Discovering Accessible Wilmington, Delaware
I’ve been missing out, and I bet you have, too.
I think of Delaware as Nana and Pop Pop’s beach house, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and a rest stop on the way to somewhere else. I never even thought of what lies in all those miles on the way to the beach.
What if I told you that you can explore miles of gardens, multiple estates (including the fourth largest home in the nation), a thriving waterfront tourism scene, and all the joys of city life – like zoos, children’s museums, and foodie destinations? Does that even sound like Delaware to you??
Here’s why Wilmington should be your next wheelchair accessible getaway!
The Riverfront
This could be a weekend destination on its own. The Wilmington Riverfront has a 1.75 mile long riverwalk where you can enjoy views of the city and the peace of nature.
Up for more than a stroll and a pretty view? Spend the day at Delaware Children’s Museum with hands-on exploring and interactive workshops. Admission is $10, which is low compared to many children’s museums. If you’re just hopping in for some evening play, you can get in for $5 on Friday nights. Parking is free in lot K – you’ll see big signs directing you from any corner near the museum. There is no closer handicap parking, unless you’re able to snag a rare street parking space.
Hit some balls at Riverfront Mini Golf, then grab an ice cream for the rest of your stroll.
Enjoy dinner with a view at any of the riverfront restaurants. Each one will vie for your attention with their tantalizing smells (but if you want some direction, I’ll include suggestions below).
Delaware Cruises also runs tours by water, but you have to be able to navigate the stairs onto the boat.
The Gardens
The Wilmington area boasts several estates and gardens – each more impressive than the last.
These are the gardens we enjoyed the most, and we can vouch for their accessibility.
Longwood Gardens in winter Mt. Cuba Center Fun at Winterthur
*Winterthur is a vast estate property covering 1,000 acres, 60 of which are gardens. Hop on an accessible tram to see it all. Hop off at the Enchanted Woods for our new garden favorite. This is where playground meets garden, and garden meets magic, and everyone has a good time. This was a great place to unwind in nature and just play! The play area and all of its structures were mostly accessible. There was one throne up two stairs, and the bridge was a little steep to navigate independently.
Longwood is just outside of Wilmington, but still in the valley, and has been a long-time family favorite. All of the main trails are easy to navigate with a wheelchair, the exhibits are always changing seasonally (that sounds obvious, but they also have a massive indoor conservatory that’s constantly updated). We love especially love this one in spring for the tulips… and summer for the fountain shows… and fall for the wooded walks through foliage… and winter for the train displays and holiday gardens. Oh, and any time of year for the indoor children’s garden with accessible water play! Bring an extra set of clothes. Admission is $2 with your disability ACCESS pass.
*Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden, also set on an estate from one in the family. Mt. Cuba is not as universally accessible, but they do have a map of level paths that can take you through the bulk of the gardens. It’s another beautiful find!
The History
There’s actually some overlap here, because all of the historic homes also have beautiful gardens. As the nation’s “first state,” the history here lays an incredible foundation for understanding the progress of the country.
Ironically, much of Delaware’s history can be seen through estate tours… all owned by the same family! Apparently things like gunpowder, railroads, and plastic were a big deal in our economic history.
Start with *Winterthur (above) and explore the museum of the nation’s fourth largest house.
You can’t miss *Nemours. The exhibit of extreme wealth is mind blowing (think 77 room mansion), but it’s also beautiful to see DuPont’s philanthropic heart and his connection to the children’s hospital. Pick up some scavenger hunts on your way in and have fun exploring beautiful fountains, gardens, the most impressive home you’ve ever seen, and a garage that puts your house to shame (including a sensational collection of vehicles). The staff was exceptionally welcoming to my young crew and they’ve worked really hard to make the experience welcoming to people of all abilities. Visits are free for the entire family on the day of any hospital visit at Nemours.
*Hagley Museum, *Marshall Steam Museum, and Brandywine Battlefield Park ($2 admission with your disability access card) are other great history stops. We didn’t make it to these on this trip (next time!), so I can’t give an account for wheelchair accessibility!
The Family Fun
Wait, wasn’t all of that fun??
Yes! But you can still have more.
In addition to the awesome children’s museum, you can check these out!
Wilmington and Western Railroad is a brilliant find for family fun, history, and accessibility! The historic train has a moveable lift for easy access. You can transfer or ride in your chair. The guide gives a neat history as you travel. They do make a scenic stop for 20 minutes, and there is no lift to exit for the break. The views are still lovely from the train.
*The Brandywine Zoo – a 115 year old zoo with species from all over the globe
Can-do-Playground. This is not just any playground. It’s the second most accessible playground we’ve seen. On the planet. The paths, structures, swings, and gardens are all accessible. It’s also massive, so all of your kids can play together for hours. The playground is inside of Alapocas State Park. Parking is $8 for out of state plates, but Delaware State Parks are also included in your America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
The Food
I mentioned the riverfront is a great dining location. I’ll call that the restaurant row of Wilmington. It’s a great place to find something for everyone.
Big Fish Grill has fresh seafood and a great children’s menu, and you can color on the table cloth while you wait for your food.
Iron Hill Brewery is a delicious option in any of its locations.
Del Pez was just a block off of the riverwalk, but worth it. Everything was delicious and portion sizes were massive. My three kids could have shared one kid’s meal (I didn’t know that, and bought three. Now you know. You’re welcome.).
Away from the river and closer to the gardens, Pizza by Elizabeths is a local favorite (check out the website: it’s not what you think). We were tight on time in this area, and ended up having a meal at the cafe right in Winterthur. It’s not what you’d expect for a museum cafe! I enjoyed a locally sourced chorizo fritada with sausage and fresh grilled veggies. Delicious.
The Overnight
This was a winning destination in that they had all of our favorite chains right on the riverfront. The location and views are unbeatable. We stayed in the Homewood Suites. I’ve never done this before, but I’m going to go ahead and tell you to book room 201, if you need an accessible room. It is the most home-like hotel room we’ve ever stayed in, the accessibility and space exceed expectations, and the view is perfect. As always, breakfast is included, rooms are clean, and service is exceptional.
So?? Are you ready for a getaway? Let me know if you have any questions, or if I missed anything brilliant!
*The locations marked with an asterisk are part of Delaware’s Art Reach program. If you’re a Delaware resident, your ACCESS card gets you in for $2. If you’re an out of stater living with a disability, you can still apply for the pass. It’s $75 and covers you for the year.