Farmington DelawareATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Farmington, Delaware.
1. Harrington Raceway & Casino
GAMING AND HORSE RACING
Harrington Raceway & Casino is a popular entertainment destination offering both casino gaming and live harness racing. Visitors can enjoy slot machines, table games, and seasonal horse racing events throughout the year. The venue also features multiple dining options and occasionally hosts live entertainment.
2. Abbott's Mill Nature Center
HISTORIC MILL AND TRAILS
Abbott's Mill Nature Center features a restored gristmill surrounded by 376 acres of natural terrain with hiking trails. The center offers educational programs about local ecology and history through its interpretive displays and guided tours. Visitors can explore diverse habitats including forests, meadows, and wetlands while observing native wildlife.
3. Browns Branch County Park
RECREATION AND RELAXATION
Browns Branch County Park provides a peaceful setting for outdoor recreation with its walking trails and picnic areas. The park features sports facilities including baseball fields, basketball courts, and playgrounds for visitors of all ages. It serves as a community gathering place for local events and family outings throughout the year.
4. The Quillen Arena
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
The Quillen Arena hosts a variety of agricultural shows, equestrian events, and community gatherings throughout the year. The versatile venue is part of the Delaware State Fairgrounds complex and features excellent facilities for both participants and spectators. It plays an important role in showcasing Delaware's agricultural heritage and contemporary rural culture.
5. Grand Opera House
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Grand Opera House is a magnificently restored 19th-century theater hosting a diverse lineup of concerts, Broadway shows, and performing arts events. The venue's ornate Victorian architecture and exceptional acoustics provide a memorable setting for cultural experiences. It serves as an important cultural landmark in Delaware's largest city.
6. Lewes Historical Society
MARITIME HISTORY PRESERVED
The Lewes Historical Society preserves and shares the rich maritime history of Delaware's first town through its museum complex and educational programs. Visitors can explore historic buildings, maritime artifacts, and engaging exhibits that tell the story of this coastal community. The society regularly hosts events and walking tours that bring local history to life.
7. Indian River Inlet Bridge
SCENIC COASTAL CONNECTION
The Indian River Inlet Bridge is an impressive cable-stayed bridge connecting the north and south portions of Delaware Seashore State Park. The structure offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Bay, making it a popular spot for photography. Pedestrian paths allow visitors to walk across the bridge and enjoy fishing opportunities from designated areas.
8. Hopkins Farm Creamery
FRESH DAIRY DELIGHTS
Hopkins Farm Creamery serves homemade ice cream produced from milk sourced directly from their dairy farm. Visitors can enjoy over 25 flavors while watching cows graze in nearby pastures, providing a true farm-to-cone experience. The family-friendly destination offers tours of their working dairy farm during certain times of the year.
9. Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
ICONIC COASTAL PROMENADE
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk stretches for a mile along the Atlantic Ocean, offering shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in a lively seaside setting. Visitors can enjoy ocean views, arcade games, and treats like Thrasher's French fries and Dolle's saltwater taffy while strolling the wooden walkway. The boardwalk serves as the social center of this popular beach town and hosts events throughout the summer season.
10. Nemours Estate
OPULENT DUPONT MANSION
Nemours Estate features a magnificent 77-room mansion built in the French neoclassical style by Alfred I. duPont in 1909. The property includes the largest formal French gardens in North America, spanning 200 acres with reflecting pools, fountains, and manicured landscapes. Visitors can tour the opulent interior with its rare furnishings, artwork, and antique automobiles collection.
11. Winterthur Museum and Gardens
AMERICAN DECORATIVE ARTS
Winterthur Museum and Gardens houses one of the most important collections of American decorative arts in the United States, displayed in a 175-room mansion. The surrounding 1,000-acre country estate features magnificent gardens including a 4-acre children's Enchanted Garden inspired by fairy tales. Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, the museum offers visitors an unparalleled glimpse into American craftsmanship and design from 1640 to 1860.
12. Air Mobility Command Museum
MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY
The Air Mobility Command Museum showcases the history of military air transport and air refueling with over 30 historic aircraft on display. Located at Dover Air Force Base, the museum offers visitors the chance to climb aboard several planes and explore cockpits with volunteer guides who are often retired military aviators. The facility houses numerous exhibits highlighting the evolution of military aviation technology and the human stories behind these flying machines.
13. Hagley Museum and Library
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
Hagley Museum and Library preserves the site of the original DuPont Company powder yards established in 1802 along the banks of the Brandywine River. Visitors can explore restored mills, workers' communities, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family. The 235-acre museum showcases the intersection of early American industry, innovation, and the natural environment through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations.
14. Brandywine Creek State Park
NATURAL BEAUTY AND RECREATION
Brandywine Creek State Park encompasses 933 acres of scenic natural landscapes featuring centuries-old tulip poplar trees and diverse wildlife habitats. The park offers recreational opportunities including fishing for bluegill and bass, hiking trails such as the Rocky Run and Brandywine trails, and water activities like canoeing and kayaking. A highlight for many visitors is the Brandywine Zoo, which specializes in North and South American endangered species conservation.
15. Delaware Seashore State Park
COASTAL RECREATION PARADISE
Delaware Seashore State Park offers six miles of ocean and bay shoreline for swimming, surfing, and fishing between Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. The park features modern marina facilities at Indian River Marina, along with camping areas that provide convenient beach access. Visitors can explore the Indian River Life-Saving Station museum to learn about maritime history or participate in guided kayak tours through the coastal salt marshes.