Wilmington Delaware, a Tiny City with History and Surprises

SHOW NOTES: WILMINGTON BY RAIL – BIDEN’S HOMETOWN AND DELAWARE’S HIDDEN CHARMS

🚆 Episode Overview

In this episode, we journey by train from Massachusetts to Wilmington, Delaware—arriving at the Joseph R. Biden Station in the heart of the city. Wilmington may be small, but it’s packed with history, culture, and surprises. From the spotlight of the 2020 election to the legacy of the DuPont family, this city offers a fascinating blend of small‑town warmth and corporate power.

🌆 Highlights You’ll Hear About

1. Arriving Downtown by Rail: The ease and charm of stepping off the train right into the city center.
2. Wilmington in the Spotlight: How the 2020 election put this city of 70,000 on the world stage.
3. Riverfront Adventures: Biking the Jack Markell Trail, beer gardens, and the youthful energy along the Christina River.
4. The DuPont Legacy: Touring Hagley Museum’s black powder mills, gardens, and patent models.
5. Bucolic Delaware: Country drives past colonial bridges, farmland, and Biden’s family home.
6. Corporate Delaware: Why Fortune 500 companies flock here—no sales tax, low property tax, and the Court of Chancery.
7. Dining Delights: From Buckley’s Tavern to Bardea’s inventive small plates, plus cocktails at De‑CO.
8. Hotel DuPont & Le Cavalier: Grandeur, gilded ceilings, and French‑inspired cuisine.
9. Longwood Gardens: A breathtaking conservatory and outdoor wonderland just across the Pennsylvania line.

✨ Key Takeaway

Wilmington is a city of contrasts—corporate powerhouse and small‑town charm, Biden’s hometown and DuPont’s empire, youthful energy and colonial history. Whether you’re biking the riverfront, savoring small plates, or wandering through Longwood Gardens, Wilmington proves that Delaware, though small, has a big story to tell.

📸 Photos

See images from the trip: Max Hartshorne’s Wilmington gallery

🔗 Resources Mentioned

1. VisitWilmingtonDE.com
2. It’s Time Delaware
3. WilmToday
4. Longwood Gardens

🎙️ Listen & Subscribe

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