Hotel at a Glance: DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Wilmington - Legal District

This hotel is conveniently located in downtown Wilmington, within walking distance of live entertainment at the Grand Opera House and The Queen Theater. The hotel is also in an ideal home base for tax-free shopping trips at nearby malls or day trips to Philadelphia: it's close to an Amtrak station and I-95.

• Hotel and in-room amenities include fitness center on property, room service, complimentary WiFi, and a mini-fridge for chilling drinks.

Wilmington, Delaware: 17th-Century Colony with Famed American-Art Museum

Wilmington was first founded as a Swedish colony in 1638; naturally, it has no shortage of historical sites. A highlight among them is Fort Christina Park. Though the real ancient fort no longer stands, you can sail the Delaware River aboard a re-creation of the 139-foot Kalmar Nyckel, the settlers' ship that brought numerous Swedes to the area. This full-size vessel features ornate carvings, seven working cannons, and masts that rise up to 10 stories into the sky. The ship docks near the Wilmington Riverfront, which follows the Christina River. A stroll through this green thoroughfare takes you past myriad cultural institutions, waterfront cafés, and art-deco architecture.

But the city's most popular cultural center lies outside of downtown. The Delaware Art Museum is home to a vast collection of American art, including many by Edward Hopper, John Sloan, and Howard Pyle. Pyle is also credited with having started the Brandywine School at the end of the 19th century, a local organization that helped to usher in the golden age of American illustration.