Northern Region

The Northern Region of Delaware is a well-rounded vacation spot with a blend of Colonial atmosphere and modern activities. Small towns with past history to the state's largest city for sophistication. Historic sites abound as do prominent museums and residences. Here there is something to do and see for everyone to enjoy--with excellent dining, Delaware's only zoo, nature trails, parks, riverfront shopping, ship yards, water activities, and the pleasurable countryside. So whether one is an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or someone looking for a restful vacation, this is the place. Things to See and Do Attractions Cooch's Bridge in Newark - Site of the lone Revolutionary War battle fought on Delaware's soil on September 3, 1777. Legend has it that Betsy Ross' new 13-star flag was first unfurled here. Historic Sites Fort Delaware in Delaware City- A 288-acre park located on Pea Patch Island and is accessible only by ferry. Called the "Andersonville of the North" it temporarily held 33,000 Confederate prisoners. Living history programs. Picnicking. Amstel House in New Castle - Built in 1730. Presents 18th-century Colonial life through furnishings, an open-hearth Colonial kitchen, and household equipment. Dutch House in New Castle - Built in the late 17-century reflecting Dutch influence of the founding in 1651. One of the oldest brick houses in Delaware. Historic artifacts, Colonial antiques, and Dutch furnishings. George Read II House & Garden in New Castle - Built in 1801. The 2.5-acre formal Victorian gardens ring the sides and back of the 22-room Federal-style house. Period furnishings and antiques. New Castle Courthouse - Built in 1732. Site of the adoption of Delaware's first constitution on September 20,1776 and was the state's capitol until 1777. Historic exhibits. Historic Houses of Odessa - A group of restored 18th- and 19th-century historic structures and houses furnished in period items and equipment. Tours. Quaker Hill Historic District in Wilmington - Site of city's first residential neighborhood settled in 1738. Three original houses still survive. Guided tours Museum Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington - Important collection of English pre-Raphaelite art and collection of American artists such as Winslow Homer, Howard Pyle and the Wyeths. Children's interactive gallery. Delaware History Museum in Wilmington - Showcases a permanent interactive, multimedia exhibition of the state's history from the 1600's to the present. Complex also contains the Old Town Hall Museum and "Grandma's Attic", a discovery center for children. Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington - Presents a variety of natural history exhibits from Africa to the Great Barrier Reef to local settings. Delaware's only dinosaur and a 500-pound clam. Discovery room with interactive, hands-on exhibits. Delaware Toy & Miniature Museum in Wilmington - Holds a collection of antique and contemporary dollhouses, dolls, toys, trains, boats, cars, figurines and ancient vases. Hagley Museum in Wilmington - Sits on 235 landscaped acres of the original du Pont gunpowder mills, estate and gardens. Exhibits depicting evolution of American enterprise including a massive water wheel, steam engine and machine shop. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Wilmington - A 966-acre du Pont estate. The largest and richest collection of decorative art and antiques made or used in America between 1640 and 1860. Collection is housed in two buildings, one with 175 period rooms, the other with three galleries. Tours, shopping and dining. Science & Nature Related Brandywine Park and Zoo in Wilmington - Delaware's only zoo housing wild and exotic animals including monkeys, llamas, Siberian tigers and North and South American endangered species. The 180-acre park along the Brandywine river has playgrounds and the Josephine Garden containing 118 Japanese cherry trees.

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