I’m astounded at the array of talent coming to the beach for this year’s events and – equally important – because these events sell out very quickly. If you love music and appreciate soulful vocals, soft and rumbling beats and a touch of the avant-garde, I hope you’ll check out the master schedules and plan ahead for some wonderful experiences taking place at several different venues, including the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center, the Rusty Rudder, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and other locations in Rehoboth and Lewes. 

Last week I posted about a lot of the fall fun to be had on my own home turf around Delaware’s beaches and rural downstate spots listed in the 2023 Festivals Guide published by the Cape Gazette. This week I’m looking at the Brandywine Valley far to the north, where rolling pastures give way to beautiful and charming towns, including downtown Wilmington. It’s especially beautiful in the autumn, and full of entertainment and cultural attractions.

When asked to “picture” autumn, many people will describe goblets of red wine alongside comforting dinners and fiery orange, yellow and burgundy mums decorating our doorsteps. But if you live in Delaware’s rural or waterside communities there’s also a wonderful feeling as you notice the golden softening of the light, the feel of cool breezes on your face and the exciting array of activities and events happening every day. 

If you’ve been led to believe that golf can only be enjoyed at some exclusive members-only country club with inheritance-busting dues, you’re in for a big surprise once you start searching for a home in Delaware. From north to south and east to west there are many beautifully maintained public courses with reasonable fees. 

Unfortunately, we can count on brutal temps and cloying humidity ahead. If you still want to spend most of your time outside there are lots of great parks offering shady trails for walking and biking. But there are also so many fabulous museums where you can spend hours enriching your brain in air conditioned comfort.

With New Legislation, Cape Henlopen Will Continue to be a Natural Wonder

I’ve written often about all of the wonderful reasons to spend time at Cape Henlopen State Park (https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/blog/posts/2023/07/14/wherever-you-are-cape-henlopen-state-park-is-a-wonderful-getaway/), and virtually every post has emphasized its vast acreage filled with natural wonders. The forests filled with aromatic pines. The marshlands that can be traversed by raised biking and hiking trails. Gordon’s Pond, which brims with wildlife. And miles of a shoreline stretching from Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, with multiple places to swim, fish, and simply enjoy the views.

Wherever You Are, Cape Henlopen State Park is a Wonderful Getaway

Getting there is easy, even in the summer if you know when to go. If you’re up north it’s probably a 90-minute drive on a weekday and much faster if you’re mid-state or downstate and also able to go during the week. Once you go through the gates from the Lewes side at the end of Cape Henlopen Drive, or on the Rehoboth side near Henlopen Acres https://destateparks.com/wwwroot/maps/cape-henlopen/CapeHenlopenMap.pdf, you’ll find all kinds of ways to enjoy the sand and surf, biking and walking trails, and WWII history as well. Here are some highlights:

Last week we spotlighted several Christmas holiday events happening at that time, primarily in Sussex County. Next week well feature public celebrations of Hanukkah along with more holiday happenings around this state. Wherever [...]

If youve decorated your front porch with brightly colored mums and gourds and with a witch or scarecrow keeping watch its probably because youre one of many who cite Autumn as your favorite time of the [...]