Highland Acres South Dover, DE

After early English and Dutch settlement in what is now Delaware, the Duke of York chartered Jones County in 1680. Jones County was then transferred to William Penn in 1682 as part of his Delaware Colony charter.

William Penn specified that a court town by the name of Dover be laid out. Both Dover and Kent County in Delaware were named after Dover in Kent County, England. The Dover courthouse was built in 1697, the town was laid out in 1717 and it became the capital of Delaware in 1777. After the American Revolution started in 1776, the “Delaware State” was officially formed and adopted its first constitution in 1776. During that time in the 18th Century, Kent County was largely a grain-farming region.

Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and as such Delaware became known as “the First State”.

Pizzadili Delicatessen has been serving the community since 1975 when two brothers who emigrated from Italy started the venture. The brother's goals of providing top-notch homemade food, excellent customer service and a family atmosphere have been successful and recognized by the community. Locals rave about how nice and friendly the owners are. Favorite dishes include the subs, particularly the Italian sub, home made soups, salads and deli salads such as the chicken and pasta salads. Busy at lunch, calling ahead can help to expedite takeout orders. The deli also offers a small dining area.

Reel Fresh Seafood Market & Restaurant has been recently reopened under new ownership after a complete remodel. The former location was predominantly a seafood market, whereas the new incarnation provides a more upscale dining experience featuring fresh seafood. The menu ranges from seafood platters under $10 to a wide variety of steamer pots, fresh seafood platters, seafood flat breads and exotic seafood dishes. Favorites include the crab cakes made with lump crabmeat and no filler as well as the daily fresh fish specialties. Boasting very fresh fish and seafood that the owner hand selects at the fish market every morning, locals love the high quality of the seafood and inviting decor.

Valerie's Bar & Grill provides the bar and nightlife scene in Highland Acres. A local dive bar located by Tidbury Park, locals love the friendly vibe hosted by Valerie, the eclectic decor and bar menu. You'll find Yuengling and Bud options on tap and the kitchen serves up tasty sandwiches, particularly big cheesesteaks. The bar has even hung lacquered rolls by the register to help when you're judging what size you want to order. The bar has its fair share of bikers and a Harley pinball machine provides the icing on the cake. You can also hop over to the DuPont Highway just outside of Highland Acres for a variety of different bars, restaurants and lounges and take the short trip into Dover to enjoy a variety of entertainment options.

For family-friendly nightlife and entertainment options, Highland Acres offers the Dover Skating Center. A family-owned and -operated, full-service classic roller skating rink, the Dover Skating Center boasts 30,000 square feet of fun with a full food court and live DJs. The roller skating rink also hosts parties and special events.

US Route 13, the DuPont Highway, runs along the western edge of Highland Acres and conveniently connects Highland Acres to Dover. Delaware Route 10 runs through the middle of Highland Acres, which connects the area to the DuPont Highway and Delaware Route 1 at Dover Air Force Base.

DART First State, operated by the Delaware Transit Corporation, provides bus service throughout Kent County, including Highland Acres. Several local bus routes service the Highland Acres area on the neighborhood’s major thoroughfares. Inter-county service is also available to Wilmington and Georgetown via DART, as well as seasonal service to the Delaware beach area.

Dover area taxicab companies provide service throughout the Dover metropolitan area, including Highland Acres. It’s not easy to hail a cab in these areas, but you can call to request a pick up. Uber also provides car service in the Dover region.

The neighborhood provides limited bike lanes, however most residential streets in the neighborhood are pedestrian- and bike-friendly.

Located at the southern edge of Highland Acres along Tidbury Creek, the dog park at Tidbury Creek County Park provides the only fenced in dog park in Kent County for off-leash fun. Approximately three-quarters of an acre has been divided into small dog and large dog play areas. Both areas provide drinking water for the dogs and a bench is provided. If you plan to spend time at the park, it’s advisable to bring a lawn chair due to limited bench space. You can also go trout finishing at Tidbury Creek Park.

The Hunn Recreation Area, which spans 84 acres at the eastern edge of Highland Acres, was once a landfill that was remediated by the EPA over 20 years ago. The land was sold to the county and it has been transformed into a conservation area with trails throughout that will be open to the public, showcasing the area’s wildlife and birds.

The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Highland Acres hovers around $750 per month. Average gas prices run around 8 percent above the national average. A ride on a DART bus for a fixed-dare route costs a flat fee of $1.50 in cash. Pre-paid DART cards provide a discount on fares. The typical price for a pint of beer in the area runs between $2 and $4.

Predominantly a residential area, retail activity in and around Highland Acres stays concentrated on Route 13, the DuPont Highway, and Route 10, Lebanon Road.

The Johnny Janosik World of Furniture store claims to be the Eastern Shore’s largest furniture store. Serving the community since 1953, Johnny Janosik features immense galleries of furniture from famous name manufacturers such as Broyhill, Stanley, Lane, and Thomasville. Jen-Mor Florist provides a local FTD Florist outlet.

Food Lion provides the closest grocery store option in the neighborhood, located by the Hunn Recreation Area. A Walmart Supercenter provides an additional option just south of Highland Acres on the DuPont Highway.

Seasonal farmers markets are not far away at the beach, with local markets at the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. You can also go to Fifer Orchards Farm and Country Store in the neighboring town of Camden. Fifer Orchards, a family-run market, has been serving the community since 1919, growing and selling high quality produce and specialty items.