14 Best Holiday Shopping Destinations in Delaware
Seasonal sales are just around the corner, and so is tax-free Delaware. Here's an insider's guide to getting going on your holiday shopping in the first state. These destinations are all great places to start shopping this 2024 holiday season.
Governor's Square Shopping Center, Bear, DE
Odds and ends are aplenty in this shopping center in the square which features one of the few Wawa's located outside of Pennsylvania. This is an impressively large space consisting of multiple stores and restaurants. Noteworthy shops along the way include Ray-Ban, GameStop and KMart.
Middletown Main Street, Middletown, DE
From bridal to hardware, there's a lot of ground to cover here in Middletown most iconic shopping destination. This is an ideal place to pick up goods for newlyweds and couples who have recently had children. If boutique shops and local florists are your thing, you'll be thrilled by a trip into Middletown. Free parking is located right on the strip and customizable candy bags are a tasty feature for tiny tots.
The Shops on Second Street, Lewes, DE
Don't let a little winter bluster hinder your chance to go antiquing by the sea. Lewes, Delaware's charming little strip of boutique shops located on Second Street is home to aquamarine, a retailer recognized as one of the 50 best boutiques in the nation per Elle Magazine. Here you can also find confections, bedazzling jewelry and some of the rarest antiques in the country. Just be sure to arrive at peak winter hours (between noon and 4 p.m.), as many of the stores here don't maintain extended holiday hours.Don't let a little winter bluster hinder your chance to go antiquing by the sea. Lewes, Delaware's charming little strip of boutique shops located on Second Street is home to aquamarine, a retailer recognized as one of the 50 best boutiques in the nation per Elle Magazine. Here you can also find confections, bedazzling jewelry and some of the rarest antiques in the country. Just be sure to arrive at peak winter hours (between noon and 4 p.m.), as many of the stores here don't maintain extended holiday hours.
The Shops at The Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth, DE
Eating is a focal point in this upscale maritime miniature mall where swank shops align the ground floor. If elegant Japanese ceramics and sake sets, one of a kind jewelry and gift baskets appeal to you, this hidden gem is the pearl in the clamshell you’ve searched for. One of the best aspects of this timeless little indoor shopping haven is its central location to other shopping destinations. This is a place to uncover a rare find before heading out to the outlets, hitting the shops on the boardwalk or both.
The Concord Mall, Wilmington, DE
Sure, there are larger shopping malls in the area but this centrally located mall is proof that small packages can hold big surprises. For starters, The Concord Mall is situated on the Delaware/Pennsylvania border, making it an easy to reach destination for shoppers residing in either state. It's also in an excellent section of the city and it sits caddy corner to one of the few remaining Barnes and Noble bookstores and Ulta Beauty. Acclaimed restaurants surround this destination at every turn and extended hours make it a convenient pit stop for shoppers who labor during offbeat shifts. If you're seeking sleek presents for teens, stores like H&M, Hollister, Justice and American Eagle are all at your fingertips from this location.
Brandywine Town Center, Wilmington, DE
Shopping and a movie never looked so good. This quaint little strip mall is complete with a glistening, string-light clad fountain, a surprisingly large movie theater and a Friendly's. What makes this shopping stop stand out though, is its location. This is a cluster of shops situated on the Pennsylvania/Delaware border. Not only is it easy to access from either side, but it's also walking distance from the many attractions available at the Concord Mall and it's just a short drive from the upscale shops of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Highlights within this shopping center include Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy and PetSmart.
Aunt Margaret's Antique Mall, Newark, DE
Got a vintage enthusiast on your list of people to please? If so, this offbeat antique shop in Newark could be just the place for you to snag a rare treasure. Don't be fooled by first impressions here. This store, which has been appropriately housed in one of Main Street's distinct historic buildings, boasts a larger interior than you might expect. It also features unique collections from over 30 vendors. People from far and wide often gather to sneak a peek at this roadside wonder and many leave with bags full of collectibles they'd never find elsewhere.
The Shops of Walnut Street, Downtown Milford, DE
If antique shops and river walks appeal to you, this trendy street in downtown Milford is an ideal place to stock up on sales. This is yet another destination that makes the list for its individuality. Antiques, handcrafted stained glasses and breathtaking floral arrangements are among the highlights. Shoppers here can take also take a break from bargain hunting to enjoy a movie at the nearby theater, a bite at one of the many surrounding restaurants, or even a brisk skate if they so desire.
Dover Mall, Dover, DE
The Dover Mall features extended holiday hours. Wi-Fi and easy access to public transit or free parking. There are over 85 stores positioned in this weather friendly indoor shopping haven, not to mention several restaurants and an on-premise movie theater. This mall features a wide array of stores that will appeal to people of varying ages with varying tastes in wares. Highlights include Macy's, Hallmark. Learning Express, JC Penny, Hollister and Kay Jewelers.
People's Plaza, Newark, DE
Shop outside the box at the People's Plaza, a strip brimming with seasonal delights for gamers, business enthusiasts and DIYers. Gifts you're unlikely to find in the malls and boutique clusters are hiding here. Highlights include GameStop, Home Depot and the Cartridge World of Delaware. Regal Cinemas are also conveniently located here.
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE
See the sea in all its winter bliss, as the steely skies of Delaware showcase their winter hues. The beach is an excellent place to go for seasonal shopping although this fact might not be apparent to the masses, particularly non-native Delawareans. While the rides on the boardwalk are motionless post summer, the stores are often open and inviting. There's a little something for everyone on your list along Rehoboth Ave.
Penny Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Non-conventional shopping in the little alleyways along Rehoboth Beach's Penny Lane will not disappoint. This excursion is like a tax-free miniature version of Peddler's Village. Not only are there deals and steals behind the frosted windows of these quaint, storybook-esque shops, there's also just a sprinkle of magic in the salty air.
Tanger Outlets, Rehoboth, DE
The Tanger Outlets are a major draw for Rehoboth Beach all year-round and their seasonal bargains remain unparalleled. Like the malls on the list, this destination features extended holiday shopping hours. Like the shopping centers and streets, it's got a bit of something for everyone. The coolest thing about the Tanger Outlets though, is that it's not like any other shopping haven. This is a mile long stretch of tax free shopping for quality brand names at marked down, outlet prices. Their winter sales are truly wondrous, a touch of magic in a frosty array of bargain bins. Anchor stores include Coach, JCrew, Michael Kors and New York and Company. Surrounded by award winning restaurants, ocean waves, sandy dunes and a boardwalk dotted with boutique shops, Tanger Outlets is an absolute must for anyone who's in the market for seasonal sales.
Christiana Mall, Newark, DE
This is the classic stop for seasonal shoppers to top of their lists. No matter how you try to avoid the hustle and bustle of December's mall madness, if you're holiday shopping in Delaware, eventually, you'll wind up at the Christiana Mall. It's the largest mall in the state. Featuring more than 130 different stores, surrounded by eateries and movie theaters, and bursting with seasonal bliss from all sides, Christiana Mall still has everything you need for everybody on your list, even after all these years. Their sales are hard to beat, their parking lot is free and filling up fast and their December calendar is a stockpile of holiday events for you and your family to enjoy.
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