Wilmington Hotel Guide

"Delaware is like a diamond, diminutive, but having within it inherent value," wrote Dr. John Lofland, a notable early American scribe and native son.

Delaware is, indeed, a jewel, and Wilmington is one of its most charming "facets." Dotted with historic buildings, art museums, and other attractions, it can be a destination as well as a good home base for mid-Atlantic sightseeing. The city, home to Fortune 500 companies and major banks, is located only 20 minutes from Philadelphia's airport.

As for accommodations, Wilmington has something for everyone: Old world elegance and grace at the four-diamond Hotel Du Pont, quiet coziness at the Brandywine Suites Hotels, modern amenities and comfort at the Sheraton Suites, Wyndham Hotel Wilmington, and Courtyard by Marriott-Wilmington, or fun that's easy on the budget at the Holiday Inn Select. Hotel bargains are made very attractive by the one feature Delaware lacks--sales tax.

You can reach Wilmington by car, train, or bus, and if you stay downtown, you probably won't need a car. Wilmington has a walkable downtown area, public transportation (DART), and a shuttle bus. For seeing the sights on the outskirts--Winterthur and the Hagley Museum, for instance--you will find a car more convenient.

While you're in town, don't miss a chance to appreciate the fabulous collection of 19th and 20th century American painting and the country's pre-eminent assemblage of Pre-Raphaelite British art at the Delaware Museum of Art; take in the history of the "jewel" at the Delaware History Museum; visit Old Swedes Church, the oldest church still being used for worship in the U.S.; climb aboard the tall ship, Kalmar Nyckel, which brought Swedish immigrants to Delaware; and hang out at Rodney Square, named for Caesar Rodney, who rode miles in rain and heat, despite being ill, to vote for independence.

You'll want to wander around Market Street and drop by Genelle's Bakery and Café for authentic Caribbean food. Don't forget to stop by Govatos Chocolates--pleasing palettes since 1894--for a box of wonderful homemade candy. Any downtown hotel will place you within easy walking distance of the renovated Christiana Riverfront, where you can find the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts as well as great outlet shopping, fun restaurants, and the Daniel S. Frawley Stadium, built for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a farm team for the Kansas City Royals. You might also check out an exhibition at the First USA Riverfront Arts Center. (In fact, starting in mid-July 2002, the Delaware Art Museum will undergo a renovation and the collection will be on display at the Riverfront Arts Center.) Don't forget to drop by the Riverfront Market for superb coffee, homemade ice cream, and gourmet snacks. (Check your schedule and itinerary before you go as some attractions are closed on Sundays.)

BRANDYWINE VALLEY

Staying in the Brandywine Valley is a treat. Though surrounded by quiet countryside, you're still conveniently near downtown Wilmington and well placed to visit Valley attractions in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. Many of the inns and hotels have special packages that include attraction tickets. You might enjoy the Homewood Suites by Hilton, in the center of the Valley, or the charming Inn at Montchanin Village. The Days Inn (Concord Pike), Doubletree Hotel Wilmington, and the Best Western Brandywine Valley Inn are many the locations put you in easy reach of Winterthur, the Hagley Museum, and the Delaware Museum of Natural History.

If you love art--particularly great American painting--you'll want to visit the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Fords, Pennsylvania, and enjoy a breathtaking collection of Wyeths. You'll also find the work of such talents as Howard Pyle, Jessie Willcox Smith, and Frank Schoonover, who in addition to creating fabulous paintings also illustrated many of our favorite children's books.

It's a short drive from there to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Even in the middle of winter, you can surround yourself with jungle plants and exotic foliage and enjoy to the spectacle of orchids in rich and varied shades. (Remember you can stay in sales tax-free Delaware and enjoy these nearby Pennsylvania sights.)

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