6 Incredibly Romantic Getaways in Delaware You’ll Adore

What first springs to mind when you think about Romantic Getaways in Delaware? Beaches, most likely. Sure, but the Getaway Mavens know there’s so much more.

Find amore in the Capital City of Dover, on moonlit ponds in Western Delaware towns, in shoreline communities, and in Quaint Villages. There’s lots more to the State of Delaware than beach towns.

Click on the link for our romantic weekend getaway in Delaware itineraries covering fun things to do, romantic hotels, and the best restaurants. For even more weekend getaway ideas, follow the link to our list of 110 romantic destinations in the Northeast United States.

Delaware’s Hottest Beach Towns

Rehoboth Beach patrol

Do All of Delaware’s Shore Towns

Of course, most people visit the Delaware beach towns of Lewes, Rehoboth BeachDewey BeachBethany Beach, and the small town of Fenwick Island to build sandcastles and frolic in the Atlantic Ocean waves. But, on too hot days, when you tire of the beach, there are things to do inland Sussex County DE that might astound you and your sweetheart. Come to see what makes inland Delaware so romantic.

Sunset at Rehoboth Beach

Follow The Boardwalk At Rehoboth

Contemplate your relationship over soft custard ice cream or great boardwalk fries on this Atlantic beach getaway in Rehoboth Beach DE.

A lower-key, Mid-Atlantic version of Provincetown MA, Rehoboth is a fantastic LGBT-friendly town. With incredibly good restaurants, sand, surf, and spacious beach houses, it’s a summertime classic.

Stay right on the boardwalk at the Victorian Boardwalk Plaza Hotel or, for an alternative, consider the Bellmoor Inn & Spa. Read all about our hotel picks and fun things to do in Rehoboth Beach Delaware: DC Tourist Town Turns Culinary Destination.

Relax In Laid Back Bethany Beach

If you’re looking for a romantic beach getaway, Bethany Beach, Delaware might just be the perfect destination for you. Located on the eastern coast of the state, Bethany Beach offers miles of pristine sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. You and your significant other can take a romantic walk along the beach at sunrise or sunset, watching the sun dip below the horizon or come up over the water.

Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the coast from a different perspective. Bethany Beach also offers a variety of dining options, ranging from casual seafood shacks to upscale restaurants serving fresh, locally-sourced cuisine. And if you’re in the mood for some shopping, browse the quaint boutiques and surf shops in downtown Bethany Beach.

Your best bet for a weekend getaway stay in Bethany is to book a condo on VRBO. Otherwise, consider the Boutique Hotel Rehoboth, at only 12 miles away, most Rehoboth Beach properties are fairly close by.

Lobby, Dogfish Inn, Lewes DE

Fishing For Love In Lewes

Do you like a riot or color? What about the Dogfish Inn, a renovated “fisherman’s motel” that’s now the Dogfish Head Brewery outpost? Or do you and your honey love the classic inn or B&B? You can have your pick in this eminently walkable, boutique-studded, fishing-charter, great restaurant town. Take the ferry from Cape May (NJ) and you’re right there.

Read all about it in Lewes DE: Spectacular Foodie Getaway.

Delaware’s Romantic Towns

Sunset on Milford DE Riverwalk

Enjoy A Cultural Retreat

Do you bond over history? Big military planes? Cool crafts? Try this eclectic getaway.

Stay in Asian-Antique grandeur in a turnaround town winning kudos for its exquisite riverfront walkway and award-winning Arts and Crafts Gallery.  Dover’s got the Air Mobility Command Museum, a Historic Green, and plenty more to keep a certain kind of adventurous couple busy for a few days.

You can choose between two historic properties once graced by a former governor, the State Street Inn in Dover or the Causey Mansion Bed and Breakfast.

Read all about it in Milford and Dover, Delaware: History and Art Abound.

Pretty outdoor covered Patio Painted Stave Distilling Smyrna DE

Explore Delaware’s Quaint Villages

Bower’s Beach, Odessa, Smyrna, and Harrington Delaware are hardly household names. But collectively, they are known as “Delaware’s Quaint Villages,” and considerably romantic for couples who get weak in the knees over anything “quaint.”

Whether downing a craft beer in Smyrna at the Painted Stave Brewery, discovering some surprising Underground Railroad derring-do in Historic Odessa, or meeting the woman keeping memories of Bower’s Beach alive – you’ll find something special on this Romantic Delaware Getaway.

Read all about it in Things to Do In Delaware’s Quaint Villages.

DuPont suite at Inn at Montchanin Village

Stay At The Inn at Montchanin Village

Once housing the laborers who worked at the Hagley Powder Mills nearby, you can’t help but feel a sense of irony as you meander down “Privy Lane” – original latrines line the street where upscale guest cottages now stand.

I’d wager the only upmarket lodging in America that features outhouses as a design element, The Inn at Montchanin Village maintains its historic value while providing you and your crush with the highest degree of service, amenities – and whimsy.

Delaware’s Most Romantic State Park

Trap Park State Park

Kayak On The Lake At Trap Pond State Park

There’s nothing more romantic than floating about on a serene lake at moonrise. Delaware’s Trap Pond State Park offers such programming, hiking trails, and rustic cabins that turn into love-nests for camping couples who don’t mind bringing their own sheets and towels.

Though this area of Delaware – the Western side – is often overlooked in favor of the state’s fine beaches, it’s got plenty for adventurous folks (sky-diving, anyone?). Or for those who just want to find a quiet place, low drama place.

Kayak on an abundance of undiscovered flat rivers, picnic by a meandering stream, or just admire the stunning sunsets.

Read all about it in Western Sussex County DE: Laurel, Seaford, Georgetown.

Experience The Posh Life In Wilmington

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway that offers a blend of urban charm and natural beauty, Wilmington, Delaware might just be the perfect destination for you. This vibrant city, nestled in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, boasts a lively downtown area with plenty of opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

You and your significant other can take a stroll along the picturesque Wilmington Riverwalk, admiring the views of the Christina River and the city skyline. Or, if you’re in the mood for some culture, visit the Delaware Art Museum or the Grand Opera House, which hosts a variety of performances and exhibitions throughout the year.

And when you’re ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Brandywine Park, where you can enjoy a picnic, take a romantic walk through the gardens, or go for a hike along the wooded trails.

Stay in Downtown Wilmington at the Hotel Dupont, and read all about it in Do Wilmington DE Like A Du Pont.

Map Of Delaware

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Author

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  • Malerie Yolen-Cohen

    Malerie Yolen-Cohen is the Author of the cross-country travel guide, Stay On Route 6; Your Guide to All 3562 Miles of Transcontinental Route 6. She contributes frequently to Newsday, with credits in National Geographic Traveler, Ladies Home Journal, Yankee Magazine, Shape.com, Sierra Magazine, Porthole, Paddler, New England Boating, Huffington Post, and dozens of other publications. Malerie’s focus and specialty is Northeastern US, and she is constantly amazed by the caliber of restaurants and lodging in the unlikeliest places.