Towne Point - Dover, DE Area Guide

Residents of Dover take pride in their rich history. Founded in 1683, the city originally consisted of 125 acres. In 1777, officials designated Dover as the state's capital. The Towne Point community carries the name of a local historical house. The 17th century farmhouse hosted some of the area's earliest settlers, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Residents can visit a variety of museums within Dover. For art lovers, the Biggs Museum of American Art maintains a collection that spans 200 years, while the Dover Art League promotes local artists. The Delaware Agricultural Museum hosts an annual auction and bake sale to benefit the establishment.

The area surrounding Towne Point includes a variety of restaurants, including fast-food options, diners and high-end establishments. Most of these eateries line North Dupont Highway.

Shucker's Pier 13 features a menu of seafood and steaks, served in a casual dining environment. This locally owned establishment opened in 1979, and it has earned several restaurant awards. The fried jumbo platter includes six different types of seafood.

Kabab Korner brings Halal cuisine to an all-you-can-eat environment. Fusing Chinese and Indian foods, this spot is popular for its unique tasting experience. Nightlife is nonexistent within the Towne Point neighborhood, but the outlying area includes several bars for your late night enjoyment. Residents also benefit from the close proximity of Dover Downs, since the casino stays open throughout the night.

Locals frequent Toms Bullpen, where the "Krak and Smack" cheese steak sandwiches are just as popular as the drinks. This sports bar often features live music without a cover charge. Each day brings a different drink special to help you save a few dollars.

When visiting the Dover Downs casino, check out the Fire and Ice Nightclub inside the facility. Voted 2010's best dance club by Dover Post, this establishment combines live entertainment and dance music with daily drink specials.

Most errands in and around Towne Point require the use of a car. DART provides public transportation services in the area and maintains a few nearby bus stops. If you do utilize your own car, parking is rarely a problem in the Towne Point area. Most business establishments include large parking lots, and the residential nature of the community means that most residents park in their own driveways. You cannot hail a cab within the community, but you can call ahead to schedule a ride, especially since Uber has not made its way into the area.

The Towne Point neighborhood provides a safe and secure environment for walkers and bikers, with sidewalks throughout. There are no designated bike lanes; however, minimal traffic makes the community ideal for bikers.

Williams Park lies closest to Towne Park. Catering to the sports enthusiast, the park includes basketball courts, a softball field, a multipurpose sports field, swings and a playground where kids can play. While there are no exercise stations within the park, almost nine acres of space provides plenty of room for power walks with no fee for admission. The park welcomes dogs on leashes.

Silver Lake Park includes 182 acres of forestry and lakes. Fisherman frequent this free location, which boasts a large population of catfish and perch. Boaters relax on the waterways, often pulling along an adventurous water skier. Children love the playgrounds, while active adults take advantage of the picturesque walking paths.

The historical Green combines history with nature in the middle of downtown Dover. This tranquil area is designed for relaxation, more than exercise or play. That changes in May of each year, when the park transforms into the center of activity for Dover Days. This annual festival celebrates the city's rich history, while ushering in spring with a bang. Craft makers and food vendors line the streets, while children dance around the maypole.

The cost of living in the Towne Point area of Dover is generally cheaper than the cost of living in other areas of the city, especially downtown. Citywide, a one-bedroom apartment generally rents for about $950. In Towne Point, a one-bedroom apartment averages about $745 a month.

Getting from the neighborhood to the downtown area via DART costs about $3.50 for a round trip. When filling up your car, expect to pay slightly less than the national average price per gallon. Celebrate those savings at a local pub, where a beer costs about $6.50.

Residents enjoy shopping in the area, because Delaware is one of only a few states that operates with no sales tax. Many locally owned shops line the streets of downtown Dover, while the mall provides the other major shopping location with more than 80 national chain stores. Buyers find high-end goods in the same location as various high-value options.

For shoppers with more diverse tastes, Byler's Country Store carries homemade food products and gifts, right alongside patio furnishings and handcrafted wooden items. Operating since 1974, this local treasure maintains a delightful mix of products and charm. Meanwhile, Bel Boutique, known locally for its unique collections of clothing and accessories, prides itself on developing friendly, personalized relationships with regular customers.

Towne Point residents can choose from a variety of grocery stores. Redner's Warehouse Market maintains a large selection and offers money-saving specials. Save-A-Lot provides locals with low-cost items in a smaller-store setting.

A number of local farmers markets operate in the area during the spring and summer months. The Harrington Farmers Market operates on Saturday mornings, while the Smyrna Farmers Market opens on Thursday afternoons.