Things to do in Dover, Delaware
- Dover was specifically laid out in 1717 by order of William Penn, making it one of the few planned colonial capitals.
- The city is home to the Dover Motor Speedway, which has hosted NASCAR events since 1969.
- The state capital building in Dover is one of the oldest in the United States to have been in continuous use by a state legislature.
- Dover hosts the annual Delaware State Fair, an event that draws visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic region.
About Dover, Delaware
Dover is the capital of Delaware and serves as the primary political and historical hub of the First State. Visitors can explore local heritage through the First State Heritage Park or delve into aviation history at the Air Mobility Command Museum. The city features a blend of colonial-era sites like the John Bell House Interpretive Center and cultural institutions such as the Biggs Museum of American Art. Silver Lake Park provides a central outdoor space for recreational activities.
Highlights of Dover, Delaware
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Features an extensive collection of historic military aircraft parked on a real active-duty base tarmac.
Parks
Offers a tranquil waterfront setting perfect for kayaking and local birdwatching.
Museums
Houses a significant collection of fine and decorative arts specific to the mid-Atlantic region.
Venues
Serves as a primary venue for regional performing arts and community cultural programming.
Historical places
Provides an authentic glimpse into the daily life and domestic architecture of 18th-century Delaware residents.
Parks
Acts as the central network connecting various historical sites, museums, and public green spaces throughout the capital.
Top things to do in Dover, Delaware
The 34 highest-rated places in Dover, Delaware, ranked by travellers.
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Museums
The Air Mobility Command Museum is located on the grounds of Dover Air Force Base and serves as the only museum dedicate...
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Parks
Killens Pond State Park features a 66-acre millpond that serves as the centerpiece for diverse outdoor recreation in cen...
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Parks
Tuckahoe State Park spans 549 acres along Tuckahoe Creek in Queen Anne, Maryland. The park features a 60-acre lake suita...
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Zoos
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a 16,251-acre preserve situated on the Delaware Bay estuary. It is a critical st...
5
Parks
Silver Lake Park is the primary recreational waterfront hub in Dover, Delaware, centered around a 182-acre man-made lake...
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Parks
Browns Branch County Park is a 78-acre public facility in Kent County, Delaware, primarily known for its extensive netwo...
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Museums
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Venues
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Parks
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Museums
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Natural attractions
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Historical places
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Museums
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Historical places
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Parks
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Museums
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Natural attractions
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Parks
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Parks
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Temples
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Places of interest
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Museums
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Historical places
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Parks
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Temples
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Museums
Around Dover, Delaware
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Dover, Delaware on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Dover, Delaware
Spring (April to June) and Fall (September to October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration of the city's park systems.
2 days, which allows sufficient time to visit the museums and historic sites in the downtown area and the nearby aviation museum.
A car is necessary for most travel as the city is spread out, though the downtown historic area is largely walkable.
Stay in downtown Dover to be within walking distance of the historic green and local museums, or along the Route 13 corridor for easy highway access.
Dover is a mid-range destination with affordable lodging and many free or low-cost historical sites.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 34 curated attractions in and around Dover, Delaware, ranked by traveller ratings.
Air Mobility Command Museum is the highest-rated place to visit in Dover, Delaware right now.
The largest category is parks, with 10 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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