HOTEL DU PONT
Wilmington, Delaware
42 W. 11th St., Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Original Property Opened in 1913
Historic Hotels of America member since 1989
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- The 2023 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Culinary Heritage and Traditions List
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January 15, 1913, saw the opening of Wilmington’s HOTEL DU PONT, one of the most lavish hotels of America’s Gilded Age and an immediate rival to Europe’s finest hotels. In its first week, 25,000 visitors toured the elegant rooms to see their rich woodwork, terrazzo floors, handcrafted chandeliers, and gilded hallways, which had been created by a host of French and Italian craftsmen. Breathtaking scenery and a wealth of history and cultural attractions are a short drive from this magnificent 12-story Renaissance-style hotel in Wilmington, Delaware.
Discover
- Admire the hotel’s stately architecture, from the hand-carved woodwork to the wall designs executed in sgrafitto, a near-lost art form of layered plaster. Much of the original craftwork from 1913 has been restored, bringing to life the original splendor and ambiance.
- Enjoy a memorable stay at the hotel which since it's opening in 1913, has hosted twelve US president's and countless celebrities.
- Discover the Gold Ballroom, dedicated to love. Above the polished oak floor and supported by allegorical figures in ten spandrels soar medallions of twenty of history’s most acclaimed women, including Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Pocahontas, and Madame du Barry.
Explore
- Explore vintage wineries and cideries amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the Brandywine Wine Trail. Tours and tastings are offered year-round.
- Cruise picturesque Routes 100 and 52 by car for a tour of the countryside and pass through “Chateau Country.” See elegant estates dotting the rolling landscape including the DuPont properties of Winterthur, Nemours, and Hagley. Winterthur itself is now a museum and historic site that possesses one of the most significant collections of American decorative arts in the world today.
- Stroll down the reimagined Riverfront and find a mix of eateries, shops, recreation, parks, and amusement. Then hop aboard the Riverboat Queen or onto a river taxi to view the area from the water for a refreshing new perspective.
Experience
- Experience the Delaware Art Museum with its unique collections and special exhibits of fine and mixed media artwork from established and emerging artists and creators.
- Meander around the Brandywine Zoo, or take a leisurely walk through the Frederic Law Olmstead-designed Brandywine Park along picturesque Brandywine Creek.
- Visit Nemours Estate to view expansive gardens, grounds, and the mansion Alfred DuPont built for his wife, Alicia, on a 3,000-acre parcel of land. Experience the grandeur and learn about the evolution of the grounds through a guided or self-guided tour.
Taste
- Taste a bounty of fresh seafood at Banks’ Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar. Enjoy locally sourced ingredients. When finished, take a relaxing stroll along the Riverfront, on the Christina River.
- Tour the Herr’s Snack Factory to learn how potato chips are made and taste a fresh batch of this iconic treat of the mid-Atlantic.
- Indulge with a cup or cone of fresh ice cream from Woodside Farm Creamery, family-owned for more than two centuries right in New Castle, Delaware.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Surprise your special someone with this romantic getaway. Package includes sparkling wine (bottle of Prosecco) upon arrival and sweet treats for two: 1 bottle of Prosecco sparkling wine 4 chocolate-dipped macaroons, 2 hotel-made fine chocolates, and 2 hotel-made petit fours.
