Explore Delaware this year: 15 things to do in 2015

Welcome to a new year in the First State.

From new music festivals to annual events like the sandcastle contest, there's a lot in store in 2015.

Try a Delaware favorite, like a brewery tour, or do something new, like kayaking Trap Pond State Park. Here's a list to get you started in 2015, from beginning to end.

-Eat a famous sausage: Housed in a white frame building with a pink pig on the roof just off U.S. 13 north of Smyrna, Helen's Sausage House is a favorite with the locals and has even gained national notoriety from time to time - Gourmet magazine once named the sausage house one of its 100 favorite places to eat.

Order a "two-on-one" - two deep-fried, 6-inch lengths of sausage served on a single roll (and we like it with fried onions and peppers) and sit in Helen's kitschy dining area full of Elvis Presley photos for the full effect.

-Kayak at Trap Pond State Park: It's one of Delaware's hidden gems: Trap Pond State Park features the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the United States. Kayaking among the majestic beauties is breathtaking and worth the trip down to Sussex County.

Rent a kayak - or other boats - at the park and see for yourself. Bonus: It's also a great birdwatching location.

-Take a ride down Del. 9 and eat at Sambo's: We all know Del. 1 is the preferred route to travel the state, but the tranquil two-lane road that is Del. 9 is flanked by corn fields and provides more of a relaxing drive while saving you toll money. When you need a break from the sights, stop at Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic.

The seasonal tavern was founded more than 50 years ago by Samuel "Sambo" Burrows. The locals know it's the go-to place for steamed crabs and cold beer.

-Take a brewery tour: For being such a small state, Delaware sure has its fair share of breweries.

There's that little one in Milton that we all love, but if you've already been to Dogfish Head a billion times, check out others across the state: Twin Lakes in Greenville, Fordham and Dominion in Dover, Mispillion in Milford, Iron Hill in Wilmington and Newark, Stewart's in Bear, 16 Mile in Georgetown ... and the list goes on. For a full directory, check out visitdelaware.com.

- Watch a horse race: Even if placing bets isn't your thing, watching a horse race at one of Delaware's three tracks is always a good people- and horse-watching time. Delaware Park in Stanton races May through October and offers meet-and-greets with the horses and jockeys in the gorgeous paddock. And several Kentucky Derby horses have gotten their start at the Stanton location.

Or enjoy harness racing at Dover Downs or Harrington Raceway, both in Kent County.

- Zip line through the trees

: You no longer have to go to the rain forest or somewhere tropical to swing through the trees. In fact, you just have to go to Bear. It hasn't been around long, but the Go Ape Lums Pond zip lining and treetop adventure is wildly popular already. And with good reason: The four zip lining courses provide a scenic view over the 200-acre pond.

- See a ballgame

: Sure, Delaware may not be known for its professional sports teams, but there's plenty of sports action happening throughout the year.

Check out a Delaware 87ers game in the winter to see future NBA prospects. And in the spring and summer, the Blue Rocks provide a family-friendly atmosphere where you can watch future MLBers while eating and drinking food for a fraction of the cost of a Phillies game.

If football is your thing, check out a Blue Hens game in Newark during the fall.

- Watch a re-enactment: Dover Days is one of Delaware's longest running events that celebrate First State history.

It's the only please in Delaware where you can see hundreds of children in colonial attire dancing around the maypole on Dover's historic Green. While there, explore Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War II encampments.

The festival runs May 1-3 this year.

- Hit a festival: Delaware is quickly becoming a mecca for live music. Check out the growing and nationally acclaimed Firefly Live festival in June at Dover Downs, which draws big rock acts.

Or this year, there'll be dueling country festivals: Big Barrel's 35-act list is led by headliners Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert with Haggard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Loretta Lynn and critically adored indie country newcomer Sturgill Simpson on board. Delaware Junction will have Toby Keith, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line.

Firefly: June 18-21
Big Barrel: June 26-28
Delaware Junction: Aug. 14-16

- Indulge in ice cream: Tucked away in Hockessin, Woodside Farm Creamery offers to-die-for dessert (or, let's be real, we could eat this for dinner, too). You certainly can't ever go wrong with the wacky flavors - bacon or dirt, anyone? Or if vanilla is more your thing, that's there as well.

The family-owned creamery is open from early April through late October.

- Be spooked: Sure Frightland near Middletown is awesome but there's another, lesser-known and more "very Delaware" way to get your spook on during Halloween. You have to check out the Haunted Chicken House on Proctors Purchase Road near Hartly. In addition to some decked-out chicken houses full of scary characters, there's also a hayride through a junkyard and concessions.

- Explore Amish country: You don't have to go across the state line to Lancaster County to find a simpler way of life. Just outside Dover, more than 1,500 Amish live. A drive through the area offers picturesque views of farmland, historic barns, plenty of churches and a few businesses - cabinet shops, blacksmiths, dry good stores - to stop at.

- Head to a beach festival: Yes, a day at the beach, is a joy in itself but if you can only take so much sunbathing, check out one of the beach events:

The annual Sandcastle Contest (Aug. 1) at Fisherman's Beach at the north end of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. More than 100 teams are expected to express their artistic flair. Past creations have included swamp animals, mermaids, crabs, dolphins, pyramids and of course traditional sandcastles.The best part about the event? It's free.

The Great Delaware Kite Festival (April 3) at Cape Henlopen. The competition is free and open to all age groups. Grab a kite or make your own and compete in several categories. Or just go to watch the kite-flyers in their glory.

- Learn about Delaware's geological history: It would nearly be impossible to make a Delaware list and not include at least one DuPont-related activity.

Hagley Museum - the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802 - lets you explore more than just the family's history: It offers a walking tour of the grounds where visitors explore the geology of the Brandywine Valley and its impact on the milling industry.

- Take a train ride with Santa:

A train ride is fun any time of year, but there's something magical about a holiday ride through the woods along a winding creek, twinkly lights glittering through trees along the way. It's not quite the "Polar Express" but there is a special passenger who is quite familiar with the North Pole: Santa

. From Thanksgiving through Christmas, the Wilmington & Western Railroad's Santa Express makes a 90-minute run from Greenbank Station in Prices Corner to Ashland and back. With Santa. And a little chocolate for the kids. If Santa's not your bag, they also do leaf-peeper rides, a Valentine's Day ride and other special events. It's a jolly good time. All aboard!