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Overview
Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, may be best known as a business destination. The home of corporate giant DuPont Company, pharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca, national and international banks, and the chartered home of companies from all over the world, the city is a thriving center of science and finance. However, Wilmington is also rich in history and culture offering unique experiences and landscapes just minutes from Interstate 95. With four distinct seasons, a diversified population, a busy calendar of festivals and celebrations, tax-free shopping, amazing top chef dining, and an ideal location easily accessible by train or highway, Wilmington is less than three hours from New York or Washington, DC. Wilmington and its busy calendar of events has been a bit of a best kept secret but the word is getting out.
In spring, Wilmington is in full bloom with activities and excitement. The popular Winterthur Point to Point Steeplechase kicks off the social season with pageantry and horse racing. City garden tours, wild plant sales, and the old fashioned Flower Market carnival bring young and old together for this rite of Mother's Day weekend. The city hosts the Delaware Marathon and Cycling Grand Prix for a thrilling weekend of competitions, 'carb-loading,' and celebrations. Golfers are back in the swing and on the greens at numerous public courses, and walkers stroll city parks, greenways and the Riverfront walk. Restaurant Week brings diners downtown to try special chef menus, outdoor patios re-open, and the Riverfront and Trolley Square nightlife heats up.
Summers are filled with music, sports and energy. At the Italian Festival, all generations dance in the streets of Little Italy. Downtown, jazz fans come for a week of free concerts and events during the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in June. The city celebrates the Fourth of July at Tubman Garrett Park with music, activities and fireworks at the riverside, and the tall-ship Kalmar Nyckel sails in for tours and excursions. The moody and the blue get happy at the Riverfront Blues Festival, bringing fans and celebrity artists together for a 'hot' weekend of music in August.
City parks offer both entertainment and adventure: visitors can sit back and enjoy a toe tappin', mosquito slappin', concert and picnic at Rockford Park or go on safari exploring Brandywine Zoo's exotic animals. Brandywine Creek is the place to tube or canoe for a cool time. Frawley Stadium packs in the fun with Blue Rocks Baseball, theme days and Fireworks Nights! Every seat is courtside at the thrilling Delaware Smash Tennis matches with celebrity tennis stars. The best of summer's fresh regional ingredients show up in Wilmington's chef-owned restaurants: bay crab cakes, seafood, local cheeses, Kennett mushrooms and produce grown nearby are complemented with local wines and Delaware craft beers. There is always the allure of the river; a warm evening and cold martini on one of the riverfront's outdoor patios is a perfect way to end any day.
In fall, wander through the corn maze at Ramsey's Farm, or head out to Coverdale for Harvest Moon Festival to visit the sheep, pigs and Jersey Cows and pick a pumpkin. See the antique car show at Hagley Museum. Enjoy the beautiful changing colors in the Brandywine Park or the Alapocas quarry trail. Winterthur's Garden Faire tempts gardeners with wares and events to inspire another growing season. Local menus change as chefs incorporate summer's bounty; dining moves fireside, and comfort foods make a comeback. It's all for fun on the Halloween Bar Loop, as it makes the rounds of Wilmington hot spots for a night of merry-making in full costume!
The pace doesn't slow in winter. Full performance calendars offer events with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Theatre, duPont Theater and children's theater, too. Museums host Yuletide events and winter home tours, Rodney Square fills with carolers in the city, restaurants fill with holiday parties and winter feasts. First Night Wilmington celebrates New Years Eve with music, ice skating and fireworks while The Grand hosts special performances.
In any season, Wilmington's marvelous museums, mansions and gardens offer tours and unique cultural experiences. The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Delaware's only highway to receive the 'America's Byway' designation, traces the estates and properties of the du Pont family and their historic legacy. Nature areas and city parks offer walks through open spaces, along rushing creeks, and wooded trails.
And all year long, one can shop until you drop! Delaware has no sales tax, so shop, eat and dine it's all tax free!
In the 'First State,' Wilmington offers first class entertainment, cuisine and culture it is an exciting destination for all ages year round!
In spring, Wilmington is in full bloom with activities and excitement. The popular Winterthur Point to Point Steeplechase kicks off the social season with pageantry and horse racing. City garden tours, wild plant sales, and the old fashioned Flower Market carnival bring young and old together for this rite of Mother's Day weekend. The city hosts the Delaware Marathon and Cycling Grand Prix for a thrilling weekend of competitions, 'carb-loading,' and celebrations. Golfers are back in the swing and on the greens at numerous public courses, and walkers stroll city parks, greenways and the Riverfront walk. Restaurant Week brings diners downtown to try special chef menus, outdoor patios re-open, and the Riverfront and Trolley Square nightlife heats up.
Summers are filled with music, sports and energy. At the Italian Festival, all generations dance in the streets of Little Italy. Downtown, jazz fans come for a week of free concerts and events during the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in June. The city celebrates the Fourth of July at Tubman Garrett Park with music, activities and fireworks at the riverside, and the tall-ship Kalmar Nyckel sails in for tours and excursions. The moody and the blue get happy at the Riverfront Blues Festival, bringing fans and celebrity artists together for a 'hot' weekend of music in August.
City parks offer both entertainment and adventure: visitors can sit back and enjoy a toe tappin', mosquito slappin', concert and picnic at Rockford Park or go on safari exploring Brandywine Zoo's exotic animals. Brandywine Creek is the place to tube or canoe for a cool time. Frawley Stadium packs in the fun with Blue Rocks Baseball, theme days and Fireworks Nights! Every seat is courtside at the thrilling Delaware Smash Tennis matches with celebrity tennis stars. The best of summer's fresh regional ingredients show up in Wilmington's chef-owned restaurants: bay crab cakes, seafood, local cheeses, Kennett mushrooms and produce grown nearby are complemented with local wines and Delaware craft beers. There is always the allure of the river; a warm evening and cold martini on one of the riverfront's outdoor patios is a perfect way to end any day.
In fall, wander through the corn maze at Ramsey's Farm, or head out to Coverdale for Harvest Moon Festival to visit the sheep, pigs and Jersey Cows and pick a pumpkin. See the antique car show at Hagley Museum. Enjoy the beautiful changing colors in the Brandywine Park or the Alapocas quarry trail. Winterthur's Garden Faire tempts gardeners with wares and events to inspire another growing season. Local menus change as chefs incorporate summer's bounty; dining moves fireside, and comfort foods make a comeback. It's all for fun on the Halloween Bar Loop, as it makes the rounds of Wilmington hot spots for a night of merry-making in full costume!
The pace doesn't slow in winter. Full performance calendars offer events with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Theatre, duPont Theater and children's theater, too. Museums host Yuletide events and winter home tours, Rodney Square fills with carolers in the city, restaurants fill with holiday parties and winter feasts. First Night Wilmington celebrates New Years Eve with music, ice skating and fireworks while The Grand hosts special performances.
In any season, Wilmington's marvelous museums, mansions and gardens offer tours and unique cultural experiences. The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Delaware's only highway to receive the 'America's Byway' designation, traces the estates and properties of the du Pont family and their historic legacy. Nature areas and city parks offer walks through open spaces, along rushing creeks, and wooded trails.
And all year long, one can shop until you drop! Delaware has no sales tax, so shop, eat and dine it's all tax free!
In the 'First State,' Wilmington offers first class entertainment, cuisine and culture it is an exciting destination for all ages year round!
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