With kids! 
I’ve been missing out, and I bet you have, too.
I’ve been missing out on accessible Wilmington — 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.
Why Visit Accessible Wilmington, Delaware?
What if I told you that you can explore miles of gardens, multiple estates (including the sixth 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 – in Wilmington? Does that even sound like Delaware to you?
Here’s why Wilmington should be your next wheelchair accessible getaway!
Rolling The Riverfront
The Wilmington Riverfront could be a weekend destination on its own. Riverfront Wilmington has a 1.3 mile long riverwalk where you can enjoy views of the city and the peace of nature.
Accessible Delaware Children’s Museum
Up for more than a stroll and pretty view? Spend the day at Delaware Children’s Museum with hands-on exploring and interactive workshops. Admission is $15 per person, which is low compared to many children’s museums. Parking is free in the Riverfront’s Lot K – you’ll see big signs directing you from any corner near the museum. There is no closer accessible parking, unless you’re able to snag a rare street parking space.
Riverfront Mini Golf
Hit some balls at Riverwalk Mini Golf, then grab an ice cream for the rest of your stroll.
Delaware Cruises
Delaware Cruises runs tours by water, but you have to be able to navigate the stairs onto the boat.
Accessible Dining with a View
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).
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.
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
*Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is a vast estate covering 1,000 acres, 60 of which are gardens. Hop on an accessible tram to see it all. Hop off at the Enchanted Woods to find 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 are mostly accessible. There is a throne up two stairs, and a bridge is a little steep to navigate independently.
Longwood Gardens
*Longwood Gardens is just outside of Wilmington but still in the valley, and it 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 have a massive indoor conservatory that’s constantly updated). We especially love this one in spring for its 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 we love any time of year for the indoor children’s garden with accessible water play! Bring an extra set of clothes. Make sure to utilize your disability ACCESS pass discount through Museums4All and Art-Reach.
Accessible parking can be found near the entrance. Accessible restrooms are available in the main entrance and throughout the gardens.
Mt. Cuba Center
*Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden set on an estate. Mt. Cuba is not as universally accessible, but it does have a map of level paths that can take you through the bulk of the gardens. I loved seeing all that they’ve re-built to make the historic grounds easier to navigate with mobility needs. It’s a beautiful find.
Accessible parking is available directly in front of the mansion. Accessible restrooms can be found inside.
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 connected to the DuPont family! Apparently things like gunpowder, railroads, and plastic were a big deal in our economic history.
Start with *Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (above) and explore the museum of the nation’s sixth largest house. You can’t miss *Nemours Estate. 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 and *Marshall Steam Museum, 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 out these exciting attractions!
Wilmington and Western Railroad
**Wilmington and Western is closed for the season for repairs. They plan to re-open in fall of 2025**
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 available to exit for the break. The views are still lovely from the train.
Frawley Stadium
Have you gone to a ball game with your kids? We hadn’t (in our defense, we’ve tried, but we’ve always been rained out), and we were missing out! It was neat to see the adrenaline of the crowd picked up by my kids as they cheered and shouted over each play. Frawley Stadium is easily accessible with an elevator entrance to accessible seating. We were even able to enjoy Grotto Pizza and Chickie’s and Pete’s right in the stadium.
Brandywine Zoo
*Brandywine Zoo is a 115-year-old zoo with species from all over the globe. The zoo is a KultureCity partner, accommodating guests with sensory needs. All exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park gave us a rare opportunity to get lost in the woods. Typically, we get a paved loop trail when we go hiking. In White Clay Creek, we can take on any trail we want, thanks to a track chair. We actually did end up a little lost… and it was incredible.
You can reserve the chair ahead of time by calling the office at 302-368-6900.
All Abilities Playground
Can-do-Playground 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 your kids can play together for hours. The playground is inside of Alapocas State Park. Parking is $8 a day for out-of-state plates, but Delaware State Parks are also included in your America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
The Food
I mentioned that Riverfront Wilmington 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
Big Fish Grill has fresh seafood and a great children’s menu, and you can color on the tablecloth while you wait for your food. Since our first visit, we’ve gone out of our way on road trips to get back here. It’s a family favorite and serves some of the best seafood we’ve ever had.
Del Pez
Del Pez is just a block off of the riverwalk, and worth the detour. 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!).
Pizza by Elizabeths
Away from the river and closer to the gardens, Pizza by Elizabeths is a local favorite and personal favorite. I call it a “schwanky pizza place” – lots of class and unique twists on flavors for both pizzas and hand crafted cocktails. We also really enjoyed our meal at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library’s Visitor Center Café. It’s not what you’d expect from a museum café! I enjoyed a locally sourced chorizo frittata with sausage and fresh grilled veggies. Delicious!
Accessible Wilmington Accommodations
Thanks to return visits, we have two great options for you!
Homewood Suites
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!
Hyatt Place
Our accessible room at Hyatt Place was everything we needed it to be, with a roll under sink, spacious bathroom with roll-in shower, open room design with a low bed and space for a hoyer lift underneath, and easy button curtain and room controls at a lowered height.
What really brought our stay to the next level was the staff. We came in after a rough night in the emergency room, and the woman at the desk went above and beyond to connect, comfort, and encourage.
Breakfast with a river view was another win!
Delaware for All
So – are you ready for a wheelchair accessible getaway? If you’re looking to extend your accessible Delaware trip, check out all that wheelchair accessible options Rehoboth Beach has to offer!
*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.