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Wilmington, DE Attractions
Though many visitors to Wilmington head out to the Brandywine Valley attractions, the city itself has several museums and sites of interest.
8 Results
- Zoo/Aquarium
Brandywine Zoo
This is just a 12-acre place with 150 animals, but the petting zoo, the Siberian tiger, and the cute-as-a-button binturongs make it a good diversion for children. Especially interesting are the cages filled with curious little monkeys, most of them tamarins that are as interested in… - The Performing Arts
City Theater Company
Off-Broadway productions are staged in the black-box theater of Opera Delaware Studios. Some plays are edgy; others appeal to kids. So look for anything from Humpty Dumpty to Sweeney Todd to world premieres. Buy tickets online or with cash only at the door. - The Performing Arts
Delaware Theatre Company
At the foot of Orange Street on the Riverfront, this 389-seat facility has no seat more than 12 rows from the stage. The theater is home to Delaware's only resident professional company, which presents classic and contemporary plays, as well as children's theater. - Tour
Kalmar Nyckel
A grand ship brought the first 24 Swedish settlers to the Delaware Valley in 1638. Now, on the shores of the Christina River near Old Swedes Church and Fort Christina Park, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation has re-created the three-masted ship with its fine carvings and richly appointed… - Park/Garden
Marian Coffin Gardens
This newly preserved du Pont green spot is just off busy Route 52 near downtown Wilmington. A project of Preservation Delaware, the gardens feature a fragrant formal garden, reflecting pool, wooded paths, and a charming teahouse with seating (but no tea). Walk up to the stone terrace… - The Performing Arts
New Candlelight Theatre
A big red barn in the northern suburb of Ardentown has been home to this dinner theater for more than 25 years. Admission includes a buffet dinner. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the show is at 8pm; the Sunday show is at 3pm; Wednesday's matinee begins at 1pm. The house opens 2… - Religious Site
Old Swedes Church
Formally known as Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, this stone-and-brick building overlooking the Christina River is the oldest church in continuous use in the U.S. It was built in 1699 as part of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Today, artifacts tell of the parish's vibrant history.… - Neighborhood
Riverfront Wilmington
On a bend in the Christina River, Wilmington has built brick-and-board walkways with views both urban and wild. Beginning at the train station and ending at the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, this 1 1/3-mile path takes visitors past shops, museums, and a series of signs…
Wilmington, DE Shopping
Two of the Wilmington area's biggest shopping malls are Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike (tel. 302/478-9271), and Christiana Mall, 435 Christiana Mall Rd., I-95 exit 4A (tel. 302/731-9815). The downtown area offers some shopping, mostly on Ninth Street and along Market Street. Govatos, 800 Market St. (tel. 302/652-5252; www.govatoschocolates.com), has made its own chocolates and candies since 1894. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm; October through April, it also opens Saturday from 8am to 3pm. There's a second shop in the Talleyville Shopping Center, 4105 Concord Pike (tel. 302/478-5324). On the Riverfront, the Riverfront Market, 3 S. Orange St. (tel. 302/422-9500; www.riverfrontwilm.com), is a great place to stop for a sandwich or cup of soup. Fresh seafood, meat, and produce are also available. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Some places open early for breakfast.
Wilmington, DE Nightlife
For the latest information on area entertainment, consult the News Journal's entertainment guide called Spark. It's available free around town or online at www.sparkweekly.com. Out & About magazine also lists entertainment events.
The Performing Arts
Classical Music & Opera -- For such a small city, Wilmington has a lively performing-arts scene, and the Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St. (tel. 302/658-7897 for information, 800/374-7263 or 302/652-5577 for tickets; www.grandopera.org), is the center of it, right in the heart of downtown. Built in 1871 as part of a Masonic temple, this restored Victorian showplace is one of the finest examples of cast-iron architecture in America. The auditorium seats 1,100 and is home to the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Opera Delaware. It also offers ballet, jazz, chamber music, pop music, and theater.
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra (tel. 302/656-7442 for information, 800/374-7263 or 302/652-5577 for tickets; www.desymphony.org) is led by David Amado. The DSO's 90-plus performances a year range from classical to pops. Performances are usually held in the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, but chamber-music concerts are given in the Hotel du Pont or Winterthur. Tickets run $27 to $57.
How do you like your opera -- grand Italian, light operetta, or maybe something for the kids? Opera Delaware (tel. 302/658-8063 for information, 800/374-7263 for tickets; www.operade.org) offers three operas a year, ranging from $25 to $68. Supertitles are provided; those who don't like them can sit in sections where the projections can't be seen.
Theater & Dance -- The DuPont Theatre, at 10th and Market streets (tel. 800/338-0881 or 302/656-4401; www.duponttheatre.com), has brought touring shows to downtown Wilmington for more than 80 years. Set in the Hotel du Pont, it has a 1,239-seat capacity amid vintage Victorian decor. In addition, local companies often stage performances here -- including the Wilmington Ballet's "Nutcracker."
Especially for Kids -- The Delaware Children's Theatre, 1014 Delaware Ave. (tel. 302/655-1014; www.dechildrenstheatre.org), presents plays based on fairy tales and other children's stories. Tickets are $10, with performances on select Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Note: Adult visitors will enjoy visiting this ornate three-story building for its historic and architectural value. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was designed in 1892 by a woman as a women's club -- which continues to own and operate the building. Parking for performances is free.
The Club & Music Scene
Dravo Plaza, on Wilmington's Riverfront, is the place to hear music: outdoor jazz, reggae, classical, and blues concerts are offered on Thursdays in summer. The nightlife elsewhere is pretty mellow, dominated by folk music, blues, and hotel piano bars.
