Delaware is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but if you plan to go there for Thanksgiving, you're in for a different treat. 

This tax-free state has beautiful malls and a cute Main Street where you can shop on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Book a stay at one of the many vacation rentals in Delaware for a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Lewes

Image Source: Cape Gazette

Here’s why Lewes is a great place to celebrate thanksgiving in Delaware

On Thanksgiving morning, you can become a Gabby Gobbler at the Lewes 5K. After that, you can watch the games on TV while you eat dinner at the Gate House of Lewes, Striper Bites Bistro, or the Pickled Pig Pub. 

During Winterfest, you can drive through Cape Henlopen State Park and see more than 60 fantastic light displays along a two-mile stretch. Then, stop by the Christmas Village at the Mays-Lewes Ferry Terminal. This busy village has ice skating, live music, a walking Santa, indoor holiday workshops, and carnival rides like a giant Ferris wheel. 

And lastly, instead of going to crowded malls and small shops, spend the day hiking at the state park, which is free to enter.

Wilmington

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If you are near Wilmington, you are close to one of the best places to celebrate Thanksgiving in Delaware. 

Start Thanksgiving Day at the annual MS run, with 5K and 10K routes for adults and special activities for kids. You can have a Thanksgiving feast at the Columbus Inn, a modern tavern in an old building. 

You can also eat at Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront or get dressed up and go to the Green Room at the Hotel du Pont. Go shopping and ice skating on Black Friday at Horizon Services Riverfront Park. 

On Saturday, you can celebrate the holidays with the locals at the annual Christmas Parade that goes through downtown. Check out the Broadway Christmas Wonderland at The Playhouse on Rodney Square for a show as good as the Radio City Music Hall chorus girls who kick their legs up high.

Dover

Image Source: Delaware Online

You’ll never run out of activities in Dover this Thanksgiving! 

Trot over to the 5K run before going to Michele's at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino for a Thanksgiving meal, and then stay for some slot machine fun. At McGlynn's Pub, sports fans can enjoy a great meal while watching football on TV screens that are bigger than life. 

Start your Black Friday shopping at the Dover Mall, where you can find stores like Dick's Sporting Goods and Old Navy. On Small Business Saturday, visit the shops in downtown Dover. You can save money on great deals, as Delaware has no sales tax. 

Visit the Air Mobility Command Museum for a change of pace. It has more than 30 old planes, such as a presidential plane, a helicopter, a bomber, and cargo haulers.

Rehoboth Beach

Image Source: Delaware Online

Another great place is the legendary Rehoboth Beach. 

On Saturday, you can join the locals at the Huffin for the Pumpkin Pie 5K. Farm-to-table food is served at Salt Air and Big Fish Grill. 

The tree-lighting ceremony includes a sing-song of the holiday classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." If you like locally made shows, the Clear Space Theatre Company puts on a Christmas show every year starting the weekend after Thanksgiving

Milford

Image Source: Visit Milford

Suppose you are a Milford native. Head south to Lewes, and join local families in the Gabby Gobbler 5K run. Then, head back to Milford for a delicious Thanksgiving meal at the Georgia House, WestSide Restaurant, or Abbott's Grill. 

This artsy town has a lot of art galleries, and Walnut Street and the Downtown Riverwalk are full of cute shops that make Black Friday shopping a breeze. Make sure to visit the historic grist mill site at Abbott's Mill. After a tour, you can walk through undeveloped land on a trail that goes by a pond and through meadows. The Nature Center lets you get up close to local wildlife.

Delaware City

Image Source: Daily Hive

This small port town on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is an excellent place to live along the river. Join the locals for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner at Crabby Dick's, Kathy's Crab House, or Cantwell's Tavern, where everything is made fresh on the spot. Local malls and Main Street offer tax-free shopping for hours, but if you want some exercise and fresh air, you can go to the Black Friday OptOutside event at Fort DuPont State Park.

Odessa

Image Source: Historic Odessa

The six-week holiday celebration in historic Odessa is a bit different in how it is done, but it is a lot of fun. 

In this holiday tradition, scenes from classic books like The Mouse King and The Nutcracker are retold through vignettes that show beloved characters and fantastic settings. You can have a Thanksgiving meal at Willey Farms but only leave with a bag full of treats, like handmade candy corn or old-fashioned horehound hard candies, which are great for stuffing Christmas stockings. 

Lastly, visit the Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House, a critical Quaker meeting house on the Underground Railroad, to learn about its history.

Newark

Image Source: Newark Post

If you get to Newark the Saturday before Thanksgiving, you can take part in the Turkey Trot 5K walk/run at Handloff Park or the Run for Pie 5K on Thanksgiving Day. Then, have a leisurely meal at the Deerfield Country Club and walk around the Newark Reservoir for a nice view of the city. 

If you'd rather hike, get some fresh air, and be in a quiet place, skip Black Friday shopping at the Christiana Mall and head to White Clay Creek or Lums Pond State Park instead. It is Delaware's "OptOutside" shopping alternative.

New Castle

Image Source: Only In Your State

To get the best Thanksgiving celebration in New Castle, take part in the Thanksgiving Day MS Run in Wilmington, which is just a few minutes away. Then take a holiday tour of the most elegant and royal DuPont mansion, the Nemours Mansion, and Gardens. 

Come back to New Castle for a great Thanksgiving dinner at the charming Jessop's Tavern and Colonial Restaurant. When you want to exercise, you can walk through the Old Library, Dutch House, or Amstel House museums, among many others, in New Castle. 

If the kids need to burn off some extra energy and museums aren't doing it for them, take them to the Jump On Over Inflatable Play Center in Middletown and let them bounce around.

Final Thoughts

These are the best places to celebrate Thanksgiving in Delaware today. So, plan your Thanksgiving getaway as early as now and hop on to these activities near your cities!