Wilmington is a city in Delaware.
Get in
By plane
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.
'''New Castle County airport''' is closer. Delaware is the only state in the Union that does not have a commercial airport with scheduled passenger service.
By car
By car, Wilmington is easily accessible along I-95, the major north-south highway along the East Coast. In the past, they have been serviced by Delta, United, Shuttle America, and other carriers, but none at present.
By train
It is also possible to travel to Wilmington (expensively but very conveniently) 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.
By bus
Greyhound serves a few cities in Delaware.
Get around
DelDOT's network of DART buses [http://www.dartfirststate.com/] 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. It offers a variety of places to eat, outlet shops, and the newly developed '''Chase Center''' which holds special events and exhibits. 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''' [http://www.visittrolleysquare.com/], 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 Brandywine Park. One-stop shopping!
Do
'''Regal Cinemas 16''' offers an variety of times to see the newest releases at sometimes discounted prices. Regal also has an arcade room in the lobby.
'''The Skating Club of Wilmington''' offers public skating on Wednesday and Friday nights, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Prices range from $5 to $10 but all include skate rentals.
'''Delaware Art Museum''', a family oriented, newly renovated museum that is FREE on Sundays.
'''The Brandywine Zoo''', a fun and interactive place to take the whole family.
There are also a number of theaters that have year-round shows that may be expensive, but many offer discounts to children, senior citizens, and students. These theaters include:
'''Candlelight Theater''', this theater specializes in dinner and a show.
'''Delaware Theater Company'''
'''Wilmington Drama League''', offers many family oriented shows at a very reasonable and sometimes discounted price.
'''The Grand and The Baby Grand'''
'''The DuPont Theater'''
'''Three Little Bakers''', this theater also offers dinner and a show.
Buy
Wilmington has many shopping malls and centers to visit, and remember, Delaware is the home of tax free shopping!
'''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. Anchors include JCPenney and Macy's, but Target Nordstrom stores are under construction.
'''Concord Mall''' 4737 Concord Pike, Wilmington 19803. Closer to the city but with a lot less variety than Christiana. Anchors include Boscov's, Macy's and Sears.
'''Brandywine Towne Center''' located on Naamans Road, includes Target, Lowes, Christmas Tree Shoppe, Regal Cinemas 16, and many more shops and small eateries.
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 Shack. 00 S Madison St. in the redeveloped riverfront area. 302) 777-1803.
'''Mazzella's Italian Restaurant'''-Philadelphia Pike- A family owned Italian pizzeria that not only serves great slices but fantastic dinners and salads for a reasonable price.
'''Cappriotti's Sandwich Shop'''- Home of the famous "Bobbi"
'''Deep Blue'''
'''Toscana'''
'''Domaine Hudson''' (wine restaurant)
'''Moro'''
'''821'''
'''Harry's Seafood Grill'''
'''The Green Room''', Hotel duPont.
'''Mr. Pasta'''
Drink
Delaware has gained national attention for the lower Delaware brew, '''Dogfish Head'''.
Wilmington's drinking scene also offers "The Loop" on various hoildays, such as Hallooween and St. Patrick's day, which includes most of the bars and pubs located in Trolleys Square.
'''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''', 710 S Madison Street, (302) 658-8200, [http://www.ironhillbrewery.com]. This is down on the riverfront and includes a gastro-pub type restaurant
'''Kelly's Logan House''', located in Trolleys Square and has been a Wilmington landmark since 1864. Learn more about Kelly's at www.loganhouse.com
'''Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub'''
Sleep
'''Best Western Brandywine Valley Inn''', 1807 Concord Pike, ''+1 302'' 656-9436, Fax: ''+1 302'' 656-8564, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=08004].
'''Courtyard by Marriott - Wilmington / Brandywine''', 320 Rocky Run Parkway, ''+1 302'' 477-9500, Fax: ''+1 302'' 477-0929, [http://www.hershahotels.com/Delaware/Wilmington-DE0002-Home.aspx].
Courtyard Marriott Wilmington Downtown. 102 West Street. 302) 429-7600. http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/ILGCY]. rom $139 a night, plus $9.50 a night parking Sun-Thur, free Fri-Sat. 302) 429-9167.
'''Doubletree Hotel Downtown Wilmington''', 700 King Street, (302) 655-0400, [http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ILGDTDT]
'''Holiday Inn''', 4000 Concord Pike, ''+1 302'' 478-2222, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/ilgno].
Hotel DuPont. 1th & Market Street. owntown Wilmington, Delaware.. 00-441-9019. 02-594-3108. ttp://www.hoteldupont.com.
'''The Inn at Montchannin'''
Inn at Wilmington. 00 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19803. 02-479-7900. ttp://www.innatwilmington.com.
'''The Sunday Breakfast Mission''' A free bed and meal. However, the line can be long. Be sure to arrive early to make sure you get a bed.
Get out
'''New Castle (Delaware)''' 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''' [http://www.thebrandywine.com/], 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 [http://www.chaddsford.com/site/]. See Rt. 52, Rt. 100 and Rt. 92. Also visit wwww.thebrandywine.com for more information on The Valley and special events throughout the year.
'''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''' [http://www.longwoodgardens.org/], 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.