Summer in Delaware doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are ten free ways to enjoy the season.

1. Cape Henlopen State Park — Bike or walk in from Rehoboth to skip the $5 parking fee.

2. First Friday Art Loop in Wilmington — Free gallery walks, live music, and refreshments.

3. Summer Concerts at Rockwood Park — Free outdoor concerts every Thursday evening.

4. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge — 16,000 acres with bald eagles and stunning sunsets.

5. Delaware Art Museum — Free admission on Sundays 10 AM-4 PM.

6. Kayak the Brandywine Creek — Free put-ins at Thompson’s Bridge and Brandywine Creek State Park.

7. Historic New Castle Walking Tours — Cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Self-guided maps at Visitor Center.

8. Newark Reservoir Loop Trail — Peaceful 2-mile loop for running, walking, or birdwatching.

9. Rehoboth Boardwalk — People-watching, window shopping, and ocean breezes.

10. Bellevue State Park — Free movies and concerts on the grand lawn of this former du Pont estate.

What started as a backyard experiment has become one of Delaware’s most beloved food brands. Nothing Better LLC, founded by Marcus Taylor in his Middletown kitchen, now produces five varieties of small-batch hot sauce sold in over 100 stores across Delmarva.

The origin: ‘I was making hot sauce for friends at cookouts,’ Marcus recalls. ‘One buddy said, There’s nothing better than this sauce. The name stuck.’ He launched in 2023 with a single habanero-mango recipe at the Middletown Farmers Market.

The lineup today: Original Habanero Mango, Smoky Chipotle Bourbon, Carolina Reaper ‘Dare Ya,’ Sweet Pepper Everyday (mild enough for kids), and Delaware Bay Garlic.

What makes it different: every batch uses fresh peppers from three Delaware farms — never dried or powdered — cooked in small kettles in a licensed commercial kitchen in New Castle.

Find it at ACME, ShopRite, and Janssen’s Market locations across Delaware, at farmers markets, and online at nothingbetterllc.com. Use code THRIVE15 for 15% off your first online order.

Looking for the perfect date night spot in the First State? Here are ten Delaware restaurants that deliver ambiance, incredible food, and memorable experiences.

1. The House of William & Merry — Hockessin. Farm-to-table fine dining in a converted farmhouse. Reserve weeks ahead.

2. Le Cavalier at the Green Room — Wilmington. French brasserie elegance inside the Hotel du Pont.

3. La Fia — Wilmington. Intimate BYOB with a constantly evolving menu. Only 40 seats.

4. Back Porch Cafe — Rehoboth Beach. Coastal fine dining with an award-winning wine list.

5. Bardea Food & Drink — Wilmington. Italian-inspired with housemade pasta and craft cocktails.

6. Domaine Hudson — Wilmington. Wine bar meets bistro with over 500 labels.

7. Two Stones Pub — Newark/Wilmington. Elevated pub fare with impressive craft beer.

8. Bluecoast Seafood Grill — Rehoboth Beach. Fresh seafood with stunning sunset views.

9. Eclipse Bistro — Wilmington. New American in a converted trolley car barn.

10. Harvest at Dewey Beach — Seasonal dishes with gorgeous bayside views.

Tucked into a beautifully restored building in downtown Wilmington, Alunia Wellness has quickly become Delaware’s go-to destination for holistic health. We sat down with founder Elena Vasquez to learn what makes Alunia different.

After 15 years in corporate healthcare, Elena realized traditional medicine often overlooks the mind-body connection. She opened Alunia in 2024, combining evidence-based wellness with a warm, accessible atmosphere offering therapeutic massage, acupuncture, guided meditation, nutritional counseling, and yoga under one roof.

What sets Alunia apart: every new client begins with a free 30-minute wellness consultation to understand their goals, health history, and lifestyle. The team creates a personalized care plan.

The community connection: Alunia hosts free weekly meditation sessions, partners with local businesses for corporate wellness programs, and offers sliding-scale pricing for clients facing financial hardship. ‘Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury,’ Elena says. ‘It should be accessible to everyone.’

Visit Alunia Wellness in Wilmington or book online at aluniawellness.com.

From Kent County farmlands to the streets of Wilmington, Delaware’s farmers markets offer incredible produce and artisan goods. Here’s your 2026 season guide.

Wilmington Riverfront — Wednesdays 3-7 PM, June through October. 30+ vendors focused on organic and sustainable produce.

Newark — Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM on The Green. Live music, cooking demos, and the state’s best heirloom tomatoes.

Dover — Fridays 2-6 PM at Legislative Mall. Amish and Mennonite vendors with incredible pies, jams, and handmade quilts.

Rehoboth Beach — Tuesdays 12-4 PM at Grove Park. Local seafood, cut flowers, and artisan cheeses.

Middletown — Saturdays 9 AM-12 PM at the town square. Excellent honey, grass-fed beef, and popular breakfast burritos.

Pro tips: bring your own bags, arrive early for berries and stone fruit, and check if the market accepts SNAP/EBT — many participate in the Double Dollars program matching benefits up to $20.

Delaware may be small, but it’s packed with stunning gardens and green spaces that most residents don’t even know about. Beyond the well-known Longwood Gardens (just across the PA border), here are five hidden gems worth a visit.

Mount Cuba Center — Hockessin
This 50-acre botanical garden focuses exclusively on native plants of the Piedmont region. The wildflower meadows are breathtaking in spring, and the woodland paths feel like stepping into a fairytale. Open select days — check their schedule.

Winterthur Museum & Garden — Winterthur
While Winterthur’s mansion gets the headlines, the 1,000-acre naturalistic garden is the real star. The Enchanted Woods children’s garden, the Azalea Woods, and the Sundial Garden are all world-class. Plan for a full day.

Bellevue State Park — Wilmington
A former DuPont estate with beautifully maintained gardens, an equestrian center, and miles of walking trails. The formal garden near the mansion is Instagram-worthy, and admission is just $4 per car for Delaware residents.

Read House & Gardens — New Castle
Step back in time in this colonial-era garden in historic New Castle. The boxwood hedges and heirloom plantings are meticulously maintained by local volunteers. Free to visit — a quiet escape from modern life.

Goodstay Gardens — Wilmington
Tucked behind the University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus, this small formal garden is a peaceful lunch spot or afternoon retreat. Most Wilmingtonians have never heard of it — which is part of its charm.

Each of these spaces offers something different — from native wildflowers to formal hedgerows. Pack a picnic, bring a camera, and explore Delaware’s green side.

If you haven’t walked through downtown Wilmington lately, you’re missing a transformation. From new restaurants popping up on Market Street to a wave of creative businesses filling long-vacant storefronts, the city center is buzzing with energy. Here are five reasons why downtown is experiencing a true renaissance.

1. The Restaurant Scene Is Exploding
A new generation of chefs and restaurateurs is putting Wilmington on the culinary map. From upscale farm-to-table concepts to casual ramen shops and authentic taco stands, the dining options have never been more diverse. Many are locally owned and committed to sourcing Delaware-grown ingredients.

2. Creative Businesses Are Moving In
Art studios, co-working spaces, boutique fitness studios, and specialty retail shops are claiming spaces that sat empty for years. The Creative District designation has attracted grants and tax incentives that make downtown an affordable launchpad for entrepreneurs.

3. Major Infrastructure Investments
The Wilmington Riverwalk expansion, improved streetscaping on King Street, and new protected bike lanes are making downtown more walkable and livable than ever. The planned multi-modal transit hub will further connect the city to the region.

4. Housing Development Is Booming
Several mixed-use residential projects are bringing hundreds of new apartments and condos to the downtown core. Young professionals and empty nesters alike are choosing urban living, drawn by the walkability and culture.

5. Community Events Are Thriving
From First Friday Art Loops to outdoor movie nights and seasonal markets, there’s always something happening. These events create a sense of community and give people a reason to come downtown — and come back.

The momentum is real. Whether you’re a resident, a business owner, or just visiting, downtown Wilmington deserves a fresh look.

Summer in Greater Wilmington is packed with festivals celebrating food, music, culture, and community. Here is your guide to the must-attend festivals this season.Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (August 2-8)The 39th annual festival honoring Wilmington’s legendary trumpeter brings free world-class jazz to downtown for an entire week. This is the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast.Holy Trinity Greek FestivalSavor authentic Greek cuisine, watch traditional folk dancing, and browse imported goods at this beloved community celebration of Hellenic culture.St. Anthony’s Italian FestivalOne of the longest-running Italian festivals in the country, featuring homemade pasta, live entertainment, carnival rides, and that unmistakable aroma of sausage and peppers.Best of Delaware PartyDelaware Today’s annual celebration of the state’s finest restaurants, businesses, and people. The party of the summer.Whether you are a lifelong Delawarean or just visiting, these festivals showcase why Greater Wilmington is one of the best places to spend your summer!