Hockessin
Hockessin, is a small, rapidly growing town in northern New Castle County, right on the border with Pennsylvania. Centered between two major highways, Route 7, or Limestone Road, and Route 41, Lancaster Pike, Hockessin offers a quiet reprieve for travelers and residents alike. The center of town is based mostly around small businesses; locally owned restaurants, salons, boutiques, and a smattering of other commercial establishments. A laid-back atmosphere, peaceful neighborhoods, and picturesque scenery all make Hockessin an extremely desirable place to live: its population grew by more than a third, to 13,500, between 1990 and 2010.
Centered almost exactly between New York City and Washington D.C., Hockessin has a climate that combines "the best of both worlds." Winters and summers vary year to year, and any type of weather is possible for Delaware's usually moderate climate.
Get in
Hockessin is only accessible by car or bus, due to the fact that it has no airport or train stations. A short commute by automobile from the City of Wilmington, which boasts a bustling train station, and a roughly 45-minute drive from Philadelphia, mass forms of transportation are within a short distance. Also working their way through the town on a daily basis are DART buses, which travel throughout Delaware.
Get around
Hockessin, being a small town, is easy to get around on foot. It doesn't have a main street, but Old Lancaster Pike is seen that way; it is usually one of the busier roads in town.
Hockessin is divided into two halves; the Old Lancaster Pike/Lancaster Pike side, and the Lantana Square/Limestone Road side. Valley Road connects the two.
See
Ashland Nature Center serves as the Delaware Nature Society's headquarters and the hub for all of its activities of education and natural resource conservation. The site is open to the public year-round, features an overnight lodge for school and public groups, a seasonal butterfly house, picnic area and four self-guided trails through a variety of habitats. Programs are offered for all ages. The property includes more than 242 acres and is owned by the Red Clay Reservation, a private land trust. Ashland is also home to the Ashland Hawk Watch, a joint partnership between the Delaware Nature Society and the Delmarva Ornithological Society.
It is a fun and enjoyable outdoor experience for the whole family. While it is educational, the kids won't know the difference.
Do
Going to be around in late June? Then visit the Chinese Association's annual Chinese Festival. Located on Little Baltimore Road, it is a yearly festival that celebrates Chinese history. Through exhibits, gourmet food, and cultural performances, the event attracts thousands every year for three days.
The Hockessin Fourth of July Parade, Fireworks, and Neighborhood Relays are also a major part of town culture. Every year, old cars, firetrucks, local groups, bands, and even a few politicians parade down Old Lancaster Pike in celebration of Independence Day. The Neighborhood Relays are held earlier in the morning; they allow local neighborhoods to see which is top dog when it comes to athletics. Finally, the town of Hockessin rounds off the night with a usually stunning fireworks display; they've been getting better every year.
Eat
Need to kick it up a notch and down for some upscale dining? Voted one of the best restaurants in 2010 in Delaware Today, the Back Burner Restaurant is the go to place in "downtown" Hockessin. One of their more popular items is the "Pumpkin Mushroom Soup" and "Mideast Flatbread". For dinner, expect prices for entrees in the $20-30 range. If you're looking for a nice atmosphere but not so expensive, lunch is a good choice and lunch specials hover around the $10 price.
A local staple, Casapulla's sub shop is also an area favorite, with great subs and some of the best cheese steaks Hockessin has to offer, at a reasonable price. Another favorite is Pizza Pro, another small, hole-in-the-wall shop with some of the best wings and pizza around.
Featured on the Food Network and consistently voted Best Ice Cream by readers in the annual "Best Of" issue of Delaware Today, Woodside Farm Creamery has become a must stop for anyone seeking relief during the hot summer months. Woodside creates homemade ice cream, but the charm comes in the fact that it is literally on a farm with quaint animals to watch while feasting on ice cream. Their flavors range from chocolate and vanilla to experimental flavors. They also offer ice cream to go in quarts. The University of Delaware sells their ice cream at a store by the Fred Rust Arena on the UD campus.
They generally are open from noon until sunset.
Sleep
There are no hotels in Hockessin. However, Hockessin is a short drive (approx. 10 min) from Newark, Delaware which has many hotels from Motel 8 to a Marriott Inn.
Go next
Although Hockessin is not a major city in the region, or even Delaware, it is within close proximity to many other major cities.
Dover (Delaware) - Delaware's capital city. Known as a historical town, it has roots dating back to the origins of the country. It is a 30-minute drive from Hockessin.
Lancaster (Pennsylvania) - a 45-minute drive from Hockessin, it is renowned for its diverse culture, more specifically, the Amish. It also has a plenty of shopping outlets.
Philadelphia - United States of America's first capital. A city with a huge culinary and arts scene. A perfect city for a perfect date.