Just 40 minutes from downtown Columbus, a trip to Delaware includes a unique dinosaur park, cupcakes and a great children’s bookstore!
Here’s a fun day trip idea we stumbled onto a few weeks ago! I say stumbled because though I planned to go to the park and splash pad, the rest of the day was somewhat unplanned. Delaware is a 40-ish minute trip from downtown Columbus and has a super cute downtown area.
First of all, the park. As far as parks and playgrounds go, this one is awesome! I love that there is a playground (a REALLY nice one) so close to the splash pad. It’s the whole package in case your kids get tired of one or the other quickly. The playground area is covered in artificial turf – so no mud or mulch to deal with!
There is a dinosaur theme with large dinosaur prints in the sidewalk, a dinosaur slide and dinosaurs to run through at the splash pad.
There are some water tables on the edge of the playground – my kids really wanted something to play with inside them (which we didn’t have). So if your kids aren’t into being splashed, but still like to play in water, bring some plastic animals or cars to play with in the water!
Another nice thing about the splash pad is that there is a covered area for sitting. Throughout the park there were two large pavilions with picnic tables for shade and eating. There is also a snack shack.
Related: Free Splash Pads and Fountains in Columbus and Central Ohio
If you followed me last summer, you might remember that my kids were not big fans of splash pads! 🙂 So I’ll tell you, I didn’t even pack swim suits – just an extra change of clothes! haha. Well, this year they proved to be a little bit braver than last so we needed those clothes! {See Five on Friday: Splash Pads here!}
After the Spray and Play, we headed downtown with no particular destination in mind.
We found a couple of bakeries and coffee shops and ended up choosing Fresh Start Cafe and Bakery. There were lots of yummy treats and Crimson Cup coffee. The boys chose cupcakes because they always do and I heard no complaints! 😉
We walked around downtown a bit and ended up at Fundamentals: Children’s Books, Toys and Games, which is a fun store for kids books and art and teacher supplies! (Fundamentals is now Beanbag Books.)
(Update for 2022: Beanbag Books is being renovated this summer and they are operating out of a pop up shop at 9 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015. The location here will hopefully reopen in late August!)
I’m looking forward to returning to downtown Delaware! Does anyone have a Delaware favorite to recommend?
Know Before You Go:
Spray and Play at Veterans Park
1121 S. Houk Rd, Delaware, OH 43015
Fresh Start Cafe and Bakery
24 North Sandusky Street
Delaware, Ohio, OH 43015
(740) 990-0388
Fundamentals: Children’s Books, Toys and Games (Now Beanbag Books)
25 W Winter St
Delaware, Ohio, OH 43015
(740) 363-0290
(Update for 2022: Beanbag Books is being renovated this summer and they are operating out of a pop up shop at 9 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015. The location here will hopefully reopen in late August!)
Shannon
Friday 9th of August 2019
Park hours?
Jennifer
Thursday 8th of August 2019
Address? Of park Thanks.
Julie Miller
Thursday 8th of August 2019
1121 S. Houk Rd, Delaware, OH 43015 It’s at the bottom of the post! ☺️
Maureen
Saturday 26th of May 2018
I love Delaware. I should, I was privileged to work here for 18 years. I’ve watched her highs and lows and this town is blooming! Lots of nice restaurants and quaint shops and parks, bike paths and ice cream shops! There is a healthy weekend nightlife supplied by some of the micro breweries and pizza, Mexican, French and Cajun offerings! The Strand movie theatre runs first rate movies for a rainy day! Minho Park has a nice public pool and lots of equipment for the kids- awesome water slides!!!! Delaware is a great place to live and work!!!
Julie Miller
Saturday 26th of May 2018
That is so great! :)
Marcetta Sharp
Friday 25th of May 2018
What is the cost please
Julie Miller
Saturday 26th of May 2018
Yes, the whole place is free! :)
Maureen
Saturday 26th of May 2018
Free
Debra J Anderson
Thursday 24th of May 2018
Is the splash park free ? What ages would you recommend ? Cost for the pool ? Thanks
Julie Miller
Saturday 26th of May 2018
The whole park is free! Any kid who enjoys a playground would love it - I'd say any ages elementary and under!
Maureen
Saturday 26th of May 2018
Free. Ages 4-12