Any day is a good day to treat yourself to an overnight stay at one of the many fabulous hotels and inns of Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley. But did you know the treat is even sweeter in the middle of the week? We know, traveling during the weekend is typically the plan, but rates on fan-favorite hotels often go down midweek – sometimes way down. For example, the Hampton Inn of Middletown, Delaware offers half-off accommodation on weekdays!
Looking for weekday getaway ideas or inspiration? We have listed a few itineraries below to explore during your next weekday visit to Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley. Keep in mind that rates for rooms and suites do vary by location and amenities, and change frequently based on availability, so look before you book!
Celebrate Life
Birthdays, wedding anniversaries and date nights are extra special when celebrated away from home. This year, plan your visit to celebrate on the actual date (instead of waiting until the weekend)! Start out with a memorable day out and about shopping downtown or taking an afternoon walk along the Riverfront neighborhood. Then, grab dinner at Buckley’s Tavern, a classic Greater Wilmington restaurant perfect for any special occasion. Follow up dinner with the comfort and convenience of a casually elegant room or carriage house suite just up the road at the Fairville Inn Bed and Breakfast, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Build Your Own Adventure
The Build Your Own Adventure Passport lets you choose among 14 unforgettable attractions in Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley. It makes creating your own itinerary easy and saves on admission costs. Take a chance on using some of those well-deserved vacation days and plan your midweek adventure exactly how you want it … minus the crowds. Perhaps you want to explore how the members of the du Pont family lived and worked? If so, Hagley Museum and Library; Mt. Cuba Center; Nemours Estate; and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library are perfect for you! After a long day exploring the gorgeous grounds of these former du Pont estates, check in to the Inn at Montchanin (another historic former du Pont property), have dinner at its on-site fine dining restaurant, Krazy Kats, and treat yourself to some pampering at its full-service spa.
On multiple Wednesday nights this fall, Newark closes down its Main Street and invites more than a dozen restaurants to spread out onto the macadam – with live music enhancing the meal. Some retailers are joining in the fun, too. The SpringHill Suites Newark Downtown offers inviting discounted rates midweek. This all-suite hotel has both a fitness center and pool to work off the calories from your alfresco dinner or your complimentary hot breakfast.
The Great Pumpkin Carve
The Great Pumpkin Carve began in the 1970s with artists Andrew Wyeth and his son, Jamie. More than 70 carvers gather each year for this unusual tradition in the Chadds Ford area, just over the Delaware line. You can watch them turn huge pumpkins into spectacular art on Thursday, Oct. 14, 4 to 9 p.m. Stay nearby at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington-Brandywine Valley, just a short drive from Chadds Ford, minutes from the Brandywine Valley attractions, and offering easy access to the plethora of restaurants and retail along Route 202.
Downtown Wilmington Nightlife
Comedian Louis CK, a six-time Emmy winner, headlines The Grand Opera House in downtown Wilmington on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Follow up the performance with Chelsea Tavern across the street, and you have a perfect weekday evening. Once you are ready to turn in, the HOTEL DUPONT is just a few blocks up Market Street. The HOTEL has been the premier overnight destination in the region for more than a century. Book direct, and the hotel promises a free room upgrade, welcome drinks and a late checkout.
Located in the downtown landmark du Pont building, across the street from Rodney Square, the “grande dame” of Wilmington takes guests back to a…
Delaware Day
Dec. 7 is a big day for the First State. It’s Delaware Day, the day when Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. A great base to explore colonial history on that Tuesday is the Hampton Inn - Middletown. Included in the stay is a free hot breakfast and use of its indoor pool. The most dramatic historic areas nearby are Historic Odessa and Historic New Castle. Both cities boast charming and walkable downtowns. Present-day visitors will still be able to enjoy a cozy pint at Jessop’s Tavern in Historic New Castle, or at Cantwell's Tavern, operating out of a 19th-century building in Odessa.
A Longwood Christmas
The many people that flock to A Longwood Christmas provide clear evidence for why Longwood Gardens is America’s most-visited public garden on the East Coast. Should you want to visit during non-peak times, a midweek visit in December is the right choice. Enjoy a half-million lights and seemingly as many plants, all in perfect form. Once the festivities come to an end, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wilmington a few miles from the Gardens, is a great location to kick back and relax for a night in. The perfect winter setting for a romantic and spontaneous #VisitWilm getaway. Don’t forget to grab your delicious DoubleTree cookie!
Guestrooms feature our famous Sweet Dreams® by DoubleTree bedding package, complimentary WiFi, alarm clock radio with MP3 connectivity…
Taking a midweek trip to an area full of history, culture and gorgeous fall and winter views may just be the perfect way to take a break this season. Choose to celebrate life somewhere new, take a romantic getaway to reconnect or just check out what makes Greater Wilmington special. Whether you take a long weekend getaway or a full week vacation to #VisitWilm, there are always amazing deals and discounts. We can’t wait to have you in town.
Author
Jessica Horstmann
Digital Marketing Manager at the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau
About Jessica: Moving to Delaware at ten years old gifted me the opportunity to grow under the lights of the city, the serenity of the country, and everything in between. I would have never thought that so many fun and interesting attractions could be packed into such a small state. I love to travel, take pictures, and experience new adventures just like you, reading this now. I can promise you new adventures happen every day in the First State. Follow along with my blogs and see for yourself why Delaware is small, but mighty!
