"The First State": Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
The capital of Delaware is Dover and the largest city in Delaware is Wilmington. Delaware is located in the mid-Atlantic region between Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay and is the smallest state in the US after Rhode Island. Visitors arrive in this state via the Wilmington International Airport.
Delaware is located on a level plain, with the lowest mean altitude of any state in the nation. However, since the state is a part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the climate is moderate. Summers are hot and humid while winters vary with the geography of the state; milder near the ocean and colder in the interior portions of the state.
The tidal march brings in thousands of migrating birds such as snow geese and black-necked stilts that are looking for resting places with good, easy food. Visit the city of New Castle to learn about Delaware's past. Tax-free shopping is another attraction in this state.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (2591 Whitehall Neck Road-DE 19977) is a must-see for families and singles alike. This refuge is over fifteen thousand acres and encompasses the tidal salt marsh and biomes including timber swamps and greenery filled uplands. Bombay Hook is a haven for bird watchers in early spring and early fall as they gather in thousands on their way to other lands.
For airplane enthusiasts, there is the Air Mobility Command Museum (1301 Heritage Rd-DE 19904) where historic aircraft on display include HH-43 helicopters, a C-54M used during the Berlin Airlift , B-17 Flying Fortress, an F-106 flight simulator and a Boeing C-17 cockpit display among others. There is a Hall of Heroes exhibit of airplane "nose" art. This center celebrates the state's long association with the armed forces at Dover Air Force Base.
Dover Downs (1131 N DuPont Hwy -DE 19901) is the area's largest attraction where adults can gamble in the 2500 slot machines on which we may use nickels, quarter or half-dollar coins. This is an exciting playground for adults who can play at Liberty Ball, Wild Taxi or Diamonds and Devils. Next to this casino is the 140,000 seat speedway, the Dover International Speedway where NASCAR events are staged from October through the month of April.
Art enthusiasts will love the Schwartz Center for the Arts (226 S State St-DE 19901) was constructed in 1904 and was very popular at that time as the center of Dover's arts and entertainment industry. Although this building was converted into a movie theater, it was later closed in 1982. The Center was resurrected by concerned citizens in 2001 and now is a refurbished but elegant center which hosts a wide variety of shows and performances and is the home to the Dover Symphony Orchestra.
Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village (866 N Dupont Hwy- DE 19901) is located north or Denver and celebrates the history and heritage of the city. Loockerman Landing Village exhibits the life of the natives prior to 1900 from grain harvesting to milking cows and caring for farm animals. Also included in the expo are information on steam powered tractors and the initial use of airplanes in farming to spray pesticides, etc.
