9 Things That Will Always Make Delawareans Think of Home

People from Delaware have a lot of pride. We love our "Small Wonder" and appreciate the small-town feel of the entire state. We've got a great location along the East Coast—right in the middle of the Northeast corridor action.

Despite our best intentions, though, sometimes we have to move away from our great First State. It's easy to miss when we're gone, but it's also easy to find a piece of Delaware wherever we roam. Whether it's been a week or a decade, these nine things will always make Delawareans think of home.

1. Sunrises

There's nothing quite like a beautiful sunrise to make Delawareans think of home. Our state really knows how to start a morning right. We wake up with the brilliant sunrise to the east, and get to enjoy all the vibrant oranges and pinks it gives off in the early morning hours.

2. French Fries With Malt Vinegar

It can be tough to find a place that has good fries and malt vinegar outside of the Delmarva peninsula. (The Original Thrasher's French Fries—on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach—are a local and tourist favorite.) So, when we do find a hidden French fry gem somewhere else in the country, we never let it go.

3. Sand beneath Our Feet

Delawareans grew up going to many beaches along the bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Meaning, any trip to a sandy shore will bring us right back home. There's nothing quite like spending summertime along Rehoboth, Bethany, or Dewey Beach, or spending a staycation on Fenwick Island, to go sailing.

4. The Smell of Chicken

No, we don't mean from the grill. Anyone who's spent time below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal can smell a chicken farm from a mile away. Our state actually has more than 2,000 hen houses, and we're pretty well-known for our Delmarva chickens. So naturally, the smell of feathers and feed is something no Delawarean will ever forget.

5. Elaborate Gardens

Fancy mansions with fountains and gardens like the ones from movies? Yeah, those immediately make Delawareans think of home. The DuPont Mansions and Gardens in Wilmington, Delaware, are a top attraction in our state, with their larger-than-life statues and stunning flowers and plants. We visit the grounds, go for wine tastings at the nearby Brandywine Valley, and even catch outdoor events at the Nemours Estate.

6. Pumpkins

Yes, pumpkins. One look at these beautiful orange gourds and we're transported to a very specific memory: the pumpkin cannon. Because where else can you find an entire fall festival dedicated to homemade trebuchets and cannons launching pumpkins as far as possible?

We may not be home to many cannons anymore—the annual Punkin Chunkin festival got moved to Oklahoma in 2023—but it's a silly, quirky thing most Delawareans remember.

7. Scrapple

We're all pretty familiar with this classic Pennsylvania Dutch dish, so anything similar is bound to spark memories. Scrapple is a traditional dish made from pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, which is then formed into a loaf and pan-fried until crispy. It's usually served alongside eggs and toast at breakfast time, and trust us... It's delicious.

Scrapple's hard to find outside of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware region, so when we're far from home, we might just resort to ordering it wholesale from Hughes Delaware Maid Scrapple in Felton or another boutique diner.

8. Fairs and Carnivals

The Delaware State Fair is the biggest festival in the state (well, Firefly music festival is bigger, but we all know where the real Delawareans go). Because it's such an important week for the state, we all grew up going down to the fairgrounds in late July, riding the Ferris wheel, petting the animals, and eating pies. Any similar fair or carnival is bound to make Delawareans think of home.

9. Crab Cakes

Sure, crab cakes are everywhere, but nobody makes them like Delawareans or Marylanders. Still, it's nice to see a reminder of home on a menu halfway across the country, even though we know they're not going to be nearly as good. This is especially so if they're compared to award-winning state favorite, Woody's Dewey Beach Bar & Grill.

Oh, Delaware—we love you for so many reasons. While we miss living in the First State, we know we can always plan a trip back and be welcomed with open arms.

Whether you're planning a homecoming or first-time trip, get the most out of your travels with Only In Your State's itinerary planner.