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Rutherford B. Hayes was born here in 1822, and the town on the Olentangy River, about 30 miles north of Columbus, has kept its 19th-century look. Delaware, the county seat of Delaware County, was founded in 1808 and grew into a classic Ohio college town around Ohio Wesleyan University, founded in 1842. Sandusky Street keeps rows of brick storefronts filled with local shops, cafes and restaurants.
The city is famous among harness racing fans for the Little Brown Jug, one of the sport's most prestigious races, held each September at the Delaware County Fair. Ohio Wesleyan's campus, the Nash House Museum and the Arts Castle add history and culture, and Perkins Observatory south of town hosts public stargazing nights.
Outdoor options are close by. Delaware State Park has a lake, beach and campground, Stratford Ecological Center offers a farm and nature preserve, Gallant Farm shows rural life in the 1930s, and Olentangy Indian Caverns lets visitors walk through limestone caves.
A private liberal arts university founded in 1842, with a leafy campus of historic halls just west of downtown. University Hall with its large Gray Chapel auditorium is the centerpiece, and the Ross Art Museum shows free exhibitions. Visitors can stroll the grounds and attend concerts and games during the school year.
Downtown Delaware centers on Sandusky Street, lined with 19th-century brick buildings that now hold independent boutiques, bookstores, coffee shops, brewpubs and restaurants. The city hosts First Friday events and summer festivals here. Park in the public lots and walk to the Ohio Wesleyan campus a few blocks away.
One of harness racing's most famous races for three-year-old pacers, held each September at the Delaware County Fairgrounds during the county fair. Huge crowds gather along the half-mile track for the heats on Jug Day. Reserve seats early or come for the fair's rides, livestock shows and food.
A historic observatory owned by Ohio Wesleyan University, opened in the 1930s on a hill south of town. Its large telescope is used for public astronomy nights with talks and guided viewing of planets and stars on clear evenings. Programs require advance tickets and often sell out, so book ahead.
The Delaware County Historical Society runs this museum in a Victorian house on North Sandusky Street, with period rooms and exhibits on local history, from early settlers to President Rutherford B. Hayes, who was born in Delaware. Displays change with the seasons and special exhibits. Open on limited days; check hours.
A community arts center in a striking 19th-century house with a castle-like tower, a few blocks from downtown. It offers art classes for all ages, gallery exhibitions of local work and seasonal community events. Stop in to see the current show and the building itself, which is a local landmark.
A state park on Delaware Lake just north of the city, with a swimming beach, boat ramps, a marina, a large campground and trails through woods and wetlands. It is popular for fishing and birdwatching, especially during spring migration. Bring binoculars for the wetland areas and arrive early on summer weekends.
A nonprofit organic farm and nature preserve south of downtown, with barns of farm animals, gardens, woods, a creek and walking trails. It is a favorite place for families and school groups, with seasonal events such as maple sugaring in late winter. Trails are open to visitors; donations are welcome.
A privately run attraction south of Delaware where visitors walk down into a network of limestone caverns formed by an underground river. Self-guided tours follow lit passages several levels below ground, and above ground there is gem mining and a gift shop for kids. The caves stay cool year round, so bring a jacket.
A Preservation Parks of Delaware County site that recreates a family farm from the 1930s, with a farmhouse, barn, chickens, pigs, draft horses and heirloom gardens. Staff and volunteers lead hands-on activities on open days. Its surrounding woods have short trails. Free to visit; check the seasonal schedule.
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