Chilly weather is settling in for good, and while I love the fall, it’s always good to have a backup plan for when the weather turns nasty. Luckily, Delaware is full of so many things to do when it’s raining or bitterly cold! If you’re the curious type, visit any of these free Delaware museums for a trip down memory lane or a look at stunning contemporary art.
- Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover
Flickr / Mr. T in DC The Air Mobility Command Museum is one of the most underrated attractions in Delaware. IT’s located on the Dover AFB, but open to the public. Throughout the year, they host open cockpit days, but even on regular day, the museum is full of fascinating aviation history and stories of the wars we’ve found from the skies.Address: Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902Read more about Open Cockpit Days here.
- Johnson Victrola Museum, Dover
Flickr / Jeffrey This Dover museum celebrates the life of E.R. Johnson, who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company. Throughout the museum, you’ll find artifacts and relics from the development of the sound recording industry, from day one to modern technology.Address: Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901
- The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington
Google Local / The Delaware Contemporary The Delaware Contemporary Art Museum is home to some of the most impressive contemporary art on the East Coast. This underrated collection is free to explore, but the museum often has special exhibits and events that are so worth checking out. Address: The Delaware Contemporary, 200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
- The Brandywine Zoo - From December to February, Wilmington
Flickr / David Saddler Enjoy Delaware’s wildest park and museum for free from December to February, when the Brandywine Zoo slashes admission and invites conservationists and nature lovers to learn more about preserving our earth’s rarest species. The Zoo is worth a visit any time of year, but there’s no excuse not to check it out all winter long.Address: Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802
- The Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes
Flickr / Nan Palmero This incredible heritage museum celebrates the first European settlers of Delaware, the Dutch who landed in Lewes. The most unique exhibit contains a petrified mermaid, and there are plenty of early settlement artifacts on display to see.Address: Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958Read more about the museum and park right here.
- The Delaware State Police Museum, Dover
Facebook / Delaware State Police Museum The State Police museum is dedicated to the history of Delaware’s Troopers, from the founding of the force to present day. It’s free to the public and features antique cop cars that you can see up close!Address: Delaware State Police Museum, 1425 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
- New Castle Court House Museum
Flickr / Ron Cogswell This famous landmark building was the epicenter of William Penn’s 12 Mile Circle that defined Delaware’s borders. The Courthouse Museum today celebrates its importance in settling the area, as well as recognizes the significance of African American influence in Northern Delaware in times of turmoil. Address: New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720
- The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, Fenwick Island
Google Local / Betty Boop The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum is a hidden wonder in Fenwick Island. This museum is packed to the gills with shipwreck and pirate memorabilia - it’s an absolutley jawdropping collection!Address: Discoversea Shipwreck Museum, 708 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944Read more about the DiscoverSea Museum Here, and double check their winter hours before planning your trip.
If you plan a trip to any of these museums, tell us about it in the comments below! You’ll love them all – whether you’re an art critic or a history buff, there’s something here for everyone.
Flickr / Mr. T in DC
The Air Mobility Command Museum is one of the most underrated attractions in Delaware. IT’s located on the Dover AFB, but open to the public. Throughout the year, they host open cockpit days, but even on regular day, the museum is full of fascinating aviation history and stories of the wars we’ve found from the skies.Address: Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902Read more about Open Cockpit Days here.
Flickr / Jeffrey
This Dover museum celebrates the life of E.R. Johnson, who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company. Throughout the museum, you’ll find artifacts and relics from the development of the sound recording industry, from day one to modern technology.Address: Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901
Google Local / The Delaware Contemporary
The Delaware Contemporary Art Museum is home to some of the most impressive contemporary art on the East Coast. This underrated collection is free to explore, but the museum often has special exhibits and events that are so worth checking out. Address: The Delaware Contemporary, 200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Flickr / David Saddler
Enjoy Delaware’s wildest park and museum for free from December to February, when the Brandywine Zoo slashes admission and invites conservationists and nature lovers to learn more about preserving our earth’s rarest species. The Zoo is worth a visit any time of year, but there’s no excuse not to check it out all winter long.Address: Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802
Flickr / Nan Palmero
This incredible heritage museum celebrates the first European settlers of Delaware, the Dutch who landed in Lewes. The most unique exhibit contains a petrified mermaid, and there are plenty of early settlement artifacts on display to see.Address: Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958Read more about the museum and park right here.
Facebook / Delaware State Police Museum
The State Police museum is dedicated to the history of Delaware’s Troopers, from the founding of the force to present day. It’s free to the public and features antique cop cars that you can see up close!Address: Delaware State Police Museum, 1425 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
Flickr / Ron Cogswell
This famous landmark building was the epicenter of William Penn’s 12 Mile Circle that defined Delaware’s borders. The Courthouse Museum today celebrates its importance in settling the area, as well as recognizes the significance of African American influence in Northern Delaware in times of turmoil. Address: New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720
Google Local / Betty Boop
The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum is a hidden wonder in Fenwick Island. This museum is packed to the gills with shipwreck and pirate memorabilia - it’s an absolutley jawdropping collection!Address: Discoversea Shipwreck Museum, 708 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944Read more about the DiscoverSea Museum Here, and double check their winter hours before planning your trip.
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