What's New

Arriving by plane? You'll now be landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (tel. 800/I-FLY-BWI; www.bwiairport.com). State legislators approved the name change in 2005 to honor the Maryland native and the first African American to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Accommodations in Maryland and Delaware never seem to stop updating their rooms. The newest thing is high-speed Internet access -- most hotels now offer it in guest rooms as well as public areas. Often it's wireless; often it's free. Check when making reservations, as policies keep changing.

Both Maryland and Delaware have a number of new museums -- or newly refurbished museums.

Routes 52 and 100, the two main routes from Wilmington through the Brandywine Valley, have been recently named Delaware's first Scenic Byway, a national designation. Before you visit, go to www.byways.org for information and a map of the 5 1/2-mile route. That, along with this guide, will make visiting the Brandywine Valley a snap.

Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley

Downtown Wilmington has its first wine bar. Domaine Hudson, 1314 N. Washington St. (tel. 302/655-WINE), which has paired a cellar full of wines from all over with a creative tasting menu -- and Wilmingtonians are eating it up.

Wilmington has welcomed the Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Pkwy. (tel. 302/571-9590), back into its original quarters -- spiffed up, very elegant, and quite impressive.

On the Pennsylvania side of the Brandywine Valley, Simon Pearce, 1333 Lenape Rd., West Chester (tel. 610/793-0948), has opened its second restaurant (the other is in New England). The company well known for fine crystal is now also known for fine dining near Longwood Gardens.

At Longwood Gardens, Route 1, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (tel. 610/388-1000), the newly restored East Conservatory has opened to dazzling effect, expanding the wow factor at a place that already had plenty of it.

Dover & Central Delaware

Dover is known for its really good little museums, but now it has packaged them all as the First State Heritage Park at Dover.

After being closed for several years, the Historic Houses of Odessa (tel. 302/378-4119), which were once the property of Winterthur Museum, are under new ownership and are once again open to the public.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Maryland & Delaware, 8th Edition Author: Mary K. Tilghman Pub Date: May 27, 2008 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: Frommer's Atlanta, 10th Edition Frommer's Nashville & Memphis, 8th Edition Frommer's New Orleans 2008