Summary
- Satisfy your craving for sushi and Thai cuisine at Chaiyo
- Immerse yourself in fine art at the Biggs Museum of American Art
- Kick back in Tidbury Creek County Park
- Spend a rainy family day at Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park
- Get a history lesson at the Delaware Agricultural Museum
- Explore Brecknock County Park
- Visit the Air Mobility Command Museum
- Attempt to win big at the Dover Downs Casino
- Spend some time in nature at Wyoming Park
- Visit the John Dickinson Plantation
- Enjoy homemade Italian specialties at Pizzadili
- Visit the exotic and domestic Animals at 3 Palms Zoo
- Visit the Old State House
- Lebanon Landing County Park
- Escape the crowds at Silver Lake Park
Highland Acres is a small town located just a few minutes away from Dover in Kent County, Delaware. With a population of approximately 4,000 residents, the town maintains a rural atmosphere; however, its position within the greater Dover Metropolitan Area ensures that various services and attractions of a larger city are readily accessible.
Delaware Bay is situated only a few miles away, providing easy access to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast from Highland Acres.
A diverse array of attractions and services can be found in the neighboring towns of Denton, Bridgeton, Georgetown, and Salem, whereas the capital city of Washington, DC, with its renowned attractions, is only 134 miles away.
Below is a compilation of 15 of the finest activities to pursue in and around Highland Acres, Delaware.
1. Satisfy your craving for sushi and Thai cuisine at Chaiyo
If you appreciate Asian cuisine, Chaiyo in Dover offers sushi and a range of Thai dishes in an inviting and relaxed environment. A variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and main courses are served by attentive staff, who strive to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Some options you will discover on their extensive menu include Pad Thai, spicy basil dishes, teriyaki, crispy basil duck, and garlic shrimp.
2. Immerse yourself in fine art at the Biggs Museum of American Art
The nearby city of Dover houses the Biggs Museum of American Art, which showcases numerous artworks created by American artists. As you explore the museum and its various exhibits, you will encounter an array of styles and genres that chronicle periods extending back to the 18th century. Each piece tells its own story, offering visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about the evolution of art and its impact on American culture.
3. Kick back in Tidbury Creek County Park
Travel can be tiring, and a refreshing visit to a park can provide the ideal opportunity to relax and recharge. Tidbury Creek County Park, with its lovely natural surroundings, allows visitors to simply unwind.
Facilities include picnic tables, grills, and a playground for children. Additionally, there is a half-mile hiking trail that meanders around the pond. This park is dog-friendly, featuring two fenced areas designated for unleashed play.
4. Spend a rainy family day at Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park
On days when outdoor exploration is hindered by rain or cold weather, individuals of all ages can engage in exhilarating and healthy activities at the Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park in Lewes.
The amenities at this family entertainment center cater to all ages. In addition to various trampolines, guests can enjoy an arcade, a playground, a jungle gym, and a foam pit. Fitness classes for adults are also available.
A cafe offering beverages, snacks, and light meals is conveniently located on-site.
5. Get a history lesson at the Delaware Agricultural Museum
Kent County is renowned for its agricultural heritage, and the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover provides insight into this history and its influence on local culture.
Among the items displayed in the exhibitions are artifacts, photographs, documents, and farming-related machinery, including tractors and traditional equipment. Visitors will also learn about the railway’s significant role in the agricultural sector.
The museum features a village that depicts rural life in the late 1800s, showcasing an old barn, windmill, general store, farmhouse, schoolhouse, train station, church, barbershop, and blacksmith shop.
6. Explore Brecknock County Park
One of the most frequented parks located near Highland Acres is Brecknock County Park in Camden. The park’s primary attraction, particularly for children, is the unique playground known as Piccadilly Castle.
In addition to the playground, this 86-acre green space offers various recreational facilities, including nature trails and picnic pavilions.
7. Visit the Air Mobility Command Museum
A prominent attraction located in a refurbished WWII aircraft hangar in Dover is the Air Mobility Command Museum. Here, visitors can marvel at historic American military aircraft and gain a deeper appreciation for the innovation behind these remarkable machines.
The collection includes a variety of bombers, cargo planes, tankers, and fighters, featuring models such as the A-26C, C-5A Galaxy, and Air Force Two VC-9C.
8. Attempt to win big at the Dover Downs Casino
Opportunities to try your luck abound at the Dover Downs Casino. With 2,300 slot machines and 41 table games, this venue guarantees an exhilarating evening out, and you may find yourself leaving with some additional cash or prizes.
When hunger strikes, you will not need to venture far, as various dining options are available on-site.
9. Spend some time in nature at Wyoming Park
Whether you enjoy fishing, playing volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, or simply relaxing in a natural setting, Wyoming Park in the neighboring town of Wyoming offers something for everyone.
The park remains open year-round and is situated adjacent to a pond that is popular among anglers. Facilities include seasonal restrooms, a pavilion, a playground, picnic tables, grills, and a spacious area designated for sporting activities.
10. Visit the John Dickinson Plantation
The historical John Dickinson Plantation in Dover was once the residence of John Dickinson, a founding father of the United States. Guests can explore the grounds independently or participate in guided tours led by costumed interpreters.
During the tour, visitors will gain access to the interior of the grand Poplar Hall, where several exhibits and galleries provide insight into life during the post-Revolutionary period.
11. Enjoy homemade Italian specialties at Pizzadili
For high-quality Italian dishes and deli favorites, both visitors and locals frequent Pizzadili in Dover. For generations, the courteous staff have provided homemade meals in a warm, family-centered environment.
The extensive menu features a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, sandwiches, grilled options, Italian specialties, and main dishes, including seafood combos and steak. A selection of delightful desserts is also available.
12. Visit the exotic and domestic Animals at 3 Palms Zoo
3 Palms Zoo is not your conventional zoo; it serves as Delaware’s only rescue zoo dedicated to saving sick and injured animals incapable of surviving on their own in the wild.
Visitors will learn the backstory of each animal and the reasons for their residence at the zoo. The residents include owls, skunks, foxes, groundhogs, turtles, and an alligator named Tic Toc, all housed in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats.
A variety of exotic birds can also be observed throughout the zoo, and visitors have the chance to interact with and feed domestic animals such as llamas and sheep.
13. Visit the Old State House
Constructed in the late 1700s, the current Old State House Museum in Dover was once the Capitol Building. This splendid structure welcomes visitors who wish to tour its elegant rooms and admire its Middle Georgian architecture.
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building houses numerous artifacts and documents from Delaware’s history.
14. Lebanon Landing County Park
The serene recreational area at Lebanon Landing County Park in Magnolia serves as an ideal location for a family picnic. In addition, it is a popular area for fishing and boating, featuring a roadside boat launch for convenient water access.
15. Escape the crowds at Silver Lake Park
Despite the bustling nature of Dover, it is surprising to discover a tranquil, natural area amidst the urban environment, and Silver Lake Park exemplifies this. The 182-acre park features numerous walking trails, a lake, picnic tables, and a playground, all enveloped by trees and expansive green spaces.