HotelTonight – Great Hotels in Dover, Delaware
Delaware is a small state, thus it often gets overlooked when people plan their vacations. I think that's a shame, though, since this small state actually has a lot to offer in terms of history, culture and entertainment. So when I recently had a free weekend to plan a spur-of-the-moment getaway, I decided to visit the beautiful state of Delaware. I chose to stay in Dover, the state's capital, so that I could enjoy all of the energy and excitement of this cool East Coast city. In order to find a great last-minute hotel in Dover, I simply checked my HotelTonight app. Whenever I need to find great deals on last-minute hotels, I know I can rely on HotelTonight. It has made my travel planning process so much faster and simpler, and it kicked off my Dover trip to a great start. After checking into my Dover hotel, I set out to experience all that the city has to offer.
Downtown
I don't know how else to describe downtown Dover other than it's a lovely downtown. Full of charm and history, the downtown area of Dover is a beautiful place for a stroll. But, of course, there's so much more to do downtown than just walk around. Downtown Dover is chock-full of restaurants, shops, and even bars, so it'll have something to interest you all hours of the day. My favorite area of downtown was Loockerman Street, which is home to some of the city's most popular eateries as well as gorgeous old historic buildings. It was my favorite street in the entire city.
Museums
Given its rich history, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Dover is home to a number of great museums. Since I love learning about a city's history when I visit new places, I was immediately drawn to several of the local museums, including the Air Mobility Command Museum and the Delaware Agricultural Museum. If you really want to get a feel for the city's culture and history, I'd recommend checking out Museum Square downtown, which features several museums that are dedicated to the lifestyle of this small town.
Dover Downs
It's not all museums and picturesque boulevards in Dover. One of this city's most popular attractions is actually a casino, Dover Downs. Not only does Dover Downs feature plenty of games for those who want to test their luck at gambling, but this smoke-free casino is also a popular local entertainment spot. Dover hosts live events and concerts regularly, so it's a staple in the community. Nearly every Dover local has been to Dover Downs at some point, whether it was for a live concert or for a fun night out with friends.
First State Heritage Park
I'm always interested in the history of a city, and Dover made it so easy for me to effortlessly sightsee and absorb the town's history. I particularly enjoyed visiting the First State Heritage Park, which is considered an urban "park without boundaries," as it links some of Dover's most treasured historic and cultural sites. The park isn't just a great spot for history buffs to learn about the town, though; it's also a lovely public space to go for a walk, relax and people watch or even enjoy a picnic with friends. This lovely, historic park blends Dover's past and its present, so I enjoyed every minute I spent exploring the area.
The Speedway
For those who don't know much about Delaware, you're probably familiar with the town of Dover because it's home to one of the best-known racing speedways in the country, the Dover International Speedway. Twice a year, NASCAR fans pour into the stands at the speedway to watch a live race, and they're two of the hottest events of the year in Dover. Even though I personally don't know much about NASCAR, I couldn't resist visiting the speedway to see this incredible racing venue for myself. I only wish I had been lucky enough to be in town to see a race in person.
HotelTonight – Last-Minute Dover Hotels You'll Love
Dover, Delaware certainly surpassed my expectations. I knew I was going to enjoy learning about the history of the town, but I didn't realize how much I was going to fall in love with the energy and the charm of the city. Dover feels like the perfect mix of the past and the present, and I felt an instant connection to this welcoming, picturesque town. I'm so glad I had the chance to explore an East Coast town that doesn't get a lot of traction from tourists, because I felt like I really got to know a part of the country most people don't get to see. My quick Delaware getaway wouldn't have been possible without HotelTonight, which helped me find the perfect Dover hotel for my last-minute trip.
