Wilmington to Newark train

Wilmington is a major city in Delaware, established at the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. The charming city, at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Christina River, offers easy connections to the lush countryside of Brandywine Valley. Thanks to the venerable du Pont family, who established the DuPont Company in Wilmington in 1802, the city is filled with grand estates and magnificent gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Hagley Museum & Library is the ultimate example. The expansive complex includes the first home of the du Pont family, powder yards from the company's initial gunpowder mill, and a Renaissance-style garden complete with terraces.

To dive deeper into the city's history, check out the Fort Christina State Park, the site of Wilmington's original Swedish settlement over 400 years ago. Other popular attractions include the Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Zoo.

Wilmington is easy to access from most of the mid-Atlantic region and is located between Philadelphia and Washington. In 2011, the city's Amtrak train station was renamed the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station in honor of rail enthusiast Joe Biden, who often commuted via Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington during his time as a Senator. Buses from Wilmington also connect to cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Since the regional Wilmington Airport does not offer civilian flights, travelers can easily take a bus to the airport in Philadelphia for any air travel out of the area.

Newark, Delaware, is a small city packed with history and culture. The picturesque Historic Courthouse, which dates to the 18th century, boasts an impressive stone exterior and a Tiffany glass skylight inside. The Iron Hill School Museum is exactly what it says on the tin: a museum in a historic schoolhouse on Iron Hill. The small building is filled to the brim with natural history exhibits and Native American artifacts. For those too cool for school, swing by the free Mineralogical Museum on the University of Delaware campus for one of the best mineral, crystal, and gem collections in the U.S.

Newark is also known for its excellent dining at places like Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, the Stone Balloon Ale House, or Home Grown Cafe. When you’re ready to work off those meals, visit Glasgow Park Trail, with a basketball court, tennis court, and a general exercise area. The Newark Shopping Center is the local go-to for eating and shopping, or take a drive out to Christiana Mall between Newark and Wilmington for more options.

Amtrak connects the city to Philadelphia, Newark (the other one), and Baltimore from the Newark Train Station, right next to the University of Delaware campus. Flixbus also has service across Delaware, with routes connecting Newark to Boston, Charlotte, and Greensboro.