Wilmington, Delaware With Kids: A Surprisingly Great Day Trip for Families

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A young child points at a whimsical sculpture of running children along the Wilmington Riverfront, surrounded by trees and water views. — We loved spotting this playful sculpture while walking along the Christina River trail near Big Fish Grill.

If you’re wondering whether Wilmington, Delaware is worth visiting with kids, I totally get it. It’s not one of those “top 10 family vacation” destinations you see on Pinterest and, honestly, that’s what made me curious.

We recently spent a day exploring Wilmington, Delaware with our kids, ages 2 and 4, and I was genuinely surprised by how easy and family-friendly the experience was. From the charming Brandywine Zoo to the walkable Riverfront area, the city had just enough to fill our day without feeling overwhelming.

Here’s a full look at what we did, what worked well, and my honest take on whether Wilmington is actually worth adding to your family travel list.

Why Visit Wilmington, Delaware?

Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware, located at the meeting point of the Christina and Delaware Rivers. It’s known for its colonial history, charming riverfront, and easy access to nearby cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. But what really makes it great for families is the variety of low-key, kid-friendly activities packed into a small, manageable area.

You’ll find:

Great museums like the Delaware Children’s Museum and Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
A beautiful and walkable Riverfront area with paved stroller-friendly paths
The small but charming Brandywine Zoo
Nearby historic sites in New Castle, perfect for a scenic drive or a quick walk with toddlers

It’s the kind of destination that feels manageable with young kids—and in my book, that’s a win.

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Cover of the Travel Documents Checklist for Families from Fairytale Travel Guide, featuring two children looking out an airplane window.

Getting There (and Where We Stayed)

For us, Wilmington was an easy road trip (just about 5.5 hours by car) so we drove. Wilmington does have its own airport (Wilmington Airport), but it’s limited in terms of commercial service. Most people fly into Philadelphia International Airport, about 30 miles away, and then either rent a car or hop on a train into Wilmington.

To save a little money, we actually stayed outside the city in Newark, Delaware. We booked the Residence Inn Newark Delaware, which was brand new, spacious, clean, and a great fit for our family. It took about 15 minutes to drive from Newark into downtown Wilmington, and parking was super easy everywhere we went.

🏨Looking for a place to stay near Wilmington, Delaware? We loved this brand-new Residence Inn in nearby Newark. It was spacious, clean, and a great fit for our family. You can view current rates and availability here. 🏨

How We Spent One Day in Wilmington, Delaware With Kids

Here’s how our day unfolded and what ended up working really well for us as a family with a 2- and 4-year-old.

Morning at the Brandywine Zoo

Two young children look through a fence at a giant anteater at the Brandywine Zoo, one of the top attractions in Wilmington Delaware with kids. — The Brandywine Zoo is small but so doable with toddlers. And seeing the anteater was a total highlight for my kids.

Our first stop was the Brandywine Zoo, located right in downtown Wilmington. It’s small, but honestly kind of perfect when you have little ones. We visited on a Tuesday in November and were one of the only families there. The animals were out, the kids were fascinated, and it was all super walkable.

We brought our Zoe Twin+ double stroller, but since the zoo was empty and compact, the kids mostly walked. If you’re visiting with toddlers who like to explore, you could probably skip the stroller here—but it was still nice to have on hand and the zoo was totally accessible.

Midday Drive Through Historic New Castle

After the zoo, my daughter needed a nap, so we took a drive while she slept and headed about 15 minutes south to historic New Castle. This little riverfront town dates back to the 1600s and is full of beautifully preserved colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and views of the Delaware River. Even just from the car, it felt like stepping into a piece of history.

We didn’t get out to explore since my daughter was sleeping, but my son and I loved spotting old churches, colorful row houses, and the enormous bridge stretching into New Jersey. If everyone had been awake, this would have been a fantastic area to stroll around with the stroller.

Lunch at Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront

A father and son walk along the stroller-friendly brick path of the Wilmington Riverfront on a fall day. — The Riverwalk was clean, paved, and offered beautiful views of the river. Such an easy, peaceful spot for a stroll with kids.

By the time we got back into Wilmington, it was lunchtime, so we stopped at Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront. We chose it mostly for the location because I wanted to see the Riverfront area, but it ended up being a huge win for the kids. Not only was the food great, but they had paper tablecloths and crayons ready at the table so the kids could color while we waited.

Behind the restaurant, we discovered a paved walking path—the Jack A. Markell Trail—that runs along the Christina River. The views were beautiful and the trail was clean, smooth, and stroller-perfect. My son loved seeing the boats and the big industrial cranes along the riverbank.

The Delaware Children’s Museum Was Closed During Our Visit

We had really hoped to check out the Delaware Children’s Museum, which is also located right on the Riverfront and would have been a natural next stop after lunch. But unfortunately, it was closed on Tuesdays—the only day we were in town. Huge bummer. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, it looks like a great spot for toddlers and preschoolers, with hands-on exhibits and tons of space to move around. I’m keeping it on my list for next time.

Afternoon at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science

Two children look down into a glass floor exhibit at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, revealing a detailed coral reef scene below. — The glass floor exhibit at the science museum was a huge hit for the kids. They loved looking down into the ocean below their feet.

Instead, we made the quick 10-minute drive to the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. This ended up being a really fun stop. It was super interactive for the kids, with cool immersive walk-through exhibits (like a walkable dinosaur “cave”) and hands-on displays.

It was also very stroller-friendly. The whole museum is on a single floor, the pathways are wide, and I had no issues navigating with our double stroller. That said, it’s small. We were done in about 15 minutes. The kids loved every second of it, but I was honestly surprised at the price given how quickly we moved through.

Still, if you’re looking for a clean, educational spot to burn some energy indoors—especially on a rainy or cold day—it’s a solid choice.

Evening Fun at Kids Empire in Bear, Delaware

A colorful indoor playground at Kids Empire in Bear, Delaware, with large climbing structures and open tables, perfect for kids to run, climb, and explore. — Kids Empire in Bear, DE was a surprise hit—clean, empty, and full of energy-burning space just 15 minutes from Wilmington.

After some quiet time back at the hotel, the kids still had energy to burn. Since it was cold and getting dark by then, we searched for an indoor playground and ended up finding Kids Empire in Bear, Delaware, about 15 minutes from Newark.

This place was a hit. It was clean, well-maintained, and basically empty when we visited—just one other family there around 4 PM on a Tuesday. The staff was kind and helpful, and both kids went absolutely wild in the best way. My son later declared this the highlight of the entire trip, which says a lot considering we also saw a giant anteater that day.

Pizza at Grotto’s: A Low-Key End to the Day

We wrapped up the night with a local pizza delivery from Grotto Pizza, which came recommended as a Delaware staple. It totally lived up to the hype. The crust was great, the sauce was good, and it was an easy crowd-pleaser after a full day out. We ate in our hotel room and called it a night.

Wilmington, Delaware With a Stroller

After a full day of exploring, here’s how Wilmington held up from a gear-and-logistics point of view.

Since we stayed in Newark and drove to all of our destinations, we didn’t do a lot of walking through the city of Wilmington itself—but every place we visited was very stroller-friendly. The Brandywine Zoo, Riverfront trail, science museum, and indoor playground were all smooth and accessible with our double stroller.

That said, Wilmington felt like a driving city to us. The attractions we visited were fairly spread out, so I would not personally try to do this exact itinerary without a car. Having the stroller in the trunk was super easy and I was glad we had it for transitions and any unexpected meltdowns.

Is Wilmington, Delaware Worth Visiting With Kids?

Honestly, I really loved it. Wilmington is small, historic, clean, and just easy to navigate. It’s not overflowing with attractions, but there’s enough to fill a full day or two, especially if your kids are younger.

This trip had a very specific purpose for us—we were checking off a new state and completing my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status run—but even beyond that, it delivered. The zoo, museums, trail, and playground all worked beautifully for my family, and it felt like a hidden gem of a road trip destination.

Would I fly cross-country just to come here? Probably not. But if you’re based in the Northeast, visiting Philadelphia, or looking for a low-stress, family-friendly city to explore for a day or two, Wilmington, Delaware is absolutely worth it.

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