Nothing beats leaving the hustle and bustle of a 9-5 grind behind for a weekend away! And what could be more rejuvenating than discovering and exploring somewhere new? That’s why my boyfriend and I went to Wilmington, Delaware!
Why Wilmington?
Why did we decide to travel to Wilmington for our weekend getaway? Because of the amazing diversity, great entertainment, and many unique shops and restaurants! Wilmington truly has something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff in search of a museum or a foodie looking to taste your way around the city.
Weekend Itinerary
We took the Amtrak to Wilmington, so if you don’t have a car… no problem! It’s easily accessible from both Washington, DC and NYC.
Our trip was filled with so many laughs, amazing activities, and great conversations with Wilmingtonians. It’s something we will remember forever!
So if you are curious about what we did during our 48 hour stay in Wilmington, I’m going to give you a detailed rundown. Feel free to use this itinerary as a guide for your trip to Wilmington, or put your own spin on it! There are so many amazing spots in the city, you can’t go wrong!
Friday:
- Lunch at DE.CO: After arriving in Wilmington and getting off the Amtrak, it was time for lunch so we went straight to DE.CO. Located in the heart of downtown, DE.CO is a contemporary food hall with eight restaurant installations and an atrium bar. They have pizza at Pizzeria Bardea, tacos at Taqueria El Chingon, ramen at Rebel Ramen, and so much more! I got the upside down slice from Pizzeria Bardea, which was absolutely delicious!
- Walk down Market Street: After lunch, we decided to explore downtown! Market Street is just a quick walk from DE.CO and has tons of great spots to check out. Huxley & Hiro was one of our favorite spots. If you are a book lover, you definitely have to stop in!
- La Bohème by OperaDelaware: We got to see OperaDelaware’s Opening Night of La Bohème at The Grand Opera House – a beautiful historic theater built in 1871. La Bohème was exquisite, the cast was brilliant, and it was a fantastic way to begin our first night in Wilmington.
- Late Night Food & Drinks at Tonic Seafood & Steak: After the opera, we wanted to explore the city and grab a drink, so we walked over to Tonic Seafood & Steak. We sat at the bar, ordered some Moscow Mules and short rib eggrolls from their late-night menu, and enjoyed some live music.
Saturday:
- Brunch at Kid Shelleen’s: Brunch is a must do during a weekend away! My boyfriend and I made our way over to Trolley Square in the morning for brunch. Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House and Saloon, known to be a local favorite, had a large brunch menu! Between the two of us we got the Marco’s Cold Brew and Raspberry Mimosa cocktails as well as the breakfast burrito and fried chicken and waffles.
- Explore the Scenery at Brandywine Park: Just a short ride away from Kid Shelleen’s is Brandywine Park! We took a romantic stroll to view the beautiful fall foliage along the trails. We highly recommend grabbing a bench and taking in the scenery. You will see people walking their dogs, running, or riding their bikes throughout the park.
- Shopping at Trolley Square Market: You definitely need to hit up the wonderful local shops and small businesses in Wilmington! We went over to Trolley Square Market, “a modern version of the old-timey mercantile” filled with plants, home goods, cards, clothes, and more. What’s great about Trolley Square Market is that a percentage of every sale will be saved and given to local charities!
- Drinks at Trolley Square Oyster House: We walked over to Trolley Square Oyster House after shopping to grab a drink at the bar. Obviously we had to get an Orange Crush or two! There are so many great spots to grab a drink in Trolley Square, and everything is within walking distance.
- Dinner at Farmer & The Cow: After a long day of walking around and shopping, we needed a good burger! Farmer & The Cow was the perfect spot. Starting with some cocktails, I tried the Pink Pony Club and my boyfriend got the Murder in the Red Barn. If you love pink and glitter, definitely get the Pink Pony Club! For dinner we tried the That’s What Brie Said and the FTC (their signature burger). Closing out dinner by splitting a delicious Snickerdoodle milkshake, we left full and satisfied.
- Night Out at The Quoin: It was time to hit the town and explore the nightlife! We walked over to the Quoin to check out their Rooftop, Wilmington’s first and only Rooftop Bar & Lounge. We sat by the fire and enjoyed amazing crafted cocktails! The Blood Moon and Yammer On were chef’s kiss!
Sunday:
- Breakfast at Riverfront Bakery: We decided to take Sunday a little slower. We woke up late and made our way over to the Riverfront. With our morning cappuccino, I had a scrumptious Raspberries Cream Cheese Danish and my boyfriend got the Almond Croissant.
- Walk the Riverwalk: Before heading back home, I knew we had to take in the views along the Riverwalk. We took a slow stroll down the 1.3 mile path and took many pictures of the amazing views of downtown Wilmington. It was the perfect way to embrace the last bit of relaxation before getting back to reality.
