Dover DE Tourism and Sightseeing

Best Time to Visit Dover Delaware
Dover Delaware, the First State’s Capital Region, is truly a year-round destination. With more than 20 museums in the area, birding plus slots/gaming and nightlife, you’ll find fun and adventure nearly every day of the year. Dover is located only 45 minutes north of Delaware’s award-winning beach resorts, making it a nearby and affordable place to take the family during the summer months. November and December are special months with 25+ holiday events including the Delaware Book Festival, Chocolate Festival, Wine and Music Festival and Festival of Trees. During spring, there’s no small American city more beautiful than Dover with its flower-lined streets. Thousands visit the area for meetings, conventions and reunions year-round. The best buys in lodging can be found during the week, which is a perfect time because the area is less crowded. The only time you absolutely need a reservation is two rotating weekends a year, when NASCAR Dover 400 comes to town. Click Here to find hotels in Dover. If you need additional visitor information for Dover, Click Here.

Average Dover Weather
Dover Delaware’s warmest weather is during June, July and August when average highs reach the mid-80s. The coldest time of year is December, January and February, when temperatures can get below freezing.

Transportation
Dover is centrally located approximately two hours from Washington and D.C., Baltimore, and one hour south of Philadelphia. It’s close to the I-95 corridor. If you are flying to visit the area, both Baltimore-Washington Airport and Philadelphia International Airport are in close proximity. Rental cars are available at both airports. If you are driving, take Exit 104 from the Delaware Route One Bypass.

In-Season Costs
You’ll find lodging for most budgets in Dover Delaware. Weekdays are typically $10 to $20 per night less than weekends, and winter months typically provide lower rates than the summer season. However, you’ll find plenty to do free of charge when visiting the Dover area. Of the 20 museums, only one has a very small admission fee. And, there’s tax-free shopping in Delaware, making it a shopper’s paradise, especially during the holiday season.

Washington Tourism - Dover Attractions, Activities and Day Trips
Attractions and Activities
Delaware’s Capital Region is brimming with history. Explore the Air Mobility Command Museum, The State House Museum, Woodburn (Governor’s Mansion), First State Heritage Park, Delaware Archaeology Museum, Johnson Victrola Museum, Museum of Small Town Life; Legislative Hall and the Delaware Agricultural Museum. All but the Ag Museum are free of charge. Gaming, slots and harness racing are also hot with two facilities: Dover Downs Hotel and Casino and Harrington Raceway and Casino. Enjoy live performances and community theater at two beautifully restored facilities, the Schwartz Center for the Arts and the Smyrna Opera House. While in the area, don’t forget to drive your vehicle or your bike throughout the Capital Region’s Amish community. You can see working farms and shop in a country store, furniture shops and quilt shops for Amish-made goods.

Special Events
Two of the Capital Region’s best known events are Old Dover Days, always the first weekend in May, and the Amish Country Bike Tour, always the second weekend in September. Old Dover Days, one of Delaware’s longest-running events that celebrates history and heritage, will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2008. The Amish Country Bike Tour welcomes cyclists of all abilities to ride 15, 25, 50, 62 and 100 mile loops through Amish Country, with a special food stop at the Amish School House, where members of the Amish community served home-baked pies and cookies. A picnic lunch and live band welcome riders upon their return.

Day Trips
Delaware Beach Resorts: From centrally-located Dover, you can enjoy Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island and Historic Lewes in less than an hour’s drive. These world classes beaches serve as the playground for thousands of Washingtonians. In fact, Rehoboth Beach is often referred to as the Nation’s Summer Capital.

Wilmington: In less than an hour’s drive, you can enjoy some of the best museums and attractions on the East Coast. Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum and more draw visitors from all over the world. Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia: If using Dover Delaware as a central East Coast vacation destination, you can easily drive to D.C. and Baltimore in two hours, and to Philadelphia in about one hour.



Click Here to find things to do in Dover. Click Here to view a list of attractions in Dover. Click Here to find restaurants in Dover. Click Here to find local events in Dover.

Things to do in Dover DE, Sightseeing and Dover DE Tourism