Not every trip needs a full week, and Delaware, Ohio is a genuinely great fit for a long weekend. Here’s how we’d build three days if we were guests ourselves.
Day One: Settle in and explore downtown. Arrive with enough time to get groceries stocked and unpack before an easy first evening. Once you’re settled, walk into downtown Delaware — Sandusky and William Streets are close enough to stroll, and it’s the perfect low-key introduction to the town. Grab dinner at Bun’s Restaurant, which has been serving this same stretch of downtown since the 1820s, then wander back for a slow evening on the porch.
Day Two: Outdoors and a little adventure. Spend the morning at Alum Creek State Park — beaches, trails, and boating if you’re up for it, or just a quiet lakeside walk if you’d rather take it easy. In the afternoon, head to Olentangy Indian Caverns for something different — a guided cave tour that’s cool underground even on a warm day, with a small pioneer village to explore above ground. Round out the evening with a stop at Delaware Beer Company for a flight of local craft beer before dinner.
Day Three: Slow morning and a proper send-off. Use the morning to wander Ohio Wesleyan University’s campus — free, lovely, and an easy walk from downtown, especially nice in fall color. If your timing lines up, check whether a Battling Bishops game is on the schedule; it’s a fun, low-key way to spend an afternoon. Make your last dinner a celebration at 1808 American Bistro before heading home the next morning, or squeeze in one more stop at Backwoods Distilling Co. for a tasting if bourbon’s your thing.
This pacing leaves real room to slow down rather than rushing between stops — which is really the point of staying somewhere like Delaware in the first place. Swap in whatever fits your group’s pace; the fire-pit backyard is there for whenever you’d rather just stay in.
Check availability for your weekend and we’ll help you fine-tune the plan once you’re booked.