7 Best Things To Do In Dover, Delaware

Visiting any state capital can be a fun bucket list item, but there’s something particularly special about Dover, Delaware. On December 7, 1787, Delaware ratified the Constitution of the United States, making it the first state to join the “more perfect Union” outlined in the document. As an early adopter of the country’s vision for the future, Dover is rich with history while braiding in modern flair. 

In addition to unique museums, historic sites, and legislative buildings ripe for exploring, Dover’s proximity to nature, eclectic local art scene, and contemporary entertainment can easily craft an exciting long weekend trip or family excursion. The state capital is about a 15-minute drive from the tidal marshes of the 4,700-acre Little Creek Wildlife Area, perfect for birders and wildlife photographers, or about an hour to the popular vacation spot, Rehoboth Beach, making it a great basecamp for outdoor relaxation. Additionally, music fans may want to time their Dover trip around the Firefly Music Festival, which typically occurs in June or July.

If you’re looking to soak up the capital of “The First State,” here’s an itinerary to get you started. Here are the best sites, places to stay, eateries, and boutiques to shop in Dover.

Tour Sites At First State Heritage Park

First Heritage State Park is known as Dover’s “urban park without boundaries,” and encompasses a variety of historic sites throughout downtown. These spots primarily center around the Dover Green, a half-acre grassy square with towering trees that was established in 1717 as a gathering space for the town. Some points of interest in this park include:

• Welcome Center & Galleries: The perfect first stop. You’ll find free parking, information about the park and its programs, and rotating exhibits on Delaware’s history and founding documents.
• John Bell House: A mid-1700s home that offers a look into early life in Dover.
• Old State House: Delaware’s first capitol building, established in 1791 and home to the General Assembly until 1933.
• Biggs Museum of American Art: An impressive collection of fine art from Delaware and other American states from the 18th through 21st centuries.
• Legislative Hall: An intricate government building constructed in Georgian-style architecture that has been home to the state’s General Assembly since 1933.
• Woodburn and Hall House: The home (constructed around 1798) and Victorian-era guest house of Delaware’s governors since 1965.
• Johnson Victrola Museum: A collection of exhibits celebrating Delaware native, Eldridge Reeves Johnson, the 1901 founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company. You’ll find phonographs, recordings, memorabilia, trademarks, objects, and paintings related to Johnson’s role in developing the sound-recording industry.

Admission to the park’s sites is free, with the exception of the Biggs Museum of American Art, though it offers free admission on the first weekend of every month. Some of the best ways to explore the park are to take a walking tour or lantern tour with local guides who wear 18th-century attire to share stories of the Revolutionary War, Underground Railroad, and more. 

The first Saturdays of the month also offer special programs and events. Each November, the park’s 18th Century Market Fair brings woodworkers, weavers, horners, blacksmiths, brewers, charlatans, shepherds, soldiers, seamstresses, soapmakers, and more for demonstrations.

Explore The Air Mobility Command Museum

A stop at the Air Mobility Command Museum is perfect for any aerophile in your travel party. This free admission museum is housed in the former Hangar 1301 building complex, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was a part of the 4146 Base Unit during World War II that assisted in secret rocket developments at Dover Army Airfield.

Today, it showcases more than 30 aircrafts for viewing, including an open cockpit bi-plane, a modern four-engine jet transport, a restored B-17, a combat veteran C-47, and an Air Force Two, the official plane of many U.S. vice presidents. Visitors can also enjoy an air traffic control tower with great views, free flight simulators, and a museum shop.

Visit John Dickinson's Home

Another free admission history stop in Dover is the John Dickinson Plantation. Dickinson was one of the founding fathers and signers of the U.S. constitution, sometimes referred to as the “Penman of the Revolution.” While he wrote about freedom and liberty, he also kept people in slavery. The site shares both his story, as well as those of the tenant farmers, indentured servants, and free and enslaved Black laborers who lived and died there.

Experience The Dover Motor Speedway

NASCAR fans will relish a visit to the Dover Motor Speedway, sometimes called the “Monster Mile.” Opened on July 6, 1969, the racetrack is the largest concrete-only NASCAR racing venue and is home to the beloved 46-foot tall mascot, Miles the Monster. It’s the fastest one-mile oval in the world and typically hosts three days of NASCAR racing annually at the end of April. 

In addition to other racing events, the venue holds festivals and musical performances throughout the year that are worth planning your travel around.

Savor Iconic Delaware Cuisine

There are many regional dishes to savor during a trip to Dover. You’ll want to try some famous blue crab caught off the Delaware coast, a serving of slippery dumplings, and The Bobbie, a Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich from Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop.

You’ll also find several local restaurants in Dover worth checking out. Start your morning with a grab-and-go caffeine kick and bagel at The House of Coffi or linger a little longer with a served-all-day, home-style breakfast at The Countrie Eatery. 

For lunch, stop at the Bavarian Bakery & Deli, a first-generation, family-owned German restaurant with exquisite pastries, fresh-baked breads, custom cakes, and a range of signature sandwiches, wraps, and salads. 

Plan for dinner at the Grey Fox Grille & Public House for elevated steak and seafood dishes and unique options like the Old Bay shrimp quesadilla or the calorie-dense cottage pie—hearty servings of seasoned beef, corn, mashed potatoes, cheese, and sage sausage gravy. Another casual dinner option is Rail Haus, a Dover-favorite beer garden with a variety of sausages, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub favorites. 

Shop Local And Tax-Free

Located in a state without sales tax, Dover is a shopper’s paradise. Stop by Parke Green Galleries for local art and gifts, including a First Friday event with music, readings, and crafts. My Roots is a unique clothing boutique and full-service hair salon for travelers looking for a glow-up. Forney’s Too is another eclectic gift shop worth the stop if looking for unusual collectibles to take home from your trip.

Spend A Night At Bally’s Dover Casino Resort

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort offers an exciting place to rest your head while visiting Dover. The facility has 500 rooms, including 60 suites, with easy access to amenities such as a fitness center, an indoor pool, an onsite spa, boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. You’ll also be close to the resort’s casino, harness racing, and live entertainment for a fun-filled stay.