Weekend in Delaware one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: Delaware is 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width — bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Unique autumn events include the Bridgeville Apple Scrapple Festival, Oct. 11 and 12, celebrating the state's agricultural community with live entertainment, carnival rides, tractor pulls, more than 500 crafters and vendors and lots of scrapple (a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition combining pork scraps and trimmings with cornmeal and buckwheat flour into a loaf; www.applescrapple.com). Pumpkins are catapulted every which way at the World Championship Punkin Chunkin event, Nov. 1-3 in Bridgeville, $10 (www.punkinchunkin.com).
Getting there: Philadelphia International Airport is located 30 minutes from downtown Wilmington; 90 minutes from Dover and approximately two hours from southern Delaware. One-way rates from $122 with a 14-day advance purchase notice. Frequent daily nonstop service from AirTran, Delta, US Airways.
BUDGET
Stay: Doubletree Wilmington Downtown's guest amenities include warm chocolate chip cookies on arrival, an indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center, buffet breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi and shuttle service within 5 miles. The on-site Metro Lounge offers a light menu and happy hour. Rates from $89. 700 N. King St. 302-655-0400, www.wilmingtondehotel.com.
Eat: Popular and tiny El Diablo Burritos serves up huge burritos (short rib with goat cheese, pineapple-habanero salsa, black beans, fresh guacamole and cilantro sauce) and Mexi-Terranean salads for $10 and less. 13 Trolley Square, Wilmington. 302-691-5532, www.facebook.com/eldiabloburritos.
Experience: The city and tidal Christina River meet at the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge — a perfect spot for an autumn nature walk; free. 1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington. 302-656-1490, www.riverfrontwilm.com. The Delaware History Trail lets visitors explore centuries worth of history while driving from gorgeous countrysides to award-winning beaches. The trail features 36 prominent historic sites located throughout the state. Experience historic architecture, beautiful estates and one-of-a-kind museums. View the stops in the three counties at Visit Delaware, www.visitdelaware.com. The easy-to-follow guide is similar to the state's Delaware Wine and Ale Trail that attracts wine enthusiasts and fans of small craft breweries (www.visitdelaware.com/wineandale).
MODERATE
Stay: Homewood Suites Wilmington-Brandywine Valley offers views of meadows, a nearby horse farm and state park land. One- and two-bedroom suites have fully equipped kitchens and separate living/sleeping areas. Perks include complimentary Wi-Fi, a hot full breakfast, a 24-hour on-site convenience store and and evening dinner and drinks (Monday-Thursday). Rates from $122. 350 Rocky Run Parkway. 302-479-2000, www.homewoodsuites.com.
Eat: The favorites at Corner Bistro are onion soup gratin ($8), tarte flambee ($13), creme brulee and French-American bistro fare with entrees from $18-$22. 3604 Silverside Road, Wilmington. 302-477-1778, www.mybistro.com.
Experience: Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur (pronounced "winter-tour") is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with a collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room du Pont family home of the early '20s. Set inside of a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands, Winterthur also is renowned for its 60-acre naturalistic garden designed by du Pont, considered among America's best. Two-day tickets ($18 adult) include garden access, a tram tour, the galleries and an introductory house tour. 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington. 1-800-489-6664, http://winterthur.org.
SPLURGE
Stay: The Bellmoor is an elegant European-style inn featuring Brazilian cherry floors, two libraries with fireplaces, a sunroom, a courtyard garden and a full-service day spa. The downtown shops and Rehoboth's family-friendly ocean beach boardwalk are a short walk away. Rates from $179 include a hot breakfast buffet and afternoon tea with cookies. 6 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-5800, www.thebellmoor.com.
Eat: Henlopen City Oyster House is one of the few locations in Delaware that keep a cask on hand for an Old World beer experience. Regionally raised meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables are served along with an extensive selection of unique microbrews, imported beers and an eclectic wine list. Entrees $23-$30. 50 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 302-260-9193, www.hcoysterhouse.com.
Experience: Midcoast Rehoboth Beach boasts old-fashioned charm, tax-free shopping, a mile-long boardwalk for bike riding, strolling or jogging, miniature golf, arcades, a family amusement park, bandstand pavilion and dozens of weekend festivals — including the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, held on five stages, Oct. 17-20; $25-$59; www.rehobothjazz.com. Many local restaurants and bars, in both Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, join in to offer great entertainment throughout the event. Catch the 24th Annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler's Festival, Oct. 25-27, where costume parades, costume and broom-tossing contests and live foot-stompin' entertainment draw 30,000 locals; free; www.downtownrehoboth.com.
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