New Castle (Delaware)

New Castle is a quiet town in Delaware, one of the United States of America.

Understand
Soft breezes blow from the river over the cobblestone streets and through the quiet town. Walk along the brick walkways and cobblestone streets and instantly walk into the past.

New Castle's history began in the 1650s with a dispute between the Swedish and the Dutch over the land. New Castle was the bustling port for Dutch, Swedish, English, and Finnish settlers and traders in the 17th century. William Penn landed in New Castle in 1682. New Castle was incorporated in 1875.

New Castle is the home of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Reed, George Ross, and Thomas McKean.

By car
Directions from Interstate 95: Once in Delaware...
 * From I-95 North / South, follow signs for I-295 toward “NY-NJ-Delaware Memorial Bridge.”
 * Take the last exit before the bridge, Route 9 South (New Castle).
 * Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane.
 * Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street.
 * Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light.
 * Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.

Directions from NJ Turnpike / I-295 South:
 * After crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, stay to the right through the toll plaza.
 * Take the second exit after the toll plaza for Route 9 South (New Castle).
 * Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane.
 * Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street.
 * Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light.
 * Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.

Directions from Route 13 North / South:
 * Take Route 273 East at large intersection (Hare’s Corner).
 * Follow Route 273 East toward New Castle approximately 2 miles.
 * Go straight through the intersection at Route 141 to continue on Route 273 East / Route 9 North.
 * Follow Route 273 East / Route 9 North for about 1/2 mile.
 * After crossing railroad tracks, bear right into Historic New Castle. You are now on Delaware Street.
 * Follow Delaware Street about 5 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.

Get around
Tree-lined cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, and even a drinking fountain for your dog! All these things help make Historic New Castle an extremely walkable small town. Its museums, shops, restaurants, and parks are all within a few minutes walk of each other. So park the car and enjoy a trip back in time in this beautiful river town!

See

 * New Castle Frenchtown Railroad was constructed in 1832. Steam locomotive "Delaware" pulled the train that operated in the pre-Civil War period. This railroad was an important connecting link between the north and south. Located in Battery Park.
 * Immanuel Episcopal Church was founded in 1689 and built in 1703. Tombstones line the sanctuary. Tombstones in adjoining graveyard date from 1707.
 * New Castle United Methodist Church began as a small brick chapel in 1820. The present church was built in 1863. Located on Delaware Street between 5th and 6th Streets.
 * Booth House was built in 1730. The Arsenal on the Green, Immanuel Parish House, also known as the Thomas House, Alexander Home also known as the Sloopes House, and the Old Academy Building are other historical buildings in New Castle.
 * New Castle Frenchtown Railroad was constructed in 1832. Steam locomotive "Delaware" pulled the train that operated in the pre-Civil War period. This railroad was an important connecting link between the north and south. Located in Battery Park.
 * Immanuel Episcopal Church was founded in 1689 and built in 1703. Tombstones line the sanctuary. Tombstones in adjoining graveyard date from 1707.
 * New Castle United Methodist Church began as a small brick chapel in 1820. The present church was built in 1863. Located on Delaware Street between 5th and 6th Streets.
 * Booth House was built in 1730. The Arsenal on the Green, Immanuel Parish House, also known as the Thomas House, Alexander Home also known as the Sloopes House, and the Old Academy Building are other historical buildings in New Castle.
 * New Castle United Methodist Church began as a small brick chapel in 1820. The present church was built in 1863. Located on Delaware Street between 5th and 6th Streets.
 * Booth House was built in 1730. The Arsenal on the Green, Immanuel Parish House, also known as the Thomas House, Alexander Home also known as the Sloopes House, and the Old Academy Building are other historical buildings in New Castle.
 * Booth House was built in 1730. The Arsenal on the Green, Immanuel Parish House, also known as the Thomas House, Alexander Home also known as the Sloopes House, and the Old Academy Building are other historical buildings in New Castle.

Do
Be sure to visit the museums of the New Castle Historical Society. The Society operates the Amstel House Museum (c. 1738), the Dutch House Museum (c. 1690-1700), and the Old Library Museum. For information on these museums visit www.newcastlehistory.org.

The New Castle Courthouse (c. 1732) is a Delaware State Museum and provides a good introduction to the town. It is now part of the First State National Historical Park.

Buy
Shops include jewelry, decorative arts, antiques, custom framing, needlework, rubber stamps, rare books, and art.

Eat
Restaurants range from inexpensive sandwich shops to colonial taverns and fine dining.

Drink

 * Jessop's Tavern, Delaware Street. A favorite watering hole, just a block from the Delaware River. Pub standards like Guinness and Newcastle Brown Ale are available on tap, and be sure to try Jessop's Wheat – brewed locally by the award-winning Stewart's Brewpub.

Go next
Cultural and historical attractions near New Castle include:


 * Fort Delaware
 * Historic Houses of Odessa
 * Winterthur Museum & Country Estate

Historic New Castle is located about 45 minutes from Philadelphia, 75 minutes from Baltimore, 90 minutes from Washington DC, and 2 hours from New York City.