Wilmington, DE Discount Hotels

Picturesque Brandywine Park in the heart of Wilmington sets the tone for this lovely, historically significant Delaware port city.  It is the perfect spot in which to enjoy a stroll or a jog along the river, have a picnic lunch, and view  the park’s monuments, formal gardens, and natural areas. The Josephine Fountain, a favorite place to make a wish, is located there. Visually-impaired visitors can enjoy the wonders of nature by walking the Sensory Trail.

Rockford Park boasts large open spaces surrounded by beautiful wooded areas, making it  ideal  for picnics, jogging, flying kites, playing ball, tennis, and hiking. The observation deck near the top of the tower, offers stunning views of the Wilmington skyline.  In the residential districts to the north are some of the city's oldest and most elegant houses, many dating from the Revolutionary War, when Wilmington's flour mills fed the American troops.

Located along the Brandywine River, Alapocas Woods is an oasis at the edge of the bustling city. This forested retreat is home to native plants and abundant wildlife. Because the park is situated between the Piedmont and coastal plain zones, it contains spectacular geologic formations that are unique to this region of Delaware.

This seaport in northern Delaware is the largest city in the state and an anchor city for the Delaware Valley metropolitan area.  The county seat of New Castle County, it was named by Thomas Penn for his friend Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, who was prime minister in the reign of George II of Great Britain.

Its surrounding Brandywine Valley holds the manor homes, gardens, and factories of the Du Ponts, all of which are open to the public and provide an inside look at the First State's First Family.   

Most of Wilmington's surprising numbers of important colonial sites are hidden away amid the heavily industrialized waterfront to the east of downtown. In that area, a sign proclaims "Historic Wilmington" indicating a loop  from the foot of Seventh Street to Church St, the site of the Hendrickson House Museum and Old Swedes Church.   

Wilmington sponsors a number of quality arts and entertainment venues. The Grand Opera House is the home of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Opera Delaware and presents touring performers from around the world. The Baby Grand, which recently opened next door to the Grand Opera House, attracts modern rock bands and  contemporary theater companies to the city. The DuPont Theater brings to Wilmington national touring productions of Broadway shows. The Delaware Theater Company offers first rate  theatrical productions with casts including professional Broadway actors.

The Wilmington area abounds in fine museums, including the Delaware Art Museum, the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Winterthur Museum, the Delaware History Museum, the Brandywine River Museum, Longwood Gardens, the Hagley Museum and the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts.

Wilmington is home to the Blue Rocks, a minor league team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. Its riverfront stadium was built specifically for the team. Wilmington also supports the Delaware Smash, featuring World Team tennis competitors. The University of Delaware provides Division I college sports and a world-renowned ice skating training center. Wilmington also offers a range of public and private golf courses and  indoor and outdoor tennis facilities. 

In addition to activities in and around Wilmington, the city’s central location provides easy access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Wilmington is approximately 25 miles southwest of Philadelphia and an hour from Baltimore, making either city an easy option for an evening’s entertainment or a sporting event.

Wilmington’s ethnic diversity contributes to several very popular festivals held locally in the spring and summer. The most popular festival is the Italian festival which closes down 6 blocks in the west side of the city for traditional Italian music, food, and activities, along with carnival rides and games. Another festival that draws large crowds is the Greek Festival featuring traditional Greek food and drink along with a craft display area.

The Wilmington and Western Railroad offers one and two hour scenic rides through the Red Clay Valley area, self-guided walking tours are available in the Quaker Hill Historic District, making Wilmington a joy to visit.  It is a city kept youthful by its green and growing State Parks and its thriving University; yet steeped in history and a well documented past.