Dover – History, Museums and Special Experiences

Dover combines impressive chapters of American history with museums, historic houses and a motorsport venue steeped in tradition. Those planning a trip can combine different interests here: history becomes tangible in former seats of government and plantations, while Dover Motor Speedway, with its distinctive concrete oval, offers a completely different experience. When choosing your holiday apartment, it is therefore worth deciding first which experiences should shape your trip.

Historic Places with Specific Visiting Hours

The State Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided tours are also offered. The Old State House was built in 1791 and served as Delaware's capitol until 1933. Its historic areas include an 18th-century-style courtroom and the former chambers of the state legislature. Open tours take place Wednesday through Saturday at 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

These times are particularly helpful for planning your day if you would like to visit several cultural and historic sites. The Johnson Victrola Museum focuses on the history of the Victor Talking Machine Company and the development of the sound-recording industry. It is currently closed for renovations and is scheduled to reopen in fall 2026. Anyone wishing to include this focus in their plans should check the current status before visiting.

Plantations, Life Stories and Historical Interpretation

John Dickinson Plantation was the childhood home of John Dickinson, who lived there from the age of eight to 18. Guided mansion tours are offered Thursday through Saturday at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. The focus is not only on John Dickinson: the life stories of tenant farmers, indentured servants, and free and enslaved Black people associated with the plantation are also told. This makes the site suitable for travelers who would like to learn about historical developments from multiple perspectives.

The Air Mobility Command Museum also offers an unusual approach to history. During World War II, Hangar 1301 at the former Dover Army Airfield was used for secret missile development; it later became the home of the Air Mobility Command Museum. An important detail for getting there: The museum is accessible exclusively through its museum gate on Route 9, not through Dover Air Force Base.

Heritage Park, Architecture and Art

The John Bell House dates from the mid-18th century. It is considered an example of early Chesapeake-region and Delaware architecture, as well as the oldest wood-frame building in Dover. Today, it serves as the interpretive center of First State Heritage Park. At Historic Green, visitors can also meet historical interpreters dressed in 18th-century clothing and learn about the lives of the people who lived there over the course of three centuries.

The Biggs Museum of American Art offers an additional cultural perspective. Its collection is arranged along a timeline from 1700 to the present. The Welcome Center and Galleries of First State Heritage Park complements these offerings with exhibitions and detailed information about local and statewide attractions, events and activities. This makes it easier to decide on site which topics you would like to explore in greater depth during your stay.

Motorsport as a Change of Pace

Dover Motor Speedway offers a distinctly different focus. The track features a one-mile concrete oval with 24-degree banking in the turns. For more than 50 years, the speedway has welcomed motorsport fans, concertgoers and visitors from across the country.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Dover, you should compare your preferred visiting days with the experiences you want to prioritize. Early planning makes sense for scheduled tours at the Old State House or John Dickinson Plantation. If you would like to visit the Johnson Victrola Museum, its announced reopening in fall 2026 should be taken into account. Families traveling with children can also combine different ideas for days out, ranging from hands-on history, art and historical interpretation to a possible speedway experience, without limiting the trip to a single theme.

You can also visit Harrington as another local destination page.

For the broader travel overview: Kent.