Destination
Delaware in AI travel recommendations
Delaware shines as a cozy, historic, farm-to-table gem online—but Wilmington barely gets a mention.
637
Questions asked
807
Places identified
20 of 20
Categories shifted this check
Sep 1, 2026
Last checked
Key takeaways
What this check tells you
Concentration
In Best Luxury Hotels, three properties account for 53.2% of AI mentions versus the 18.8% expected if recommendations were spread evenly, with The Bellmoor Inn and Spa, Hotel du Pont, and Boardwalk Plaza Hotel dominating the category.
Concentration
Best Romantic Hotels shows the same three names — The Bellmoor Inn and Spa, Hotel du Pont, and Boardwalk Plaza Hotel — capturing 43.1% of mentions against an expected 17.6%, echoing the luxury hotel pattern.
Movement
Best Local Experiences is the most volatile tracked category, with all 75 of 75 entities shifting position between the August 27 and September 3 checks.
Gap
Best Hidden Gems keeps concentration relatively low at 14.5% versus an expected 4.6%, but still saw 65 of 65 entities move, showing frequent reshuffling even in a less top-heavy category.
Generated from this check's data
Updated Sep 3, 2026
Lead finding
Delaware's AI presence scores just 10% distinctiveness versus a 25% network average, driven by a glaring blind spot around Wilmington.
AI assistants consistently paint Delaware through Family-Friendly, historic charm, Farm-to-Table, fine dining, and romantic themes, with beach getaways, comfort food, and history rounding out the picture. Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive at 98% across 388 rated mentions, showing AI genuinely likes what it knows about the state. Yet Delaware's distinctiveness score of 10% falls far below the 25% network average, and Wilmington stands out as a significantly underrepresented theme. This gap suggests AI models are missing a key piece of Delaware's identity, flattening its story into generic coastal-and-historic tropes rather than surfacing Wilmington's distinct character.
How AI sees Delaware
Across the prompts we've tracked, AI most consistently associates Delaware with:
Family-FriendlyFarm-to-Tablehistoric charmfine dininghistorichistoric siteshistorynaturebeach getawayBeach townsbeachesbeachfrontbudget-friendlycasual diningCoastal diningcolonial history
How Delaware benchmarks
Confirmed-open rate
Distinctiveness
Presence rate
Delaware's AI benchmark numbers compared to the network average across all tracked destinations.
Each metric shows two bars: Delaware's rate and the network average for that metric, so you can see how it compares. See how these scores are calculated.
Presence beyond Delaware-specific questions
How often Delaware comes up in regional and national AI questions that aren't specifically about it (out of 12 tracked questions, as of Sep 9, 2026):
0
Recommended
0
Mentioned
12
Not mentioned
See all questions
- Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Direct Not mentioned
- Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Conversational Not mentioned
- Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Recommendation Not mentioned
- Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Direct Not mentioned
- Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Conversational Not mentioned
- Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Recommendation Not mentioned
- Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Direct Not mentioned
- Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Conversational Not mentioned
- Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Recommendation Not mentioned
- Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Direct Not mentioned
- Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Conversational Not mentioned
- Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Recommendation Not mentioned
Top picks by traveler intent
Best Restaurants
Rankings: Volatile
52 places moved rank this check
41 new5 in & out
House of William & Merry
17 of 34
rank #1–#12
Bardea Food & Drink
16 of 34
rank #1–#2
Heirloom
14 of 34
rank #1–#11
Henlopen City Oyster House
13 of 34
rank #2–#9
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats↔
12 of 34
rank #4–#10
La Fia↔
11 of 34
rank #1–#10
Big Fish GrillNew
9 of 34
rank #2–#14
Bluecoast Seafood Grill & Raw Bar↔
8 of 34
rank #2–#10
Best Luxury Hotels
Rankings: Volatile
16 places moved rank this check
10 new
The Bellmoor Inn and Spa
27 of 30
rank #1–#5
Hotel du Pont
25 of 30
rank #1–#5
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
23 of 30
rank #1–#6
Inn at Montchanin Village
16 of 30
rank #2–#6
Hotel Rehoboth
10 of 30
rank #2–#6
Avenue Inn & Spa
9 of 30
rank #3–#7
The Quoin HotelNew
8 of 30
rank #1–#6
WilmingtonNew
5 of 30
rank #2–#5
Must-See Attractions
Rankings: Volatile
32 places moved rank this check
20 new7 in & out
Nemours Estate
28 of 31
rank #1–#9
Rehoboth Beach
28 of 31
rank #1–#14
Cape Henlopen State Park
25 of 31
rank #1–#13
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
25 of 31
rank #1–#5
Hagley Museum & Library↔
24 of 31
rank #2–#14
Lewes
22 of 31
rank #2–#17
Delaware Art MuseumNew
14 of 31
rank #4–#11
Brandywine Creek State ParkNew
12 of 31
rank #5–#11
Best Romantic Hotels
Rankings: Volatile
17 places moved rank this check
11 new
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
24 of 30
rank #1–#5
The Bellmoor Inn and Spa
24 of 30
rank #1–#7
Hotel du Pont
22 of 30
rank #1–#6
Inn at Montchanin Village
19 of 30
rank #1–#6
Hotel RehobothNew
9 of 30
rank #2–#4
Avenue Inn & SpaNew
7 of 30
rank #1–#5
Inn at Canal Square
7 of 30
rank #4–#8
Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence InnNew
6 of 30
rank #4–#6
Best Attractions for Families
Rankings: Volatile
42 places moved rank this check
28 new
Brandywine Zoo
28 of 30
rank #1–#10
Delaware Children's Museum
26 of 30
rank #1–#6
Cape Henlopen State Park
24 of 30
rank #2–#11
Rehoboth BeachNew
23 of 30
rank #1–#5
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
18 of 30
rank #2–#8
Funland
17 of 30
rank #1–#12
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
17 of 30
rank #5–#13
Air Mobility Command Museum
14 of 30
rank #4–#12
Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants
Rankings: Volatile
59 places moved rank this check
52 new3 in & out
El Diablo Burritos
17 of 31
rank #1–#8
Grotto PizzaNew
12 of 31
rank #1–#16
Thrasher's French Fries↔
11 of 31
rank #8–#19
Capriotti's↔
8 of 31
rank #1–#13
Charcoal Pit
8 of 31
rank #1–#5
Home Grown CaféNew
8 of 31
rank #1–#6
Grain Craft Bar + KitchenNew
7 of 31
rank #4–#8
Nicola Pizza
7 of 31
rank #9–#17
See more categories
Best Food Experiences
Rankings: Volatile
55 places moved rank this check
37 new7 returning5 in & out
Thrasher's French Fries
20 of 38
rank #1–#16
Dogfish Head Craft BreweryBack
19 of 38
rank #3–#14
Grotto Pizza↔
16 of 38
rank #2–#13
Sambo's Tavern
15 of 38
rank #1–#12
Henlopen City Oyster House
13 of 38
rank #2–#11
Capriotti'sBack
12 of 38
rank #1–#11
Bardea Food & Drink
11 of 38
rank #1–#13
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
11 of 38
rank #2–#14
Best Local Experiences
Rankings: Volatile
75 places moved rank this check
59 new2 returning5 in & out
Lewes
23 of 37
rank #1–#25
New Castle Historic District
23 of 37
rank #1–#15
Cape Henlopen State Park
22 of 37
rank #1–#16
Sambo's Tavern
16 of 37
rank #1–#11
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
15 of 37
rank #3–#13
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
15 of 37
rank #1–#15
Trap Pond State Park
14 of 37
rank #1–#16
Hagley Museum & LibraryBack
12 of 37
rank #2–#27
Best Historical Attractions
Rankings: Volatile
32 places moved rank this check
15 new9 in & out
Hagley Museum & Library
31 of 34
rank #1–#10
Fort Delaware State Park
28 of 34
rank #2–#14
John Dickinson Plantation↔
28 of 34
rank #3–#10
Zwaanendael Museum
21 of 34
rank #4–#12
New Castle Historic District
19 of 34
rank #1–#9
Old Swedes Church↔
19 of 34
rank #1–#11
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
17 of 34
rank #2–#16
Nemours Estate↔
14 of 34
rank #3–#14
Best Local or Traditional Restaurants
Rankings: Volatile
55 places moved rank this check
42 new6 in & out
Sambo's Tavern
17 of 32
rank #1–#7
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
10 of 32
rank #3–#14
Big Fish GrillNew
9 of 32
rank #1–#7
Helen's Sausage House
9 of 32
rank #1–#9
Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill
9 of 32
rank #3–#10
Jessop's Tavern
8 of 32
rank #1–#9
Henlopen City Oyster House
7 of 32
rank #1–#7
Jimmy's Grille↔
6 of 32
rank #3–#8
Best Day Trips
Rankings: Volatile
26 places moved rank this check
25 new
Rehoboth BeachNew
19 of 31
rank #1–#8
New Castle Historic DistrictNew
8 of 31
rank #2–#6
WilmingtonNew
8 of 31
rank #1–#9
Cape Henlopen State ParkNew
7 of 31
rank #1–#7
PhiladelphiaNew
7 of 31
rank #1–#6
Baltimore or AnnapolisNew
5 of 31
rank #2–#6
Cape MayNew
5 of 31
rank #2–#8
LewesNew
5 of 31
rank #2–#6
Best Boutique Hotels
Rankings: Volatile
18 places moved rank this check
10 new
The Bellmoor Inn and Spa
25 of 30
rank #1–#7
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
17 of 30
rank #1–#5
Hotel du Pont
16 of 30
rank #1–#7
Inn at Montchanin Village
15 of 30
rank #1–#5
Canalside Inn
12 of 30
rank #3–#6
The Quoin Hotel
9 of 30
rank #1–#2
The Hotel Rodney
8 of 30
rank #2–#6
Hotel BlueNew
7 of 30
rank #2–#5
Best Budget Hotels
Rankings: Volatile
39 places moved rank this check
29 new
Wilmington
18 of 30
rank #1–#9
Rehoboth Beach
15 of 30
rank #1–#9
Days Inn DoverNew
11 of 30
rank #3–#10
Sleep Inn
10 of 30
rank #1–#9
Red Roof Inn & Suites Newark - University
8 of 30
rank #1–#6
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dover
7 of 30
rank #2–#6
Super 8 by Wyndham DoverNew
7 of 30
rank #2–#5
Baymont by Wyndham Newark at University of Delaware
6 of 30
rank #2–#7
Best Family Hotels
Rankings: Volatile
25 places moved rank this check
19 new
Wilmington
19 of 30
rank #4–#16
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
18 of 30
rank #1–#7
Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference CenterNew
17 of 30
rank #1–#7
Rehoboth Beach
17 of 30
rank #1–#17
Hyatt Place Dewey BeachNew
15 of 30
rank #1–#6
Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn
14 of 30
rank #1–#5
Hotel du PontNew
11 of 30
rank #1–#11
The Bellmoor Inn and SpaNew
11 of 30
rank #2–#6
Best Fine-Dining Restaurants
Rankings: Volatile
36 places moved rank this check
26 new
Harry’s Savoy GrillNew
24 of 30
rank #1–#10
Le Cavalier at the Green Room
13 of 30
rank #1–#5
Eden
12 of 30
rank #1–#9
Krazy Kat’s
11 of 30
rank #3–#9
EspumaNew
9 of 30
rank #4–#7
House of William & Merry
9 of 30
rank #1–#7
The Blue Moon
9 of 30
rank #4–#8
Bardea Food & Drink
8 of 30
rank #1–#5
Best Rainy-Day Attractions
Rankings: Volatile
51 places moved rank this check
33 new
Delaware Art Museum
27 of 30
rank #1–#9
Christiana Mall
22 of 30
rank #4–#14
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
20 of 30
rank #2–#10
Delaware Children's Museum
18 of 30
rank #1–#12
Hagley Museum & Library
17 of 30
rank #2–#3
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
16 of 30
rank #1–#4
Biggs Museum of American Art
15 of 30
rank #4–#9
Tanger OutletsNew
13 of 30
rank #4–#17
Best Restaurants for Couples
Rankings: Volatile
34 places moved rank this check
25 new
Eden
14 of 30
rank #1–#6
The Blue Moon
12 of 30
rank #2–#13
Harry’s Savoy GrillNew
10 of 30
rank #1–#6
Heirloom
9 of 30
rank #3–#9
La FiaNew
9 of 30
rank #2–#7
Le Cavalier at the Green Room
9 of 30
rank #1–#9
The Green Room at Hotel DuPont
9 of 30
rank #1–#4
Cultured PearlNew
8 of 30
rank #3–#8
Best Viewpoints
Rankings: Volatile
36 places moved rank this check
26 new
Cape Henlopen State Park
25 of 30
rank #1–#8
Rehoboth BeachNew
21 of 30
rank #2–#12
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
20 of 30
rank #3–#11
Brandywine Creek State Park
20 of 30
rank #2–#12
Rockford Tower
13 of 30
rank #1–#11
Delaware Seashore State ParkNew
11 of 30
rank #2–#10
Trap Pond State Park
10 of 30
rank #4–#10
WilmingtonNew
9 of 30
rank #4–#11
Best Winter Experiences
Rankings: Volatile
55 places moved rank this check
39 new
Cape Henlopen State Park
19 of 30
rank #1–#19
Rehoboth Beach
18 of 30
rank #1–#20
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
16 of 30
rank #1–#16
Delaware Art Museum
16 of 30
rank #5–#27
Lewes
15 of 30
rank #1–#22
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
14 of 30
rank #1–#17
Nemours Estate
13 of 30
rank #2–#11
Hagley Museum & Library
12 of 30
rank #2–#18
Where Perplexity's answers about Delaware come from
The web domains Perplexity's live search pulled most while answering tracked travel questions about Delaware (last 90 days). ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini aren't grounded in our tracking yet. See the network-wide ranking.
- reddit.com ↗ 18
- nps.gov ↗ 16