Road Tripping Through the National Parks: Delaware

The “first state” is our next edition of our “Road Tripping Through the National Parks” series. Delaware is known as the first state as it was the first state to ratify the US Constitution. Despite that history, Delaware has a very limited history with the National Park Service. In fact, its first and only national park site wasn’t established until 2013. Due to that this should be a short and easy trip. Start by flying into Philadelphia International Airport, and grab a rental car to make your way into Delaware.

It’s a forty five minute drive to Brandywine Creek State Park, which is the gateway to First State National Historical Park. While the park is not run by the National Park Service it provides information for the surrounding Brandywine Valley, which is owned by the National Park Service and is some of the best preserved bits of nature in the entire state. Take a hike along the creek as long as you desire. There is quite a mix of trails available if you walk out from Brandywine Creek State Park so there should be something for everyone. All of them snake through rolling hills and forests that used to cover this entire landscape. 

Now it will probably be about lunchtime. Our favorite nationwide chain here at Parkmanship is Buffalo Wild Wings, and that’s where we ate when we visited this park. If you want more of a local flavor there’s probably tons of options in the northern Delaware region. After lunch, take the thirty minute drive to New Castle, which serves as the historical district of Wilmington. This is your next district of First State National Historical Park to explore. Here you will find some of the oldest and most historically important buildings in the state. The highlight is the New Castle Court House, which has now been turned into a museum that you can explore. It was built in the 18th century and was the colony’s seat of government during the American Revolution. This area also preserves the original town green and a 19th century sheriff’s house that the park is slowly renovating to be the park’s main visitor center.

That concludes your exploration of First State National Historical Park so you can either stay overnight in the area or make this a long but informative day trip.