Wilmington's Dining Scene Welcomes an Authentic French Brasserie

For those of us craving authentic French food with no place to appease our palate, our dreams have been realized. Margaux Restaurant in downtown Wilmington, DE is now accepting reservations.

The downtown dining scene is rapidly expanding its offerings and Margaux is a perfect compliment to all that Market Street has to offer. 

The closest thing to a trip to France (and much less expensive) Margaux features signature cocktails, an authentic French cheese plate, a wide-variety of menu options to please even the pickiest of guests and desserts that make us request seconds.

If you are looking for a place to celebrate, or just want to make an ordinary day a special occasion, visit the newly opened Margaux at 902 N Market Street. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations, limited seating is available, 302-929-7080.

View the full menu here.

Stay in the Know in Your City and Contribute to Wilmington's Future! Join us for an Evening of Conversation!

Join Downtown Visions and City of Wilmington, Delaware Mike Purzycki - Mayor of the City of Wilmington for an evening of downtown news and conversation with the Wilmington Department of Police - Delaware, Chief Robert J. Tracy and the new Delaware College of Art and Design President, Jean Dahlgren. All are welcome to join us on Tuesday, June 27th at DCAD, 600 N Market Street, doors open at 5 p.m.!

Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. Following the event, Chelsea Tavern is offering all guests 20% off food and alcoholic beverages!

Sponsored by The Kenny Family Foundation , N.K.S. Distributors and Downtown Visions

Registration is requested but not required here.

Block Parties, Jazz Nights and More at the Rock Lot this Summer

Thanks to the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation's Creative District initiative the revitalization is moving westward of Market Street and the LOMA district. Neighborhoods are truly blossoming.

The Creative District encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Market and Washington Streets. Within this district, at 305 W. 8th Street there is a gem of a place called the Rock Lot. This beautiful artistic cove is designed to bring the local community together. Join us for a variety of complimentary events at the Rock Lot this summer:

• Wednesday  5/30, 6/6, and 6/13- Jazz Nights, 6-7 pm. Artists are Alfie Moss & The Dexter Koonce Project, Sharon Sable Quartet, and Terra Soul.

Leading up to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Creative District Wilmington is teaming up with Market Street Music to bring well-known jazz musicians to the green space in the heart of the district.

• Saturday 6/9- Lending Library Kick-Off, 1-3 pm. 

A community lending library is coming to The Rock Lot and in order to celebrate its opening, we’ve invited Bryce Bullock, nine-year-old comic book creator and author, to read his latest work!

• Saturdays 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, and 7/14- Reading Series, 1-2 pm

While kids are home on summer break, Creative District Wilmington partners up with the Wilmington Public Library and members of the community to host a series of reading events at the Rock Lot.

• Wednesday, June 27th Spoken word night  “Outspoken” 6-7 pm 

Host Christian Wills, the creative mind behind Sweet Jams!, the spoken word nights at UDairy Creamery’s Market Street location, is bringing OutSpoken! to the Rock Lot! The spoken word nights are open-mic events and the public is invited to participate!

• Wednesday, July 11, 18, 25 Capoiera

Join Chris Devany of ASCAB Capoeira Delaware at the Rock Lot to experience an interactive session of this creative 16th-century art form.

• Saturday, July 28th – Community Dinner

Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship. All are welcome. (Grown and prepared by William Penn High School culinary students.)

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There are Over 1,500 FREE Parking Spaces Available to Downtown Wilmington Visitors Nights and Weekends

Photo Credit: The Ladybug Music Festival

Date nights, girls night out and hitting the town on the weekends and evenings just became even simpler. 

Art loops, festivals, concerts and restaurants galore are available in downtown Wilmington and if your excuse for not attending was lack of parking, think again.

Colonial parking is making your next trip to Wilmington a breeze. Below is a parking map resource we want you to print and stick in your vehicle, or have handy as a screenshot on your phone. These are all surface lots available on the nights (Monday-Friday after 5 PM) and weekends (all-day) provided by Colonial Parking for FREE.

If you happen to pull an all-nighter during the week, be sure to move your vehicle by 7 AM. 

Events coming up that you may want to utilize these spaces for include The Art Loop, DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Big Noise and Ladybug Festival. 

An Event for the Entire Family, The Wilmington Grand Prix

From complimentary kids rides and attractions to Food Trucks, Craft Beer & Live Music by Special Delivery, there is something for everyone at the Wilmington Grand Prix.

The City of Wilmington and their many partners once again bring professional cycling to the streets of Downtown Wilmington with the Wilmington Grand Prix. In eleven years, the event has grown from a regional bicycle race to one of the premier cycling events in the country. For the eleventh straight year, Delaware's premier cycling competition has been certified as a National Calendar event by USA Cycling, putting this year's Wilmington Grand Prix among the nation's most prestigious races.

Top professional racers are expected to gather in Wilmington May 18-20 for three days of events that pass through some of the state's most scenic byways, attracting cycling fans from across the region and pumping thousands of dollars into the state's economy.

2018 Wilmington Grand Prix Event Details Monkey Hill Time Trial -- Brandywine Park

Friday, May 18th 5 PM start

Monkey Hill is a course made famous during the Tour DuPont. Attendees will watch 100 riders compete against the clock and the cobblestones of Monkey Hill. The evening will also include live music by Special Delivery, craft beer garden, and food trucks in Brandywine Park.

All Day Saturday, May 19th 9 AM to 5 PM

Six blocks of free, family activity with course cafes, DJ music, children's activities, bike vendors and demonstrations, street festival and sidewalk sale.

Wilmington Grand Prix, Saturday Main Event Saturday, May 19th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 11 AM Men's Category IV-V (45 minute time limit)

12:15 City Youth Cycling Championship

1 PM Men's Category II-III Randy Inglis Memorial Race (60-minute time limit)

2:15 PM Women's Pro, Category I&II (25 miles)

3:45 PM Men's Pro & Cat I (35 miles)

Awards ceremony immediately after men's race

After awards post-race parties in restaurants along the course

Grand Prix Gran Fondo Sunday, May 20th 8 AM

This ride will offer cyclists the unique opportunity to traverse a challenging 62-mile course linked by 13 cultural attractions, including stunning rides through world-class institutions such as Hagley Museum & Gardens and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. The WGP Gran Fondo will start and finish at the Delaware Art Museum and will grant cyclists the privilege of passing through many of these attractions on the same ride. We will also offer a Medio Fondo which is 30 miles. The eight Annual Governor's Ride will offer cyclists a less-challenging 15- mile course that also begins and ends at the Delaware Art Museum.

Wilmington Grand Prix Criterium Course in Downtown--Friday, May 18th through Saturday, May 19th Parking and Traffic Info:

Market Street (between 4th and 10th Streets) will be reduced to special-access only traffic beginning at 6 pPM on Friday, May 18th. Please do not plan to drive on Market Street after 6 PM on Friday. Market Street returns to regular traffic patterns after 7 PM on Sat., May 19th.

No parking on Market Street between 5th and 11th Friday, May 18th after 4:00  PM.

Market Street will be closed on Sat., May 19th until 8 PM (5th & 6th Streets re-open at 7 PM)

5th, 6th 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Streets will be closed between Shipley & French Streets beginning Fri., May 18th at 6 PM. thru Sat., May 19th at 7 PM.

10th Street will be closed between Shipley & French streets beginning Fri., May 18 at 6 PM thru Sat., May 19th at 8  PM.

11th Street will be closed between Market & French streets beginning Sat, May 19th at 7 AM 5th & 6th Streets will reopen Sat., May 19th at 7 PM

King Street will be closed between 4th & 11th Streets on Sat, May 19th, 8 AM thru 6 PM.

DART reroute from Rodney Square to Shipley will begin on Friday, May 18th at 6 PM (if applicable.)

More details on the event can be found here.