Ultimate Outdoor Adventure: Things to Do in Hockessin, Delaware
Hockessin, Delaware, is a quaint and picturesque town located in the northern part of the state. Despite being a small community, Hockessin has a lot to offer visitors looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway.
From historical landmarks and outdoor activities to cultural experiences and fine dining, there is something for everyone in Hockessin.
Hockessin is home to several beautiful parks and gardens for those who enjoy spending time in nature. One of the most popular attractions in the area is Longwood Gardens (just 8 miles from Hockessin), a world-renowned botanical garden that features over 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows.
The Ashland Nature Center also allows visitors to explore over 130 acres of woodlands, streams, and meadows. At the same time, Auburn Valley State Park is perfect for hiking, biking, and fishing.
Hockessin is also home to a rich history and several notable landmarks. The Ashland Covered Bridge is a beloved town icon and dates back to the mid-1800s. The Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights is another popular attraction, showcasing a collection of antique automobiles and vintage steam trains.
Auburn Valley State Park
Auburn Valley State Park, located in Yorklyn, Delaware, is a unique and historic state park that offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages. The park is spread over approximately 360 acres and features several miles of trails open for walking and biking.
Visitors can enjoy a 1.2-mile paved loop that takes them around the estate or hike the Oversee Farm Trail, a 1.1-mile path that explores the architectural history of the local farmhouse and barn.
One of the major attractions of Auburn Valley State Park is the most extensive collection of operational steam cars in the world, as well as a miniature coal-powered train that runs on tracks encircling the estate.
The park is home to the Marshall Steam Museum, which offers visitors an educational and engaging experience to learn about steam power and the role of water. The mansion, mills, and steam museum were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as the Auburn Mills Historic District.
Another highlight of Auburn Valley State Park is the trout fishing opportunities in Red Clay Creek. The creek is stocked with trout each spring, making it a popular angler spot.
Visitors can also enjoy watching the sunset from the Marshall Family Bridge, an 1883 bowstring truss bridge from Iowa that was salvaged and brought to the park in 2018.
Additionally, visitors can tour the Auburn Heights Mansion, a Queen Anne-style home built in 1897 that retains many original Victorian furnishings, and take a tour of the former Marshall Brothers Paper Mill, which is a glimpse into Delaware’s industrial past.
Mt. Cuba Center
Located in Hockessin, Delaware, Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden that is a must-visit destination for plant lovers. With its stunning gardens, natural meadows, and woodland forests, this garden is home to over a thousand native plant species, providing a serene space for visitors to explore.
The garden is situated on 7.4 acres of land, and its unique ecosystem allows visitors to see various plants that thrive in the mid-Atlantic region.
One of the highlights of Mt. Cuba Center is the woodland wildflower garden, a naturalistic garden showcasing some of the most beautiful native flowers in the area. Visitors can stroll through the garden’s winding paths and marvel at the variety of plants and flowers, such as the Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, and trillium.
The garden also includes an outdoor amphitheater that can be rented for events and weddings and a café where visitors can enjoy a light snack or a cup of coffee.
In addition to the woodland wildflower garden, Mt. Cuba Center has a formal garden, a vegetable garden, and a sensory garden. The formal garden features a beautiful reflecting pool and an impressive collection of hydrangeas, while the vegetable garden showcases a wide variety of produce grown using sustainable methods.
The sensory garden is designed to engage visitors’ senses and includes fragrant flowers, touchable plants, and colorful blooms that delight visitors of all ages. With its beautiful landscapes, stunning natural areas, and a wide variety of plant species, Mt. Cuba Center is a unique and beautiful garden that is not to be missed.
Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights
The Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights is fascinating in Hockessin, Delaware. The museum is home to a collection of antique automobiles and steam cars, which date back to the dawn of the automotive age.
The collection includes the world’s most extensive operating collection of Stanley steam cars, a 1916 electric car, a 1914 Model T, and two 1930s Packards. Visitors can also enjoy a ride on the Auburn Valley Railroad, which features 1/8th-size coal-fired steam trains that circle the property.
T. Clarence Marshall built the museum in 1947 to house his growing collection of antique automobiles. Today, the museum is run by the Friends of Auburn Heights, a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Auburn Heights estate and the Marshall family’s legacy.
In addition to the museum’s impressive collection of cars, visitors can tour the beautiful 1897 Queen Anne mansion that was the Marshall home, which is now a part of the museum.
The Friends of Auburn Heights organization hosts various events throughout the year, including Steamin’ Days, which allow visitors to experience the steam cars in action. The museum also offers educational programs and tours, making it an excellent destination for families and history enthusiasts.
With its impressive collection of antique automobiles and special steam trains, the Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights is a must-visit attraction in Hockessin, Delaware.
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is a world-renowned horticultural display garden in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (about 8 miles from Hockessin, Delaware). It spans over 1,077 acres, with 20 indoor and 20 outdoor gardens.
The gardens feature various horticultural styles, including Italian water gardens, formal French gardens, and an expansive conservatory featuring over 4,500 types of plants. The gardens are open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing seasons and the stunning floral displays cultivated and maintained by a team of expert gardeners.
One of the main attractions of Longwood Gardens is the breathtaking Main Fountain Garden, a collection of over 1,700 jets, streams, and fountains that come alive with colorful water displays set to music.
The garden spans over 5 acres and features a wide range of styles, including Italianate, French, and Mediterranean. The fountain shows, which take place multiple times throughout the day and evening, are a must-see experience for visitors of all ages.
In addition to the gardens and fountain displays, Longwood Gardens offers a wide range of events and performances throughout the year, including concerts, educational programs, and seasonal displays. The gardens are also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and other animals that can be observed in their natural habitats.
With its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and commitment to sustainability, Longwood Gardens is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, horticultural enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a peaceful and inspiring retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Ashland Covered Bridge
Ashland Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge located in Hockessin, Delaware, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was constructed in 1860 and is one of the few remaining covered bridges in Delaware.
It is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy exploring historical sites and scenic drives. The bridge spans Red Clay Creek and is situated in a picturesque rural setting, making it a popular spot for photography and picnics.
The bridge is an iconic symbol of the state’s agricultural and transportation heritage. When the bridge was constructed, it provided a vital link across the creek for farmers and travelers and served as a popular crossing point for horse-drawn carriages and wagons.
The bridge also transported produce and livestock from local farms to regional markets. The bridge’s iconic design features a classic gabled roof and wooden siding, which helped protect the bridge from the elements and added stability to the structure.
In recent years, the bridge has undergone extensive restoration efforts to preserve its historical integrity and ensure it remains a popular destination for future generations. The restoration process included replacing the bridge’s wooden siding, repairing the roof, and reinforcing the foundation to ensure the bridge was safe for visitors.
The bridge is open to the public and offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience a piece of Delaware’s rich history.