If you’re going to be visiting Northern Delaware or you’re a local, this passport is a fabulous deal. It includes 12 attractions like Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, and Nemours, which are must-sees in the area; and the price of the passports actually covers the price of just 2 or 3 of these attractions. So, it’s worth buying even if you don’t make it to all (or even half) of the attractions.
The individual passport is $49 and the family deal is even better, at $99. It includes 2 adults and up to 3 children. We have four kids, but younger children are free at many of these sites, or require much cheaper tickets. I have used the family passport with my husband, but also with my mom – you don’t have to take the same family members to every site. Here are a list of the covered destinations:
Brandywine Museum of Art
The Brandywine Museum of Art is a lovely museum housed along the river at a an old, refurbished mill from the 1800’s. You will find American artwork, with the main attraction being art from N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, who were local to the area. Children 5 and under are free, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Don’t forget to walk the river path outside the museum – it’s lovely.
Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum includes a really lovely sculpture garden, and the building is also quite beautiful inside. Some of my favorite paintings are housed there – the illustrations of Howard Pyle. They also have a nice gift shop and café. Children 6 and under are free. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Delaware Contemporary
The Delaware Contemporary is a unique museum featuring exciting contemporary art as well as open studio times for local artists to access. The space is located in the riverfront area of Wilmington, and includes a gallery shop. Pair it with a walk along the beautiful Wilmington riverfront that has many yummy dining options. It is free for children 13 and under, and closed Monday through Wednesday.
Delaware History Museum And Mitchell Center For African American Heritage
Located on Market St. in downtown Wilmignton, this museum was originally a Woolworth’s Department Store (1940). It features permanent and rotating exhibitions, with the permanent Journey to Freedom exhibit being a poweful way to learn about Delaware’s history. When you’re done your visit, walk along market street to see other notable buildings such as the Grand and the Queen, and choose from a wide array of restaurants. Children 5 and under are free, and the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
This is a really fun science museum, which includes habitats with tunnels that your children can crawl through; a whole room dedicated to play with a cave, nest, and plenty of books; live animals; dinosaur bones; and more. Don’t forget to look up and see the giant squid, look down and see the coral reef, and look around to find little animals half hidden among the trees.
Hagley Museum & Library
Hagley Museum is located in a gorgeous area along the Brandywine, and there is quite a lot to do there. There is a museum with rotating exhibits, usually relating to the industrial age in America. You can tour the Dupont family home as well. The old powder yard is where you can see dioramas of the whole process of making the gunpowder that first earned the DuPont family their riches. You can even see/hear a demonstration of some gunpowder exploding! Children 5 and under are free.
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is one of the best botanical gardens in the country – it is truly a world class attraction. Don’t miss the treehouses, tower, Italian water gardens, and the grotto. The fountains run regularly throughout the summer months, and feature regular shows set to music throughout the day and evening. The conservatory is not to be missed, and if you have children, they will most definitely want to check out the children’s garden (inside the conservatory.) Children 4 and under are free. The gardens are closed on Tuesdays.
Mt. Cuba Center
Mt Cuba Center is a former du Pont estate featuring formal and naturalistic gardens featuring woodlands, ponds and meadows. You can find a lot of information here about native plants, and it’s a lovely place for a long walk outside. Children 5 and under are free. The Center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Nemours Estate
We live within a few miles of Nemours Estate but only recently visited for the first time – we didn’t know what we were missing! Unbelievably ornate ornamentation of the lawns, gardens, and estate. It is a quick walk from the ticket area to the estate, and also a breathtaking one. Golden statues, marble pools, immaculate pavilions and fields of heavy blooms.
Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable at the house and we were able to walk through on our own without a tour, which was nice considering the younger kids short attention spans. There was a bowling alley, theater, multiple game rooms in the basement, not to mention all the chandeliers, enough crystals to heal a small country with their positive vibes. It was fun to see how the ultra-wealthy lived during the gilded age. Children 5 and under are free. The estate is closed Mondays.
Read House & Gardens
The historic Read House & Gardens is located along the charming cobblestone streets of Old New Castle. It overlooks the Delaware River and includes a variation of designs across two centuries. It is known for being a site of prohibition-era parties and the guides are very knowledgeable and interesting. Children 5 and under are free. Hours are Thursday–Sunday, 11:00–4:00 (last tour begins at 3:00).
Rockwood Park & Museum
This gothic/Victorian mansion was modeled after an English country home. It includes several other buildings such as a pink and stone carriage house. The grounds are beautiful with some lovely spots to eat a packed lunch. Children 5 and under are free. Museum is closed Monday to Wednesday.
Winterthur Museum Garden & Library
Yet another DuPont property, Winterthur includes a mansion which houses a museum, but the grounds are truly lovely and expansive. The enchanted forest is our favorite part, where you’ll find fairy houses and cottages and always a forest full of beautiful blooms that are intentional but look completely natural in the landscape. We also enjoy riding the tram around the grounds (included). Children under 3 are free. Winterthur is closed Mondays.
