One of the things I love about Delaware is that it’s easy to escape the crowds. Sure, Wilmington, Dover and the beach towns can be busy, but it doesn’t really take more than a 20 minute drive to be out in peaceful, rural Delaware. When you’re really feeling the need to step away from the crowds and the busy cities, check out any of these 12 peaceful places in Delaware.
- Delaware Seashore State Park
Flickr / Bernt Rostad Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, there is nothing I want more than to be on an empty beach in Fall or Winter. Delaware Seashore State Park (and the Indian River Inlet area) is a beautiful, peaceful beach that’s just far enough away from the rest of the state that you’ll feel like you’re truly getting away. 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Holt’s Landing
Flickr / Lee Cannon Holt’s Landing is one of the lesser-explored areas of the Delaware seashore. It’s generally quiet even in the summer months, so come fall, it is nearly abandoned. If you can’t decide between the beach or hiking trails, Holt’s Landing is a great compromise, and you’ll walk a little of both. Holts Landing Road, Park office at 39415 Inlet Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE, Dagsboro, DE 19939
- Auburn Heights Preserve
Facebook / Auburn Heights Preserve If you can’t fall off the radar for too long, Auburn Heights Preserve is close enough to the more populated areas of NCC, but still quiet and sparsely populated on Fall afternoons - particularly the walking trails. 3000 Creek Rd, Yorklyn, DE 19736
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Flickr / Pontla Bombay Hook is the most isolated spot in Delaware - so it’s perfect for when you just really need to get away. Find company in the migratory birds and waterfowl that nest here in remarkable numbers.2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Trap Pond State Park
Flickr / Lee Cannon Trap Pond State Park can get crowded in the summertime and on weekends or school holidays, but on off-peak hours in the Fall, it is quiet and serene. I like walking around all morning to relax, and then heading into Laurel for lunch on Broad Creek. 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956
- Bowers Beach
Flickr / Angela N. Bower’s Beach is a quiet, quaint town where a few hundred people remain dedicated to the waterways that surround them. If you’re looking for a quiet place to stroll the beach, Bowers is absolutely it. The town itself is charming and very nice to explore.Bowers, Delaware
- Assawoman Bay Wildlife Management Area
Flickr / Lee Cannon Unusual plants and animals are what you’ll find here. The road through the preserved land creates a self-guided auto tour, so Assawoman Bay WMA is my go-to when I need to get behind the wheel and clear my head a bit. Frankford, DE 19945
- Mt Cuba Center, Hockessin
Facebook / Mt Cuba Center Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin is a beautiful botanical garden. While it can get crowded during their special events, visiting in off-peak hours will nearly guarantee you hours of solitude and peaceful exploration of the grounds. 3120 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707
- Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge
Flickr / Bob Mical Prime Hook is Bombay Hook’s little cousin. It consists of over 10,000 acres of preserved wetlands. You can hike the trails and not see another soul - and it also offers great opportunity for canoeing and fishing. 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968
- White Clay Creek State Park
Flickr / Geneva Wirth Head out of crowded, busy Newark into White Clay Creek State Park, where hills, trees, creeks and more will make you forget you’re even in Delaware. My favorite hikes are in this park - it’s particularly calming after a rainstorm, when the creeks are moving along.1475 Creek Rd, Newark, DE 19711
- Old New Castle
Flickr / Dan If you want to take a step back in time and see what Delaware was like before the overcrowded cities took New Castle County by storm, then head on over to the historic downtown histrict of New Castle. The Courthouse is one of the oldest in the country, and many of the buildings date back hundreds of years. Plus, it’s relatively quiet - particulalry if you go during the week.Delaware Street area, New Castle, Delaware
- Alapocas Run, Wilmington
Facebook / AR-WSP Can you believe the image above is from the heart of Wilmington? When you need to remove yourself from the busy city and get a breath of fresh air, head over to Alapocas Run State Park and choose a hiking trail that will take you into solitude. And hey, even if Alapocas is crowded, you can always grab a harness and some rope and climb your way up above the crowds.1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803
So, whether you’re running away to a state park, wildlife management area, or quiet section of a historic city, it’s easy to beat the crowds in these peaceful places in Delaware. If you work up an appetite along the way but want to keep your atmosphere the same, try some of our Delaware Hole in the Wall restaurants. You probably won’t have to wait for a table, but you’ll get some of the best food in the state.
Flickr / Bernt Rostad
Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, there is nothing I want more than to be on an empty beach in Fall or Winter. Delaware Seashore State Park (and the Indian River Inlet area) is a beautiful, peaceful beach that’s just far enough away from the rest of the state that you’ll feel like you’re truly getting away. 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Flickr / Lee Cannon
Holt’s Landing is one of the lesser-explored areas of the Delaware seashore. It’s generally quiet even in the summer months, so come fall, it is nearly abandoned. If you can’t decide between the beach or hiking trails, Holt’s Landing is a great compromise, and you’ll walk a little of both. Holts Landing Road, Park office at 39415 Inlet Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE, Dagsboro, DE 19939
Facebook / Auburn Heights Preserve
If you can’t fall off the radar for too long, Auburn Heights Preserve is close enough to the more populated areas of NCC, but still quiet and sparsely populated on Fall afternoons - particularly the walking trails. 3000 Creek Rd, Yorklyn, DE 19736
Flickr / Pontla
Bombay Hook is the most isolated spot in Delaware - so it’s perfect for when you just really need to get away. Find company in the migratory birds and waterfowl that nest here in remarkable numbers.2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Trap Pond State Park can get crowded in the summertime and on weekends or school holidays, but on off-peak hours in the Fall, it is quiet and serene. I like walking around all morning to relax, and then heading into Laurel for lunch on Broad Creek. 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956
Flickr / Angela N.
Bower’s Beach is a quiet, quaint town where a few hundred people remain dedicated to the waterways that surround them. If you’re looking for a quiet place to stroll the beach, Bowers is absolutely it. The town itself is charming and very nice to explore.Bowers, Delaware
Unusual plants and animals are what you’ll find here. The road through the preserved land creates a self-guided auto tour, so Assawoman Bay WMA is my go-to when I need to get behind the wheel and clear my head a bit. Frankford, DE 19945
Facebook / Mt Cuba Center
Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin is a beautiful botanical garden. While it can get crowded during their special events, visiting in off-peak hours will nearly guarantee you hours of solitude and peaceful exploration of the grounds. 3120 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707
Flickr / Bob Mical
Prime Hook is Bombay Hook’s little cousin. It consists of over 10,000 acres of preserved wetlands. You can hike the trails and not see another soul - and it also offers great opportunity for canoeing and fishing. 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968
Flickr / Geneva Wirth
Head out of crowded, busy Newark into White Clay Creek State Park, where hills, trees, creeks and more will make you forget you’re even in Delaware. My favorite hikes are in this park - it’s particularly calming after a rainstorm, when the creeks are moving along.1475 Creek Rd, Newark, DE 19711
Flickr / Dan
If you want to take a step back in time and see what Delaware was like before the overcrowded cities took New Castle County by storm, then head on over to the historic downtown histrict of New Castle. The Courthouse is one of the oldest in the country, and many of the buildings date back hundreds of years. Plus, it’s relatively quiet - particulalry if you go during the week.Delaware Street area, New Castle, Delaware
Facebook / AR-WSP
Can you believe the image above is from the heart of Wilmington? When you need to remove yourself from the busy city and get a breath of fresh air, head over to Alapocas Run State Park and choose a hiking trail that will take you into solitude. And hey, even if Alapocas is crowded, you can always grab a harness and some rope and climb your way up above the crowds.1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803
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