15 Best Things to Do in Greenville (DE)

Greenville is a small town situated in the county of New Castle in Delaware. As a suburb of Wilmington, visitors to the town can expect a centrally-located base that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.

On the one hand, the town is quiet and relaxing, with a lot of parks and green spaces where nature can be enjoyed. On the other hand, Greenville is steeped in culture and history, which is showcased in the area’s museums and galleries. Restaurants and cafes offer plenty of options for food and drink.

Despite its small population, even the vibrant nightlife scene provides a lively escape after a long day.

There are a number of shopping areas in and around Greenville, and various events occur throughout the year, including the Harvest Moon Festival, which takes place every October.

Below are 15 of the best things to do in and around Greenville, Delaware.

1. Visit the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum

There’s no shortage of stately properties around Delaware, but the Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum is one of the most striking historic properties in the state – and perhaps even the country. This mansion, with its 175 rooms, elegant interiors, and beautiful, 60-acre garden, has been open to the public for many decades.

During a tour of the estate, visitors can admire the spectacular scenery consisting of rolling fields and forest. You will also get to see more than 90,000 artifacts, some of which date back to the mid-1600s, including textiles, ceramics, antique furniture, and artwork.

2. Enjoy a meal at Krazy Kat’s

Nearby Montchanin is home to a unique eatery housed in a restored blacksmith shop. The interior features a feline theme, and breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner are served.

French cuisine is the specialty. You can expect to find a wide assortment of delicious and inventive meals prepared with quality, locally-sourced ingredients, including salmon, crab cakes, braised short ribs, duck, and scallops. Starters, soups, salads, and desserts are also available.

3. Explore a working farm at Coverdale Farm

Coverdale Farm is a working farm situated within the 352-acre Burrows Nature Preserve. On-site, there’s a stone bank barn from the 1700s and stunning views of this natural area consisting of pastures, fields, ponds, woodlands, and sprawling countryside.

Throughout the year, visitors can participate in many programs and events, including hayrides, yoga, Farm Fun Days, nature hikes, cooking classes, and markets.

4. Learn about art at The Delaware Contemporary

Delaware Center For The Contemporary Arts

A variety of local and national contemporary artworks are on display across a number of exhibits at The Delaware Contemporary. There are seven galleries, and the exhibits housed in each one change several times throughout the year.

Past displays included Primal Images, Native Range, Art in Bloom, Material World, and Totally Mythological.

5. Spend a day at Alapocas Run State Park

Apapocas Run State Park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. The Blue Ball Barn houses the Delaware Folk Art Collection, which is a compilation of more than 120 artworks by 50 different artists.

The Can-Do Playground is an accessible playground for children of all ages and abilities. Also on-site is a rock wall for climbing and rappelling, and climbing programs are available.

6. Visit the Delaware Museum of Natural History

For almost 50 years, the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington has been encouraging visitors of all ages to engage in exploration and discovery.

As the sole natural history museum in Delaware, visitors from all over the state and country come to learn about the natural world through exhibits focusing on many topics, including nature, wildlife, the oceans, and geology.

A dinosaur collection, a coral reef simulation, and a paleontology lab are some of the things you can see as you make your way through this fascinating museum.

7. The duPont Environmental Education Center

The duPont Environmental Education Center is at the edge of the city of Wilmington, but the 212 acres of freshwater tidal marsh, 10-acre garden and location along the Christina River give this natural area a sense of being in the middle of nowhere.

Several trails are on-site, including a quarter-mile loop around a pond, and a seven-mile-long hiking and biking trail that runs from Wilmington to New Castle. As you explore this park area, you may spot many bird species, such as bald eagles and belted kingfishers. Beavers, otters, and turtles are often seen in the river and tidal pool area.

The education center is where you can learn more about the park. On certain days of the week, staff members host nature walks.

8. Rockwood Park and Museum

Rockwood Museum and Park — Rockwood Museum And Park

Situated in Wilmington, the Rockwood Park and Museum provides guests with a touch of nature combined with stately architecture and history.

The museum itself, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was once a country estate constructed by merchant banker Joseph Shipley in the mid-1800s. It’s an accurate example of English-style Gothic Revival architecture.

During a tour of the interior, visitors will see many artifacts and exhibits that reflect the life the Shipley family had when they lived there. After a tour of the interior, you can roam the grounds, which boast beautiful park and garden areas.

9. Admire fine art at the Somerville Manning Gallery

The Somerville Manning Gallery has been showcasing fine art across several galleries featuring different artists of the 20th and 21st centuries for more than 30 years. Timothy Barr, Robert C. Jackson, Peter Sculthorpe, and members of the Wyeth family are some of the artists showcased.

The exhibits focus on the area’s past and current cultural heritage, and past displays have included Panoramas, Under the Influence, and N.C. Wyeth: Painter and Illustrator.

10. See wildlife at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

The 15,078-acre Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge along Delaware Bay in nearby Smyrna is the perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers to spend a day. Visitors of all ages enjoy seeing the variety of species as they pass through the different habitats.

While exploring this refuge, you can take a 12-mile drive through the wildlife area, hike on the five trails, and learn more about the preserve through the exhibits at the visitor center. Three observation towers with views of the surrounding scenery are also on-site.

11. Visit the Hagley Museum and Library

Visitors wishing to learn more about American industry through the years can do so at the Hagley Museum and Library. This museum is situated on 235 acres of land along the Brandywine River in the city of Wilmington.

The grounds are the former site of the gunpowder works established in 1802. Guided tours are available, and as you make your way through the museum, you will learn about the history of business, telecommunications, technology, and innovation and how it shaped the country.

A variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase various things, including restored mills, a workers community, and a home that once belonged to the duPont family.

12. Get inspired at the Mezzanine Gallery

The Mezzanine Gallery, situated in downtown Wilmington, showcases art across a wide range of areas, including photography, crafts, folk art, media arts, and paintings. Each exhibit is dedicated to one artist from Delaware.

13. Relax with a delicious meal at Cromwell’s American Tavern and Taqueria

Visitors enjoy great service, delicious prize-winning food, and a laid back, upscale environment at Cromwell’s American Tavern and Taqueria. For almost 30 years, this eatery has been serving people of all ages quality food and drink.

The tavern features a wide range of items, including roasted garlic hummus, lollipop lamb meatballs, and the signature Guinness beef stew, while the Taqueria serves Mexican cuisine.

14. Wander around the Nemours Estate

Nemours Mansion and Garden — Nemours Mansion And Garden

The Nemours Estate is a beautiful estate in Wilmington that was constructed and owned by Alfred duPont.

On the vast grounds, visitors of all ages enjoy many sites, including a large 77-room mansion, the largest French gardens on the continent, a garage with antique cars, and 200 acres of stunning scenery consisting of woodlands and meadows. You have the choice of exploring the grounds on your own or with a guided tour.

15. First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park allows visitors to take a step back in history. On-site are important historical Colonial buildings, including Woodlawn and The Green Dover.

During your wanderings, you will learn about important historical events that occurred in the area, such as the colonization of early Europeans, religious freedom acts, the Declaration of Independence, conservation, and the Underground Railroad.

Also on-site is the New Castle Courthouse Museum, which was built in the 1700s. Guided tours of this museum are available, and the exhibits highlight various items, such as local culture, old photos, furnishings, artifacts, and artwork.