Delaware County, Pennsylvania, is famous for its historical and cultural sites since it is also the oldest settled part of the state.
Founded in 1789, Delaware County also enjoys a superb location on the northern banks of its famed namesake river.
It helps a lot, too, that the Philadelphia International Airport is wedged on the county’s southeastern edge.
Moreover, Delaware County offers diverse destinations among the 49 municipalities within its 184-square-mile area.
Visitors of this county can have a great time in its cultural and historical sites and its various natural preserves, parks, and life and leisure hubs.
Check out this list of things to do in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
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The Brandywine Battlefield Park takes you back to the largest single-day battle of the American Revolution.
This park is located just north of Baltimore Pike in the township of Chadds Ford.
It covers just 50 acres, but the 1777 battle it commemorates raged over ten square miles or 35,000 acres.
The Brandywine Battlefield Park was once where George Washington and his Continental troops camped before the battle.
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Visit this park for tours of its museum and the Benjamin Ring House that served as Washington’s headquarters.
A park tour also includes visiting the house of Gideon Gilpin, which the British pillaged after the battle.
In addition, park visitors can watch an 18-minute film about the Brandywine Battle.
There’s no admission fee to hike on the trails around the park, where regular events like battle reenactments are also held.
Drop by the Delaware County Historical Society on the Avenue of the States in Chester to look back at the county’s past.
The society’s home is the circa 1814 National Bank building next to the Chester Courthouse, built in 1724.
The Delaware County Historical Society facilities, established in 1895, cater to all ages.
Its visitors can tour its Museum Gallery and browse the extensive reference materials at its Research Library.
The Delaware County Historical Society also maintains a Children’s Education Center.
Visitors of the society’s headquarters can tour several themed rooms with 17th-century furniture.
Exhibits ranging from Civil War relics to vintage cooking and recipes are also among the collections at the Delaware Society.
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You can immerse in the joys of many outdoor activities in a visit to Ridley Creek State Park.
Located on Sycamore Mills Road in the townships of Media, this park spreads over 2,600 acres of meadows and woodlands.
You can hike or bike along the 12 miles of trails that weave through the acreage of the park and its namesake creek.
In addition, the Ridley Creek State Park offers a 4.7-mile path for horse riders.
An equestrian facility in the park, Shadow Creek Farm, supports visiting horse riders.
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Winter visits to the park open opportunities for tobogganing and cross-country skiing on its trails.
Seasonal deer hunting with a bow and arrow is another Ridley Creek State Park outdoor activity.
Its namesake creek is also stocked with trout regularly for park visitors to enjoy fishing.
Ridley Creek State Park further draws visitor interest to the 14 picnic areas within its lush woodlands.
The Historic Grange Estate is another destination in Delaware County, providing a glimpse of life in Pennsylvania during the 18th century.
This estate spreads over ten acres off Myrtle Avenue in the community of Havertown in Haverford Township.
The Historic Grange Estate flaunted a Victorian-style mansion built in the 1700s and had George Washington among its prominent visitors.
The rooms of the mansion feature vintage Victorian-style décor to showcase the period of its construction.
Other points of interest in the Historic Grange Estate include lush woodlands and beautiful gardens with access via walking trails.
The estate also excites visitors with its impressive model train display and the mansion’s vintage outbuildings.
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The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College brings in the colors and scents of flowers in a visit to the Delaware County borough of Swarthmore.
This 30-acre arboretum on College Avenue on the campus of Swarthmore College has a rose garden among its features.
This rose garden in the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College boasts more than 300 roses representing 170 rose varieties.
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A visit to the arboretum’s Scott Amphitheater is as impressive in spring when the Tulip poplars are in full bloom.
Admission is free to the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, open year-round from dawn to dusk.
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Visit the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum, which pays respect to the soldiers who fought in major US wars and battles.
This museum is located on East State Street in the borough of Media, the seat of Delaware County.
The displays at the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum include a striking life-size diorama highlighting D-Day of World War II.
This exhibit on the American GIs Invasion of Normandy also features a tribute to the courageous Band of Brothers.
Exhibits on the WWII South Pacific naval battles and the Vietnam and Korean wars are also displayed in the museum.
For an interactive experience, you can put on a parachute backpack at the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum’s Paratroopers Kiosk.
Experience local farm life circa 1760-1790 with a visit to the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation.
This 112-acre farm spreads off North Sandy Flash Drive in the Delaware County township of Newtown Square.
Join one of the field trips at the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation for the best experience.
The programs include the four-hour Colonial Experience, where the participants’ activities range from spinning to candle dripping.
Visitors of the Colonial Pennsylvania Station can go on self-guided tours.
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The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum offers a 1,000-acre bird sanctuary for birdwatchers to enjoy.
This wildlife refuge in the township of Tinicum is accessible from Lindbergh Boulevard north of the Philadelphia International Airport.
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The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum offers visitors over ten miles of nature trails.
Hiking, biking, and birdwatching are most popular in the 3.5-mile Wetland Loop in the wildlife refuge.
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The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum also has an observation tower and boardwalk on the southern stretch of its Dike Trail.
These places overlook wetlands and Darby Creek, opening plenty of opportunities to see water birds like swans, egrets, and herons.
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Pedal on the Chester Creek Trail to immerse yourself in the countryside feel of central Delaware County.
This three-mile trail follows a stretch of the 9.4-mile Chester Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.
The Chester Creek Trail traces a Civil War-era train track of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
This trail is accessible from Knowlton Road in the township of Media.
Riding a bike along the rustic stretch of the Chester Creek Trail opens up a visit to the Caleb Pusey Plantation in Upland.
You can likewise have rest stops in the charming townships of Middletown and Aston.
Join soccer fans making a beeline at Subaru Park, home of the Major League Soccer expansion team Philadelphia Union.
This modern open-air soccer stadium, completed in 2010, is located on Seaport Drive in Chester.
Subaru Park seats 18,500 fans of soccer games and can accommodate up to 26,000 people for live performances like concerts.
This multipurpose facility features a built-in concert stage, 29 luxury suites, and a full-service club restaurant.
Spectators in this stadium also have unobstructed views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge as they watch a game from their seats.
Besides soccer, Subaru Park’s natural grass pitch is also an ideal arena for football, lacrosse, and rugby.
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Stop by the Brandywine River Museum of Art, where the works of the creative minds of the Wyeth family are on display.
This charming art museum is in a repurposed 1864 gristmill on U.S. Route 1 in the Chadds Ford township.
There’s so much to appreciate in the Brandywine River Museum Art collection, which includes over 2,500 pieces.
These artworks include landscapes, still life renditions, illustrations, and genre paintings.
Besides the Wyeths, works of 19th- and 20th-century American artists are included in the Brandywine River Museum Art collection.
Pin your hopes on Lady Luck at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.
This gaming destination in Delaware County is located on Harrah’s Boulevard in Chester.
At Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, you can choose from 2,000 slot machines to bet from 1 cent to $100.
Your casino gaming options include live table games for Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and a 25-table World Series of Poker Room.
Alternatively, you have Caesars Sportsbook to play the odds at sports games.
The same experience awaits at the live harness horse races at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.
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Stop by Linvilla Orchards, where you can directly pick seasonal produce from its farm.
This source of farm produce in the borough of Media is located on the northwest quadrant of Linvill Road and Knowlton Road.
Linvilla Orchards has already become an institution in Delaware County since 1914.
One of its pick-your-own seasonal offers to customers happens each April when Linvilla Orchards harvests its first crop of peonies, strawberries, and asparagus.
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At other times of the year, farm visitors can pick apples and pumpkins.
Other fresh produce available at Linvilla Orchards includes fresh soursop, dragon fruit, jackfruit, aloe vera, and hard-to-find veggies.
You can also pick from the 40 different types of pies that the Linvilla Orchards’ bakery famously bakes.
The whole family will enjoy a stop at this Media landmark, as it also features a playground, face painting, and an indoor mini-golf.
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The Oasis Family Fun Center is delightful for Delaware County visitors with kids in tow.
This family-oriented amusement center is conveniently located on Lacrue Avenue in the community of Glen Mills in Concord Township.
Its facilities include a spacious soft playground with slides, mazes, and tunnels, among other obstacles.
The Oasis Family Fun Center also has an interactive Ballocity Arena with blasters propelling soft foam balls.
Virtual reality games, a laser maze challenge, a rock-climbing wall, an arcade, and a cafe complete the fun facilities in this amusement center.
Book a tasting session at Chaddsford Winery to sample its award-winning products.
This winery on Baltimore Pike in the borough of Chadds Ford has already amassed several awards since its establishment in 1982.
Among the top picks for tasting flights in Chaddsford Winery are its 2017 Artisan Series Cabernet Franc and its light-bodied Red Standard.
For sweet wines, the picks this winery offers include its conic Niagara, Sangria, and Sunset Blush.
Chaddsford Winery hosts tastings at its newly renovated Barrel Room, where you can also have an in-depth view of how wine is made.
Delaware County checks all the boxes for those planning a leisure trip to Pennsylvania.
Stopping by many of its towns, boroughs, and communities unlocks a dizzying selection of destinations and points of interest.
Their historic sites, nature parks and preserves, and centers for arts and culture make for a compelling mix of things to do in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
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