Delaware
Delaware is a small state with Atlantic beach towns, Brandywine Valley gardens and museums, and a history that starts with the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Delaware is a small state on the Atlantic coast of the eastern United States, on the Delmarva Peninsula. It borders Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey, and the Delaware River and Bay separate it from New Jersey. It is the second-smallest state by area. Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, which is why it is called the First State. Wilmington is the largest city.
Visitors often start at the coast. Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Lewes are the best-known towns, and Cape Henlopen State Park sits near Lewes. Inland, the Brandywine Valley has gardens and museums, including Winterthur and Nemours, and the Hagley Museum and Library covers the early gunpowder mills of the du Pont family. Delaware suits a trip of two to four days, or a loop with Philadelphia or Maryland's Eastern Shore. Summer is peak beach season. Spring and fall suit gardens and walking.
Delaware in five
- Rent a car for the coast and the countrysideWilmington has the train, but Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and the back roads of Kent and Sussex counties need a car.Getting around
- Check how rental cars bill Delaware tollsTolls on the Delaware Turnpike and the Delaware Memorial Bridge are paid electronically. Some rental companies add a daily fee on top of each toll, so ask before you drive.
- Expect no sales tax on purchasesDelaware has no statewide sales tax, so the shelf price is the price you pay. Hotel bills still carry a room tax.Money and costs
- Save offline maps for the shoreRoute apps can lose signal on rural back roads near the bay and the marshes. Download maps before you leave Wilmington.Phones and eSIM
- Book beach rooms for summer weekends earlyRehoboth Beach and Lewes can fill on summer weekends. Book your room before you buy train or car tickets.Where to stay
Neighborhoods
Wilmington
- Best for: Rail arrivals, museums
- Price band: $$
- Wilmington Amtrak station is the state's main rail stop
- Hagley and Winterthur are a short drive out
- Riverfront shops and restaurants within walking distance
Skip if you want to walk to a beach.
Rehoboth Beach
- Best for: Beach weekends, families
- Price band: $$$
- The boardwalk runs along the ocean
- Rehoboth Avenue has shops and restaurants
- Dewey Beach is a short drive south
Skip if you need a train to get there.
Lewes
- Best for: History, ferry trips
- Price band: $$
- Zwaanendael Museum on the Lewes waterfront
- Cape May-Lewes Ferry leaves from the town
- Historic streets close to the water
Skip if you want nightlife or a large hotel.
Things to do in Delaware
See all attractions in Delaware
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-waiver passports, visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15-20% at restaurants, expected
- Time
- UTC-5, daylight saving to UTC-4 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, quiet
- AprilSpring, mild
- MayMild, green
- JuneBeach season
- JulyHot, beach crowds
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, quiet
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberHoliday lights
Right now in Delaware
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 38%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Delaware
06:22 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°4°2%Monday: Fog. High 19°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue21°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed24°13°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu21°17°47%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Fri20°13°54%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Sat14°8°43%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun16°6°8%Sunday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 03:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniaunder 1 hour by Amtrak trainThe Liberty Bell and the Reading Terminal Market, a short train ride north of Wilmington.
- Lewesabout 1.5 hours by carThe waterfront, the Zwaanendael Museum, and the Cape May ferry if you want a crossing.
- Doverabout 1 hour by carThe Old State House and Legislative Hall in the state capital.
- Winterthurabout 20 min by carFormal gardens and a historic house museum a short drive from Wilmington.
Before you go to Delaware
Rules for Delaware, checked
- Check ESTA or visa rules for your passport on the official ESTA site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) before you fly.Source
- Declare all food, plant and animal products when you arrive. Check current rules at cbp.gov/travel.Source
- Delaware enforces drink-driving laws on its roads. Plan a designated driver before you rent a car and go out.
Plan around Delaware
Trains to Wilmington, then a car rental for the coast.
Read the guideMoney and tippingNo sales tax, room tax and restaurant tipping.
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA and visa rules for US entry, by passport.
Read the guideWhere to stay in DelawareWilmington, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dover, by trip type.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps on coast roads and train apps.
Read the guideAll of the USAOther states, entry rules and planning pages.
Read the guideDelaware FAQ
Is Delaware worth visiting?
Yes, for two to four days. Wilmington's museums, the Winterthur gardens and the beach towns of Rehoboth and Lewes cover the main parts of the state in a short trip.
How many days do you need in Delaware?
Three days covers Wilmington, one day trip to Winterthur or Dover, and a night at the coast. Add a fourth day for a slower pace at the beach.
Do I need a car in Delaware?
Yes, if you plan to visit the coast or the smaller towns. Wilmington is reachable by Amtrak, but Rehoboth Beach and Lewes are not on a rail line.
Is there sales tax in Delaware?
No. Delaware has no statewide sales tax, so the price on the shelf is what you pay. Hotels add a room tax to the bill.
Can you visit Delaware as a day trip from Philadelphia?
Yes. Amtrak trains reach Wilmington from Philadelphia in under an hour, so Wilmington works as a day trip. Stay overnight if you want the coast.