Located just outside of downtown Wilmington, the Nemours Estate is one of Delaware’s hidden gems. Nemours doesn’t rise to the same level as more famous Gilded Age mansions, such as the Breakers or Biltmore Estate, but it’s spectacular nonetheless. Unsurprisingly, the estate was built by a member of the DuPonts, a family synonymous with Delaware. Boasting a 47,000 square foot mansion, as well as 200 acres of perfectly manicured grounds, Nemours Estate is a sight to see.
As previously mentioned, Nemours isn’t quite in the same league as the most famous Gilded Age homes. It certainly doesn’t have the same level of name recognition, and being located in Delaware helps the estate keep a low profile. Unlike the Biltmore, the Nemours Estate attracts relatively few visitors, which allows for a much more intimate tour experience.
My trip to Nemours lasted around 2 hours, and during that time I only saw maybe 5 or 6 other people inside the house. A handful of people spread across 47,000 square feet makes it feel as though you have the place to yourself. A much different tour experience than some other historic estates I’ve visited recently.
As spectacular as the mansion is, the surrounding grounds and gardens might be the best part. Nemours features the largest formal French gardens in North America, and they are quite picturesque. With over 200 acres to explore, there’s plenty of beauty to experience outside. The grounds are very peaceful, and the lack of crowds make for a very enjoyable stroll around the property.
It’s honestly pretty surprising that Nemours doesn’t attract more visitors. Both the home and surrounding grounds are spectacular, and it’s surprisingly accessible, as Nemours is only 45 minutes from Philadelphia.
Nemours Estate is deserving of recognition, and I hope I’ve aided its cause somewhat. If you’re ever in Delaware or near Philadelphia, I highly recommend making a stop at Nemours. It’s very deserving of a visit, and surely won’t disappoint.
The gardens look beautiful! Did it feel spooky being in the big house with no one else around?
Not spooky, it’s a cozy 47,000 square feet.
Wow – very nice! Those gardens look spectacular. Houses of the gilded age can be found in several places, but those gardens are hard to match.