Part of our Delaware guide.
Getting around Delaware relies on I-95 and I-295 for north-south travel, with Amtrak serving Wilmington's station and SEPTA regional rail connecting to Philadelphia. The state’s small size—roughly 100 miles long and 30 miles wide—means most destinations are under a two-hour drive.
Thriving Business Hub Awaits You
Delaware’s business-friendly laws and tax advantages make it a magnet for entrepreneurs and corporations. Its unique legal framework, the Court of Chancery, offers flexibility and protection for businesses, and the state provides a streamlined process for setting up new ventures. For travelers, this means Wilmington’s downtown is dotted with corporate headquarters and legal offices, but the real draw is the city’s walkable Riverfront district, where converted industrial buildings now house restaurants and event spaces. If you’re driving, note that I-95 cuts directly through Wilmington, and parking garages near the Riverfront charge roughly $1–$2 per hour.
Wilmington's Vibrant Small Business Scene Awaits
Nestled along the banks of the Christina River (not the Cape Fear River, which is in North Carolina), Wilmington offers a mix of history and modern amenities. Stroll through the Trolley Square area to find unique boutiques, cozy cafes, and family-owned restaurants. For a deeper dive into the area, consult our Wilmington travel guide for block-by-block recommendations. Wilmington's in Delaware and its small business scene thrives with one-of-a-kind finds, from vintage clothing shops on Market Street to artisanal bakeries along Union Street. Parking is metered on weekdays until 6 p.m., and many shops offer street-side spots; the city’s free DART trolley loops through downtown every 15 minutes on weekdays, making it easy to hop between boutiques without moving your car.
Beyond Wilmington
South of Wilmington, the state opens into farmland and the hidden lowland swamps of Delaware's cypress swamp at Trap Pond State Park, where boardwalks let you explore a remnant of the once-vast Great Cypress Swamp. Further south, the beaches in Delaware at Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany draw crowds from Memorial Day to Labor Day; parking in Rehoboth costs $5–$10 per day at public lots, and the Jolly Trolley runs a free shuttle along the beach strip in summer. History buffs can visit the historic sites in Dover, Delaware, including the Old State House and the First State Heritage Park, both within walking distance of each other. For those curious about geography, the answer to how many States does Delaware border is three: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. Off the beaten path, the hidden towns and mysteries in Delaware include the ghost town of Bombay Hook and the unsolved 1947 murder at the Woodburn Estate, both accessible via back roads off Route 9.
Forts and Trading Posts
Delaware’s colonial history is preserved at forts and trading posts in Delaware. Fort Delaware, on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, was a Union prison camp during the Civil War and is reachable only by ferry from Delaware City (ferry runs May through September, $10 for adults). Nearby, the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes marks the site of a 1631 Dutch trading post, the first European settlement in the state. Both sites are about a 90-minute drive from Wilmington via Route 1 and Route 9.
