15 Best Things to Do in Rising Sun-Lebanon (DE)

Rising Sun-Lebanon is a small town situated in Kent County, Delaware. It’s small in both land area and population. With only around 4,000 residents, visitors can enjoy a quiet, laid back atmosphere away from the crowds of the larger towns and cities that are only a short distance away.

Rising Sun-Lebanon is part of the Dover Metropolitan Area. Dover, Denton, Salem, Georgetown, and Bridgeton are some of the nearby areas that can be easily visited, and the capital city of Washington, DC is only 134 kilometers away.

The town and surrounding areas are steeped in history and culture, and there are plenty of museums and historic sites to visit. There are also many outdoor recreation attractions in this region, including municipal parks, state parks, and golf courses.

Below are 15 of the best things to do in and around Rising Sun-Lebanon, Delaware.

1. Fuel up at Restaurant 55

Visitors can sit back and relax in the casual atmosphere of Restaurant 55 in nearby Dover while enjoying a top-quality, delicious meal. Only the freshest ingredients are used here, and much of the meat and produce comes from nearby vendors.

The most popular items on the menu are the gourmet burgers, which include an assortment of unique creations such as the NFB burger, black and blue burger, teriyaki burger, avocado burger, and Sante fe burger.

On tap, the restaurant serves a rotating assortment of 12 craft beers, as well as 35 bottled beers. There is a strong focus on products from local craft breweries, but there are international options available too.

2. Air Mobility Command Museum

The Air Mobility Command Museum is Housed in a restored WWII aircraft hangar and deemed a must-see attraction in nearby Dover. This museum allows visitors to see various military aircraft up close, and it’s the only museum of this type in the country.

This extensive collection of historic American military aircraft features bombers, fighters, tankers, and cargo aircraft. The A-26C, C-5A Galaxy, and Air Force Two VC-9C are just some of the planes on display, along with various artifacts.

3. Fordham and Dominion Brewing Company

Fordham and Dominion Brewing Company in Dover have a variety of quality craft beers available to enjoy in their laid-back taproom or to take with you on-the-go. No matter what your taste or knowledge is when it comes to beer, there is sure to be something on the menu for you.

Some of the beers on offer among the year-round and seasonal options include Backstage IPA, Gypsy Lager, Copperhead Ale, and Cherry Blossom Lager. Homemade ginger ale and root beer are also available.

Brewery tours include a tasting and provide visitors with a run-down of the brewing process used and a history of the company. Merchandise is available for sale on-site.

4. Johnson Victrola Museum

Despite covering one niche, historical item, the Johnson Victrola Museum in downtown Dover is one of the most popular museums in the country. That’s because it focuses on an invention that changed the world: that invention was the Victrola – or “talking machine” – as it was commonly known, and the inventor was Eldridge Johnson.

The vast collection, which is the largest in the world, features a variety of Victrolas from over the years. A guided tour is the best way to learn about the history of this fascinating invention and the man behind it.

5. Visit 3 Palms Zoo

As the state’s only rescue zoo, visitors of all ages get an educational experience when it comes to the animals that make their home at the 3 Palms Zoo in nearby Townsend and why they ended up there. Get up close and personal with a variety of animals, including turtles, skunks, foxes, owls, groundhogs, and even an alligator.

You can also meet the resident exotic birds, including red jungle fowl and pheasants. All these animals were brought to the zoo because they were sick or injured and unable to survive in the wild on their own.

Visitors can feed and pet the domestic animals who live on-site, including donkeys, llamas, sheep, and emus.

6. Biggs Museum of American Art

The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover is devoted to all things art-related, particularly when it comes to local and American Art. Visitors have the chance to admire art from different styles and genres created by many different artists and reflective of various eras dating back to the 1700s.

There are paintings and sculptures and a variety of pottery and tapestry, among other forms of visual art. Visitors of all ages can learn the story behind each piece, and about art in general and its impact on American culture.

7. Explore the John Dickinson Plantation

Slave Quarters At John Dickinson Plantation

At the John Dickinson Plantation in Dover, visitors can explore a historic plantation once owned by one of the country’s founding fathers, John Dickinson. On-site is the distinctively- designed Poplar Hall, which was Mr. Dickinson’s family home.

Guides in period costume can take you on a tour of the home. During this tour, you will get a feel for what it was like living in post-Revolutionary America.

Period decor and a variety of galleries and exhibits – including a collection of wines and spirits – are some of the things you will see as you are guided through this exquisite property.

8. Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park, Dover — Silver Lake Park

Visitors seeking a relaxing place to chill out in nature on a nice day can head to the 182-acre Silver Lake Park in Dover. This expansive green space has several walking trails, a playground, a picnic area, and a beautiful lake that is home to many ducks and geese.

9. Delaware Agricultural Museum

Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Rising Sun-Lebanon and the surrounding towns within Kent County have a long agricultural history. Visitors can learn more about that history and the impact it had on the people and culture of the region at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover.

There are many exhibits to explore at this museum. As you make your way through the building, you will see many artifacts and agricultural-related machinery, including tractors, traditional farming equipment, photos, and documents. You will also learn about the railroad and its role in agriculture through the years.

On-site, there is a village depicting rural life in the 1890s, with a barn, windmill, general store, farmhouse, schoolhouse, train station, church, barbershop, and blacksmith shop.

10. Try Your luck at the Dover Downs Casino

With 2,300 slot machines and 41 table games, visitors to the Dover Downs Casino get an exciting night out on the town and have plenty of chances to win money or prizes. This modern casino with exquisite architectural features on the inside and outside is also home to several dining and snacking options.

11. Take a tour of the Old State House

What was once the Capitol Building in Dover is now the Old State House Museum. This stately building, which was constructed in the 1790s, has been brought back to its original glory after being added to the National List of Historic Places.

Visitors get an authentic, old-world feel while walking through the rooms and can admire the beautiful Middle Georgian architecture and decor. During a tour, you will see many artifacts and documents and learn about local and national history.

12. Enjoy a unique meal at The Brick-Wood Fired Eats

When hunger strikes and you’re looking for a meal that is both unique and satisfying, head to The Brick-Wood Fired Eats in Dover and choose a delicious dish from the extensive menu.

The restaurant specializes in pizzas cooked in a wood-burning brick oven, but a number of other dishes are available. Cavatelli eggplant, rigatoni chicken, pan-seared salmon, shrimp and crab risotto, and grilled herb marinated hanger steak are some of the entrees available. You won’t find a meal like the ones served at this restaurant anywhere else in the area.

A bar serving craft beers, fine wine, and handcrafted cocktails is also on-site.

13. Woodburn Governor’s House

Since 1965, the Woodburn Governor’s House has been home to Delaware’s governor. Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the beautiful property and building that was constructed in 1798. The architecture is Middle Period Georgian, and at one time, this was one of the most luxurious homes in the state.

During a tour, you will learn about the history of the building, view artifacts, and visit the various rooms – including the Great Hall.

14. Spend a day by the ocean at Delaware Seashore State Park

Delaware Seashore State Park in Rehoboth Beach is a large park where visitors can participate in a wide range of outdoor activities, including fishing, clamming, crabbing, windsurfing, and sailing. There are two ocean swimming areas on-site, and both have lifeguards in the summer months. Another beach nearby is suitable for surfing.

When it comes to hiking, biking, and horseback riding, there are six trails in the park, and each showcases a unique habitat. A camping area and a marina are on site.

Visitors can also get a history lesson at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum, which is also in the park and features a variety of marine exhibits.

15. Cool Springs Fish Bar & Restaurant

Cool Springs Fish Bar & Restaurant in Dover is one of the best places around to enjoy a quality, fresh seafood meal.

The chef puts a lot of care into every dish, and staff go to great lengths to make diners feel at home. The extensive menu includes delicious options such as Skillet Seared Tuna Steak, Baked Stuffed Flounder, and Honey Bourbon Salmon. Everything is made with the best ingredients available. A full bar is also on-site.