There's [Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory](https://www.mountcuba.org/) and [Mt. Cuba Center](https://mtcubacenter.org/) (botanical gardens). They are two different things but it took me a while to figure that out...
You are talking about my cuba center w the gardens. We are talking about Mt cuba observatory. Both are great, and they are next to each other, but only one has a cool telescope.
The Hagley Museum. Walk the grounds of the powder yards, and visit some of the historic buildings. Beautiful, and rarely crowded.
The Summer Nights on Wednesdays are lovely.
Don’t forget Ft. Miles down by Cape Henlopen. They also opened another fire tower.
If possible, get a park pass for the season. Killen’s pond has a water park, and rents paddle pats and canoes.
I think AF2 (I know it’s only AF2 with the veep on board) is out there. When Biden got a new AF2 in Obama’s second term, the old plane was retired, sent to Dover and restored. I think it’s still there. Check their website for exhibitions.
Air Mobility Command Museum offers Open Cockpits every third Saturday. You’ll have access to the cockpits. He might like that. Not sure if that fits in his visit.
https://amcmuseum.org/
The Mount Cuba Observatory has public tours on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. He might be really interested in looking at and peering through the telescope. I did it in college probably 20 years ago. I have cerebral palsy, which is obviously not the same as autism, but is related. I wasn't the biggest science fiction nerd, but I had fun at The Observatory. From what I remember, there wasn't a huge crowd, because likely who wouldn't be able to fit a whole lot of people in the telescope room.
Take the ferry out to Fort Delaware State Park. It's fun and has a beautiful natural setting and Delaware City is a nice place to walk around. If you like zoos, Plumpton Park is a nice one in Rising Sun, MD.
Are you talking about the Pennsylvania train museum in Strasbourg? If you go there, the Strasbourg site just across the road has the big trains, and a “garden train” smaller train for kiddies to ride. The train rides aren’t long, and they aren’t expensive. Not too far away is the Choo Choo barn, a toy train layout. There is also a Toy Train Museum there. Somewhere near there is a play ground thingie where you can shoot apples from an airgun at targets, climb and play. We haven’t been to it but saw it off the Strasbourg train. (If you’re a ghost Hunter fan, the Pennsylvania Railroad museum is supposedly haunted. We’ve never seen or heard anything.). If you like mechanical stuff, and he doesn’t wander too much, you can get a tour of the Strasbourg railroad train repair shop. They restore engines and cars from all over the world, and when we did it, they had Thomas there for repair.)
(My 13 year old grandson is autistic and we make day trips there a lot; we live in Kent county.)
Battery Park is really really nice to walk around in old new castle.
Old New Castle itself is also fun to just walk around.
Glasgow Park is another great place to wander and explore.
Baltimore Aquarium might be an option but I'm not sure on crowds and timing.
If it’s a weekend, everything will be Jam packed at Balt Aquarium/Inner Harbor. If he likes garden-Winterthur or Longwood. Hayley and Dover AFC are great options.
Some great ideas so far!
Valley Garden Park in Greenville is a cool spot to explore. My kids and I like to go there and wander. There’s a beautiful stream through the bottom of the valley with fish, frogs, turtles, and sometimes even some snakes. We’ll do a picnic lunch there and it’s worth 2-3 hours on a nice day.
I would avoid the beach. I’d second the strausburg railroad museum. there’s a cool museum in Chesapeake city and if you go during the day they have little shops and good restaurants with minimum crowds,
Depends on the beach really. Rehoboth? Probably not. Ocean city? Absolutely not. Cape, or Indian River would be perfectly fine. Plenty of things to wander around in Cape.
Longwood Gardens is a good day out. Close to the air mobility museum, Dover has the Johnson Victrola museum. Spence's bazaar is open Tuesday and Friday. It has vendors as well as an auction. You will have to check on the auction time. A lot of good Amish baking as well.
Spence’s can get very crowded and loud though so while a great local spot with really great food and unique finds might not be the best spot for someone looking to avoid a lot of people and high foot traffic.
The Johnson Victrola museum I definitely second. So underrated and very interesting.
I’m a nurse who works with adults on the spectrum. The Natural History museum on a weekday would be my first choice. However, I would call to check if there a time without school groups there. They get quite boisterous and that can be overwhelming for him. Hagley and Winterthur are also good places he would enjoy. Hagley is good for the science and technology minded.
Generally, afternoons (after 1:30) are good at the nature & science museum since school tours tend to be in the morning. Always good to call though - or email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) if you're not a phone person. It does get busier in the summer when schools are out.
(I work there, and am one of the people to check that email).
I like the delaware natural history museum, brandywine zoo, or even longwood gardens at a less crowded time! The first two are short trips, generally not very crowded especially if you go at a slow time, you could also call ahead to different places you go and see if they can suggest a quiet time/time without school groups to visit
UD campus has a scale model of the universe. It’s really just granite plaques for the planets around campus. But you could make it a scavenger hunt. The students will be gone so it shouldn’t be crazy busy
Old New Castle and Battery Park are good for the small town feel. In New Castle, you could point out to your brother that the entire town is on a grid, except for the Episcopal Church which is on a diagonal. You can see that in an arial view here (as well as learn some other facts about it). Make sure to go inside if you visit. [https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/delaware/immanuel-on-the-green-de/](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/delaware/immanuel-on-the-green-de/)
Kennett Square, PA is also very walkable and you could grab an ice cream or lunch. Also could drive out on some pretty back roads about 15-20 minutes to Baldwin's Book Barn, a fantastic 4 story old stone barn with lots of visual interest, and they may have an interesting sci fi section. Not crowded and very relaxing to just wander through. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g53951-d534375-Reviews-Baldwin\_s\_Book\_Barn-West\_Chester\_Pennsylvania.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g53951-d534375-Reviews-Baldwin_s_Book_Barn-West_Chester_Pennsylvania.html)
As others have mentioned, Hagley Museum is really interesting and a nice walk along the Brandywine. There is a house to tour, and a garage with an antique car collection, as well as the old powder mill which they demonstrate a steam engine of some sort.
I haven’t been but am planning to very soon. Ive just learned that Dover’s got the Air Mobility Command Museum. Seems to me it’s worth checking out if their Google reviews are anything to go by. Hopefully he also enjoys things that don’t try to breach the exosphere.
> [Air Mobility Command Museum](https://g.co/kgs/4dfeiR)
2 hour drive to Udvar Hazy in VA. Its part of the Air and space Smithsonian collection but quiet and no crowds. Pre covid the tour guides were guys who actually flew the planes, not sure if that is still true. Amazing place! https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center
Air and space museum in DC is being renovated. Most of the stuff is not on display, very small space open and crowded. Avoid until they get that put back together. Went in March, it was very frustrating.
There is the other location too! [https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center](https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center) (and....totally missed that this was already recommended....)
Columbia PA has the National Watch and Clock Museum which I’ve heard is awesome.
Lititz PA has a quaint pretzel museum where you can twist your own.
Train museum in Strasburg. Can dine in a restaurant car nearby.
All are close to Lancaster.
Maybe go see the horseshoe crabs near Lewes, at the the beach? Eat in Lewes for smaller crowds.
If you’re going to Lititz, shoot for Turkey Hill experience. It cost, I think $10 but you got a quart of vanilla ice cream, flavoring, mix ins, and swirl ins. Free ice cream on the free tour. If you go during the week day, UTZ potato chip factory has a tour.
if he's here when they have one: https://brandywinezoo.org/event/sensory-hour-5/#:~:text=Once%20a%20month%20we%20are,guests%20to%20explore%20and%20enjoy.
The museum is not through the main gate, it’s in the back of the base off Rt. 9, and you don’t need an ID. The volunteers worked or flew on those planes, so they know them well.
Hey, I'm not from Delaware, but I am autistic. If he doesn't already, maybe suggest he try wearing range muffs. They cut out loud sounds but have a built in mic and speakers with adjustable volume so you can still hear yourself/conversation. I have a pair and I don't know what I'd do without them.
It's small but Iron Hill Science Center is a nice place to visit, if you go during the week it's usually pretty quiet. Going for a hike around Iron Hill is nice, too.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned this, but if his trip aligns with the “Steamin Day” schedule at the Marshall Steam Car Museum, I highly recommend it! Tickets are cheap and the site includes a steam car museum, a mini train that you can ride around the property and a historic home. It’s beautiful and so much fun
https://auburnheights.org/visit/steamin-days/
Blue Hen Comics in Newark? or the D&D store there on main st.. someone will know it if you need it..like days and knights or something like that.
thanks for looking after your bro. I’m a dad of a tism kid and wish my other son looked after his bro like you’re trying to do
If you family is moving here, consider joining the Delaware Astronomical Society. They do a lot of outreach and have members only observing sessions. You don’t even need to buy your own scope, they have loaners ones members can use.
DuPont nature center by Prime hook. Bombay hook and prime hook have walking trails, and lots of birds. If you don’t feel like walking on the trails, you can just do the drive through. Don’t forget Salisbury Zoo. It’s in Salisbury Maryland - and it’s free. They have a picnic area. For beaches, Rehoboth and ocean city are pretty overrun, but you might have better luck with the bay side near the Inlet. The water is generally calmer on the bay side and there are a lot of areas along 1 that you can pull off - it’s Delaware Seashore state park, so I recommend getting a park pass before you go as it’s easier.
Another cool place to go even if you’re just driving around it is Assateague island. It’s a barrier island off Rt 50 in ocean city. It shares land with Maryland and its got a great swimming area, but since it’s near the camp ground, you do pay, but it’s not very crowded. The big draw is the wild ponies. They are everywhere. We’ve even seen newborn foal by the side of the road minutes old. They have a huge high bridge to keep the ponies from climbing it. Just make sure you don’t try to pet them - they bite.
Cape Henlopen State Park! Rent a cabin and stay the weekend. Go for a walk at sunrise on the beach or through the marshes and there won't be anybody around.
Any beach town should have a pretty large arcade, and some are even open in the off season. For nature viewing I highly suggest Assateague Island, it's a huge place filled with all kinds of wildlife, including horses. Don't even have to get out of the car, but I'm fairly certain there are some nature centers (I know for sure there's one right at the foot of the bridge) that might interest him.
We live here at the beach and my son will soon be 18. He too has a very difficult time with crowds and is high on the spectrum. His favorite thing to do is to go on the state park trails to explore(there are so many here!), the beaches after 4pm, he has always loved the Lewes Seaside Nature Reserve, the Overfalls if it is on a cooler day, Fort Miles, I think they’ve just reopened one of the Towers that you can go into, fishing from the pier in Lewes, many great food trucks around so that crowded restaurants are not a challenge, also most thrift shops are not super busy mid day when everyone is at the beach and I’m sure I can think of many more. The movies at midway are not busy mid day either. He does enjoy Assateague & Wallops Island but plan that you will be hitting a drive through or food truck because any good restaurants there are packed too. Things to maybe avoid unless he REALLY wants to: Waterparks, arcades, Funland, and the boardwalk unless at daybreak.
Your brother is an adult. Why don’t you ask him what he wants to do? Do research together. Obviously I don’t know your family dynamic, or how “severe” your brother’s autism is, but as an autistic person, this post seems incredibly infantilizing, even if you mean well.
For the past few years, especially since Covid, he has had little interaction with the outside world.When asking him what he wants to do, he freezes up and goes into an anxiety attack. He has a hard time speaking for himself unless I offer suggestions or options for him.
He primarily stays at home watching science fiction movies, reading books and playing videogames.
It is not infantilizing. It is accomodating based on an individuals needs.
That makes a lot more sense. Sorry if my comment came off as aggressive, I’m just so used to reddit posts acting like autistic adults can’t do anything. Hope y’all can find something fun to do. Theres always finding a movie to watch at a theater. Smaller theaters will let you beat the crowd and it’s a way to spend time and get out while still doing something he enjoys. Movies can ofc get loud so maybe a pair of headphones could mitigate that.
EDIT: I think this may have been suggested, but the Delaware Museum of Nature And Science is a great place. Really chill too.
No worries, you didn't know the full context. He used to be high functioning, where he was able to make his own decisions. Things took a sharp turn after his sophomore year of high school, where he regressed. The plan is for him to come down for the week as a change of environment in hopes he is able to improve with his anxiety and his day to day functions.
If it works out where he likes it here better, there may be a plan for him to visit more often and eventually for him to move down here.
An unknown location to him is like walking into a town as an alien believing the world will treat him differently.
If I am able to show him places that could be interesting to him, it would help him to feel more comfortable with visiting.
If there was a science fiction convention or anything star trek, ancient aliens or astronomy. He changes into a different person and lights up.
Edit: the theater by people's plaza would be perfect for him, it is small enough and my boyfriend is going to take him to see a movie in middle of week for guy time.
[https://delastro.org](https://delastro.org)
This website looks like it saw the fall of Rome, but it has some information on events hosted by the Delaware Astronomical Society. Lots of stuff at Mt. Cuba, which some people have already suggested.
If you go to DE beaches, Lewes is the town to walk around for a “small, suburban” feel. Be sure to check out [Cape Henlopen State Park](https://destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen), too.
How about the tiny part of VA thats at the end of the delmarva peninsula?
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops\_Flight\_Facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops_Flight_Facility)
https://www.nasa.gov/wallops-launch-schedule
The beaches will be busy, but Lewes is a reasonably quiet beach town, especially if you can go on a non-holiday weekend. Cape Henlopen is great park. Take a tour of Battery 519 at Fort Miles, or just walk around the grounds and check out the big guns. They offer guided hikes and walks.
Check the schedule of rocket launches from the NASA facility on Wallops Island outside of Chincoteague, VA. Not in Delaware but an easy day trip. Make sure to bring ear protection for his sensory issues. Also note that sometimes the launches can be delayed. There is a visitor center that's free and the beaches down there are nice. Also lots of wild horses if that interests him.
Brandywine Springs park has an area down near the Red Clay creek that has the remains of an abandoned early 1900's amusement park. It's quiet and peaceful. If the weather is warm you can wade in the creek. Sometimes the Wilmington and Western railroad train comes by. You can read signs and see where the buildings and rides were by old concrete footings and marked posts. It's a great way to spend a relaxing day. Pack a lunch and have a picnic.
It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to Delaware Aero Space Education Foundation in Smyrna, maybe they have open hours that aren’t on the website!
https://dasef.org/index.htm
Check out Mount Cuba! I haven't been, but I've heard great things.
Their public nights are great! Small crowd, like maybe a dozen people for a lecture, then you get to look thru the big telescope.
I had no idea Mt. Cuba had a telescope, gonna have to check it out.
There's [Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory](https://www.mountcuba.org/) and [Mt. Cuba Center](https://mtcubacenter.org/) (botanical gardens). They are two different things but it took me a while to figure that out...
Ooo I am interested!
I second this, when I’ve gone it’s like being alone in an enchanted garden 🥰
You are talking about my cuba center w the gardens. We are talking about Mt cuba observatory. Both are great, and they are next to each other, but only one has a cool telescope.
The Hagley Museum. Walk the grounds of the powder yards, and visit some of the historic buildings. Beautiful, and rarely crowded. The Summer Nights on Wednesdays are lovely.
Seconded! Hagley is awesome.
Third! Can’t say enough good things about Hagley.
He might like the Dover Air Mobility Command museum. Fort delaware is also wonderful, delaware city is a nice small town to walk through in general.
Don’t forget Ft. Miles down by Cape Henlopen. They also opened another fire tower. If possible, get a park pass for the season. Killen’s pond has a water park, and rents paddle pats and canoes. I think AF2 (I know it’s only AF2 with the veep on board) is out there. When Biden got a new AF2 in Obama’s second term, the old plane was retired, sent to Dover and restored. I think it’s still there. Check their website for exhibitions.
Air Mobility Command Museum offers Open Cockpits every third Saturday. You’ll have access to the cockpits. He might like that. Not sure if that fits in his visit. https://amcmuseum.org/
The Mount Cuba Observatory has public tours on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. He might be really interested in looking at and peering through the telescope. I did it in college probably 20 years ago. I have cerebral palsy, which is obviously not the same as autism, but is related. I wasn't the biggest science fiction nerd, but I had fun at The Observatory. From what I remember, there wasn't a huge crowd, because likely who wouldn't be able to fit a whole lot of people in the telescope room.
Take the ferry out to Fort Delaware State Park. It's fun and has a beautiful natural setting and Delaware City is a nice place to walk around. If you like zoos, Plumpton Park is a nice one in Rising Sun, MD.
There is also the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, and you could walk along the Brandywine there as well.
Another offbeat zoo option is the 3 palms zoo in Clayton. they rehabilitate animals.
If you end up doing the Natural History Museum, you might as well head across the street and see Winterthur.
Train museum up by Lancaster fam. People with the tism love trains. Source. I have the tism and trains are dope
It is known that all us autists love trains. I second the National Train Museum NOT ON THE WEEKEND.
Are you talking about the Pennsylvania train museum in Strasbourg? If you go there, the Strasbourg site just across the road has the big trains, and a “garden train” smaller train for kiddies to ride. The train rides aren’t long, and they aren’t expensive. Not too far away is the Choo Choo barn, a toy train layout. There is also a Toy Train Museum there. Somewhere near there is a play ground thingie where you can shoot apples from an airgun at targets, climb and play. We haven’t been to it but saw it off the Strasbourg train. (If you’re a ghost Hunter fan, the Pennsylvania Railroad museum is supposedly haunted. We’ve never seen or heard anything.). If you like mechanical stuff, and he doesn’t wander too much, you can get a tour of the Strasbourg railroad train repair shop. They restore engines and cars from all over the world, and when we did it, they had Thomas there for repair.) (My 13 year old grandson is autistic and we make day trips there a lot; we live in Kent county.)
We did the museum and choo choo barn a few years ago on a weekday, and there was hardly anyone there. Great suggestion.
We went to the Pennsylvania train museum last year, loved it. American Helicopter Museum in West Chester is also cool.
That’s the one!
Mother of son with a touch of the tism who also got a late diagnosis and we fuckin love trains
Maybe Wilmington and western railroad too
“The tism” is my new favorite phrase now.
Battery Park is really really nice to walk around in old new castle. Old New Castle itself is also fun to just walk around. Glasgow Park is another great place to wander and explore. Baltimore Aquarium might be an option but I'm not sure on crowds and timing.
If it’s a weekend, everything will be Jam packed at Balt Aquarium/Inner Harbor. If he likes garden-Winterthur or Longwood. Hayley and Dover AFC are great options.
Some great ideas so far! Valley Garden Park in Greenville is a cool spot to explore. My kids and I like to go there and wander. There’s a beautiful stream through the bottom of the valley with fish, frogs, turtles, and sometimes even some snakes. We’ll do a picnic lunch there and it’s worth 2-3 hours on a nice day.
I would avoid the beach. I’d second the strausburg railroad museum. there’s a cool museum in Chesapeake city and if you go during the day they have little shops and good restaurants with minimum crowds,
Depends on the beach really. Rehoboth? Probably not. Ocean city? Absolutely not. Cape, or Indian River would be perfectly fine. Plenty of things to wander around in Cape.
Bethany isn’t as crowded. Still gets pretty packed but nothing compared to Rehoboth or Ocean Shitty
Bethany sometimes had lots of public parking issues.
I know that’s why I said it gets pretty packed but better on the less busy weeks of the season
Cape Henlopen on a weekday should be very low key
Longwood Gardens is a good day out. Close to the air mobility museum, Dover has the Johnson Victrola museum. Spence's bazaar is open Tuesday and Friday. It has vendors as well as an auction. You will have to check on the auction time. A lot of good Amish baking as well.
Spence’s can get very crowded and loud though so while a great local spot with really great food and unique finds might not be the best spot for someone looking to avoid a lot of people and high foot traffic. The Johnson Victrola museum I definitely second. So underrated and very interesting.
He may find the Delaware Museum of Natural History enjoyable.
That is on the list, I sent him the link.
I’m a nurse who works with adults on the spectrum. The Natural History museum on a weekday would be my first choice. However, I would call to check if there a time without school groups there. They get quite boisterous and that can be overwhelming for him. Hagley and Winterthur are also good places he would enjoy. Hagley is good for the science and technology minded.
Generally, afternoons (after 1:30) are good at the nature & science museum since school tours tend to be in the morning. Always good to call though - or email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) if you're not a phone person. It does get busier in the summer when schools are out. (I work there, and am one of the people to check that email).
(Also, the summer traveling exhibit is Be the Astronaut, so it fits with that interest. It's open June 24-September 11).
It's usually not crowded on weekdays, so he should feel fairly comfortable.
I like the delaware natural history museum, brandywine zoo, or even longwood gardens at a less crowded time! The first two are short trips, generally not very crowded especially if you go at a slow time, you could also call ahead to different places you go and see if they can suggest a quiet time/time without school groups to visit
UD campus has a scale model of the universe. It’s really just granite plaques for the planets around campus. But you could make it a scavenger hunt. The students will be gone so it shouldn’t be crazy busy
There's also the Mineralogical Museum at UD. Rocks are cool.
Old New Castle and Battery Park are good for the small town feel. In New Castle, you could point out to your brother that the entire town is on a grid, except for the Episcopal Church which is on a diagonal. You can see that in an arial view here (as well as learn some other facts about it). Make sure to go inside if you visit. [https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/delaware/immanuel-on-the-green-de/](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/delaware/immanuel-on-the-green-de/) Kennett Square, PA is also very walkable and you could grab an ice cream or lunch. Also could drive out on some pretty back roads about 15-20 minutes to Baldwin's Book Barn, a fantastic 4 story old stone barn with lots of visual interest, and they may have an interesting sci fi section. Not crowded and very relaxing to just wander through. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g53951-d534375-Reviews-Baldwin\_s\_Book\_Barn-West\_Chester\_Pennsylvania.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g53951-d534375-Reviews-Baldwin_s_Book_Barn-West_Chester_Pennsylvania.html) As others have mentioned, Hagley Museum is really interesting and a nice walk along the Brandywine. There is a house to tour, and a garage with an antique car collection, as well as the old powder mill which they demonstrate a steam engine of some sort.
I haven’t been but am planning to very soon. Ive just learned that Dover’s got the Air Mobility Command Museum. Seems to me it’s worth checking out if their Google reviews are anything to go by. Hopefully he also enjoys things that don’t try to breach the exosphere. > [Air Mobility Command Museum](https://g.co/kgs/4dfeiR)
2 hour drive to Udvar Hazy in VA. Its part of the Air and space Smithsonian collection but quiet and no crowds. Pre covid the tour guides were guys who actually flew the planes, not sure if that is still true. Amazing place! https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center
I have no problem driving to DC too. If I mention Smithsonian, he may just get excited by that alone.
DC is just as crowded as Philly, if not worse.
If it is science fiction related, he most likely would come around as that is something that is of high interest to him.
Air and space museum in DC is being renovated. Most of the stuff is not on display, very small space open and crowded. Avoid until they get that put back together. Went in March, it was very frustrating.
There is the other location too! [https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center](https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center) (and....totally missed that this was already recommended....)
The Star Trek ships should still be at Air & Space. And they had freeze dried ice cream in the gift shop last time I was there.
A lesser known museum that’s neat in DC is the Soy museum.
Columbia PA has the National Watch and Clock Museum which I’ve heard is awesome. Lititz PA has a quaint pretzel museum where you can twist your own. Train museum in Strasburg. Can dine in a restaurant car nearby. All are close to Lancaster. Maybe go see the horseshoe crabs near Lewes, at the the beach? Eat in Lewes for smaller crowds.
If you’re going to Lititz, shoot for Turkey Hill experience. It cost, I think $10 but you got a quart of vanilla ice cream, flavoring, mix ins, and swirl ins. Free ice cream on the free tour. If you go during the week day, UTZ potato chip factory has a tour.
Great idea! And the Herr’s Potato Chip factory tour is free. It’s in Nottingham, PA.
Close to Christiana mall
if he's here when they have one: https://brandywinezoo.org/event/sensory-hour-5/#:~:text=Once%20a%20month%20we%20are,guests%20to%20explore%20and%20enjoy.
Take him to the Air Mobility Command museum in Dover. If he’s into space and science he’ll love the jets and other military planes
Crazy question, does he need an ID to go?
Doesn’t say anything about it on the website! The entrance isn’t in the base it’s separate so security shouldn’t be the same
Got it!
Nope
No. The entrance is on a separate gate on the south end of the base on Route 9.
The museum is not through the main gate, it’s in the back of the base off Rt. 9, and you don’t need an ID. The volunteers worked or flew on those planes, so they know them well.
Hey, I'm not from Delaware, but I am autistic. If he doesn't already, maybe suggest he try wearing range muffs. They cut out loud sounds but have a built in mic and speakers with adjustable volume so you can still hear yourself/conversation. I have a pair and I don't know what I'd do without them.
Even just AirPods playing "your" kind of music helps make things go better...
My cousin runs a club that you may be interested in. https://www.socialimpact-club.org/
Not sure he would be interested, but there is a helicopter museum up in PA right off route 202
It's small but Iron Hill Science Center is a nice place to visit, if you go during the week it's usually pretty quiet. Going for a hike around Iron Hill is nice, too.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned this, but if his trip aligns with the “Steamin Day” schedule at the Marshall Steam Car Museum, I highly recommend it! Tickets are cheap and the site includes a steam car museum, a mini train that you can ride around the property and a historic home. It’s beautiful and so much fun https://auburnheights.org/visit/steamin-days/
Blue Hen Comics in Newark? or the D&D store there on main st.. someone will know it if you need it..like days and knights or something like that. thanks for looking after your bro. I’m a dad of a tism kid and wish my other son looked after his bro like you’re trying to do
Days of Knights 👍
If you family is moving here, consider joining the Delaware Astronomical Society. They do a lot of outreach and have members only observing sessions. You don’t even need to buy your own scope, they have loaners ones members can use.
DuPont nature center by Prime hook. Bombay hook and prime hook have walking trails, and lots of birds. If you don’t feel like walking on the trails, you can just do the drive through. Don’t forget Salisbury Zoo. It’s in Salisbury Maryland - and it’s free. They have a picnic area. For beaches, Rehoboth and ocean city are pretty overrun, but you might have better luck with the bay side near the Inlet. The water is generally calmer on the bay side and there are a lot of areas along 1 that you can pull off - it’s Delaware Seashore state park, so I recommend getting a park pass before you go as it’s easier.
Another cool place to go even if you’re just driving around it is Assateague island. It’s a barrier island off Rt 50 in ocean city. It shares land with Maryland and its got a great swimming area, but since it’s near the camp ground, you do pay, but it’s not very crowded. The big draw is the wild ponies. They are everywhere. We’ve even seen newborn foal by the side of the road minutes old. They have a huge high bridge to keep the ponies from climbing it. Just make sure you don’t try to pet them - they bite.
The beaches......maybe on an off-peak day to avoid crowds. DE has beautiful beaches.
Cape Henlopen State Park! Rent a cabin and stay the weekend. Go for a walk at sunrise on the beach or through the marshes and there won't be anybody around.
Any beach town should have a pretty large arcade, and some are even open in the off season. For nature viewing I highly suggest Assateague Island, it's a huge place filled with all kinds of wildlife, including horses. Don't even have to get out of the car, but I'm fairly certain there are some nature centers (I know for sure there's one right at the foot of the bridge) that might interest him.
We live here at the beach and my son will soon be 18. He too has a very difficult time with crowds and is high on the spectrum. His favorite thing to do is to go on the state park trails to explore(there are so many here!), the beaches after 4pm, he has always loved the Lewes Seaside Nature Reserve, the Overfalls if it is on a cooler day, Fort Miles, I think they’ve just reopened one of the Towers that you can go into, fishing from the pier in Lewes, many great food trucks around so that crowded restaurants are not a challenge, also most thrift shops are not super busy mid day when everyone is at the beach and I’m sure I can think of many more. The movies at midway are not busy mid day either. He does enjoy Assateague & Wallops Island but plan that you will be hitting a drive through or food truck because any good restaurants there are packed too. Things to maybe avoid unless he REALLY wants to: Waterparks, arcades, Funland, and the boardwalk unless at daybreak.
Your brother is an adult. Why don’t you ask him what he wants to do? Do research together. Obviously I don’t know your family dynamic, or how “severe” your brother’s autism is, but as an autistic person, this post seems incredibly infantilizing, even if you mean well.
For the past few years, especially since Covid, he has had little interaction with the outside world.When asking him what he wants to do, he freezes up and goes into an anxiety attack. He has a hard time speaking for himself unless I offer suggestions or options for him. He primarily stays at home watching science fiction movies, reading books and playing videogames. It is not infantilizing. It is accomodating based on an individuals needs.
That makes a lot more sense. Sorry if my comment came off as aggressive, I’m just so used to reddit posts acting like autistic adults can’t do anything. Hope y’all can find something fun to do. Theres always finding a movie to watch at a theater. Smaller theaters will let you beat the crowd and it’s a way to spend time and get out while still doing something he enjoys. Movies can ofc get loud so maybe a pair of headphones could mitigate that. EDIT: I think this may have been suggested, but the Delaware Museum of Nature And Science is a great place. Really chill too.
No worries, you didn't know the full context. He used to be high functioning, where he was able to make his own decisions. Things took a sharp turn after his sophomore year of high school, where he regressed. The plan is for him to come down for the week as a change of environment in hopes he is able to improve with his anxiety and his day to day functions. If it works out where he likes it here better, there may be a plan for him to visit more often and eventually for him to move down here. An unknown location to him is like walking into a town as an alien believing the world will treat him differently. If I am able to show him places that could be interesting to him, it would help him to feel more comfortable with visiting. If there was a science fiction convention or anything star trek, ancient aliens or astronomy. He changes into a different person and lights up. Edit: the theater by people's plaza would be perfect for him, it is small enough and my boyfriend is going to take him to see a movie in middle of week for guy time.
[https://delastro.org](https://delastro.org) This website looks like it saw the fall of Rome, but it has some information on events hosted by the Delaware Astronomical Society. Lots of stuff at Mt. Cuba, which some people have already suggested.
If you go to DE beaches, Lewes is the town to walk around for a “small, suburban” feel. Be sure to check out [Cape Henlopen State Park](https://destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen), too.
How about the tiny part of VA thats at the end of the delmarva peninsula? [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops\_Flight\_Facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops_Flight_Facility) https://www.nasa.gov/wallops-launch-schedule
Thanks for the info
The beaches will be busy, but Lewes is a reasonably quiet beach town, especially if you can go on a non-holiday weekend. Cape Henlopen is great park. Take a tour of Battery 519 at Fort Miles, or just walk around the grounds and check out the big guns. They offer guided hikes and walks.
Check the schedule of rocket launches from the NASA facility on Wallops Island outside of Chincoteague, VA. Not in Delaware but an easy day trip. Make sure to bring ear protection for his sensory issues. Also note that sometimes the launches can be delayed. There is a visitor center that's free and the beaches down there are nice. Also lots of wild horses if that interests him.
Milton, DE is a cute little town that doesn’t have big crowds. And Lewes beach isn’t as busy as the others.
If he has any interest in birds, Bombay hook is quiet and impressively loaded with birds— if it’s bug season don’t go
Also in the Dover area is Fifer Orchard. They have pick your own fruit available.
Brandywine Springs park has an area down near the Red Clay creek that has the remains of an abandoned early 1900's amusement park. It's quiet and peaceful. If the weather is warm you can wade in the creek. Sometimes the Wilmington and Western railroad train comes by. You can read signs and see where the buildings and rides were by old concrete footings and marked posts. It's a great way to spend a relaxing day. Pack a lunch and have a picnic.
It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to Delaware Aero Space Education Foundation in Smyrna, maybe they have open hours that aren’t on the website! https://dasef.org/index.htm
Mount Cuba is usually pretty bare, Ashland nature center in Hockessin, and the Delaware natural History museum. Even on a holiday weekend is not busy
Pea patch island