Highest-rated free things to do in Delaware, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Delaware, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Delaware.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Delaware using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#29. Bethany Beach Nature Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: North side of Route 26 Bethany Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Harrington Raceway & Casino
- Rating: 4/5 (301 reviews)
- Address: 18500 South Dupont Hwy Delaware State Fairgrounds Harrington, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Zwaanendael Museum
- Rating: 4/5 (168 reviews)
- Address: 102 Kings Hwy Lewes, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Lavender Fields Farm
- Rating: 4.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: 18864 Cool Spring Road Milton, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Penny Lane Mall
- Rating: 4/5 (53 reviews)
- Address: 42 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. New Castle Farmer's Market
- Rating: 4/5 (119 reviews)
- Address: 110 North Dupont Hwy New Castle, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Rehoboth Beach Farmer's Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: Grove Park Grove St. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. John Dickinson Plantation
- Rating: 4.5/5 (139 reviews)
- Address: 340 Kitts Hummock Road Dover, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Broadkill Beach
- Rating: 4/5 (18 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Battery Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (197 reviews)
- Address: Waterfront New Castle, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Johnson Victrola Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (145 reviews)
- Address: 375 South New St. Dover, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Glasgow Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (260 reviews)
- Address: Rt 896 & Rt 40 Newark, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Delaware Welcome Center
- Rating: 4/5 (166 reviews)
- Address: 530 John F. Kennedy Memorial Hwy Newark, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Slaughter Beach
- Rating: 4/5 (56 reviews)
- Address: 354 State Road 15 Milford Slaughter Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Indian River Inlet Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (167 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Junction and Breakwater Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (226 reviews)
- Address: Hebron Road Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (168 reviews)
- Address: 708 Ocean Highway Fenwick Island, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Bally's Dover Casino Resort
- Rating: 4/5 (1,054 reviews)
- Address: 1131 North Dupont Hwy Dover, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Christiana Mall
- Rating: 4.5/5 (420 reviews)
- Address: 132 Christiana Mall Newark, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Dogfish Head Milton Brewery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (623 reviews)
- Address: 6 Cannery Village Center / 424 Chestnut St. Milton, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Bethany Beach Boardwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (481 reviews)
- Address: Garfield Parkway Oceanfront Bethany Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Dewey Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (559 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach Surfside
- Rating: 4/5 (440 reviews)
- Address: 35000 Midway Outlet Drive Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Wilmington Riverwalk
- Rating: 4/5 (437 reviews)
- Address: Jack A. Markell Trail Wilmington, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Lewes Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (541 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Bethany Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (657 reviews)
- Address: N Atlantic Ave. Bethany Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,002 reviews)
- Address: 311 North Boardwalk Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Rehoboth Beach Public Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,698 reviews)
- Address: N Boardwalk Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Air Mobility Command Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (1,163 reviews)
- Address: 1301 Heritage Rd. Dover Air Force Base Dover, Delaware
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
