One of our favorite places to visit is Old New Castle, Delaware. It’s a small region in the midst of New Castle and along the Delaware River. It’s quaint, as my husband puts it, and is one of the prettiest small towns in our area. From the old, colonial-style homes, and the colonial themed-bar, it reminds me of a lot of parts of Old City in Philadelphia. It’s modern but maintains it’s colonial, historical flair as well.
Whether you’re there for the day or there for a socially distanced weekend, we have some suggestions for you that you may love!
Things to Do
GO FOR A WALK AND VIEW SEASONAL DECOR ON THE COLONIAL BUILDINGS:
One of the many things we enjoy doing while in Old New Castle, is going on walks, taking in the sights, and viewing the fall decor on the homes. One of the special things about this area is that many of the homes there are original to the ones that stood there years ago. It’s a nice way to enjoy the weather and get a glimpse of what it looked like back then.
PLAN A PICNIC IN THE PARK BY THE RIVER:
There is a large, beautiful park right by the river called Battery Park and it’s a perfect place to go on a walk or have a picnic. Pack a basket comprised of a blanket, snacks to enjoy, a good book, and your drinks of choice to enjoy a nice day in the park. Just make sure to pack some bug spray and sunscreen, just in case, because the weather can sometimes be a bit unpredictable.
VISIT THE READ HOUSE
The Read House is a beautiful place located in New Castle, Delaware. You can take a nice stroll along the grounds outside of purchase tickets online to tour the house. If you decide to go, make sure you check the website to view if there are any current restrictions or things you need to abide by while there.
VISIT THE DUTCH HOUSE
The Dutch House is another historical house that you visit in the area. It’s a late 17th-century home that is reflective of the time period when New Castle was a port for Finnish, English, Swedish and Dutch settlers! Explore the home and visit the site to make sure you’re aware of any restrictions or updates!
VISIT THE AMSTEL HOUSE & GARDENS:
Another house that you can visit is the Amstel House and Gardens! Described as being one of the few surviving homes from the early colonial period, it’s a nice snapshot into what the wealthier homes looked like during that time. In fact, the town’s wealthiest landowner lived there.
NEW CASTLE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM:
This courthouse is definitely a must-see! It’s located in the center of a circle where there’s a 12-mile radius from Delaware to Pennsylvania. How cool is that? Geographical location aside, it served as Delaware’s first court and state capitol.
Things to EAT
NORA LEE’S:
Nora Lee’s is, in my opinion, the best cajun, New Orleans restaurant in New Castle, Delaware. There has not been one thing we’ve had from there that we haven’t liked. The service is always great and the food is delicious. Whether you’re comfortable dining in or if you’d like to grab take out, it’s truly a delicious meal, every time.
JESSOP’S TAVERN:
Jessop’s Tavern is a tavern located in a three-hundred-year-old building that used to belong to a cooper by that name. They serve cuisine reflective of Belgian, Dutch, Swedish, and English food to represent their historical presence in the area during that time period. Stop by to grab a bite to eat and a brew!
CAFE NEW CASTLE:
This restaurant is not too far from the park alongside the water and would be a great place to go grab something to eat after a long day of exploring or a place to grab food to go and enjoy in the park.
What about you? Have you ever been to New Castle? What places would you recommend?
