DELAWARE – Whether it’s an original work of art or a cactus-shaped margarita glass that has purely sentimental value, unique purchases can help define a vacation and immortalize memories of "time well spent." The State of Delaware attracts more than 11 million visitors a year with its sandy shores, colonial history, culture-rich Brandywine Valley, and of course, its tax-free shopping. For those that are willing to travel a bit off the beaten path, the First State also features some of the region’s best craft galleries, chic bric-a-brac, and road-side finds.

The cluster of upscale towns that includes Centreville, Greenville, and Hockessin is brimming with modish boutiques and well-appointed antique shops. Historic Centreville, though small, is home to no less than seven antique shops. Malchione Antiques and Sporting Collectibles (302.651.7974) retails hand-carved duck decoys, fish and songbirds. They also carry antique fishing rods, creels, reels, and unique American folk art. Windle’s Fine Antiques (302.651.9222) has the area’s largest selection of antique quilts and Shaker items, and Jackson Mitchell, Inc. (302.656.0110) is internationally known for its collection of 17th, 18th, and 19th century English period antiques.

When it comes to clothing and accessories, Greenville has the corner on the market. Dale’s Shoe’tique (302.655.6003) is the place to go for chunky crystal jewelry, fun watches, and sparkly evening bags. Peter Kate Shoes (302.656.7463) features hard-to-find designer footwear. Hockessin is home to one of the few craft galleries in the country that specialize in wood. Creations Fine Woodworking (302.235.2310) features the contemporary works of over 200 American and Australian artisans. Culinary gadgets rule at Everything But the Kitchen Sink (800.731.7066), which also has its own cooking school. Also in Hockessin, the store is chock full of cool items for the home, including furniture, crystal, china, and cookware.

Finds waiting to be discovered along the tree-lined streets of Wilmington are as eclectic and varied as the city’s cultural offerings. At Govatos Chocolates (302.652.5252), the Govatos family has been perfecting the art of candy making since 1894. The Sandy Hollow Herb Company (www.sandyhollowherb.com) offers all a person needs to lead a completely holistic lifestyle. Medicinal herbs and natural body care products (even for pets) are their specialty. Massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki, and Integrated Energy Therapy are all offered on-site. Wine connoisseurs will adore Moore Brothers Wine Company (877.316.6673), headed up by former Le Bec Fin sommelier Greg Moore. The shop features only estate bottled wines, many of which were handpicked from small European wineries with very little distribution in the U.S. The nearby college town of Newark is the corporate headquarters of WL & Associates and home of the Gore Outdoor Store (302.454.7555), the only store in the nation that exclusively carries Gore-tex®, Windstopper®, and Airvantage™ high performance wear.

The capital city of Dover is chock full of colonial history. It is where the U.S. Constitution was first ratified, and a number of the town’s historic structures were important stops on the Underground Railroad. Delaware Made (www.delawaremade.com), located in a building that dates to 1775, is the starting point of a historic walking tour of Dover. It also specializes in items crafted by Delaware artisans.

Just outside of the town limits, a thriving Amish community exists. Visitors will truly appreciate the quality of Amish craftsmanship after a visit to Rose Valley Furniture or Shady Lane Selections, which specializes in quilts and quilt supplies. Spence’s Bazaar offers Amish-made sausages, baked goods, and preserves. For more information on these locations, contact Kent County Tourism at 800.233.KENT or check out www.visitdover.com.

The calming waters of the Atlantic provide the perfect getaway for those seeking respite from the daily grind. A host of shops and galleries – ranging from home spun to pure panache in flavor – make it possible to take a little of the Delaware shore back home. Hudson’s General Store (302.539.8709), near Bethany Beach, offers a mix of antiques, reproductions, folk art and country accessories such as quilts and hand-milled soaps. Working pottery studio Sabieware (302.539.4076), also near Bethany, features functional hand thrown pottery. The delicate, handcrafted jewelry found at TKO Designs Art Jewelry (www.tkodirect.com) perfectly compliment Bethany Beach’s laid-back atmosphere. iLand ArT gaLLerY (866.87.iLand) in Fenwick Island offers kitschy home décor, including full-sized lifeguard chairs, in a beachy environment – complete with boardwalk and sand-covered floors.

Peppers (www.peppers.com) in Rehoboth Beach is home to the largest collection of hot sauces in the world. They sell 1500 to 2000 different sauces at any given time – one is so hot that the shop requires the purchaser to sign a waiver! The big orange Dolle’s (www.dolles-ibachs.com) sign that towers above Rehoboth’s boardwalk has become a landmark for thousands of vacationing families. Since the 1920’s, Dolle’s salt water taffy and caramel corn have been favorite take-home goods. Funky 50’s retro shop The Glass Flamingo (www.theglassflamingo.com) touts itself as the "epicenter of Flamingo collectibles" on the East Coast. They carry everything from flamingo stationery and clothing to garden accessories and home furnishings. At Studio on 24 (302.644.4424), a glass workshop and gallery just north of Rehoboth, visitors can watch glassblower Deborah Appleby at work, and take home one of her masterpieces.

Soap, lotions, bath salts and balms are made the old fashioned way at the Soap Fairy (www.soapfairy.com) factory and retail shop in Lewes. All products are made from food-grade vegetable oils, natural oxides and the finest natural essential oils and fragrances. Visitors to Lewes’s historic downtown area will see blacksmith John Austin Ellsworth hard at work at Preservation Forge (302.645.7987). His creations -- weather vanes, pokers, gates, hinges, hooks, door latches, and more – are available on-site. Just a few blocks away, Kids Ketch (www.kidsketch.com) is stocked with toys that let children use their minds. The store offers the perfect solution to a rainy day with cool gifts like a butterfly farm, a "fun with your dog" science kit, and a talking world globe. Beautiful pottery, calligraphy, and lovely watercolors fill the shelves of the Saxon Swan (302.645.7488), across the street from Kid’s Ketch. They are known for their handcrafted holiday items, including nativity scenes and menorahs.

For those that seek something a bit more spirited, Nassau Valley Vineyards (645-9463), located just north of Lewes, is Delaware’s first and only winery. Wine labels feature works by local artists. The award-winning Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (www.dogfish.com) in Milton offers very unique beer blends including Midas Touch Golden Elixir, a beverage based on residue in drinking vessels found in King Midas’s tomb.

The tax-free shopping opportunities in Delaware go well beyond the shops featured here. The State offers outlet centers in Rehoboth and Wilmington, and several shopping malls. Many of Delaware’s small towns are worth exploring, not only for their historical integrity but also to browse through the family owned shops that offer everything from gourmet foods to regional crafts. Antique shops can be found in all regions of the state. For more information on shopping in Delaware, as well as details on the state’s historical, cultural, and outdoor offerings, visit www.visitdelaware.com.