The Charming Delaware Waterfront Town Locals Hope Stays off Tourists’ Radar

Delaware City sits where the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal meets the Delaware River in New Castle County. It's a small historic port town with over 200 registered historic structures, a working canal, and a Civil War-era fort on a nearby island. Most visitors to northern Delaware never make it out here. If you're looking for a hidden waterfront town in Delaware, this is a good one to know about. It's also one of the more genuine, quiet waterfront towns in Delaware still standing.

What Makes This Waterfront Town So Special

A lot of it comes down to history. The town was laid out in 1826 with plans to become a major East Coast port. By the mid-1800s, the canal trade was running strong, and a booming peach industry had taken hold, led by Major Philip Reybold and his family, who operated more than 110,000 peach trees and shipped fruit to cities up and down the East Coast. Local fishermen were also catching sturgeon in the river, and the roe was shipped to Germany and Russia to be sold as caviar.

A walk through town reflects all of it. The historic district has more than 250 contributing structures, with architectural styles ranging from Federal-era buildings of the 1820s to the Italianate “Peach House” buildings of the 1850s. At Battery Park, the old Diving Bell from the canal’s operating days still sits in the center of the park, once used to lower workers into the water to clear debris from the canal lock wickets. Together, these details paint a clear picture of a town shaped by industry, ingenuity, and its connection to the water, one that still feels closely tied to its past today.

Best Things To Do in This Quiet Delaware Waterfront Town

Delaware City is compact, but there's more to do here than most people expect. Here's where to start:

• Fort DuPont State Park: Free trails run along the river past old concrete gun batteries. Five of the six are visible along the River View Trail. Bald eagles and ospreys are regulars along the canal paths.

• Fort Delaware State Park: A passenger ferry from the town dock goes out to Pea Patch Island, where a large granite Civil War fort held Confederate prisoners of war. Costumed interpreters lead tours of the parade ground, officers' quarters, barracks, kitchen, blacksmith shop, and ordnance room, and fire a live gunpowder charge from a Columbiad cannon. The fort is open late April through October. Ghost tours in the fall sell out in advance.

• Battery Park: The C&D Canal is one of the busiest commercial waterways on the East Coast. From Battery Park, you can watch 900-foot cargo ships pass just a few hundred yards from shore. It's free and open year-round.
• Michael N. Castle Trail: A paved trail that runs the length of the C&D Canal, accessible from Delaware City via the Branch Canal Trail. Open to hikers and cyclists.

When To Visit for Fewer Crowds

The Fort Delaware ferry runs from late April through October. Late spring and early fall have the most comfortable weather and smaller crowds. Delaware City Day, held on the first Saturday of October at Battery Park, is a free, family-friendly event along the waterfront with fireworks at dusk.

Where To Stay and Eat in Delaware City

For a place to stay, this fully furnished Airbnb townhouse inside Historic Fort DuPont is worth a look. It's a two-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with water views, a screened-in porch overlooking the canal, and a balcony off the primary bedroom. Check Casa Domino's availability.

When it comes to food, Delaware City has a solid handful of local spots to choose from:

• Dolly Spankers: the main waterfront dining spot, with patio seating overlooking the river
• Kathy's Crab House: a local, seasonal seafood staple
• Sunday's Cafe 64: comfort food and brunch, Sundays plus a monthly First Friday fish fry
• Sabatina's Sandwiches: Italian and American sandwiches on Clinton Street
• The Cake Sisters: a local bakery and dessert shop
• La Matesina Pizza Pasta: pizza and pasta in the heart of town
• Ice Cream Parlor: a classic ice cream shop on Clinton Street

For a longer day out, Chesapeake City, Maryland sits at the other end of the C&D Canal and adds more dining and shopping without much extra driving.

Delaware City is a small waterfront town with a lot of history packed into a short stretch of river. It doesn't advertise itself, the history is real, the town is walkable, and the river is always right there, and that's part of what makes it worth the detour. For more information on the places highlighted in this article, visit the official website of Delaware City.

If you're ready to plan your visit, use Only In Your State's itinerary planner to map it out. Historic New Castle is a short drive away and pairs well with a day in Delaware City. Found another hidden waterfront town in Delaware? Drop it in our nomination form—we'd love to hear about it.