A paved section of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail is 10 miles long and connects to 19 miles of trails in seven parks. This contrast between a long paved route and trails in several parks offers a first glimpse of New Castle County: nature can be explored here through routes, parkland, and diverse landscapes. The New Castle County park system comprises 251 parks with a total of nearly 6,000 acres of parkland. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering not only individual attractions but also which landscape and type of trail you would like to experience.
Trails and Green Spaces
In Brandywine Hundred in New Castle County, the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail encompasses more than 1,200 acres of protected natural areas. The Brandywine Valley unit preserves more than 1,300 acres of farmland, pasture, wooded hills, and streams; it also includes more than 23 miles of recreational trails. Smaller parking areas throughout the Brandywine Valley provide access to numerous hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.
Another clearly measured route can be found at White Clay Creek State Park: the four-mile loop begins in Delaware and leads into Pennsylvania. Its length and route across the state line are useful points of reference if you are considering a loop with a set distance.
Park Trails and Horses at Carousel Park
The Carousel Park Equestrian Center covers more than 200 acres. It also features several miles of walking trails and a unique dog park. At the same time, equestrian activities are more than just part of the name: tours of the stable, feed room, and riding arenas are offered, and visitors can groom a horse as a hands-on activity. Alongside walking trails, the program includes a look inside the stable and a hands-on opportunity to interact with horses.
Rockwood: Gothic Revival Mansion and Garden
Rockwood was built between 1851 and 1854 in the Gothic Revival style. Its design was intended to reflect the beauty of an English country estate. The contrast between its Gothic Revival form and the intended image of an English country estate explains the building’s design concept. Rockwood offers a self-guided tour of the museum’s first floor, with staff nearby to answer questions. The six-acre Heritage Garden surrounds the historic mansion.
History in New Castle
The New Castle Court House Museum focuses on Delaware history. The courthouse was built in 1732. On June 15, 1776, thirteen delegates voted there for independence from Pennsylvania and Great Britain, establishing the state of Delaware. The museum presents Delaware history through guided interpretive programs and exhibits from the perspectives of Indigenous communities, the first European settlers, lawmakers, prisoners and judges, escaped enslaved people, and the free African American community. The historic site can therefore be explored not only through its building but also through a range of social perspectives.
The parks offer other historical highlights: Fort Delaware State Park in New Castle County is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bellevue State Park was formerly a DuPont estate. These historical details differ from both Rockwood’s architecture and the political history of the Court House.
A Culinary Connection
The Route 9 Farmers’ Market in New Castle County offers locally sourced fruits and vegetables, meat, and prepared-food vendors. For travelers looking to discover regional foods as well as landscapes and history, it offers a concrete culinary connection in the county.
Discover more destinations: Wilmington, Newark, Brookside, Brandywine, Bear, Claymont, New Castle, Hockessin, Delaware City, Christiana.
For the broader travel overview: Delaware.
