Stay Delaware Rentals, Vacation Rentals in Delaware

Delaware was named after the first governor of Virginia, Sir Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. The name was first applied to the Delaware River. The region was part of the land the Duke of York gave William Penn. Delaware is called the "Diamond State." This is probably because John Lofland wrote, "Delaware is like a diamond, diminutive, but having within it inherent value." The state is also known as the "Blue Hen State" because people compared the fighting spirit of the Delaware First Regiment during the American Revolution with the spirit of the blue hen, their mascot. The blue hen is the state bird. The abbreviation for Delaware is DE.

Delaware is a South Atlantic state bordered by Pennsylvania to the north; Maryland to the west and south; and the Delaware Bay, the Delaware River, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It is the second smallest state; only Rhode Island is smaller. Delaware is known as the "First State" because, on December 7, 1787, it became the first state to ratify the Constitution. Delaware's landscape is mostly a low, flat coastal plain with rich soil. The state shares the Delmarva Peninsula with regions of Maryland and Virginia. The northern most region of the state is part of the Piedmont Plateau. Short, swift streams flow to lower levels from the plateau, which is made up of rolling hills and valleys.

Delaware, although a relatively small city, has the advantages of many cultures of people inhabiting the city. From the Germans, Italians, Polish and Irish to the Puerto Ricans, Africans and Greeks, each culture exposes their heritage by means of large celebrations, festival and parades that equal those large cities. The city is for the most part an undiscovered cultural gem, with beautiful large colonial mansions adorning its parkways, fabulous upscale and affordable restaurants and clubs. The city life in Wilmington is on the rebound. Many former run down and vacant areas are being revitalized by restoration and rebuilding! Like all cities it is a work in progress. It is definitely something exciting to be a part of and a visit, short or long, would only prove the fact.

If you have time also pay a visit to Newark, Delaware. Newark is proudly home to the University of Delaware. The city of Newark is home to over 30,000 residents with the University of Delaware adding an additional 22,000. Newark is known for its Main Street full of a mix of mom and pop shops and trendy boutiques. A tour of the University is well worth your time. The architecture of its widespread campus is breathtaking. The gardens and landscaping is astounding and the spirit of the student body is immense. From its 6 time national champion football team to its award winning marching band, the University of Delaware is one of our nation’s best valued institutions of higher learning! Take a moment and see what it means to be a Blue Hen!

The climate of Delaware is temperate and humid. The normal daily mean temperature in Wilmington is 12 degree Celsius, ranging from –1 degree Celsius in January to 24 degree Celsius in July. Both the record low and the record high temperatures for the state were established at Millsboro: –27 degree Celsius on 17 January 1893 and 43 degree Celsius on 21 July 1930. The average annual precipitation (1971–2000) was 108.7 cm during 1971–2000; about 53 cm of snow falls each year. The average share of sunshine of Wilmington is 55% which is one of the lowest percentages among leading United States cities.

Rehoboth Beach: Located in the second smallest state, not known for its' tourist attractions Rehoboth Beach bills itself as the "Nation's Summer Capitol". Those not from Delaware understand this when they visit and realize the amount of Washington D.C. movers and shakers who pass through this little prize. As well as D.C., license plates common here besides Delaware are Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and even New York and a few places farther out on occasion.

Wilmington: Wilmington is a city of about 70,000 in the state of Delaware, but only about 40km south of the city of Philadelphia, a former US capitol from colonial times, and one of the US's largest metro areas. Easily connected to Philadelphia by highway and train, it also has easy access to New York City by highway and train as well as Washington D.C.

The little state of Delaware was nicknamed the "Diamond State," by Thomas Jefferson, because he felt it was a real jewel in terms of its strategic location. Although only the second state in terms of its size (Rhode Island is smaller), it still has plenty of things to see. A lot of American history took place on this little state that offers some great tours. Wilmington, the capitol of Delaware, was the last stop on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves. The stop is now called the Harriet Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park - named after the Underground Conductor and the stationmaster. The Park is part of the restored Riverwalk, which is a 1.2 mile lighted walkway that has been beautifully landscaped. The largest salt marsh in the eastern United States is in a special reserve in Delaware called the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Reserve. With almost 16,000 acres of mostly unadulterated land and salt marsh, it provides an excellent place to see wildlife in its natural habitat. It is a great place for you and the many thousands of people that come every year to view the many birds and other wildlife that lives here - or passes through.

After seeing everything else, it would be a mistake to leave Delaware and not see some of the historic sights. New Castle is the place where the New Castle Historical Society has preserved three historical homes - the Amstel House, the Dutch House, and the Old Library Museum. Many historical figures of the past visited or lived in these homes - including George Washington and more than one governor. Surrounding these homes are beautiful gardens and inside are finely crafted American and European antiques.

Airports: Baltimore Airport, Philadelphia Airport and New Castle County Airport.

Buses: Dart and Greyhound.

Rental Car: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz.

Rental Truck: Bayshore Ford, Bentley Truck Services, Budget Trucks, Ryder and U-Haul.

Trains: Amtrak, Dart and Septa Transit.