13 Best Winter Activities to Do in Delaware!

Winter settles into the streets and hills of Delaware like a whisper, its presence softly stirred into the atmosphere. It seems that just as those final vibrant leaves fall across the pavement, the snowflakes follow silently, decorating bare branches with something magically seasonal. No matter what you love about winter, be it the festive flicker of lights or the thrill of a slope covered in freshly fallen snow, you'll find it right here in the First State. Here's a look at Delaware's 13 best winter activities.

Join the Wilmington Ski Club

If the "activity" part of this piece appeals to you and you're planning an extended stay in the state, you might wish to consider joining the Wilmington Ski Club-the only club in the entire state that's dedicated to winter sports, namely skiing, but they also enjoy skating and hiking. Delaware houses a variety of exclusive clubs that are an excellent choice for spirited socialites. Don't let the winter weather keep you inside staring at four walls when you can enjoy an exhilarating ski session, or hike, or show for that matter, with fellow club members. Meetings occur on Wednesdays and trips take place on a variety of dates throughout the winter season.

Rehoboth Beach Christmas Tree Lighting, Rehoboth Beach, DE

From the sun-kissed sands of the beach to the twinkling lights of the tree, you're invited to enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Join them at the Annual Rehoboth Beach Bandstand Christmas Tree Lighting for a night of festive cheer - bring your family and create lasting memories this season.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad, Wilmington, DE

The Wilmington & Western Railroad has provided more than 50 years of excellence to transportation enthusiasts in the Delaware region. One of the many highlights of their train is that it's all about the journey rather than the destination. When winter whips into Wilmington, the vintage locomotive pulls into the station adorned in holiday lights. Passengers can opt for a ride with the holly jolly Santa Claus or a solo excursion through the city and surrounding towns where many twinkling lights await. This train departs every hour on the hour from 5 p.m. until after 8 p.m.

Stock up on seasonal favorites at the Christiana Mall

Be sure to catch the extended hours and sales of Christiana Mall's winter shopping season, a delight that keeps shoppers returning year after year. Newark's Christiana is revered as the best shopping experience in Delaware, with just under 200 stores, including major designer brands like Armani, Nordstrom, Michael Kors, and Coach. This mall is accessible via several public transit options, and it's large enough to get lost in for the day or weekend if you're an avid bargain hunter. All stores are tax-free for the public, so you're bound to save whether you're shopping for gifts, decor, or basic household items.

Take a colonial carriage ride and tour the historic homes of Odessa

The 18th and 19th centuries create a picturesque scene in historic New Castle and the beauty afforded by the historic homes of Odessa is truly enhanced once the winter sky sets in. Feel free to peruse this destination at any given time this winter. Don't miss out on their annual Colonial Christmas, which features carriage rides through the glistening tour. This is an optimal place to find romance or simply rekindle your love of history.

Rockwood Museum and Garden, Wilmington, DE

Dig deep into the days and times of the Gothic Revival in an ornamental winter setting, which could rival anything you've ever seen in a snow globe. The Rockwood Museum and Garden features era-oriented candlelight tours of their massive establishment free from Wednesday through Sunday for all of December. Seventy-two acres of snow-covered pathways surround the exterior of this distinctive attraction.

Take a hot air balloon ride

If you're up for an offbeat wintertime activity, this entry is for you. Many people are unaware of the fact that in winter, it's 20 to 30 degrees hotter in a hot air balloon than it is outside. This default temperature makes for a breezy, comfortable ride-think a touch of fall in winter. From 10,000 feet in the air, Delaware is on display in all its winter beauty and if you've never seen a snowdrift or a cluster of frost covered trees from such a position, it truly is a winter activity like no other. Delaware is an excellent location for hot air ballooning. Not only does this state host the jaw-dropping annual hot air balloon festival, but it's also home to several flight companies making hot air aviation a possibility from multiple locations throughout the region.

Slide down Bear Mountain

Visit a place where the elevation doesn't matter! Delaware's Bear Mountain is a massive sledding hill home to a 2.7-mile paved walkway featuring a variety of fun attractions. Whether you're a thrill seeker or a relaxer, there is something here for everyone. Explore the excitement of this exceptional locale!

Millville Boardwalk Festival of Trees

The Millville Boardwalk is ready to spread cheer and raise spirits this winter with its festive Festival of Trees event! With their usual summer delights like mini-golf and ice cream, the boardwalk is now a winter wonderland filled with yuletide activities and charitable giving opportunities. Encounter the joy and wonderment of the Millville Boardwalk this winter!

Watch the Super Bowl from Cafe Riviera

The Concord Mall's got a best kept secret that only the locals are keen on. It's called Cafe Riviera and it's a tiny slice of Italy in Wilmington, Delaware. This hidden-in-plain-sight eatery serves delectable food daily but come Super Bowl Sunday, they go all out. Their Super Bowl buffet is a piping work of art at an overwhelming affordable price and the interior of the restaurant is much larger than you might expect from a mini mall cafe. The game is displayed on several screens on the first floor as well as the balcony.

Holiday Nights at Hagley, Wilmington, DE

This holiday season, Eleutherian Mills welcomes you to discover the festive traditions of the du Pont family. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the small details like pocket watches and poetry books, as they are sure to bring a unique kind of holiday joy. Take the time to learn and appreciate the much-loved little things that bring you true holiday spirit.

Enjoy dinner and a show at the Candlelight Theater

Whether you're seeking a holiday spectacle, hard-hitting drama or witty comedy, you'll find your take on the stage at the Candlelight Theater. This discreetly located performance art center has been serving up hot food and sizzling musicals since 1900. Its quaint structure affords an intimate and enjoyable atmosphere that takes the chill of the outside and replaces it with a warm welcome.

Cozy up with hot cocoa in a local bookstore

After a long day of tax-free shopping, sledding or skiing it's always fun to shake off that winter chill with a hot cup of cocoa and a nice book. Delaware is home to a few of the scattered Barnes and Noble bookstores remaining in the nation and they're conveniently situated within the state's most popular shopping sites. Be sure to take a breather at either the Barnes & Noble next to the Concord Mall or the one that's positioned inside of the Christiana Mall. Both stores feature a colossal selection of literary classics along with coffee, cocoa, concessions and a nice sized lounging area for leafing through the pages.

This text was created by the author with the assistance of GPT-3, a large-scale language generation model developed by OpenAI. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the draft language to their satisfaction and is fully responsible for the content of this publication.

Share your favorites!
Delaware Search
Best Things To Do Near You
Best Things To Do Near You
Best Places To Go Near You
Best Places To Go Near You
585 Big Oak Road, Smyrna, DE
DASEF Core Values:    * Integrity and Compassion    * Responsible decision-making    * Environmental S... Read More
11 South Main Street, Smyrna, DE
About Us:The Smyrna Museum Complex is owned and operated by the Duck Creek Historical Society. This Georgian brick structure was erected by George ... Read More
2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the largest remaining expanses of tidal salt marsh in the mid-Atlantic region. The refuge, loc... Read More
Municipal Park North Main Street, Smyrna, DE
About Us: Smyrna's Skateboard Park is located at Municipal Park on North Main Street. Hours of operation are daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.. Re... Read More
1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE
The Delaware State Police Museum was built for and dedicated to the preservation of the proud history of the Delaware State Police. This history in... Read More
1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE
Built from the ground up by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), Dover International Speedway continues to be one of the most unique venues on the ... Read More
866 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE
For the child who believes milk comes from the grocery store instead of a cow, for the woman who remembers using a cornsheller on her grandmother's... Read More
502 Blackbird Forest Road, Clayton, DE
Blackbird State Forest, located on the border of New Castle and Kent Counties, is Delaware's northernmost state forest. It is only a 30-minute comm... Read More
406 Federal Street, Dover, DE
Mission and VisionThe Biggs Museum of American Art is dedicated to developing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of fine and decorative art... Read More
406 Federal Street, Dover, DE
Mission and Vision: The Biggs Museum of American Art, a private non-profit museum in Dover, Delaware, preserves, cultivates and exhibits the artwo... Read More
25 The Green, Dover, DE
About Us:The First Floor of the Old State House features an 18th century-style courtroom while the second floor features the former chambers of the... Read More
375 South New Street, Dover, DE
About Us The Johnson Victrola Museum is a tribute to Delaware's native son, Eldridge Reeves Johnson, who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company... Read More
109 Main Street, Odessa, DE
Welcome to the historic village of Odessa, Delaware. Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial... Read More
Edgar Road and Helen Road, Townsend, DE
478 East Main Street, Middletown, DE
The hardest part is picking out what you want to do. We offer paint your own pottery, canvas painting, fused glass, tie-dyes,&n... Read More
Show More
Select a Delaware town to find
the Best Things-To-Do and Places To Go around you