New Castle, Delaware is a charismatic town located in New Castle County about 10 miles south of the hopping metropolis of Wilmington and resides along the eminent Delaware River. This city of nearly 5,000 residents is brimming with historic pride and celebrates its roots year round through festivals, parades and other events.

William Penn arrived on the shores of New Castle back in 1682 and made his first steps on American turf here. He moved on to found both Dover and Wilmington among many other towns as part of his “Pennsylvania Colony.” While these historic areas of Pennsylvania were conveyed to Penn by England, they all became their own independent entities shortly afterward. New Castle made this separation in 1704 and took the role of Delaware's colonial capital. Long before all of these happenings however, Swedish settlers took claim of the land now known as New Castle back in 1640 and then the Dutch took hold in 1651. After a number of seizures and captures between the Swedes, the Dutch, and then the English, it finally ended up the hands of Great Britain.

Annual events in New Castle honor the numerous momentous events that occurred in and around New Castle, including A Day in Old New Castle which embraces the oldest house tour in America, and Separation Day, which celebrates the state of Delaware's official separation from the British. Other non-historic festivals include the May Market, Art On the Green and the Summer Antique Show. And of course if you happen to be in town during a time a festival is not going on, the array of local museums can satisfy your history needs at venues such as the Old Library Museum, the Dutch House Museum and the Court House.

New Castle's quaintness continues through its multitude of excellent antique and specialty shops such as Lauren Lynch, Almost History and Oak Knoll Books. Enjoy an afternoon of unmatched shopping and an evening of fine dining at one of the area's great local restaurants and bistros.

A fantastic town bursting with things to do and remnants of America's beginnings, New Castle, Delaware is truly one of the country's greatest places to live and visit.