Delaware towns considered 'stress-free' for a weekend getaway. What do you think?

Delaware's small size and some of its charming small towns can be the perfect antidote to burnout.

If you're looking for a stress-free weekend retreat in the First State, WorldAtlas has a few suggestions. We culled the list from nine down to five you might want to explore first, but feel free to check out their list for more recommendations.

Bethany Beach

A wooden statue, commonly known as the Bethany Beach "totem pole," stands 24-feet tall on a median strip off Del. 1 on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

A wooden statue of Chief Little Owl, often called the totem pole, welcomes visitors to Bethany, considered one of Delaware's "quieter resorts." It has a short-and-sweet boardwalk and The Bethany Beach Nature Center, which offers year-round trails and overlooks.

"Spread across 26 acres, this lovely oasis with a mix of forests and wetlands offers a great environment to relax," World Atlas says.

Bluecoast Seafood Grill & Raw Bar, the flagship restaurant of the SoDel Concepts hospitality group, has gorgeous views of the scenic salt pond and a menu any lover of finfish will enjoy.

Lewes

Easily one of the most charming towns in the state, Lewes celebrates its Dutch heritage.

Tourists can view a 1774 British merchant shipwreck at the Zwaanendael Museum, which is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands.

Stroll down Second Street for clothes, antiques, jewelry, books and pet supplies. The town also has plenty of dining experiences, ranging from the Lewes Oyster House to Agave, a beloved Mexican restaurant, to Touch of Italy, a place to experience Italian-American delights.

You can wet your whistle at the bar at Striper Bites or visit Irish Eyes Pub or end the day on a sweet note at King's Homemade Ice Cream, a shop that has been scooping up of frozen desserts since 1972.

Cape Henlopen State Park spans over 5,000 acres with a mixture of forests, sandy beaches, and endless miles of trails.

Rehoboth Beach

People enjoy the Labor Day holiday along the beach and boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach on September 1, 2025.

When the parking meters go to sleep for the season, the local come back to Rehoboth. Free parking isn't the only attraction. Rehoboth's "pristine shoreline, amusement parks, and stunning ocean views make it one of the best Delaware towns for a weekend retreat," according to WorldAtlas.

The mile-long boardwalk is good for strollling and the town boast some of the best restaurants in the state.

Funland closes its amusements around Labor Day, and will reopen in 2026 on Mother's Day weekend, but there's still miniature golf and arcade games at Zelky's Beach Arcade, which has been providing family fun for over 40 years.

A Rehoboth Beach visit is not complete without a slice of Grotto Pizza (it originated in the town), a bucket of Thrasher's Fries sprinkled with vinegar (no ketchup, please) and a twisted chocolate and vanilla cone from Kohr Bros.

Newark

Sarah and Oliver Yost have been enjoying the nature trails at White Clay Creek State Park for many years. (April 1, 2025)

Newark has a lively downtown shopping district jammed packed with places to eat.

When the University of Delaware is in session, you'll have sidewalk space with students who live on and around the campus. Go get a pastry at Bing's Bakery, an iconic business that's been in operation since 1946.

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro, whose daughter graduated from UD, is a big fan.

WorldAtlas also suggests a visit to White Clay Creek State Park. "This delightful outdoor escape boasts a 3,500-acre territory with at least 35 miles of scenic trails running through and attracts everyone from hikers and fishermen to mountain bikers," it says.

New Castle

The Tall Ship of Delaware, Kalmar Nyckel, is shown berthed at Battery Park in New Castle on Aug. 26, 2025.

The historic town, about 15 minutes from Wilmington, is situated along the scenic banks of the Delaware River.

Take a walk in Battery Park and chances are good you might catch a glimpse of the tall ship the Kalmar Nyckel.

Old New Castle, Delaware's oldest continuously occupied town, stands as a living museum of American colonial history. It is a hidden historical treasure that rivals Colonial Williamsburg.

The town's brick-lined streets feels like stepping into a time capsule. Start at the New Castle Court House Museum, one of the oldest courthouses in the nation and a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1732 over the ruins of an earlier courthouse, it once served as Delaware’s first capital and a meeting place for colonial leaders.

Fuel up at Zollie’s Jazz Cucina offers an unexpected fusion of West African, Southern, Caribbean, Southeast Asian and North African influences, or dive into more Delaware history at Jessop's Tavern, located in a structure that was built in 1674 and predates the end of the Revolutionary War by more than 100 years.