So you want to avoid crowds, get in out of the summer heat, and not have to travel too far? Check out this round up of secret gems around Delaware. (And pstt—none costs more than $10 for adults, and 4 are free admission!)
1. Air Mobility Command Museum
Photo courtesy AMCM.
I visited the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Museum with my father (a pilot), and my daughters, who were then 18 months and 4. All of us had a great time, and had the place practically to ourselves. We could touch, examine, and climb into helicopters, small planes, and huge planes.
And because the hangar where the museum is housed sits just south of the Dover Air Force Base’s airstrip, you can see planes taking off and landing while you eat a picnic outside.
If You Go: Free admission and parking. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. 1301 Heritage Rd., Dover Air Force Base, DE 19902-5301. (302) 677-5938 or http://amcmuseum.org/index.html.
2. Delaware Folk Art Museum
Photo courtesy of the Delaware Folk Art Collection.
Nestled in Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, the Delaware Folk Art Museum is housed in the Blue Ball Barn. Originally a dairy barn built by A. I. DuPont, the barn has been certified eco-friendly (LEED) and reconstructed beautifully to showcase more than 120 folk art pieces. After you tour the exhibit (self-guided, with interactive touchscreens throughout), the kids can run around the 27,000 square foot playground at the park.
If You Go: Admission included with annual Delaware State Park Pass, or pay the park entrance fee. Open daily from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1914 West Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803. Phone: (302) 761-6952 or http://www.destateparks.com/attractions/folk-art-collection/index.asp.
3. Delaware Sports Museum
Image courtesy of the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
Our state’s sports hall of fame was founded in 1976, but didn’t have an actual home until 1993. Now housed at the Delaware BlueRocks’ Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, the Delaware Sports Museum has inducted more than 240 athletes, coaches, journalists, administrators and officials representing 27 different sports.
If You Go: Admission: Adults, $4, Seniors (over 50), $3, Ages 13-19, $2, 12 and under, free. Open Tuesday through Saturday, Noon-5 p.m. 801 Shipyard Dr., Wilmington, DE 19801-5154. Phone: (302) 425-3263 or www.desports.org.
4. DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum
- Image courtesy of DiscoverSea Museum.
The Museum’s Director, Dale Clifton, Jr. fulfilled his dream of finding a real historic maritime artifact, and since then, has continued his search with the goal of educating others about our maritime history. Entrance to the DiscoverSea is free (donations are accepted). More than 10,000 objects are always on display, with other holdings on loan to other museums around the world. From china that sunk with the Titanic to Spanish coins, an undamaged sand hourglass from the early 1800s to weapons salvaged from deep below the sea’s waves, the DiscoverSea Museum is a virtual treasure trove.
If You Go: Admission: free, donations accepted. June, July, and August, Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 708 Ocean Highway, Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Phone: 302) 539-9366 or www.discoversea.com.
5. Historic Houses of Odessa
I’m always somewhat surprised when people travel to Williamsburg for historic houses, when Odessa is so much closer. And less expensive.
Historic Odessa was known as Cantwell’s Bridge back in the mid-18th century, and it still looks much as it did back in the 1700s. Five houses make up the core of the Main Street, Odessa: the Corbit-Sharp House (c.1774); Wilson-Warner House (c. 1769); Collins-Sharp House (c. 1700); Brick Hotel (c. 1822); and Odessa Bank (c.1853). Tours are highly hands-on, and include playing colonial games, “shopping” at a general store, and telling time with a pocket watch.
If You Go: Admission: Adults $10.00; Groups, Seniors, Students $8.00, Children under 5 are free. Open March through December, Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (last tour is at 3 p.m.). Main Street, Odessa, DE 19730. Phone: 302.378.4119 or www.historicodessa.org.
6. Iron Hill Museum
Photo courtesy of Iron Hill Museum.
In what used to be a one room school house, the Iron Hill Museum houses a plethora of artifacts from northern Delaware, including rocks and minerals (including iron, the plentiful element from which the hill got its name), artifacts from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, fossils from when Delaware was under an ancient sea, and much more.
If You Go: Admission: 7 and up: $2, seniors and children under 6: free. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Saturday Noon-4 p.m. 1355 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702. Phone: 302-368-5703 or http://www.ironhill-museum.org/
7. University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum
Photo courtesy UD Mineralogical Museum.
More than 6,000 awesome rocks and minerals await visitors at University of Delaware’s Mineralogical Museum. Sparkling crystals, metallic copper, and exotic formations of rainbow tinted growths from all over the world make up this collection.
If You Go: Admission: Free. Summer hours vary, so check the website or call 302-831-8037 for current hours. Located in Penny Hall, Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716. http://www.udel.edu/museums/exhibitions/2009/mineralogical.html
8. Elsie Williams Doll Collection
Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown is the only college campus to have a collection of domestic and international dolls—more than 600, from countries as varied as Cuba and Germany. The dolls, valued at more than $100,000, are dressed in beautiful, detailed clothing, and come in all sizes and styles.
If You Go: Admission: Free. Open during library hours. Stephen J. Betze Library, Owens Campus of Delaware Technical & Community College, Route 18/404/Seashore Highway, Georgetown, Delaware, 19947. Phone: 302-856-9033, http://www.treasuresofthesea.org/other.html#doll.
