While we love living and working in Sussex County, we also know there are so many communities upstate that are great for day trips and year-round living. They’re also a fun option if you want to avoid summer crowds at our beach communities and perhaps beat the season’s most intense heat.
So today I’m spotlighting two lovely communities – Newark, which is especially peaceful in the summer with most of the students from the University of Delaware away on summer break – and the Brandywine Valley, home to Delaware’s most beautiful and interesting house museums. NOTE: this is a follow-up to my May 20th post HERE with a detailed list of concerts and other events taking place all over Delaware this summer.
One of Newark’s best features is its lovely walkable downtown district, which is full of great restaurants, including Greenhouse Gastropub, Klondike Kate’s, and the Deer Park Tavern (Rockwell’s on Main, at the former Iron Hill Brewery, is set to open in July or August). There are also lots of nice small businesses, including boutiques and antique shops. Fun things to do this summer include:
- Liberty Day on July 4th at the University of Delaware’s David M. Nelson Athletic Complex at 605 S. College Avenue. This is a free festival that begins at 6 p.m. and culminates with fireworks at 9 p.m. There will be lots of food trucks, live music, family games and craft vendors.
- The Newark Food and Brew Fest on July 25th. This takes place on Main Street from noon till 7 p.m. and features a full day of restaurant food and beer specials.
- The White Clay Creek State Park Summer Concert Series takes place at this scenic spot just 11 minutes from Newark all summer and through September 7th. These are free concerts with an array of musicians for every taste.
- Hosted by the Newark Free Library and the Chapel Street Players, the Chapel Street Concert Series features live music from Friction Farm on Tuesday, June 16th at 7 p.m., Sug Daniels on Saturday, July 18th at 2 p.m., Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass on Tuesday, July 18th at 7 p.m., and Tater Patch on Tuesday, August 25th at 7 p.m.
Up in the scenic Brandywine Valley, the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library are at the heart of 1,000 acres of rolling hills and waterways. Inside, you’ll find extravagant Gilded Age decorative arts while outside you’ll take in the views from the Bristol Summerhouse, the Cottage alongside Clenny Run, and the Enchanted Woods kids garden.
Another top spot for architecture and design lovers is the Nemours Estate, featuring another extravagant mansion with 77 rooms and 200 acres of gardens filled with flours, fountains mazes, towers, monuments and nature trails.
The third crown jewel of Delaware house and garden museums is the Hagley Museum and Library, the original headquarters of the DuPont Company. In addition to touring the mansion you can stroll through the 19th Century gunpowder factory and stroll among the lovely gardens along the banks of the Brandywine River. This is an especially fascinating place for lovers of nature and history.
And if you’re really into art, history and design, you should consider the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport, which grants you discounted admission to several more fascinating places. The cost for an individual passport is $49, and you can get one for your immediate family for $99. Go to Visit Wilmington's Website here for details and information about major attractions including:
- Longwood Gardens
- The Brandywine Museum of Art
- The Delaware Art Museum
- Delaware Contemporary
- The Delaware History Museum and Mitchell Center For African American Heritage
- The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
- The Mt. Cuba Center
- The Read House & Gardens, and
- The Rockwood Park & Museum
Whether you are planning a quiet summer day trip to escape the beach traffic or considering a move to a scenic upstate neighborhood, Newark and the Brandywine Valley offer an incredible blend of history, culture, and local flavor. Don't forget to bookmark our May 20th concert guide to help map out your entire summer itinerary! For our returning readers, we would love to hear from you—what is your favorite hidden gem or restaurant upstate? If you found this guide helpful, please feel free to share it with friends and family who are ready to discover a different side of the First State.
From all of us here at Active Adults Realty, stay well, friends.