The Best Affordable Historical Attractions to Visit in Delaware

Curious travelers and history buffs alike will love Delaware for its welcoming communities that keep history alive. The Blue Hen State is filled with colonial towns and Victorian-era mansions that will transport you back in time – here, you can enjoy centuries of American heritage while being conscious of your budget.

Want to know more? Read on to learn about the affordable historical attractions in Delaware!

How to Find the Best Attractions

Not sure where to start? Here are eight criteria to determine which experiences are the most memorable and rewarding for your travels:

Historical Significance – If you’re doing a history tour, there’s no shortage of sites that have been important to local, state, or even national history.

Educational value – History buffs and families may want to take advantage of guided tours and programs that can be more immersive and exciting than self-guided tours.

Affordability – Some sites have free entry, while others need tickets and reservations. Check each attraction’s admission fees, and to find any discounts that may apply to you.

Accessibility – Check each spot’s parking, public transit, and ADA compliance to ensure you can get around easily.

Preservation – Attractions should be clean and well-preserved.

Visitor experience – If you have kids or are looking for a more tactile experience, look for interactive elements and hands-on activities at stops along your route.

Community engagement – Workshops and festivals help travelers connect with the community.

Hours and year-round opening – Consistent year-round hours mean more opportunities to visit, but you’ll want to check each locale so you don’t show up when it’s closed!

How to Start Planning Your Delaware Adventure

Before traveling, you should consult local, trustworthy sources. Visit Central Delaware is a go-to source for tourism information around the region. Travelers can search through upcoming events, top destinations, and lodging options, including immersive campgrounds and historic inns.

The Most Affordable Historical Attractions in Delaware

Delaware is home to lots of fascinating experiences, whether you’re on a day trip or a weeklong adventure. Plus, you can travel to the Blue Hen State while keeping your bank account intact!

Here are a few favorite starting points:

1. Air Mobility Command Museum

Start your central Delaware journey at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base. This educational institution offers free admission and parking and lets travelers see real aircraft. Your visit includes viewing cargo planes and historic bombers from past wars. You can schedule walk-through tours of the aircraft, depending on availability.

The Air Mobility Command Museum houses over 35 aircraft and tells stories of American aviation history. Visitors can see a C-47A Skytrain or a C-5A Galaxy, each with a unique backstory. The exhibits showcase the role of aircraft in the Korean and Vietnamese wars. You can also experience the Dover Air Force Base Control Tower.

Key features

• Simulators for interactive experience
• War and Medal of Honor exhibits
• More than 35 aircraft of varying sizes
• Regular events and guided tours

2. Bowers Beach Maritime Museum

Bowers Beach Maritime Museum is a short drive from Dover Air Force Base. The location has free entry, making it another affordable historic attraction in Delaware. While located in a small town, the museum is educational and celebrates the maritime traditions of Bowers. Inside the building, you can view ship models, vintage fishing gear, and shipwreck exhibits.

The museum is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, hosting fun events in the spring and summer. Visitors can enjoy the Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash to view pirate shows and attend Big Thursday for an oyster heritage celebration. The facility’s location makes it convenient for travelers enjoying Bowers and the nearby beaches.

Key features

• Free admission
• Bowers and Delaware Bay artifacts
• Events in the spring and summer
• Small-town atmosphere

3. John Dickinson Plantation

The John Dickinson Plantation is another site near Dover worth visiting. Dickinson was a Founding Father who helped draft the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention. Historians have transformed his former home into an opportunity to share stories about former inhabitants. You can visit the location for free and donate to support the site.

Visiting the John Dickinson Plantation offers an educational experience about the enslaved people and indentured servants who worked there. At the location, you can explore the reconstructed log dwelling and mansion where people lived. The plantation’s grounds and visitor center are open Wednesday through Saturday, with mansion tours Thursday through Saturday.

Key features

• Free admission and parking
• Accessible visitor center and first floor
• Mansions and grounds tours
• Accommodated parking for buses

4. Milford Museum

The Milford Museum is located in a small city with a rich history. This gallery showcases Milford’s culture, from shipbuilding to household goods. Founders constructed the town on the Mispillion River, with wooden ships becoming the town’s pride and joy. The U.S. Navy commissioned professionals to build sub chasers in Milford.

Besides shipbuilding, Milford is famous for ice cream spoons. The museum showcases goods from the Mulholland Spoon Company, which influenced how people ate the frozen dessert. Other permanent exhibits include “Thank You for Your Service,” which commemorates those who have served in the military. Free admission makes it another accessible historical attraction in central Delaware.

Key features

• Free entry – donations welcome
• Open Tuesday through Friday
• Special tours for individuals and groups
• Year-round events

5. Delaware State Police Museum

North Dover is home to the Delaware State Police Museum, founded in 1923. For over a century, the gallery has showcased law enforcement technologies and the evolution of policing in Delaware. The location also serves as a memorial for former officers, celebrating their lives and their time on the force.

The museum features both static and interactive displays, including old Delaware State Police vehicles. Outside the gallery, you can observe a decommissioned helicopter used for police and paramedic services. While some Delaware museums are seasonal, this institution is open year-round. You can visit between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Key features

• Free entry
• Open year-round
• Decommissioned police cars and helicopters
• Memorial for fallen troopers

6. First Heritage State Park

While indoor museums are convenient, some galleries provide outdoor opportunities. First Heritage State Park is a cultural center in Dover and the state’s first urban park. The recreational area commemorates Delawareans, from historical figures to ordinary people. Travelers can walk the grounds alone or take walking tours to learn more about the park.

First Heritage State Park has year-round events, especially on weekends. The first Saturday of the month is special for visitors to enjoy thematic programs and the Governor’s House at Woodburn. One of the most popular annual events is the Delaware Heritage Festival, featuring renowned performers and local artisans.

Key features

• Special events on the first Saturday of the month
• Six nearby partner sites
• Thematic walking tours and craft workshops
• Costumed interpreters for historic reenactments

Why Visit Historical Attractions in Delaware?

Delaware made history in December 1787 by becoming America’s first state. For nearly 240 years, it has built a reputation as one of the best states for history buffs. From New Castle to Dover, you can find 18th-century buildings and cobblestone streets. Each visit lets you step back in time and enjoy firsthand experiences.

Delaware is a small state, measuring 35 miles wide and 96 miles in length. So you don’t need to spend weeks exploring these amazing sites – you can visit multiple in one day or on a weekend trip, as some are close together. Besides the museums and landmarks, Delaware also is home to gorgeous scenic outdoor settings. The state’s beaches stretch from Fenwick Island to the northern towns, and they’re all worth a visit.

Finding Affordable Historical Attractions in Delaware

Neighboring Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., may overshadow Delaware in the eyes of travelers. However, the Blue Hen State has numerous educational opportunities within your budget. Take advantage of free entry to most historic sites and learn something new. From Bowers Beach to Dover, central Delaware offers unique stories about the state’s diverse heritage. And year-round programming allows you to experience centuries of history.

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