New Castle Delaware rests on the Delaware River, just
7 miles south of Wilmington.
Those visiting Wilmington will not want to miss the chance
to at least take a stroll through this historic, once
major, Colonial seaport town. Shopping for antiques is
just one of the things you can enjoy on a New Castle vacation,
and relaxing at the riverside Battery Park is a nice way
to cap off a stroll through town. You can walk to all
the attractions in New Castle Delaware, so if you are
driving, you can park and forget about having to get in
and out of the car. There are some pretty good restaurants
and shops in New Castle, but New Castle tourism definitely
centers around the town’s historical offerings.
Cobblestone streets and charming brick sidewalks compliment
the town’s restored buildings and homes, and history
buffs will appreciate New Castle’s proximity to
Philadelphia.
It’s just 40 miles away, should you want to mix
in a taste of all the historical attractions that it too
has to offer.
Taking a New Castle tour is a great way to learn about
one or more of its historic buildings. When you consider
that the Dutch originally settled in New Castle in 1651,
you get an idea of the historical value associated with
New Castle tourism. Named Fort Casimir by the Dutch, New
Castle Delaware would get its present day name upon capture
of the city by Swedes in 1654. Curiously enough, the Dutch
would take the city back one year later and again change
its name. New Amstel was the town’s new label, but
things didn’t end there. The Dutch would wrestle
back and forth with Great
Britain for control of the city in subsequent years,
and upon British capture, the name of New Castle was reapplied.
During Colonial times, New Castle was a most important
city, and it is here where William Penn first set foot
in America. Since it was the Colonial capital of Delaware,
New Castle would need a capitol building. In 1732, the
Old Court House was built to serve just that purpose.
It was here where the state assembly met until the capital
was moved to Dover in 1777.
The Old Court House offers free admission and free guided tours, and it definitely is one of the attractions worth adding to your New Castle vacation itinerary. Another historic building of interest that you might add to your New Castle tour schedule is the Dutch House Museum. A brick house built around the year 1700, it remains miraculously unchanged for the most part, and the period furnishings are every bit as authentic. The Read House and Garden is a nice compliment to the Dutch House Museum. It was built in 1801, and it offers among its attractions the oldest gardens in the state. If you want a chance to tour some of the private homes and buildings during your New Castle vacation, your best bet is to visit in May. That’s when the “Day in Old New Castle” event takes place. Otherwise, expect some of these to be closed to the public for the rest of the year. Every August in Battery Park, the Historic New Castle Antiques show takes place, so if you really like antiquing, you’ll want to make a note of this festival.
There are some pretty good choices for New Castle hotels and bed and breakfasts if you want to spend more than a day in New Castle. It makes a great base for trips to all kinds of great destinations. To help you best maximize your New Castle vacation time, you can drop by the Court House visitor center. They’ll be happy to supply you with a city guide. New Castle tourism takes a break of sorts on Mondays, as most everything here of interest tends to be closed. In other words, if you are just planning one day here, Monday is not the best choice. New Castle Delaware is a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of life. Whether you are thinking of hitting the Delaware beaches, or perhaps heading to the lovely Brandywine Valley, a stop in New Castle is sure to be a pleasant diversion indeed. Since little seems to have changed here since the 17th and 18th centuries, New Castle tourism is almost like stepping back in time.
