New Castle
Historic town · Delaware
Six miles south of Wilmington on the Delaware River, New Castle packs around 500 buildings dating from 1700 to 1940 into a district about four blocks square, all of it a National Historic Landmark since 1967. Cobblestone streets, colonial rowhouses, and a central green make it an easy, walkable stop on a fall afternoon.
Don’t miss
Color nearby peaks: November 1–November 5
Color builds from October 19 · mostly bare by November 25
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at New Castle’s own coordinates and elevation (11 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
New Castle on the map
More things to do in Delaware
Winterthur
GardenPeak November 2
Henry Francis du Pont's 979-acre former estate near Wilmington, opened as a museum in 1951, pairs a renowned American decorative-arts collection with a 60-acre naturalistic garden, where mature oaks, tulip poplars, and Japanese maples color 25 miles of trails into late October.
Don’t miss: 60-acre naturalistic garden · 25 miles of garden trails · Enchanted Woods children's garden
Frightland
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 4
A cluster of eight haunted attractions on a farm outside Middletown, including the Haunted Hayride, Idalia Manor, Zombie Prison, Ghost Town and Ravenwood Cemetery, all wrapped around a midway of amusement rides. The ticket booth runs 6 to 9 p.m. on operating nights.
Don’t miss: Eight haunts including the Haunted Hayride · Zombie Prison and Ravenwood Cemetery · Midway of amusement rides
Fifer Orchards
OrchardColor nearby peaks November 6
A Kent County farm and country store near Wyoming, Delaware, whose autumn Fall Fest layers a corn maze, pumpkin picking, pedal tractors, mega slides and a Pumpkin-Palooza photo area over the orchard. U-pick apples run late August to mid-October and pumpkins through October.
Don’t miss: Fall Fest corn maze and pumpkin picking · U-pick apples late Aug to mid-October · Country store open Monday to Saturday
Ramsey's Farm
FarmColor nearby peaks November 2
Family-run outside Wilmington since 1860, Ramsey's Farm still centers on a pumpkin patch and corn maze each fall, alongside a produce stand and even a small herd of wagyu beef cattle. It is a working farm where the main draw shifts with the season, and autumn means hayrides, a maze to get lost in, and pumpkins by the wagonload.
Don’t miss: Pumpkin patch and corn maze · Family farm since 1860 · Produce stand and wagon rides
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does New Castle peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 1–November 5 (best estimate November 3). Color starts around October 19 and is mostly bare by November 25.
- What is New Castle best for?
- History lovers on a Delaware River day trip.
- How do I get to New Castle?
- The closest city is Philadelphia, about 29 mi away. It's part of Delaware's fall lineup.
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