Wilmington is a city in Delaware.
Get in
Wilmington is served primarily by the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which offers flights on all major airlines to cities throughout the United States and elsewhere. PHL is about half an hour away by car on I-95. The much smaller New Castle County airport is closer, but it is primarily used for private aircraft and has scheduled commercial service only to Atlanta. The airline, in question, is Delta and their corporate headquarters is in Atlanta. From Atlanta, you can go anywhere on Delta or another carrier that flies to and from Atlanta's Hartsfield airport. It is ridiculously expensive and if you are looking for a cheap air route to the area, look at BWI or Spiritair.com service to Atlantic City, NJ (1 1/4 hours away).
By car, Wilmington is easily accessible along I-95, the major north-south highway along the East Coast.
It is also possible to travel to Wilmington (expensively but very conviently) on Amtrak. The high-speed Acela train runs the length of the Northeast Corridor, and the slower Metroliner also stops at Wilmington's train station downtown. Wilmington is also served by an extension of Philadelphia's public transit system, SEPTA.
Get around
DelDOT's network of DART buses serve Wilmington, but these are designed primarily for commuters. A car is the best way to get around the city, especially if you plan on driving to office parks, tourist attractions, or other locations outside of the city proper.
See
Wilmington's recenty refurbished Riverfront area along the Christina River has been transformed from a depressed area into a local tourist attraction. Check on the operating hours of restaurants in that area before traveling. The dependable area for restaurants and the rhythm of the town is "Trolley Square", which is host to gourmet Italian restaurants like Toscana, sports bars, specialty wine shops, homey Italian restaurants, outdoor cafes, Irish pubs and nearby walks to Brandwine Park. One-stop shopping!
Buy
- Christiana Mall, Exit 4A off the I-95. This is a 10-minute drive out of Wilmington but it's worth the effort, with all major stores represented.
- Concord Mall 4737 Concord Pike, Wilmington 19803. Closer to the city but with a lot less variety than Christiana.
Eat
There are many wonderful places to eat in Wilmington as it is home to many diverse ethnic populations. Take a walk up Market Street downtown or wander around Little Italy for lots of exciting and tasty places to eat.
- Mrs. Robino's - Union Street - is a family owned and operated Italian restaurant with very reasonably priced meals. They are somewhat of an Institution in Little Italy having been there since 1940.
- The Blue Parrot - Right next to Mrs. Robino's on the corner of Union and 6th streets. It is a canjun style restaurant with live bands on most nights. Entrees moderately priced and everything is SPICY!!!
- Mikimotos - Washington Street across from the Wilmington Hospital. Upscale Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi and unique cocktails. Rather expensive, but well worth the price.
- Olympic Subs - Market Street Mall, Downtown - Inexpensive and tastly subs and sandwiches. (Almost better than Philly!!!)
- Joe's Crab, In the redeveloped riverfront area.
- Deep Blue
- Toscana
- Domaine Hudson (wine restaurant)
- Moro
- 821
- Harry's Seafood Grill
- The Green Room, Hotel duPont.
Drink
Delaware has gained national attention for the lower Delaware brew "Dogfish".
- Twin Lake Brewery has some outstanding brews and offers tours at their Greenville, DE (just north of the city) location, on Wed afternoons and Saturdays.
- Iron Hill Brewery is down on the riverfront and includes a gastro-pub type restaurant.
Sleep
- Doubletree Hotel Downtown Wilmington, 700 King Street, (302) 655-0400. In the center of Wilmington's downtown business district, the Doubletree Wilmington Hotel is close to Fortune 500 corporate headquarters and many of the area's top attractions.
- Best Western Brandywine Valley Inn, 1807 Concord Pike, +1 302 656-9436, Fax: +1 302 656-8564.
- Brandywine - Courtyard Wilmington Brandywine, 320 Rocky Run Parkway, +1 302 477-9500, Fax: +1 302 477-0929.
- Courtyard Marriott Wilmington Downtown, 1102 West Street, ? (302) 429-7600 (fax: (302) 429-9167). From $139 a night, plus $9.50 a night parking Sun-Thur, free Fri-Sat.
- Holiday Inn, 4000 Concord Pike, +1 302 478-2222.
- Hotel duPont. A Preferred Hotels Association hotel.
- The Inn at Montchannin
Get out
- Old New Castle, 9 miles to the South of Wilmington. The first settlement of the Dutch/Swedes/Finns in the New World. It is like a little Williamsburg, with charming inns, shops, pubs, restaurants, park and rich in history.
- Brandywine Valley, which extends from Wilmington's outskirts across the state line into Pennsylvania to the northwest. The beautiful countryside is accessible in all seasons, but particularly attractive in spring and fall. Visitors can also try wine tasting at several of the wineries in the area, such as Chaddsford Winery. See Rt. 52, Rt. 100 and Rt. 92.
- Winterthur, five miles north of Wilmington along Route 52, is a 900-acre former duPont family estate which is now a museum. It is probably best known for its unparalleled collection of antique furniture. Stop at the nearby Buckley's Tavern to relax in an atmosphere with locals.
- Longwood Gardens, another few miles up Route 52 in Pennsylvania, is another former duPont estate-turned-museum. Its massive estate boasts some of the most impressive formal gardens in the country, while the palatial conservatory is home to thousands of plant species. A must for any plant-lover.