Route 9 Coastal Heritage Scenic Byway
Places to Visit
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Aquatic Resources Education Center (DE)
The Aquatic Resources Education Center specializes in year-round aquatic education for students and adults.
Location: 4876 Hay Point Landing Rd Smyrna, DE 19977
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Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DE)
Bombay Hook hosts hundreds of thousands birds each year, many of which include migrating ducks, geese, shorebirds, and neotropical songbirds. It spans 16,000 acres and features freshwater pools, thick swamps, upland forests, and more.
Location: 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd Smyrna, DE 19977
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Dover Air Force Base and the Air Mobility Command Museum (DE)
The Dover Air Force Base is one of the best-known attractions in Central Delaware. The base is important to the country’s defense, as it represents one-fourth of the nation’s strategic airlift capacity.
The Air Mobility Command Museum on the base is equally impressive. Plan to spend plenty of time there because there is a lot to see and experience. The AMC Museum houses a large collection of vintage and veteran Aircraft, plus historical artifacts since the beginning of the air base in 1941.
Location: 1301 Heritage Road Dover AFB DE 19902-5301
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John Dickinson Plantation (DE)
This plantation is the restored boyhood home and farm of John Dickinson (1732-1808), who is known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his articles debating whether the colonies should break from England and form their own government.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Kitts Hummock Road is south of the Dover Air Force Base, via US 113 or Route 9 (Delaware Coastal Heritage Greenway).
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Route 9 is a virtual outdoor classroom on Delaware’s early history, including a variety of architecture dating back to the days of Delaware’s first European settlers.Highlights include the John Dickinson Plantation, (boyhood home of the famed patriot and signer of the Constitution) the New Castle County Court House, and the site where the state’s first constitution was written as well as the name of “Delaware” was adopted.
These sites are National Historic Landmarks, and five of the state’s 12 designated National Historic Landmarks are found along the Route 9 corridor.
Location: All sites are located along the byway.
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St. Jones Estuarine Research Reserve (DE)
Central Delaware’s natural wonders are on display at the St. Jones Estuarine Research Reserve, a state-of-the-art environmental research center on the St. Jones River south of Dover.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Located on Kitts Hummock Road off US 113 or Route 9, south Dover, ½ mile past the John Dickinson Plantation.
