Delaware | Cultural Compass | InterExchange (2024)

The United States offers a wide variety of cultural learning opportunities through the arts. Dance, music, theater, opera, art museums and festivals are just some of the options available to international visitors who wish to experience the U.S. and its culture.

Art Museums & Centers

• Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover
• Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington
• Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington
• Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery, Wilmington
• Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach
• Rehoboth Beach Film Society, Rehoboth Beach
• University of Delaware Old College Gallery, Newark

Performing Arts

• Clear Space Theatre Company, Rehoboth Beach
• Delaware Comedy Theatre, Rehoboth Beach
• Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Wilmington
• DuPont Theatre, Wilmington
• First State Ballet Theatre, Wilmington
• The Grand Opera House, Wilmington
• Opera Delaware, Wilmington
• Resident Ensemble Players(REP) at University of Delaware, Newark
• Schwartz Center for the Arts, Dover

Many Americans are passionate about sports – and not just baseball and football! Get a glimpse into this part of American culture by watching or participating in a favorite U.S. sport or recreational activity in your local area.

College and League Sports

Delaware has no professional teams but college sports often get a large following, especially theUniversity of Delaware Blue Hens. Other college sports teams include:

• Delaware State Hornets, Delaware State University
• Wesley Wolverines, Wesley College
• Wilmington Wildcats, Wilmington University

TheWilmington Blue Rocksare a minor league baseball team playing at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington.

NASCAR

TheDover International Speedwayhosts NASCAR races, IRL IndyCar series and other races on the track known as the Monster Mile.

The United States is home to a variety of landscapes and climates to suit all types of outdoor activities. The courageous traveler can find extreme sports and outdoor adventure tours, while others may want to keep both feet on the ground in a national park or forest. Whatever your interests, take advantage of the many outdoor activities available during your time in the United States.

Campingis available in many state parks across Delaware, including cabin and yurt rentals. Note: Some campgrounds are closed in winter months, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Cape Henlopen State Parkin Lewes has two designated swimming beaches, a golf course, picnic area, hiking and bike trails and basketball court. The park is also a popular site for events like the Kite Festival and educational programs.

Delaware beachesare a popular destination for visitors and residents of nearby states like Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Swimming, boating, surfing, kayaking, kite boarding, sailing and other water sports are available on beaches in Delaware. On land, visitors can enjoy biking, running, hiking, basketball, volleyball, baseball and parks.

Fenwick Island State Parkis a three-mile area between Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island near the border of Delaware and Maryland. The beach has designated surfing and swimming areas, and visitors can rent chairs, umbrellas and rafts in the summer. Ocean fishing is also popular in this area.

Wilmington State Parks, a group of four state parks, have many attractions and outdoor activities like theBrandywine Zoo, hiking, biking, running, athletic fields and areas to picnic and barbecue.

Find information on outdoor activities in Delaware on theDelaware State Parkswebsite.

One of the best ways to experience cultural exchange is through food and cooking. Visitors will enjoy exploring the regional specialties and local cuisine during their time in the United States.

Delaware has a mixed cuisine, with influences from early English settlers, the cooking styles of the Chesapeake Bay region and recent immigrant groups that have settled in the area. Seafood is common, such as crab cakes, oysters and shrimp. Fresh produce like peaches and apples are also popular in Delaware (check out the peach and apple festivals in our Food Festival section below).

Farmers’ Markets

Find a localDelaware farmers’ marketfor fresh fruit and vegetables and other local goods at the State of Delaware website.

Food Festivals

• Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival, Rehoboth Beach, March
• Rehoboth Beach Restaurant Week, Rehoboth Beach, June
• Wilmington Greek Festival, Wilmington, June
• Wyoming Peach Festival, Wyoming, August
• Bridgeville Apple Scrapple Festival, Bridgeville, October

For a unique and local perspective on American cultural, be sure to check out festivals and events near your cultural exchange program location. These events are a fun and interesting way to interact with locals and to learn more about American culture by experiencing it firsthand.

Old Dover Daysin May celebrate Delaware’s history as the First State with Maypole dancing, parades, food, colonial clothing, walking tours, arts and crafts and other activities and events.

Firefly Music Festivalis a large event attracting top bands and artists to Dover over three days in June. Tickets are available for single days or three-day passes and food, drinks, activities and camping are also available during the festival.

DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festivalis a free outdoor music event in Wilmington’s Rodney Square. Live concerts are held at noon and in the evenings on weekdays and throughout the day on Saturday at this weeklong event.

The annualDelaware State Fairis held in Harrington each July and features carnival rides, agricultural shows, live music, arts and crafts, competitions, many food vendors and much more.

TheNantico*ke Indian Pow-wowin September celebrates Native American culture and the heritage of the Nantico*ke Indians with music, dancing, art and traditional crafts. Tours of the Nantico*ke Indian Museum are also available at the pow-wow, located in Millsboro.

TheWorld Championship Punkin Chunkinin Bridgeville, DE is a November event that revolves around a pumpkin-throwing contest known as “punkin chunkin,” and it is the oldest and largest event of its type in the United States. The event also includes carnival rides, food vendors, live music, fireworks, cooking competitions and more.

For more festivals in Delaware, visit the state’s tourism website andDelaware eventspage.

Rehoboth Beach

TheDewey Arts Festivalin May is a fun, family-friendly event featuring arts and crafts, artists, live music, food, children’s activities and more!

Enjoy free movies every Monday night atDewey Beachduring the summer. Family-friendly movies are shown in June, July and August. Dewey Beach also hosts Wednesday night bonfires – perfect for making s’mores – throughout the summer.

The annualSandcastle Conteston Rehoboth Beach attracts over 800 talented participants and 100 teams each August. Visitors can watch the teams in action as they sculpt huge sandcastles and other creative creations out of sand.

Employers may be able to assist with housing during your time in the United States, but this is not always possible for all participants. When looking for housing during your cultural exchange program, consider the cost of the accommodation, the distance to your work place and the amount of time you will be in the United States.

It’s also important to avoid fraudulent housing. It is highly recommended that you secure short-term housing upon arrival (e.g. in a hostel) and conduct your housing search once you are in the U.S. Never give your financial information to a stranger over the Internet. Browse the Housing Information guides for InterExchange participants below for more tips and advice.

General Housing Information

• Housing information for Work and Travel USA participants
• Housing information for Career Training USA interns and trainees

Delaware Housing Resources

Some examples of housing and accommodation resources for Delaware participants include:

• Craigslist – Delaware
• Roommates.com
• Internhousing.com
• American Homestay Agency
• Hostelling International
• Hostels.com
• HostelsUSA.com

Public transportation options can be hit or miss, depending on your location in the United States. Buses are a common transportation option for short and long-term travel in the U.S., while some areas will also have trains, subways and other options.

Visit theAmerican Public Transportation Association websitefor a complete list of public transportation options in your local community.

Public Transit Systems

The primary public transit system in Delaware is theDART First Statesystem, which includes buses in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, coastal Delaware and Elkton in Maryland, and train service to Philadelphia on theSEPTA rail system.

In Rehoboth Beach, theJolly Trolleyoperates a daily shuttle between Rehoboth and Dewey Beach.

Aferryfor cars and passengers travels between Lewes and Cape May, New Jersey.

Bus

Greyhoundhas limited bus service in Delaware to Dover, Wilmington and the University of Delaware, connecting to locations like New York City, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Megabustravels between Newark and Baltimore, New York City or Washington, D.C.

Peter Panhas an express bus service between Wilmington and New York City.

Train

Amtrak trains stop in Newark and Wilmington and connect via bus to Dover. Routes include theAcela Express,Cardinal/Hoosier State,Carolinian/Piedmont,Crescent,Northeast Regional,Silver Service/Palmettoand theVermonter.

Biking

Read about biking in Delaware from theDelaware Bicycle Council, including bike maps, safety tips, biking resources and more.

Participants in Delaware can use the following resources in case of an emergency or extreme weather event in their area:

Emergency Management Agencies

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)www.fema.govandwww.ready.gov
• Delaware FEMA updates@femaregion3

Weather Information

• National Weather Service
• Weather – Delaware/New Jersey/Southeastern Pennsylvania