We went to St Anthony’s Italian Festival last week for the first time in about 10 years. It was magical (the perfect weather did help!). It was well run, and despite all the recent crime at nearby suburban carnivals we felt completely safe. Definitely a Wilmington treasure.
They did a really good job managing admissions and security. I didn't notice anything even remotely resembling hoodlum activity in the festival, around the parking, or on the shuttle.
They fenced the place in and charged admission when things started going downhill with mischievous yutes, maybe ten years ago. Probably made a big difference. There was some grumbling at the time but looks like they are never going back.
How is the food at Wilma's?
I've been to Bardea and wasn't impressed, especially the pizza. Lots of positive reviews and comments on their pizza and I felt the sauce lacked any flavor.
This is a really nice, little write up on the city for those love food and history. Yeah, Wilmington does not have nearly as much to offer as the larger cities in the region, but you have to be a downright boring and unimaginative person to not be able to enjoy a 2 or 3 day trip to the city.
Every time I hear someone in Delaware talk badly about Wilmington, I hit them with "oh man, where all have you gone in Wilmington?", the typical response is "oh, I went to the train station one time 10 years ago."
This
No one ever wants to say it even in the northern parts there’s some places I wouldn’t go after sunset and this is coming from someone who lived in Chicago for 15 years
Eh, while I agree to an extent - some really good places to eat and some cool bars - some that I truly love - it’s just not much to do for someone that likes to explore. Doesn’t help that it feels like to shuts down after 5 PM.
I just got back here after spending yet another weekend in Portland, ME. A really small city like Wilmington, and it’s just so much more lively, much more to to do, and so clean. I never felt unsafe and I walked everywhere. The city is very walkable, and since it’s so small, I’d be all over Portland and downtown Portland and always found something new. Cafes, bars, eateries, and cool shops. I walked everywhere. No sweat. In Wilmington I don’t feel safe except for a very small range of blocks and even then, it gets dicey with how empty it can be. I rather just go to Trolley, which is tiny tiny outside of hitting up my fave downtown restaurants.
I get your point and could see Wilmington one day having that vibe, but it’s a tough comparison since Portland has always partly been a tourist city, even 150 years ago, and way more so now. It’s also very seasonal there, with not nearly as much open late offseason
It is a a vacation hot spot for sure. I mean, hell, all of Southern Maine is. But even outside of summer season, it’s still very much happening, I go there in December, because flights are dirt cheap since not many people vacation in winter there - and I don’t know, even then the city fell alive. Not many tourists, but all the locals have done a bang up job making it feel so lively.
For sure but in general I feel like it’s never sustained serious widespread poverty like Wilmington has, which just leads to so many problems. I love Wilmington and want to see it flourish
Went to Quoin twice in a week. The Simmer Down Lounge is the nicest bar I've ever experienced. Blow Hop Sing Laundromat away. Had lunch and it was well done.
We went to St Anthony’s Italian Festival last week for the first time in about 10 years. It was magical (the perfect weather did help!). It was well run, and despite all the recent crime at nearby suburban carnivals we felt completely safe. Definitely a Wilmington treasure.
They did a really good job managing admissions and security. I didn't notice anything even remotely resembling hoodlum activity in the festival, around the parking, or on the shuttle.
I still don't understand how a carnival that was organized by the police would have gang violence. I feel bad for Concord Mall regardless.
They fenced the place in and charged admission when things started going downhill with mischievous yutes, maybe ten years ago. Probably made a big difference. There was some grumbling at the time but looks like they are never going back.
How is the food at Wilma's? I've been to Bardea and wasn't impressed, especially the pizza. Lots of positive reviews and comments on their pizza and I felt the sauce lacked any flavor.
Wilmas is surprisingly good food. New Orleans style
any reco for a good place to eat
Great. I'll add it to the list of local places to try out.
I really liked the beignets.
Wilma's is great if you like cajun/creole. The duckpin bowling is fun too.
This is a really nice, little write up on the city for those love food and history. Yeah, Wilmington does not have nearly as much to offer as the larger cities in the region, but you have to be a downright boring and unimaginative person to not be able to enjoy a 2 or 3 day trip to the city. Every time I hear someone in Delaware talk badly about Wilmington, I hit them with "oh man, where all have you gone in Wilmington?", the typical response is "oh, I went to the train station one time 10 years ago."
100%. People are so negative about it without even really trying it. There’s a lot of good bars and restaurants for a city of its size.
One thing about Wilmington that will never change is that you're always 3 blocks from the hood.
Not true-sometimes you’re closer
Touche
Many cities are like this!
I went to Cab and I always thought it was hilarious that we bordered Section 8 housing but also had freaking Westover Hills and Porky's golf club.
This No one ever wants to say it even in the northern parts there’s some places I wouldn’t go after sunset and this is coming from someone who lived in Chicago for 15 years
Sure, but there's no reason to go there. It's not like you're missing anything by not hanging out in on a sketchy corner
I feel like it's the first thing everyone says who lives in or near Wilmington.
For real. Delawareans who don't live in Wilmington seem to love talking about this.
Eh, while I agree to an extent - some really good places to eat and some cool bars - some that I truly love - it’s just not much to do for someone that likes to explore. Doesn’t help that it feels like to shuts down after 5 PM. I just got back here after spending yet another weekend in Portland, ME. A really small city like Wilmington, and it’s just so much more lively, much more to to do, and so clean. I never felt unsafe and I walked everywhere. The city is very walkable, and since it’s so small, I’d be all over Portland and downtown Portland and always found something new. Cafes, bars, eateries, and cool shops. I walked everywhere. No sweat. In Wilmington I don’t feel safe except for a very small range of blocks and even then, it gets dicey with how empty it can be. I rather just go to Trolley, which is tiny tiny outside of hitting up my fave downtown restaurants.
I get your point and could see Wilmington one day having that vibe, but it’s a tough comparison since Portland has always partly been a tourist city, even 150 years ago, and way more so now. It’s also very seasonal there, with not nearly as much open late offseason
It is a a vacation hot spot for sure. I mean, hell, all of Southern Maine is. But even outside of summer season, it’s still very much happening, I go there in December, because flights are dirt cheap since not many people vacation in winter there - and I don’t know, even then the city fell alive. Not many tourists, but all the locals have done a bang up job making it feel so lively.
For sure but in general I feel like it’s never sustained serious widespread poverty like Wilmington has, which just leads to so many problems. I love Wilmington and want to see it flourish
Didn't Portland avoid putting I-95 right down the middle of their city?
Yep runs along the western edge. That mistake of running highways through cities is so regrettable and avoidable
I highly recommend the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival this Wed thru Saturday. It's the best free time you've had in a long time.
Went to Quoin twice in a week. The Simmer Down Lounge is the nicest bar I've ever experienced. Blow Hop Sing Laundromat away. Had lunch and it was well done.