In the mid-1600s, Wilmington was settled by Swedes and Finns. Then, the Dutch came. Finally, the British came through with some Quaker beliefs and a charter from King George II, which came through in 1739. Over 100 years later during and after the Civil War, Wilmington produced iron ships, gunpowder, and carriages. Nowadays, things are different. If you’ve ever wondered why so many credit-card companies send their bills from Delaware, it’s because of the Financial Center Development Act of 1981. The upshot is that Wilmington benefits. After the banking windfall, the city began to upgrade its riverfront. Included in the plan was the Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball club. The Delaware College of Art and Design is here. Drexel has a campus here, as well as the Widener School of Law. As far as attractions go, here’s a good one. The Nemours Mansion and Gardens is a 300-acre property with gardens, a reflecting pool, and a Temple of Love. The property was shaped by Alfred I. du Pont into an estate like a French chateau. Wilmington is only 25 miles from Philadelphia, too, so if you’re visiting, you can see the sights there. But, stay in Wilmington.