New tourism itineraries highlight Sussex County museums

Artifacts, memorabilia, and stories preserved in Southern Delaware’s constellation of museums chronicle the history of the Cape Region from precolonization up through recent decades. In order to acquaint visitors with the abundant resources offered in these museums, Southern Delaware Tourism has crafted and added to its website a set of three itineraries to make it easy for visitors to plan museum-hopping getaways and put more education in their vacation.

Each itinerary contains brief descriptions of the museums as well as links to map, contact, and website information for each.

Southern Delaware boasts 26 museums, each with its own unique collections of artifacts and memorabilia as well as expert docents to bring them to life with stories and answer visitors’ questions. Unusual sites include a train station, a caboose, a World War II bunker, a lighthouse, a town hall, a firehouse, an airport, a mansion, a lifesaving station, a lightship, a church, a barn, a post office, a renovated ice house, several historic homes, and a garden shed.

The largest aviation library in the East is in Georgetown; the only floating National Historic Landmark in Delaware is in Lewes; and the only Native American museum in the state is in Millsboro.

Trips combining museum visits with antiques shopping can be easily planned by choosing a museum itinerary and matching it up with a corresponding antiques itinerary. Finally, the selection of a nearby restaurant for lunch or dinner will round out plans for a perfect day.

Southern Delaware Tourism supports and encourages the identification, development and promotion of sustainable, year-round tourism in southern Delaware that contributes to economic growth and improves the quality of life. For more information, call 302-856-1818 or go to www.VisitSouthernDelaware.com.