by Capt. Samuel Babcock, who was working nearby on similar defenses in Philadelphia. During this time a seawall and dykes were built around the island. There is no known evidence that any progress was made on the actual fortification by war’s end. During the Civil War, Fort Delaware went from protector to prison; a prisoner-of-war camp was established to house captured Confederates, convicted federal soldiers, and local political prisoners as well as privateers. The first prisoners were housed inside the fort in sealed off casemates, empty powder magazines, and two small rooms inside the sally port. After the Civil War, the fort was operated by a small garrison of the 4th U.S. Artillery. In the early 1870s, plans were made to modify the five bastions to support 15-inch Rodman guns. In October 1878, a massive hurricane struck the area causing considerable damage. The Trinity Chapel, built in 1863 by Confederate POWs, was partially destroyed in the storm. The chapel was subsequently used to store hay until totally demolished sometime after 1901. On August 3, 1885, a tornado struck the island, destroying the post-war hospital and caused considerable damage to other structures. Several years before the start of the war, in 1892, a mine control casemate was built on the northern tip of the island. This mining casemate served in conjunction with a one-story torpedo (mine storage) shed and a narrow-gauge railroad, which all supported water-tight mines that could be placed in the Delaware River as a defensive measure against a possible enemy attack. Visit the fort along the Delaware River on Pea Patch Island in New Castle.
Fort Christina – This is the site of the state’s first permanent settlement where the Swedes landed in 1638. The colony became known as New Sweden. When the Dutch took over from 1655 to 1665 they renamed it Fort Altena. Dutch siege batteries were located across the Christina River on Tennaconck’s Land (a four-gun earthwork); a six-gun log work south of the fort (Mosquitoburg); a six-gun log work west of the fort in Christinaham (Ratburg); and a four-gun log work on Timber Island northwest of the fort (Flyburg). The Dutch named the batteries according to the local pests. The British then took control of the area in 1664 and stationed troops at the fort. The Swedish settlers stayed and swore allegiance to the British. The fort was eventually abandoned and fell into ruin. Site now marked by a black granite monument.
Camp Cape Henlopen – Located here during World War I, with a temporary battery of one 6-inch gun, the site was known thereafter as the Cape Henlopen Military Reservation until it was renamed in 1941. World War II batteries built here modified and uncovered, but mostly buried; Anti Motor Torpedo Boat Batteries became a partially covered by a parking lot. Battery 119 was planned but never built, except for the Plotting Room casemate, which was pulled into and became part of Battery 519. After closing, part of the base was turned over to the U.S. Navy for use as a Naval Radio Station. The State Park was initially established in 1963 on a portion of the land. The rest of the former base became the Fort Miles Army Recreation Area. A Naval Reserve unit remained on the base until 1996. The State Park gained control of all remaining military parcels in 1996. The U.S. Navy maintains eleven concrete fire-control towers throughout the area, and one is open to the public. Towers located outside of the state park are located in the northern portion of what is now Fenwick Island State Park, at Indian River Villas in the southern portion of Delaware Seashore State Park, and in the northern portion of Delaware Seashore State Park. Visit this remarkable park and fort area in Lewes.
If Delaware is on your list of states to visit, please call TravelKatz to help plan this trip. 352-277-7300 is the number to call for more information.
GARDENS
Delaware Gardens
Delaware Gardens – This small Mid-Atlantic state, sits on a peninsula marked by dune-backed beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay. In Dover, the First State Heritage Park encompasses 18th-century colonial landmarks like the Georgian-style Old State House. The city of Wilmington is known for the Riverfront, a waterside district of parks, boutiques, and restaurants.
Delaware Botanical Gardens: This is a world-class, inspirational, educational, and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware, created for the benefit and enjoyment of all. You know and love the beach. Now come see what treasures lie along Delaware’s Inland Bays. To view the gardens, you begin from the Rhyne Garden to the water features and the woodlands, to the jewel in the crown – the Piet Oudolf Meadow, and then down to the Observation Deck and the landing fronting the picturesque Pepper Creek. You’ll go through some of the areas already created and others envisioned for the Delaware Botanic Gardens, as shown in the plans for the site’s coastal plain topography. The parcel has an ideal mix of plateau, woodlands, and more than 1,000 feet of tidal waterfront on Pepper Creek. The gardens offer professional horticultural displays that create a sense of place for southern Delaware while they educate and engage the public and inspire conservation of its unique ecological habitats. Activities include many interactive programs for all, on land and around the water: walking tours, educational classes, art in the landscape, special events and in the future, weddings in the gardens. Even in colder weather, visitors can take a walk through the gardens and enjoy plants with seasonal and winter beauty. This garden is found in the town of Dagsboro.
University of Delaware Botanical Gardens: The botanic garden has nearly a 50-year history of educating people about plants and promoting them for generations to enjoy and cherish. The gardens contribute to an understanding of the changing relationships between plants and people through education, extension, research, and community support. It is a research center, a laboratory, and a classroom in which studies in plant biology, botany, landscape design, ornamental horticulture, and entomology are pursued through experiential learning. It also maintains a diverse and dynamic living plant collection with more than 3,000 species and cultivars of perennials, shrubs, and trees. The University works hard to promote an understanding and appreciation of plants in the landscape and natural environment. There is a 25-year Master Plan to expand its plant-based research disciplines, educational and informational programs, the green industry, and the public. The future vision includes to establish a teaching garden and simultaneously a garden for public inspiration and enrichment, create a gathering place for welcoming and engaging the community in a visible way, and become a recognized public garden in the Delaware Valley. The University Botanical Garden traces its roots back to the late 1950’s with the planting of specimen trees and shrubs around Townsend Hall. These early plantings initially supported student coursework and have evolved over time into gardens that serve the University community and broader public such as the Emily B. Clark Garden. As a part of the University, this garden was the first and was intended to be beautiful as well as educational and contains some of the oldest plant specimens such as the dwarf conifer collection. The gardens were the result of more than fifty years of independent projects directed at building an outdoor laboratory for student learning. With the addition of the Herbaceous Garden to the landscape, the name ‘University of Delaware Botanic Gardens’ was adopted in 1992. Also added to the University is the Worrilow Hall Garden. This garden and a collection of native plants known as the Native Garden were then introduced. The Lepidoptera Trail and the Wetland Garden were introduced in the 2000’s. Today, the University Garden is a series of twelve gardens and plantings on 15-acres that surround the garden complex. There is an internship program which began in 1992 with the birth of the University Plant Sale. Initially funding summer internships, it has grown to fund two non-degreed seeking graduate students and one full-time curatorial graduate student. The program has attracted students world-wide. The extensive woody collections have also facilitated research. The holly collection is recognized as a National Holly Arboretum, the viburnum collection serves as a research project on a species of treehoppers, and several plants are used in a screening for Asian longhorn beetles by scientists at the Beneficial Insects Research Laboratory. This University Garden is located in Newark.
TravelKatz will help you plan your next trip to Delaware. Give us a call at 352-277-7300 or chat online at www.travelkatz.com
STATE PARKS
Delaware State Parks:
Delaware State Parks – Even though this is a small state, it is packed with adventure at every corner and that includes its state parks. You’ll find 15 State Parks, 2 State Forests, a State Wildlife Area, and 3 State Wildlife Management Areas. Read below to discover all the natural wonder in the Delaware State Park system.
Lums Pond State Park – This is a great campground! Spots are very spacious so lots of privacy from your neighbors. There are lots of shady trees, close enough to walk the trail to the pond. There is a great little beach about 20 ft. off the trail near the campgrounds where you might have it all to yourselves. The water is very shallow, and sand is very soft. There are great fields for the kids to play in and the trails are excellent. The pond – more like a lake – is a great spot for the family and dogs to jump in the water. The bathhouse is very clean and spacious. And the on-site manager is most helpful. Camp in the town of Bear.
Alapocas Run State Park – This was one of the smaller State Parks which is great for hiking. Learn all about the Blue Ball Barn and some of the history of this area – it is fascinating. There are some trails that you can walk, bike or run. This park is located in Wilmington.
Assawoman Bay Wildlife Area and Canal – This is a narrow shallow canal that has a lot of bird activity. For someone that likes a slow beautiful exploration and photographing nature kind of an experience, this is the place for you. Take a kayak or a pontoon boat and drift about, looking in the trees at the woodpeckers, blue birds, eagles, ospreys, herons and egrets. If you are quiet, the wildlife will not disappoint. Easy paddling, so that a beginner will do just fine. So shallow that if you are a nervous first timer, if you were to fall out of the kayak, you just stand right up, the water is less than waist high in most spots. It can get buggy, so bug repellent is a great idea. Nice and shady so on a hot day you are cool and comfortable. This park is located in Millville.
Delaware Seashore State Park – This park one of the state’s most popular destinations. The park offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Rehoboth and Indian River Bays to the west. Set up camp beside the iconic Indian River Inlet Bridge, only a short walk from the beach. Grab a delicious bite to eat with an amazing view at the 2 on-site restaurants: Hammerheads and The Big Chill Beach Club. The Indian River Marina is a full-service marina offering charter boat experiences and excellent fishing opportunities. Be sure to visit the Indian River Life-Saving Station, a historic station built in 1876 for use by the United States Life-Saving Service to respond to the alarming number of shipwrecks along the coast. Today, the Life-Saving Station doubles as the park’s visitor center and offers tours and year-round programming. The Park has campgrounds on the north and south side of the Inlet. With excellent fishing spots, pristine beaches, and more, Delaware Seashore is a perfect destination for a seaside getaway. Call us to camp in Rehoboth Beach.
Fort Delaware State Park – The State of Delaware deeded Pea Patch Island, located in the Delaware River between Delaware and New Jersey, to the U.S. government in 1813, and construction of Fort Delaware was completed around 1859. Originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia, Pea Patch Island also became a Union prison camp during the Civil War, housing up to as many as 12K+ at one time. Today, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of 1864 — tour the parade ground, officers’ quarters, barracks, kitchen, blacksmith shop and ordnance room; hear stories of great escapes, and watch as the Fort’s cannon fires a live gunpowder charge! The fort historians dress in period clothing. You will hear stories of those who lived at the fort in 1864. Manned only briefly during World Wars I and II. In 1944, ownership was transferred back to the State of Delaware. Fort Delaware became a state park in 1951 and is also home to the Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve. This nature preserve contains a heronry where herons, ibises, and egrets’ nest. Hike the Prison Camp Trail to see the heronry, and climb the Heronry Overlook to see birds in the trees across the marsh. Take a walk around the exterior of the fort to see the structure’s unique design from all angles. This park has something for everyone. You can take a ferry from Delaware City for your tour.
Delaware has great parks! Give TravelKatz a call at 352-277-7300 and we will make it happen!
MUSEUMS
Delaware Museums:
Delaware Museums – Delaware, a small Mid-Atlantic U.S. state, sits on a peninsula marked by dune-backed beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay. In Dover, the capital, First State Heritage Park encompasses 18th-century Colonial landmarks like the Georgian-style Old State House. The city of Wilmington is known for the Riverfront, a waterside district of parks, boutiques and restaurants.
Air Mobility Command Museum: Located on the Dover Air Force Base, this museum showcases the history of military aviation through exhibits and a sizeable collection of planes that have been used throughout history. This is a fantastic attraction. The guides give an informative, fun tour which takes place both inside and outside. There is an old tower that looks all over the area. You most likely will want to spend 3 hours as there is so much to see, and it’s free. Donations are accepted at the museum. This museum is highly recommended for both families and couples for a fun thing to do. They have a little gift shop with a sweet lady that is most helpful as well. Enjoy this museum at the Dover Air Force Base.
Johnson Victrola Museum: Named in honor of local inventor E.R. Johnson, this museum explores the sound recording industry from its beginnings and includes displays of early talking machines, records and other relics from the 1890s to 1929. This museum is a local treasure. It is dedicated to telling the story of the invention and evolution of the phonograph, the record player and records. Visitors are provided a guided tour featuring the life of the inventor and several versions of the record player as it evolved over the years. Visitors will hear some of the first recordings made so long ago. This is truly a one-of-a-kind museum and the docents are the best part of the visit. Who knew, for example, that “Melba Toast” was named after the Victor recording artist Nellie Melba? This museum goes into the mechanics, the craftsmanship, the musicianship, and the historic significance of the Victor Talking Machine company and its recording label. Another museum located In Dover.
DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum: This wonderful museum is located on the second floor of SeaShell City, a large seashell shop. There are artifacts from a number of local and Florida shipwrecks here, all well-presented in cases with descriptions of each one. There are cannons and flintlock pistols and short muskets. Gold- lots of it, in gold bars, jewelry, coins and ingots. Silver too, and many copper coins as well. The large measure of gold and silver is interesting, but the vast number of everyday items such as glass and crockery was as fascinating. Native American artifacts are to be seen here as well. A conservation lab is here, where they work on all the recovered artifacts. Authenticated shipwreck coins can be purchased here. DiscoverSea is on Fenwick Island.
Hagley Museum and Library: Hagley is the former industrial site of the original black powder works of the DuPont Company founded in Delaware in 1802 and powdered by the natural resources that surrounded it. Today it is 235 acres of wooded rolling hills along the rushing Brandywine River dotted with hundreds of stone ruins of the black powder industry, dozens of restored buildings associated with the business, and the first
Du Pont family home built in America. Here, for more than 200 years, the DuPont Company and family experimented, innovated, and pursued the American Dream. You can visit the early DuPont house, tour the powder making mill operation, and learn the history of the site. There are lots of kid’s activities and the guides do special presentations. Overall, it has something for everyone; go to the website and look at the choices. For a first trip, take the bus up to the DuPont home, take the tour and then walk along the creek and look at the powder mill area. Educational and fun at the same time. This museum and library are Located in Wilmington.
If Delaware is your next vacation idea, call Kathryn or Sandra at TravelKatz – 352-277-7300, or go online to vacationnationradio.com where you can have any questions answered by selecting “CHAT”. All things “Travel in The USA” is on our website – www.travelkatz.com.
FESTIVALS
Delaware Festivals:
In Delaware, any time of year is the right time for putting on a festival and inviting a crowd. Top things to do in spring always include a few flower fests, and summer brings a lineup of music festivals in Delaware.
Mount Cuba Center Wildflower Celebration: This annual tribute to nature features gardening demonstrations, family fun, live music, and delicious food. Held in late April in Hockessin. Smell the blossoms?
Dover Days Festival: This celebration of the capital city’s history includes arts and crafts vendors, walking tours, live entertainment and more. First weekend in May in Dover. See below for interesting facts and places to visit in this state capital.
NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway: Race Fans can cheer on their favorite drivers or teams as they take on the Monster Mile. Last weekend in May and last weekend in September in Dover. Go Jimmy! Go Kevin!
Firefly Music Festival: Unforgettable rock performances are always in store at the East Coast’s premier music experience. For a second straight year, rap acts will headline two nights at the Woodlands in Dover when Firefly returns June 21 – 23. Travis Scott caps off Saturday’s bill, while Post Malone closes out the three-day event, serving as the Sunday headliner. Scott earned 3 Grammy nominations Friday, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance. Malone grabbed 4 Grammy nods, including Album of the Year and best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The third headline act is Panic! At The Disco, which tops Friday’s line-up. Other acts slated to perform include X Ambassadors, TLC, Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend. A great Music Festival for all who love Rap music.
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival: Held in tribute to the Wilmington man who was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival routinely features top musicians, and always offers free admission. All you Jazz fans will love this festival in June.
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival: Held at intimate venues in and around the Delaware beach resort town of Rehoboth Beach, the annual Jazz Festival has been a spring ritual for more than 25 years, highlighted by such national acts as Booker T. and the MGs, Al Green and Queen Latifah. During the festival, local restaurants and bars offer additional entertainment and delicious dining options. Another Jazz festival for you in October.
Delaware State Fair: A glorious mashup of deep-fried treats and other carnival food, live music, rodeos, demolition derbies, and some of the nation’s top music acts. This fair is in Mid-July in Harrington.
Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler’s Festival: Rehoboth Beach’s annual fall celebration has a costume parade, broom-tossing contest, performances from fiddlers and banjo players, and the Chicken Wing Championship. Great family fun held the last weekend of October.
Delaware Wine and Beer Festival: Sip beer, wine and spirits from Delaware’s finest wineries, breweries and distilleries; shop local artisans’ wares; listen to live music; compete in a keg toss; and play corn hole. We’re talking about Oktoberfest on the Fourth Sunday in October in Dover.
All of these festivals and more are available for you, our travel clients to enjoy. Please let us know if we can help you plan your festival vacation in Delaware. Give us a call at 352-277-7300 today!
PLACE OF INTEREST
Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware: The Union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed Confederate prisoners of war. It was originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. Visitors take a ½ -mile ferry ride from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island. A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of 1864. Fort Delaware is part of The Delaware History Trail! Fill your day with hands-on history. Help the blacksmith hammer out new parts for a cannon or work with the laundress. Be on hand when the 8-inch Columbiad gun fires a live gunpowder charge! See a replica of Pea Patch Island as it appeared in 1864 and artifacts from the Island’s past. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the picnic area – tables and grills are provided. Drink machines are available on the island, but there is no concession stand, so please bring your own food if you wish to enjoy a meal during your visit. Chips and other packaged snacks may be purchased at the gift shops.
Pea Patch Island is a summer home to nine different species of herons, egrets, and ibis. The remote marshes provide an outstanding habitat for one of the largest wading bird nesting areas on the East Coast. A hiking trail and its observation platform provide opportunities for photography and nature study. rom river crossing to ramparts, Fort Delaware State Park promises an unforgettable experience each time you visit.
Trails provide a terrific opportunity to get and stay in shape and enjoy the great outdoors. With more than 150 miles of hiking, biking, equestrian and water trails throughout the state, we make it easy to find one that’s right for you!
Delaware History Trail: Visit gorgeous estates, historic sites, museums and more. Along the way, you’ll get acquainted with famous figures from Delaware’s past, from early pioneers to the creative minds driving America’s Industrial Revolution. From the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, this trail is just a starting point for travelers to take a step back in time and experience Delaware’s rich historic past. We invite you to download the Delaware History Trail passport, complete the trail and receive a limited-edition “Landmarks and Legacies” Delaware History book with engaging content on the history of Delaware, the locations featured along the trail and outstanding photography by Kevin Fleming.
The Prison Camp trail is an easy 3/4 mile walk through the area of Pea Patch Island that formerly was home to the prison hospital, Officer’s Row, and various outbuildings. It is also home to a Spanish-American War era bunker.
Learn about life at Fort Delaware during the Civil War right from the writings of the people who were there. Prisoners, Guards, Officers, and even Civilians wrote about their experiences at the fort. Visit the laundry and meet one of the fort’s laundresses. Help her wash clothes the 19th-century way! You’ll need plenty of elbow grease as you learn the proper use of a scrub board. And it’s not all wash tubs and flat irons. You may also find out some interesting tidbits of gossip. The solders at Fort Delaware had a variety of tools with which to care for the weapons they used daily. Look inside to see if you can find them at work. Drill for the soldiers took place almost every day, sometimes for hours on end. Officers needed orderly, formations that could react almost instantly to a command. Here’s a chance for you to see and learn why drilling was so important. Hear the stories of escape attempts from Fort Delaware. From the spectacular escapes, to the unsuccessful attempts, the POWs’ methods ran the gamut from daring and ingenious to downright foolish.
This area is easiest to get to by flying to Philadelphia and drive to Delaware. Fort Delaware is located on Pea Patch Island which has a ferry that gives you easy access to the fort. Give TravelKatz a call at 352-277-7300 or contact us on our website and we will get a wonderful vacation that takes you back in time to the 19th century.
Delaware State Capital: Dover
Dover was founded in 1683 by William Penn, who named the city after a port town in England’s county of Kent. He gave the county in which Delaware’s capital resides the same name.
Air Mobility Command Museum: Very cool place to take the kids. They’re always updating and adding additional activities. The guides are very informative and answer any questions you may have. Going on the old planes might be your favorite! A true bargain, with free admission, the museum has a phenomenal collection of aircraft, from the simplest, smallest, single seater to the monstrous C-5A Galaxy. Many can be boarded, so you can see them from inside and out. Ever flown a fighter? Now you can try the next best thing with their free simulators. Call ahead to check hours of operation. Be sure to climb the control tower to get a great aerial view of all the planes outside. Looking for the perfect selfie opportunity, why not in the Vice-President’s Air Force Two. The DC-9 was also used as a make-shift Air Force One for presidents Reagan, Clinton and both Bush presidents when they flew into smaller airports that couldn’t handle Air Force One. The museum is located next to the Dover Air Base runways and the previous tower from the base is now in the museum. When you climb the old tower, you can watch the planes taking off and landing at the base.
Dover International Speedway: Go to this track to view a NASCAR race usually in September. Parking is adequate but gets a little crazy on race day. Take a tour of this track when you get there. The tour was simply AMAZING! And highly recommend it for any NASCAR Race fans. The tour guide is so informative. You’ll love the tour! Dover Speedway…. top fastest cars… Exciting and fun. But, LOUD! Don’t forget the ear plugs!
Johnson Victrola Museum: This place is fantastic! You’ll never see so many machines and records all in one collection. There are thousands of 78 RPM recordings, and 2 floors of musical machines. See the Auxetophone (1 of 14 still in existence), Graphophone, Gramophone, and Radiola Electrola – from table top machines to luxurious floor models selling for $1500 in the 1920s. Learn the difference between a Victor and a Victrola!
Hear the amazing acoustic sound reproduction on these machines using no electronics. The tour guide will do a superb job in making history come to life. She will demonstrate the machines, and is just full of fun & fascinating facts about the history & development of recorded sound and music. There is no fee for touring this museum, but gratuities are very welcome. It’s just amazing, though, to see what the volunteers/staff have done with the donations they’ve received over past years. This is definitely a museum worth visiting!!!!
John Dickinson Plantation: You’ll really enjoy a tour of this place and the experience. What a wonderful piece of history for the State of Delaware. The tour guide is open to questions and very accommodating. The house and grounds are a treasure. You’ll be greeted by a woman in period clothes, who will welcome you and explain what there is to see. Watch a video which will tell of the Dickinson family. Then walk over to the house and take the tour. It can be a great visit. It’s free and now part of the First State National Historical Park.
Delaware State Police Museum and Education Center: A small museum with some interesting exhibits including a mock-up of a crime scene where you are invited to solve the crime. You’ll enjoy the siren and lights in a police car and even younger children will too. Sort of an unusual stop but highly recommended! Lots of police history, wonderful displays of police uniforms, vehicles, equipment and more. Don’t miss this one! The museum is curated by a retired police officer, and he helps kids find clues in the interactive crime scene, and let them sit in the police car and play with the lights. Another museum employee is dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog and poses for pictures. Excellent exhibits and a nice amount of games to keep kids involved.
Lots of things to do and lots of places to stay; it’s an easy flight to the Philadelphia Airport, rent a car for a short trip to Dover. When you are finished with your visit to Dover, visit Southwestern Delaware…
Ten Strange, Cool, and Compelling Reasons to Visit Southwestern Delaware
Delaware is not a state that gets much hype, tourism-wise, and when it does, it’s usually about the beaches, the Brandywine River Valley, or the City of Wilmington.
But here’s the thing: Southwestern Delaware – or more precisely Western Sussex County, which includes the towns of Laurel, Seaford, Bethel and Georgetown – is shot through with so many rivers and rivulet’s, creeks and streams, it is kayaking nirvana. And very few know about it.
This segment of Delaware is also a skydiving hotspot – very fitting, as DuPont opened the word’s first Nylon plant here in 1939; pumping out massive amounts of the material used to make a significant number of the country’s parachutes. Western Sussex County is also a Bass Fishing utopia, and full of local color – both visually and personality-wise. Read on for the best reasons to visit this little known part of the Small Wonder State.
This middle section of the Delmarva Peninsula was once almost all swampland, until lumber companies in the 1700’s cut down trees and drained the swamps. One of these drained swamps became the rainwater-fed lake at Trap Pond State Park (Laurel, DE), considered to be one of the Top Ten Bass Fishing lakes in the country by Bassmaster Magazine. Be sure to sign up for a Pontoon Boat Tour (offered throughout the day and even at night, in season), which winds through a Floridaesque setting, dense with the northernmost stand of bald cypress trees in the USA. These partially submerged trees form a ghostly landscape at night, a spookiness amplified by the sounds of winged creatures (heron, owls, other things) that shriek and moan in the dark. For the full effect, stay in a tent, trailer, or cabin by the water, and take advantage of Trap Pond State Park.
One local story, that of the Swamp Monster, captures the essence of this swampland -a comfort-food version of a monster tale with a completely nutty twist. In 1963, the then 23-year-old Fred Stevens donned his Aunt’s fur coat, picked up a bat, put on a scary mask and marched in the local Halloween parade. As a prank, Stevens (in full regalia) and a friend headed to the swamp where the friend captured the “Swamp Monster” on film, sent photos to the town paper, and thus a created a legend. Stevens kept his secret for 25 years, and when he revealed his true identity, the newspapers were all over it. In 2010, Brown University mistakenly sent Stevens an invitation to a 50th Reunion (supposedly, Stevens was Ted Turner’s roommate). Stevens responded by sending a photo of the Swamp Monster and newspaper clippings about himself. Brown University published these as an “alum update” in its annual magazine.
Annual Return Day repairs a fractious community. Back in 1791 (and every year since), farmers would travel to Georgetown, DE to vote, then go back to their fields. Two days later, they’d “return” to hear the results of the election. Back then, and still now, the winning party parades through the streets ending in the town center where all who ran for office gather to “bury the hatchet,” in an actual box of sand. A community event, Return Day is one of the most civilized post-election proceedings in the country.
In 1608, John Smith and his crew rowed and sailed on the Nanticoke River from Chesapeake Bay to what is now Western Sussex, DE at the mouth of Broad Creek. Smith’s 1613 map of the area remains accurate to this day, in fact, as most of these major and minor ribbons of water haven’t changed much in 400 years.
Take your love for a picnic at riverside Phillips Landing. You can just imagine John Smith paddling upstream at this dogleg turn of the Nanticoke, it is so pristine and untouched. This is one of the most romantic spots in SW Delaware, so pack some wine and cheese and leave your cell phone at home.
The Nanticoke and its tributaries are so tranquil and picturesque, kayaking here allows for true communion with nature. Countless creeks and rivers are relatively unknown, making the area enticing for recreational kayakers looking for new bucolic waterways to paddle. The best way to explore here is with knowledgeable outfitters. Learn to SUP on flat-water with Delmarva Board Sports and/or discover Stan Shedaker’s favorite excursions. As owner of Adrenalin High Outfitters, Shedaker has investigated them all.
Skydive Delmarva (Laurel Airport) is serious about safety…and fun. They train the US Naval Academy Parachute Team, after all. But, the pros there are also about having a good time. Try a tandem jump for $225, and you might discover you just adore jumping out of a plane from 13,500 ft.!
The public 18-hole golf course at Heritage Shores (Bridgeville) is peppered with 17 ponds, which ups the challenge and enhances aesthetics. There are so many water hazards in fact; the Golf Shop sells floating balls. If golf is not your thing, try Bocce Ball. Though small, Heritage Shores has one of the finest Bocce Courts in the land. After a round, head to the hip Sugar Beet Market on Heritage Shores property for a drink at the cool bar or to pick up some local cheese and crackers to enjoy on the deck out back. It’s particularly beguiling at sunset.
For some down-home food, and for a real taste of Western Sussex County, find a Fish Fry being catered by My Turn to Cook (for hire, too). Watch fresh-caught fish turn golden brown before your eyes – fixin’s include cooked greens and potatoes as well.
Chefs in the area “train each other” and a true culinary scene is “unfolding before our eyes,” says one local. This farming community is smack dab between Bay and Ocean watersheds, so chefs benefit from nearby farms and fisheries. Right now, the best example of locally sourced cuisine is Abbott’s on Broad Creek in Laurel. The food here can compete with the best restaurants in America. Chef Ryan Cunningham looks like a chill dude, but works magic in his kitchen, turning out delights like Grilled Octopus with Truffle Vinaigrette Tendrils, Mussels and Fries, Apple-Scrapple Flatbread, just-picked salads, and other tweaked comfort foods.
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