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Delaware
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The First State · Capital: Dover · The Northeast
Tax-free shopping, quiet Atlantic beaches and colonial history in a compact package.
Why go
What makes Delaware worth the trip.
Tax-free shopping
No sales tax anywhere in the state.
Beach towns
Rehoboth and Bethany are relaxed, family-friendly Atlantic resorts.
Small and easy
See a lot in a couple of days between Philadelphia and the shore.
Delaware on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Delaware — State Facts
A short history
Delaware's coastal lowlands were long home to the Lenape (Delaware) people, and the region saw early Dutch and Swedish settlement in the 1630s and 1650s before falling under English control as part of William Penn's colonial holdings. Its position along the Delaware River made it a crossroads of colonial trade well before independence.
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, earning it the enduring nickname 'the First State.' Its small size and central Atlantic seaboard location made it a natural corridor between Philadelphia, Washington and the ocean, a role its highways and rail lines still play today.
Modern Delaware is known for a business-friendly corporate law system that draws more than half of America's publicly traded companies to incorporate there, alongside quiet Atlantic beach towns and no sales tax anywhere in the state. Wilmington's riverfront revival and the Brandywine Valley's chateau-and-garden estates round out a state built for easy, compact touring.
Delaware earned 'The First State' by being the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, on December 7, 1787. Dover's Green still has the old State House anchoring that history.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Dover
Colonial capital with the First State Heritage Park.
Selected hotels
Rehoboth Beach
Boardwalk, outlets and a gentle Atlantic shore.
Selected hotels
Wilmington
Riverfront revival and the Brandywine château and gardens.
Selected hotels
Lewes
The state's oldest town, at the mouth of Delaware Bay.
Selected hotels
Skip the Rehoboth boardwalk crowds at midday and go at golden hour instead, then grab a Grotto Pizza slice and walk it off toward Dewey Beach where the crowd's younger and the sunset's better.
When to go
Late spring through early autumn for the beaches.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and quiet along the coast; a good season for tax-free shopping and Wilmington's museums.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild weather and blooming gardens at Winterthur and Longwood-adjacent Brandywine estates.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak beach season in Rehoboth and Bethany, with boardwalks, seafood and warm Atlantic water.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm sea temperatures linger into September, with thinner crowds and comfortable touring weather.
Delaware FAQ
What is the capital of Delaware?
Dover is the capital of Delaware.
What is the largest city in Delaware?
Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware.
When did Delaware become a state?
Delaware became the 1st U.S. state on December 7, 1787.
What is Delaware known for?
Delaware is known for tax-free shopping, quiet Atlantic beaches and colonial history in a compact package.
When is the best time to visit Delaware?
Late spring through early autumn for the beaches.
Plan your Delaware trip
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