Newark: Gardens, Trails and History

Newark, Delaware, combines botanical gardens and walking trails with historic sites and urban activities. The various routes and attractions offer practical starting points for planning your trip: you can choose from different trail lengths, explore the city’s history or visit the gardens of the University of Delaware.

Gardens and Outdoor Recreation

The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens welcomes visitors year-round, daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free; parking is paid. A visitor map allows you to take a self-guided tour of the gardens. Check the latest visitor information and fees before your trip.

The Newark Reservoir also offers opportunities for passive recreation, though these are limited. In the wider Newark area, White Clay Creek is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. White Clay Creek State Park is next to the University of Delaware and the city of Newark, and offers nearly 40 miles of trails. Check the park’s current conditions and access rules before your visit.

Trails and Choosing a Route

The Newark Historic Trail is nine miles long and can be extended to ten miles. The extension adds one mile to the total route. The trail is intended to give hikers a sense of Newark’s varied beauty and history. Check the latest route information and conditions before setting out.

The Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail provides direct access to Main Street and runs north through Newark to White Clay Creek State Park. The trail therefore connects with Main Street and also offers a route toward the park. The James F. Hall Trail, in turn, is part of the East Coast Greenway. This information can help you distinguish the described trails by their connections and lengths; check current trail conditions before setting out.

Historic Sites and Insights

The Newark Passenger Railroad Station was built in 1877 by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore (PW&B) Railroad. The Newark Passenger Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, the station houses the Newark History Museum. The museum is temporarily closed for renovations; check its current status before visiting.

Another historical focus is the Iron Hill Museum and Science Center. On its grounds, the African American History Trail tells the story of the free Black community that formed on Iron Hill in the 1830s. The trail also offers the opportunity to learn more about the 1923 schoolhouse that houses the museum. The schoolhouse is dedicated to the history and experiences of Black schools.

The University of Delaware offers guided, self-guided and virtual tours. If you are interested in one of these tours, check availability before your trip.

Main Street, Markets and Recreation

Newark’s Main Street has a wide selection of restaurants, local shops and a movie theater. This can help you plan a range of activities during your stay. Since individual businesses and their opening hours may change, it is advisable to check the latest information.

The Co-op Farmers Market in Newark connects shoppers with local businesses and the people behind their products. The UDairy Creamery Café serves ice cream, waffle cones, cheese, coffee and light meals. In addition, UDairy Creamery in Newark sells student-made ice cream and cheese, beef from the UD farm, and other products made with fresh ingredients locally grown at the University of Delaware’s Newark farm.

George Wilson Center and Park offers basketball, tennis, youth baseball, swimming, playground equipment, picnic tables and horseshoe pitching. Its varied amenities include sports, play and outdoor recreation; which ones suit your stay depends on your own interests.

Getting There and Practical Planning

Newark Regional Transportation Center offers Amtrak service as well as Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) commuter rail service to Philadelphia. If you plan to travel by train, check the schedules before your trip. When choosing accommodations, you can consider which of the topics and activities mentioned are most important to your stay in Newark, without assuming any specific hotel features.

Discover more destinations: Brandywine, Wilmington, Claymont, Bear, New Castle, Delaware City, Hockessin, Brookside.

For the main travel overview: New Castle County.