New Castle, DE Road Trips

Soft breezes blow from the river over the cobblestone streets and through the quiet town. Walk along the brick walkways and cobblestone streets and instantly walk into the past. New Castle's history began in the 1650s with a dispute between the Swedish and the Dutch over the land. New Castle was the bustling port for Dutch, Swedish, English, and Finnish settlers and traders in the 17th century. William Penn landed in New Castle in 1682. New Castle was incorporated in 1875. New Castle is the home of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Reed, George Ross, and Thomas McKean.

1 New Castle Historical Society, ☏ +1 302 322-2794. Dutch House and Amstel House archival collections span over 300 years of local and national history. Decorative arts, furniture, ceramics, textiles, watercolors, photographs, silver collection, books, manuscripts, documents, and newspapers of early colonial life are preserved in these houses. The archival collection contains over 1,000 photographs of the town and waterfront in the 19th and 20th centuries. Dutch House, 32 East Third St., ☏ +1 302 322-2794. A charming middle class home of the early colonial period. Oldest house in New Castle (1690-1700) with colonial Dutch furnishings including a massive kas (a cupboard) and Queen Anne yoke back, duck foot side chairs in old paint stamped "Coutant" and the Delft ceramics that reflect the town's early Dutch period. 2 Amstel House, 2 East Fourth St., ☏ +1 302 322-2794. An early Georgian residence reflecting refinement and style of the early 1700s. The unique five bay, gable-end facade was built by Dr. John Finney in the 1730s. The Amstel House Garden has a Renaissance-era pilaster, originally from London Bridge, topped with a 1789 English sundial. The public and private Gardens and Battery Park are havens from a slower relaxing life of our ancestors. Old Library Museum, 40 East Third St., ☏ +1 302 322-2794. Sunlight radiates from the soaring skylight of this 1892 hexagonal brick structure and draws the eye to the extensive, breathtaking original interior woodwork.

Be sure to visit the museums of the New Castle Historical Society. The Society operates the Amstel House Museum (c. 1738), the Dutch House Museum (c. 1690-1700), and the Old Library Museum. For information on these museums visit www.newcastlehistory.org. The New Castle Courthouse (c. 1732) is a Delaware State Museum and provides a good introduction to the town. It is now part of the First State National Historical Park.[1]

Restaurants range from inexpensive sandwich shops to colonial taverns and fine dining. Port-Fino Pizza and Restaurant.

Jessop's Tavern, Delaware Street. A favorite watering hole, just a block from the Delaware River. Pub standards like Guinness and Newcastle Brown Ale are available on tap, and be sure to try Jessop's Wheat – brewed locally by the award-winning Stewart's Brewpub.

The Terry House Bed & Breakfast, 130 Delaware Street (15 minutes south of Wilmington), ☏ +1 302-322-2505. Spacious rooms with private baths, queen size beds and modern amenities. The rooms offer a view of Battery Park or Market Square and the Court House and the Delaware River during the winter months. Wireless internet access.

Directions from Interstate 95: Once in Delaware... From I-95 North / South, follow signs for I-295 toward “NY-NJ-Delaware Memorial Bridge.” Take the last exit before the bridge, Route 9 South (New Castle). Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane. Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street. Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light. Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets. Directions from NJ Turnpike / I-295 South: After crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, stay to the right through the toll plaza. Take the second exit after the toll plaza for Route 9 South (New Castle). Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane. Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street. Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light. Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets. Directions from Route 13 North / South: Take Route 273 East at large intersection (Hare’s Corner). Follow Route 273 East toward New Castle approximately 2 miles. Go straight through the intersection at Route 141 to continue on Route 273 East / Route 9 North. Follow Route 273 East / Route 9 North for about 1/2 mile. After crossing railroad tracks, bear right into Historic New Castle. You are now on Delaware Street. Follow Delaware Street about 5 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.

Tree-lined cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, and even a drinking fountain for your dog! All these things help make Historic New Castle an extremely walkable small town. Its museums, shops, restaurants, and parks are all within a few minutes walk of each other. So park the car and enjoy a trip back in time in this beautiful river town!