Wilmington, DE. (September 4, 2024)—As summer's heat and humidity fade away, the Greater Wilmington region prepares for the glory of fall. Known for its picturesque landscapes that stun with autumnal hues, Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley offer an unforgettable getaway. Visitors can experience the region's most colorful season while exploring its historical charms, cultural attractions, and booming dining scene.

Leaf Peeping and Covered Bridges
Avoid the throngs of tourists in New England and embark on a scenic Mid-Atlantic leaf-peeping road trip through the Brandywine Valley's rolling hills, where the countryside stuns in a cacophony of colors. Take a drive over Smith Bridge, a one-lane wooden bridge dating back to 1839 spanning the Brandywine River just south of the Pennsylvania line. Road trippers can trade a car for a bike in the City of Wilmington at the revitalized Riverwalk and take in the serenity of the protected nearby wildlife refuge, or head to historic New Castle, where walking the cobblestone streets of this waterfront colonial city feels like a step back in time.

Equally nostalgic, the Wilmington & Western Railroad, an 1872 heritage railway, offers steam-diesel-powered train tours through the scenic Red Clay Valley of Wilmington (don't miss the “Autumn Leaf Special” rides throughout October and November!).

Cultural Happenings and New Experiences
As the home to the magnificent du Pont family estates and six renowned gardens, earning the region its moniker, America's Garden Capital, travelers can experience Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience at Longwood Gardens, the most ambitious revitalization in a century of America's greatest center for horticultural display (opening to the public on November 22, 2024). See what all the buzz is about surrounding Winterthur's forthcoming exhibit, On Tour: Lafayette, America's Revolutionary Rock Star, honoring the Marquis de Lafayette's return to the US in 1824 and celebrating his legacy through its collection (October 1, 2024, to May 2025).

As the cool air marks its arrival, visitors can warm their hearts and souls at the Delaware Art Museum to take in its much-anticipated fall exhibition: Jazz Age Illustration. Drawing from DelArt's expansive illustration collection and supplemented by loans from the National Portrait Gallery and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the show shines a spotlight on popular illustration in the U.S. between 1919 and 1942 (October 5, 2024, to January 26, 2025).