14 Amazing Field Trips Delawareans Took As Kids…And Should Retake Now

One of the best parts about living in a small state is that you can get anywhere within its borders in under 2 hours. As a kid growing up in Delaware we took field trips that were "far away" by our standards, but meant that we still didn't have to cross any state lines, which made our parents a lot less anxious. Here are some classic field trips that Delawareans took as kids.

Please note, The Hagley Museum and Delaware Museum of Natural History are temporarily closed.

1. The Hagley Museum

We trekked by bus to northern Delaware to learn about inventions, gunpowder and the power of water.

2. John Dickinson Plantation

Just south of Dover we learned about colonial times in Delaware at the home of John Dickinson--a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

3. The Brandywine Zoo and Brandywine Park

This was our only option for an in-state zoo. We'd pack a picnic lunch to eat beside the Brandywine River after we were through seeing the exotic (and not-so-exotic) animals.

4. A local farm

Usually, in elementary school, we took a trip to a local farm like Ramsey's in New Castle County, Fifers or the Delaware State Farm in Kent County, or Green Acres Farm in Sussex County. There we talked about Delaware's #1 industry--agriculture.

5. The local fire department

During Fire Prevention Month every October, it was customary to visit the local fire house to learn how to stop, drop and roll. The lucky kids were the ones picked to squirt the fire hose.

6. Delaware Museum of Natural History

When the lesson on dinosaurs came around, this was the place to go, so we could see two dinosaur skeletons without having to go to Philly, D.C. or New York City!

7. One of Delaware's three state forests

Whether we were in elementary school, learning about Smokey the Bear, or in high school biology class, we could head to one of our state forests to learn about trees and ecosystems.

8. The Delaware Agricultural Museum

Another place we went to learn about our agricultural history was in our state capital, Dover. We got to walk through an old farmhouse, an old school house, and see exhibits about historic farm equipment.

9. Fort Delaware

If I recall correctly, middle school was when it was popular to go to Fort Delaware, when we focused on Delaware history. Reenactors hosted us and showed us everything from blacksmithing to cooking to shooting long guns.

10. One of Delaware's other state parks

While Fort Delaware was and still is a state park, it was quite different than the field trips that we took to the more nature-centered parks. Cape Henlopen was always a favorite so you could blend learning about the beach and ocean with some sunbathing and a dip in the water.

11. Bombay Hook or Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

With Bombay Hook near the border of New Castle and Kent counties, and Prime Hook closer to the southern end of the state, it wasn't too long a drive to visit either and learn about all sorts of wild animals and their habitats.

12. Delaware Art Museum

It was common for kids in the northern part of the state to make the Art Museum a must-do field trip during some part of their K-12 career.

13. Delaware Nature Society: Abbott's Mill or Ashland Nature Center

Delaware Nature Society's two nature centers offered a multitude of additional programs to expose children to nature and the science behind it. The society has grown significantly over the past 20 years and now has a working farm and also manages an urban wildlife area.

14. Winterthur Museum and Gardens

We couldn't pronounce it right then (and most of us still can't) but we took trips to this old, 60-acre DuPont estate to see esteemed pieces of art, antiques, and exquisite gardens.

Are there any of these trips that you distinctly recall taking? I also vividly remember trips out of Delaware to Hershey Park, Philadelphia Zoo, the Inner Harbor, Independence Hall, the Franklin Institute, the Herr's Factory and more!