Visiting Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley
2024-10-26
Expect the Unexpected when You Visit Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley Region
The story of Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is a riveting tale of the past, the present and the future. It is a destination marked by sharp contrasts: town and garden, historic and hip, refined yet laid-back.
History Meets Diversity
Settled by the Swedes in 1638, the region is nestled at the confluence of three rivers: the Delaware, the Christina, and the Brandywine. These waterways provide a scenic setting for colorful communities, each with its own personality. African, Asian, Caribbean, German, Greek, Hispanic, Italian, Irish, Peruvian, and Polish cultures are all represented here.
The City of Wilmington, with a population of just over 70,000, is the urban hub. With more than 66 percent of all Fortune 500 corporations incorporated in Delaware, it is known as the Corporate Capital of the World.
The history of industry here is inextricably connected with one name: du Pont. The DuPont Company traces its origins to a gunpowder factory founded on the banks of the Brandywine River by Éleuthère Irénée du Pont in the early 1800s.
The generations of du Ponts who followed crafted one of the greatest business success stories in America, but the family also left Delaware another significant legacy through their philanthropy: beautiful mansions and gardens that are now open for the public to enjoy.
Town and Garden
One of Greater Wilmington’s defining features is the town and garden experience.
The city is home to James Beard Foundation-recognized restaurants and a thriving arts scene - including the oldest continually operating theater on Broadway. On Market Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, you’ll find bespoke clothing, handmade leather goods, urban street wear, an independent bookstore, and more.
The city’s riverfront district is a recreational mecca with a ballpark, beer garden, IMAX theater, two museums, three hotels, 15 restaurants, and a 1.3-mile Riverwalk. Its distinctive red bricked Amtrak station is named for Wilmington’s own Joe Biden, the 47th President of the U.S.
As you head into the Brandywine Valley, the landscape transforms. Here, elegant estates are a testament to the wealth and cultural influence of the du Pont family. Reminiscent of a “Downton Abbey” episode, each has its own story to tell: a fairy-tale inspired garden, a mini-Versailles, a fascinating patent model collection, and fire-breathing fountains are some of the wonders that await.
More to Discover
But that’s just part of who we are.
Just down the Delaware River and connected to the city by the J.A.M. recreational trail, Historic New Castle is home to Colonial-era homes and cobblestone-lined streets. Fort Delaware, a former Confederate prison, towers over Pea Patch Island. The villages of Odessa, Centreville and Greenville as well as Newark, home to the University of Delaware, all hold their own unique charms and are well worth exploring.
Craft breweries can be found throughout the region, and the works of talented artists and artisans are waiting to be discovered in galleries throughout the city and Brandywine Valley. The surrounding countryside remains pristine thanks to plentiful preserved lands and state parks, perfect for hiking and biking.
All of these experiences are so close to each other, giving visitors a wealth of options for exploration and discovery. Come and experience the many facets of this region. It will surprise you. VisitWilmingtonDE.com to learn more.
