Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary in Delaware
A Queer Road Trip to Delaware: Art, Adventure, & Community in the First State.
Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Looking for a fabulous, feel-good weekend escape thatβs packed with charm, adrenaline, and queer joy? Buckle up! We're road trippinβ to Delaware! π³οΈβπ As The First State to join the Union (yep, in 1787!), Delaware brings history, tax-free shopping πΈ, gorgeous beaches ποΈ, and a mighty LGBTQ+ community, all wrapped up in one small but unforgettable state.
First Stop: Wilmington β Art, Magic, & Queer Vibes
From NYC, itβs just a two-hour drive to Wilmington, where the magic begins.
β¨π§ββοΈ Winterthur Museum Garden and Libraryβs Enchanted Woods is a whimsical garden trail straight out of a fairytale.
π¨ Next, dive into the art scene at the Delaware Art Museum featuring Marisol to Warhol and a stunning outdoor sculpture garden.π At Huxley & Hiro, a queer- and woman-owned bookstore, find good reads, Queer books, and positive vibes. Then, itβs off to Historic New Castle, where cobblestone streets and colonial charm make you feel like you've time-traveled to the 1700s π°οΈ.
π‘ I am staying at a cozy tiny home Airbnb, but there are many hotel options in Wilmington. My fabulous AIRbnb hosts plug me into the local queer scene and tell me to hit up a Queer Happy Hour and close out the evening at Crimson Moon, the only queer bar in town.
π² Bear, Delaware β Into the Trees!
In Bear, go on the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which has the toughest ropes course I have ever done. π§ββοΈ Ziplining through the forest? ABSOLUTELY ICONIC. π³π¨
π Milton β Small Town, Big Feels
Milton Theatre
Milton is a historic town about 30 minutes from Rehoboth Beach. The town was named after the English poet John Milton, author of Paradise Lost.
This quaint town offers some of the best theatre in the region at Milton Theatre, which offers 400 shows a year ranging from plays to concerts to operas to comedy to ballet. I caught the final performance of Bare: A Pop Opera. I might have cried 17 timesβ¦ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
π Rehoboth Beach β Queer Nostalgia by the Sea
I've been coming to Rehoboth Beach since I was a kid, so itβs a full-circle moment! Check into the LGBTQ-owned Rehoboth Guest House, steps from all the action.π³οΈβπ CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center, is nearby and doing incredible work for the LGBTQ community, including education, arts, health, and advocacy.
ποΈ Rehoboth is packed with queer-owned gems:
π Purple Parrot: Tasty bites by day, fierce drag by night
πΉ Aqua: Open-air cocktails + community vibes
π Beach Essentials: Stylish, upscale, and casual menswear
βοΈπ¬For a dose of Queer coastal history, visit Poodle Beach, where LGBTQ+ folks have gathered for generations to be free and find community.
π»π©π½βπ€βπ©πΌHead to the unofficial Bear and Lesbian beach, Gordonβs Pond, backed by dunes and perfect for a peaceful afternoon.
π Dewey Beach β High-Flying Fun & Zen Vibes
Dewey Beach Parasailing
Adventure calls in Dewey Beach!π Go 400 feet up with Dewey Beach Parasail! The views? UNREAL.
π§ββοΈ Then, chill it out with Dewey Beach Yoga. Sun, sand, and speedos, oh my!
π Final Stop: Cape Henlopen State Park
End your road trip at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes watching the sun set over the dunes. Itβs golden, calm, and the perfect way to reflect on a weekend of connection, discovery, and Queer joy.
Cape Henlopen State Park
Delaware may be small, but its LGBTQ+ community is mighty. From adrenaline highs to heartfelt theater, inclusive bars to historic beaches, this state brings it.
I arrive solo and leave with new friends, a full heart, and maybe a few potential next ex-husbands. π
To learn more, and plan YOUR ultimate itinerary, check out VisitDelaware.com!
*This blog is sponsored by Trip Scout and Visit Delaware