For over eighty years, Dover has been a haven for racing fans, with its iconic yellow brickwork, grandstands, and tradition of excellence. Since its creation, the town has grown to accommodate the demands of its residents, with newer developments sprouting up around it and the surrounding areas.
The need for speed has not diminished, and Dover remains one of the premier racing cities in the world, with the 2018 NASCAR Dover International Speedway Grand Prix taking place this coming weekend.
The most recognizable structure within Dover is most likely the four-story Dover Public Library, constructed in 1926, with its distinctive yellow brick design and beautiful oak interior. It is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The library is connected to the adjacent four-star hotel, the Red Lion, and residents and visitors can access the buildings’ shared amenities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, and restaurant. As well as housing a magnificent collection of books and historic photographs, the library is also home to the Morris Museum of Art, which contains fine collections of European and American art, as well as Asian art and African art from the 18th century onwards. In addition, Art of America, the touring exhibition arm of the Morris Museum of Art, will be traveling to Dover this month to showcase American contemporary artists’ work.
The Stadium
In addition to a rich cultural history and exceptional literature, Dover is also home to one of the most renowned sports arenas in the United States, the 195,000-seater Dover International Speedway. Built in 1961, the stadium is currently the home of the Dover Sailors baseball team, who have won thirteen state titles and appeared in the playoffs of the Little League World Series thirty-one times since its opening.
The stadium’s most recognizable feature is its distinctive white paint and green wooden seats, which were custom-made to accommodate the large number of fans that the facility is known for attracting. During the 2018 season, Dover International Speedway will be the headquarters of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series, featuring top-tier American and international racing teams and featuring some of the most memorable and exciting moments of sports car racing. This season’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series cars will be eye-catching and are sure to draw plenty of attention wherever they go.
The Aquarium
Dover is well known for its association with marine life and sea creatures, with its most iconic structures being the Peacewell-Poole Bridge spanning the nearby Fish Creek and the Seaport Museum, which specializes in ocean-related topics. The latter also has a large collection of underwater cameras and helmets, which allow visitors to explore the world of oceanography and marine biology in a whole new way.
The city’s newest contribution to animal-related tourism is also its newest attraction. Located just south of the city in the seaside town of Lewes, Delaware, the International Zoological Park is the largest zoo in North America and one of the largest in the world. Its first phase, which was completed in 2016 and features over 400 species of animals, is already drawing visitors from across the country and around the world. The zoo is known for hosting some of the most famous and most admired animals in the world, including pandas, orangutans, and giant pandas.
Whether you’re a sports fan or an animal lover, it’s hard to think of a better place to be this coming summer than the great state of Delaware and the vibrant city of Dover. What else could you possibly need?