Wilmington: That “Straddlin’ Town! 

They call Chicago that 'Toddlin' Town.' Well, I call Wilmington that 'Straddlin' Town." While this small but surprisingly active urban community plays co-host to world class attractions, such as nearby Longwood and Winterthur Gardens, and many Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War- era museums and battlefields, including Brandywine and Gettysburg, perhaps Wilmington's best foot forward is the one that can take you quickly to our nation's Capital, the glittering Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Philly's great restaurants -and its newest attraction, the National Constitution Center - and on to the city that never sleeps - New York. And all of that so easily accessible within a couple of hours by the hassle-free comforts of Amtrak service available from downtown Wilmington, or by car via the bustling I-95 corridor.
But Wilmington does not merely straddle some exciting geography, the city also bridges the past and the present in such equally exciting and lively ways, that it may be a while before you feel the need to venture out to our nation’s capital or even the Big Apple.
The lush, oak- canopied streets of the city’s historic 18th and 19th century neighborhoods lead to some two dozen public and private gardens and parks that will delight the senses throughout the spring, summer and fall. From the world famous 1000 acre Longwood Gardens, to Winterthur and the Nemours Mansion and Gardens, you’ll see why the DuPonts’ remain the First Family of the First State.
And for a summer of fun-filled activities, Wilmington is home to its beloved Blue Rocks professional baseball team and the vibrant annual St. Anthony Italian Festival located in the city’s quaint Little Italy section.
But if it’s American history that floats your family’s boat, then your ship has truly come in here. From the Kalmar Nyckel, the city’s stunning 17th century square-masted reproduction (and one of only ten wooden-hulled and functioning sailing and teaching ships in the country) to the tiny, cobblestoned streets of colonial New Castle, and on to the Brandywine Battlefield (where the British outflanked Washington and eventually marched into Philadelphia), Washington’s Crossing (where he surprised and routed the Hessians at Trenton), and Valley Forge (where the ragtag patriots survived and matured into the victorious Continental Army), you can walk in the very footsteps of our founders, while your children can see and experience first hand what they’re reading in their history books.
And the past gently blends with the modern here in Wilmington, too. After your day trip on the Kalmar Nyckel, stay in town and visit the sparkling Riverfront Wilmington, the current jewel in the crown of Wilmington’s downtown revival. From the greensward of Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, to the spacious fresh vegetable and seafood market, and on to the eclectic dining of a half-dozen restaurants and upscale shopping at the Shipyard Shops, you’ll find plenty to see and do here. Before returning home, though, stroll the beautiful Riverwalk, as the sun sets along the languid Christina River.
Winter’s arrival does not mean staying indoors, either. Once you’ve settled in to your new home and the thermometer takes its annual plunge, step out into Wilmington’s lively arts, shopping and dining attractions. Ranging from the Best of Broadway at the DuPont Theatre, to opera, dance and symphony at the historic, 19th century Grand Opera House, Wilmington provides a seemingly endless opportunity for stepping out and “Puttin’ on the Ritz!”
From communities ranging from the colonial to contemporary, a school system that features a balanced mix of public, parochial and private for an array of educational choices available to you and your family, and a city that offers innumerable attractions and activities, while remaining small enough for you to call all of it home, I’m convinced that once you’ve moved in here, you’ll find yourself saying, “What took us so long?”  

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