Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.
Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to the beautiful state of Delaware
1.) Air Mobility Command Museum located in Dover Located on the Dover Air Force Base, this museum showcases the history of military aviation through exhibits and a sizable collection of planes that have been used throughout history. Our outside aircraft ramp will be available for you to see 25 historical military aviation aircraft. Main exhibit gallery is now open for both self-guided and docent-led tours. The below guidelines apply: Museum hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2.) Cape May-Lewes Ferry hours of operation are 7am-7pm Whether you're crossing the Delaware Bay for a fun day trip or as part of a long-distance trip, on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, your journey is sure to be a memorable one.Enjoy historic lighthouses, picturesque harbors, oceangoing vessels, unique seabirds and, just maybe, your very own dolphin escort!The 17-mile, 85-minute cruise between New Jersey and Delaware can cut miles off a trip along the Atlantic Coast, connecting points like Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Ocean City and the rest of the Jersey Shore with Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Sussex Shores, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean City, MD, and destinations throughout Virginia.Our welcoming, modern terminals are a destination in and of themselves, with enjoyable restaurants and lounges, and well-stocked gift shops! Lightship Overfalls moored safely in Lewes, the Lightship Overfalls is one of the last surviving of its kind, having been one of hundreds of ships built between the early 19th and middle 20th century along the mid-Atlantic coast. During its career it was used at night, or when visibility was poor, as a movable lighthouse to warn ships of dangerous reefs and their proximity to land. It is now listed on the National Register of historic places.
3.) Nemours Estate located in Wilmington Celebrate the holidays with Noël at Nemours Estate! Tour the festive displays in the 77-room Mansion, Chauffeur’s Garage and the gardens. Live music performances will also be held in the Mansion throughout the season. There are no timed tickets and reservations are not required. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas.
Hours - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m.; Closed Monday. Saturday Late Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with last entry at 7 p.m.
4.) Hagley Museum And Library located in Wilmington hours of operation are 10-4pm Hagley is the former industrial site of the original black powder works of the DuPont Company founded in Delaware in 1802 and powered 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. Hagley has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972. The site is a National Historic Landmark, National Recreation Trail, and a Historic Engineering Landmark.
5) Funland located in Rehoboth Beach Funland is a family amusement center located on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. A family owned and operated business since 1962, Funland provides family fun at reasonable prices for those who visit us each summer. The park offers great entertainment for the whole family, featuring 19 rides, 14 midway games, a redemption center, Skeeball, and an arcade. Our season begins Mother's Day Weekend and runs through Labor Day. In the early part of our season (May into June), our closing time varies; we reserve the right to close early due to factors such as weather and lack of crowds! Normally in season, July 4th - Labor Day, we close around 11 PM.
6.) Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library hours of operation are 10am-5pm Once a Du Pont family country retreat, this estate's spectacular gardens surround a 175-room mansion housing the world's finest collection of American decorative arts from 1640-1860.
7.) DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum A free museum above a tasteful souvenir shop. DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum is an absolute hidden gem! It's like stepping into an underwater adventure without getting wet. The place is packed to the brim with all sorts of cool shipwreck artifacts, from pirate booty to ancient treasures. You'll be blown away by the sheer amount of stuff they've got. The best part? The folks who run the place are total history buffs and will drop knowledge bombs on you left and right. It's not just a museum; it's an educational thrill ride. So, if you're ever in the area, don't miss the chance to dive into history at the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum. It's a blast! The displays of artifacts highlight artifacts from pirate ships, lost White Star lines of the 20th century (Republic and Titanic), detailed displays of how ships and shipping shaped Delaware and how these relics are studied and preserved. Definitely worth the stop on Fenwick Island.
8.) Johnson Victrola Museum located in Dover hours of operation are 9-4:30pm 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.
9.) John Dickinson Plantation located in Dover hours of operation are 10-4:30pm Once owned by a wealthy Quaker tobacco planter, this plantation has been converted to a living museum where visitors can tour the grounds and interact with staff dressed in period costume.
10.) Fort Delaware State Park located in Delaware City hours of operation are 9:30-4:30pm Seasonal Civil War Fort and Living History Museum. Fort Delaware is located on Pea Patch Island and is situated in the Delaware River between the State of Delaware and New Jersey. It is open to the public from May - August (hours listed) and then in September on weekends only (Saturday & Sunday) for living history and civil war reenactments and programs. In October, Paranormal Adventure Programs are hosted on Friday and Saturday evenings. Please visit the Park Website for up to date information and detailed hours and program information. Fort is subject to weather related closings and may close abruptly during storms, fog and high winds.
11.) Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Beautiful refuge, and you can tour by car. There are short walks you can take as you drive through, some with boardwalks. The welcome center was small, but the workers were friendly and helpful. They are finishing a new center, and it looks beautiful
Cost was $4 per car, pay with cash or check
Saw so many birds! Egrets, blue heron, copper hawks, tundra swans, wood ducks, snow geese, terns and more
Highly recommend a visit, only 45 min from the Rehoboth beach area.
12.) Fort Miles Historic Area at Cape Henlopen State Park Such an interesting piece of World War II history! The walk is beautiful, The beach is right there and you're rewarded with a great view. Well organized informative tour, explaining how the Delaware shores were protected by the Army during WW2.
13.) Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum at Delaware Seashore State Park located in Rehoboth Beach The Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum is a historic site located within Delaware Seashore State Park. Self-guided tours of the museum are offered year round and provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the history of the United States Life-Saving Service, precursor to the current day U.S. Coast Guard. Not only is the Indian River Life-Saving Station open for tours, it also acts as the "hub" for all educational and recreational programs held within Delaware Seashore State Park. Programs cover a wide range of topics and activities from local maritime history to guided kayak tours.
14.) Delaware Children's Museum located in Wilmington hours of operation are 10-3pm It is big and there is so much to do and most of it is so sensory friendly. the two-story, three dimensional “maze” in the center of the exhibit hall that can keep kids amused in play for hours.
15.) The Old State House located in Dover The original State House goes back to 1791 and has had many uses over the years. In 1976 it was restored back to its original appearance. You don't need a reservation to get a tour, just show up 10-15 minutes in advance. You see three rooms, the lower floor as well as two rooms upstairs. The tour guide was very informative and gave lots of history of Delaware as well as the building, including the various Constitutions of Delaware as well as how the boundaries and territorial changes that made Delaware to the state it is today.
16.) Rockwood Park & Museum hours of operation are 10-4pm The house was quite a surprise as its history and furnishings are an amazing story, It was interesting hearing about the Shipley and Bringhurst families and the history of the estate - a part of Delaware history. Give yourself time to walk around the grounds as they are lovely with hidden treasures around every corner.
I have been on many historic house tours, but this one was much more than I expected, and better than the usual tour. The unique thing about this house is that there is so much original furniture and family belongings still in place. You get the feeling that you are a guest of the family rather than just on a tour. The museum staff have used these items to tell a unique story. Also, on the East Coast of the US you get worn out with colonial house tours, and Rockwood Museum gives you an opportunity to experience a completely different era. Not only is the inside of the house a good experience, but the grounds are lovely and an attraction in their own right. The GPS enabled garden tour adds much to the interpretation of the setting.
17.) New Castle CourtHouse hours of operation are 10-4:30pm Delaware approved the Declaration of Independence in this building, which was constructed in 1732. Our tour guide, dressed in costume, was very enthusiastic & knowledgeable about the history of the New Castle Courthouse. There were also interesting displays to read upstairs.
18.) Bethany Beach Nature Center hours of operation are 10-3pm It's hard to believe how close it is to the main road in Bethany Beach / Ocean View. We see Great White Egrets in their nests raising their brood. Year round we see Great Blue Heron, sometimes as close as 20-30 feet. And on those occasions we don't see a lot of birds, it is just quiet and beautiful. It's a great place to just take a few moments and relax.
19.) James Farm Ecological Preserve located in OceanView - Open: Dawn to dusk 365 days/year - Pets: Pets must be leashed at all times! Free waste bags are located by the parking lot - Trash: Carry in/carry out. No glass - Vehicles: Non-motorized only - Hunting: No hunting is allowed at any time The James Farm Ecological Preserve is an oasis of wild land in Ocean View, Delaware, located along the southern shore of Indian River Bay — just a short drive from Bethany Beach! At this 150-acre retreat, you can relax on a calm bayside beach, observe native plants and animals, and hike three miles of trails through seven distinct habitats! In 1992, the Preserve property was given to Sussex County by the late Mary Lighthipe, a descendant of the James family who farmed the land for generations. This generous donation was made in memory of her son, Harold, on the condition that the property be used for educational and recreational purposes. The Preserve has been managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays on behalf of Sussex County since 1998.
20.) Rehoboth Beach Museum The museum displays interesting exhibitions in their upstairs gallery. They had an exhibition on the businesses of Rehoboth Beach of the past and had some of the old signs from current businesses. Inside it talks about its development from a Mormon Retreat to a modern beach resort with the trains coming to town to open the town up, its lifeguard force over the years and the development of Camp Rehoboth, a local LGBTQ community. There is something for everyone.
It is the perfect rainy day activity when going to the beach is impossible. This is the perfect place to get to know Rehoboth Beach, DE.
21.) Cannonball House located in Lewes This is a very neat piece of history in a quaint little small town. Built in c.1765 the house has been the home of generations of river and bay pilots. During the infamous bombardment of Lewes in 1812 the house was scarred by cannon fire and still has a cannonball stuck in it's side to this day. The house is now the home of the Lewes Historical Society's maritime museum. Take the time to read the placard and walk around the backyard which has some notable items to view, such as a brick from Verrazano's house in Italy. Across the street in the little park there are cannons, more placards to read and the dock where much of the fishing industry went through and the waterway of the war.
22.) Brandywine Zoo located in Wilmington hours of operation are 10-4pm Open 10am-4pm daily. Check the website. The Brandywine Zoo sits in scenic Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware. This small zoo features Andean condors, red pandas, lemurs, small monkeys, and more! Brandywine Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and works to educate the public, connect people with animals, and strengthen global conservation. Check the website calendar for activities.
23.) DuPont Environmental Education Center located in Wilmington hours of operation are 11-3pm The DuPont Environmental Education Center is located at the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington, where the city, river and marsh meet. The center opened in 2009 and has quickly become a favorite family attraction, thanks to interactive exhibits, free admission and numerous free programs, such as daily nature walks. It is owned by the Riverfront Development Corp. of Delaware and operated by Delaware Nature Society.
24.) Kalmar Nyckel Foundation located in Wilmington hours of operation are 2-4pm The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is dedicated to a ship that lived many lives. It is conveniently located next to Fort Christina Park, where Kalmar Nyckel first landed with its Swedish settlers in 1638. I felt quite fortunate to have an individual guided tour by an incredibly knowledgeable docent through the extensive collections and displays within the museum. It quickly became apparent that this one ship led the way to centuries of industrial prowess by the city of Wilmington in ship building and train car construction that had national and global reach in providing transportation for governments, armed forces, and businesses. The museum is well designed in terms of combining artwork, artifacts, educational videos, and historic replicas. Actual training of the rebuilt but authentic Kalmar Nyckel takes place using these replicas as well as the real ship when it is at home. There is an impressive collection of model ships and sculpture and art representation of ships throughout history. I was pleasantly surprised to see a carving and a mud cloth depiction of an African log boat that plied the waters of the Niger River in Mali. An actual Finnish log cabin was also on display showing the intricately cut and fitted construction that the Finns, who were part of Sweden at the time, brought to North America. The grounds contain a blacksmith shop that was used in the construction of the current Kalmar Nyckel. The blacksmith, as well as the current captains of the vessel and much of the crew, are women. The docent noted that the fact that the Kalmar Nyckel made four transatlantic crossings as the Colony was being established was in itself impressive, but that the ship later continues to serve commercial, military and government purposes for many years was a feat few others could achieve. This amazing chapter in North American should not be missed.
25.) Abbott's Mill Nature Center located in Milford hours of operation are 9-4pm Abbott’s Mill Nature Center encompasses a picturesque pond surrounded by meadows, streams, woodlands, swamps, wetlands, a historic gristmill, and a modern education building. At the heart of Abbott’s is the 377-acre Milford Millponds Nature Preserve, where 5 miles of free trails wind their way through woodlands to meadows as wildflowers, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and insects flourish. Additionally, our 108-acre Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, located in the Town of Slaughter Beach, is used for seasonal education programs and hosts a new pair of nesting Ospreys. Built in 1802, and on the National Register of Historic Places, Ainsworth Abbott’s Mill is a preserved, working gristmill run solely by a water turbine, and features both a stone & roller mill operation. Public tours of the Mill are offered every 3rd Saturday, March – November, from 2 – 3:30 pm. Educational programs for the public, schools, and scouts are offered year-round for all ages. Our Visitor Center is pet friendly and offers a variety of free exhibits including an aquatic touch tank. Abbott serves as a partnership between the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Delaware Nature Society, a state-wide, 6,000 member, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve our environment by connecting people to the natural world through education, advocacy, and conservation. DNS members receive reduced pricing for programs, free canoe rentals on Abbott’s Pond, and discounts at local retail affiliates. We are located just 4 miles from downtown Milford, DE, at 15411 Abbotts Pond Road, off Rt. 36. The Visitor Center is open year round Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and during April – November on Saturday & Sunday as well, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Trails are open for hiking, biking, and dog walking every day from dawn to dusk, including a 5K cross-country trail adjoined to Blair’s Pond.
26.) Dutch House Museum and Gardens located in New Castle hours are 10-3:30pm This house dates back to the late 1600s and is documented to be the oldest structure in town, and the second oldest in the state. The Dutch House is a rare example of an early Colonial-era middle class family home.
27.) Historic Odessa Foundation Established in 2005, the Historic Odessa Foundation owns and operates The Historic Houses of Odessa, a 72-acre enclave of 18th and 19th century structures located in the town of Odessa, just two miles from DE 1 and just off U.S. Route 13 in southern New Castle County, Del. The historic buildings and gardens along with a well-documented collection of more than 7000 objects and furnishings offer a unique picture of Delaware’s colonial period in a rural village that played a vital part in America’s commercial history. The original town of Odessa, originally known as Cantwell’s Bridge, has retained much of its 18th century charm and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to a National Historic Landmark, and two National Park Service Network to Freedom sites.
28.) DuPont Nature Center A part of Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the DuPont Nature Center is located in the beautiful Mispillion Harbor, where the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek meet and flow out into the Delaware Bay. The center is a science-based educational and interpretive facility with interactive exhibits designed to connect people with the Delaware Bay’s natural history and ecology.
29.) Nanticoke Indian Museum located in MIllsboro hours of operation are 10-4pm This place was converted from an Indian schoolhouse and did not disappoint. Not only did it have many collections of Indian arrowheads and other implements, it had examples of pottery, clothing, housing, dolls, etc. Although this was Nanticoke Indian territory, donations from many other tribes were included and fascinating. I learned quite a bit here and the entry fee is roughly $3 but I encourage you to also make a donation of whatever amount that you feel comfortable with. The docent who guided me at the beginning of my tour was very knowledgeable and friendly.
30.) Delaware State Police Museum and Education Center See the development of policing since 1926.Nice and informational. The best part is sitting in the police car and doing sirens and lights. Very kid friendly. This museum is almost as great as the Law Enforcement museum in DC. It is a beautiful site to visit. I truly enjoyed the design of the cars and the homicide scene.The act that it is free is a great incentive.
There are so many state parks and so many other amazing places to see and with so many different things to do and see in the state you will surely find something for everyone and around every corner.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.
Written by: BeautifulChaos318
