PLAN YOUR VISIT

We can help you plan your visit to New Castle whether you have an hour, a day or a weekend! We have maps and self-guided tours, an orientation exhibit and film, and can help you find shopping and dining options while you're here!

VISITOR INFORMATION

VISITOR CENTER

The Arsenal

January 2024

Saturday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Sunday, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm

February & March 2024

Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Sunday, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm

April - December 2024

Thursday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Sunday, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm

MUSEUMS

Amstel House & Dutch House

Open April 4 through December 29, 2024

Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm (last tour starts at 3 pm)

Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm (last tour starts at 4 pm)

Sunday, Noon to 4 pm (last tour starts at 3 pm)

Amstel House tours start on even hours. Dutch House tours start on odd hours.

Museum tickets available at the New Castle Visitor Center at the Arsenal, 30 Market Street

Adults: $7.50 for one house; $12.50 for both houses

Children (6-12): $3.00 for one house; $5:00 for both houses

Children (5 and under): Free

Old Library Museum

Currently closed between exhibitions

Open seasonally on weekends. Check back for open hours.

Free

Read House & Gardens

(Operated by Delaware Historical Society)

Open March 1 through early January

Thursday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm (last tour starts at 3 pm)

Adults: $10

Seniors (65+)/Students: $8

Children (5 and under): Free

Please visit readhouseandgardens.org for more information and additional pricing options.

New Castle Court House Museum

(Operated by Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs)

Open year-round

Wednesday through Saturday at 10 am to 4 pm (last tour starts at 3 pm)

Sundays: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm (last tour starts at 3:30 pm)

Admission is free.

Please visit the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs for more information.

GROUP TOURS

Adult Groups

The New Castle Historical Society welcomes group tours to our community. We are happy to work with tour operators to arrange a full and exciting itinerary for your group. We can create a customize itinerary based on your group's interests and available time. Group itineraries are available for just a couple of hours or half- to full-day experiences. We are your central point of contact to coordinate with other museums in the historic district. Your itinerary can include museum tours, walking tours, lecture, lunch or dinner, and free time to shop or explore on your own. Our Visitor Center at the Arsenal is available for groups that want to have a boxed lunch dropped off or a meal catered while they are here. Contact us at 302-322-2794 or info@newcastlehistory.org for more information.

Student Groups

The New Castle Historical Society welcomes student groups to our community. New Castle's museums and historic district are ideal field trip locations for students that are studying the history of Delaware or the United States. the museums of New Castle are especially suited for exploring the colonial, revolutionary and early national period of history. We are your central point of contact to coordinate with other museums in the historic district. Your itinerary can include museum tours, walking tours, engaging activities plus time for lunch. Lunch location options include the Green, Battery Park or the New Castle Visitor Center at the Arsenal. Contact us at 302-322-2794 or info@newcastlehistory.org for more information.

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE

There are several other ways to explore New Castle’s history:

Take a self-guided walking tour of the Historic District using our New Castle AudioWalk. The AudioWalk and map are available on our Tours page.
Play Liberty & Intelligence, a new game that will test your wits and take you on a tour through town. Pick it up at the New Castle Visitor’s Center at the Arsenal. $40.
Enjoy a brief respite in our outdoor gardens, open every day from sunrise to sunset. There are no trash receptacles to spoil the views so please take any trash with you when you leave. All pets must remained leashed and under the control of their owner while in the gardens.
Find us on Facebook and YouTube, where you can discover history from the comfort of home.
Shop at the museum store in the New Castle Visitor’s Center at The Arsenal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Accessibility

The New Castle Visitor Center at The Arsenal is fully accessible and curb cuts are located throughout New Castle’s Historic Area. However, sidewalks in Historic New Castle are brick and are often uneven. Accessible restrooms are available at the New Castle Visitor Center.

The first floor of the Amstel House is fully accessible; alternative interpretive material is available for the second floor. The Dutch House is partially accessible )all tours areas are available for viewing. The Old Library is not accessible; please ask us about alternative accommodations for Old Library exhibitions.

Holiday Hours

The New Castle Historical Society is closed on the following holidays:

New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve

National Park Passport Stamps

First State National Historical Park passport stamps are available at the New Castle Visitor Center at The Arsenal and the New Castle Court House Museum. Be sure to visit both to collect all of New Castle’s stamps.

Photography

Photographs of your personal visit to the New Castle Historical Society are welcomed and encouraged! When posting on social media be sure to tag us and use #newcastlehistory.

The Amstel and Dutch House gardens are beautiful settings for professional wedding, fashion, and portrait photography. Contact our director, Mike Connolly, at 302-322-2794 to make arrangements to use the gardens for your professional photo shoot. A donation to support the maintenance of the properties is requested.

Severe Weather

The museums and offices of the New Castle Historical Society are closed for severe weather whenever the Colonial School District is closed. To check the school district's status visit wjbr.com or listen to 99.5 FM in Wilmington, Delaware.

Summer weather in New Castle can be very hot and humid. Please dress appropriately in light colors, breathable fabrics, and wear a hat and sunglasses. Remember to stay hydrated. Bottled water is available at the New Castle Visitor Center at the Arsenal.

Getting Here

Parking

Free on-street parking is available throughout New Castle. Public parking lots are available at Second and Chestnut Streets, on West Third Street, the corner of West Third and South Streets, and at West Third & Battery Park. On special event days, satellite parking is available and noted on your approach to the town. Accessible parking for the New Castle Visitor Center at the Arsenal is available on Delaware Street in front of the New Castle Court House. A curb cut is at the corner of Market and Delaware Streets.

Public Transportation

New Castle is accessible on two DART bus routes. Historic New Castle is served by DART’s Route Number 15 bus. The bus stop serving the historic area is located at Sixth and Delaware Streets. DART's Route Number 51 has stops just a short walk from the historic district.

Biking

New Castle is easily and safely accessible by bike via the Jack Markell Trail and the East Coast Greenway. Bike racks and a repair station are located at the Battery Park entrance near Second and Delaware Streets.

Map

View and download a map of New Castle's historic district here. Maps are also available at the New Castle Visitor Center at the Arsenal.

Visitor Amenities

Public restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, the New Castle Courthouse, and Battery Park. Battery Park, along the Delaware River, has picnic tables, a playground, tennis and basketball courts, and a walking path. The walking path is part of the East Coast Greenway.

New Castle offers a variety of dining options in or near the historic district including Ioannoni's Specialty Sandwiches, Jessop's Tavern, Mercury Cafe & Tea House, Nora Lee's French Quarter Bistro, Oaxaca Bar & Grill, Port-Fino Pizza & Restaurant, Taqueria El Centenario, and Zollie's Jazz Cucina.