Delaware, Ohio surprises people. It’s a genuine historic Main Street town — tree-lined, walkable, home to Ohio Wesleyan University — but it’s also got a lot more going on than its size would suggest, from a real limestone cave system to a distillery making small-batch bourbon a few minutes from our door.
Start downtown. Sandusky and William Streets are lined with 19th-century storefronts turned boutiques, cafes, and galleries — an easy, unhurried afternoon whatever the weather’s doing. Ohio Wesleyan’s campus itself is worth a wander too, especially in fall when the trees turn; it’s free, it’s lovely, and it sits right at the edge of downtown.
For something a little different, Olentangy Indian Caverns is one of our favorite surprises to send guests to — a genuine limestone cave system with guided tours, cool underground temperatures, and a small pioneer village above ground. Kids especially love it. If you’d rather be outdoors, Alum Creek State Park is fifteen minutes away with beaches, boating, and miles of hiking trails through hardwood forest.
Delaware’s food and drink scene punches above its weight for a small town. Bun’s Restaurant has been serving the same downtown space since the 1820s — genuinely one of the oldest restaurants in the country — while 1808 American Bistro is where we send guests looking for a nicer night out. Delaware Beer Company and Backwoods Distilling Co. round out an easy evening of craft beer and small-batch bourbon, both an easy walk from downtown.
It’s the kind of town that rewards slowing down rather than rushing through a checklist — a coffee here, a gallery there, dinner at Bun’s, a nightcap at the distillery. We’ve written detailed guides to each of these spots in our Experiences section if you want specifics on hours and what to expect.
Check availability at our historic Delaware home and start planning your visit — this is small-town Ohio done right.