Delaware County: Nature, River and Special Discoveries

Delaware County combines impressive nature experiences with river landscapes, wildlife observation and historical insights. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities here for active days, leisurely discoveries and cultural excursions. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first deciding on the preferred mix of activities: Should the time be spent mainly outdoors, on the water, at historic sites or visiting a variety of attractions?

Nature Parks with Varied Landscapes

Blues Creek Park showcases several types of landscape within a compact area: it includes prairies, wooded areas, wetlands and a creek. There are also 2.5 miles of hiking trails and a pond where visitors can fish and then release their catch. No fishing license is required for this form of fishing. Gallant Woods Park is characterized by mature forest, meadows, restored prairie landscapes and wetlands. An Interpretive Gateway introduces visitors to the wetlands and explains the transition from farmland to restored natural habitats.

Deer Haven Park is home to the Amy Clark-Bader Bird Sanctuary. Permanently injured birds are displayed there, while songbird species are shown on a rotating basis. The hiking trails in Deer Haven Park and the neighboring park are connected and cover about 3 miles in total. Those who want to include nature observation and walks in their trip planning can consider these different park landscapes as individual attractions.

River Trips, Trails and Wildlife Observation

River Run Park is a launch point for kayaks and canoes on the Olentangy River. From there, a 6.5-mile river trip leads to Mingo Park in Delaware City. Along the way, visitors can observe bald eagles, herons, turtles and other wildlife. The Ohio to Erie Trail is primarily a recreational trail running away from road traffic, with connected paved sections. Preservation Parks manages 6.5 miles of it. Delaware County therefore offers opportunities for both a paddling trip and trip planning centered around longer trails and cycling tours.

A distinctive landscape awaits you at Shale Hollow Park. There, a creek runs through a winding corridor lined with shale cliffs ranging from 20 to 40 feet high. Waterfalls form at times. McKay Lodge is also home to the interactive exhibit “What Lies Below.” Those who want to combine a nature experience with informative displays can experience this park differently from the open meadows and wetland landscapes of Gallant Woods.

History, Creativity and Further Experiences

Forrest Meeker Farm, with its 1823 house and 1848 barn, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Meeker Homestead Museum preserves artifacts from the period before the American Civil War. Gallant Farm depicts a farm from the Great Depression era. For creative interests, the Hands-On Art Barn in Galena offers holiday programs, classes and a fully equipped ceramics studio. Perkins Observatory hosts public astronomy programs during the day and at night.

Unusual attractions are also part of the offerings: Olentangy Caverns’ Treasure Hunt Maze includes three special treasure stations. The Bigfoot Walking Trail is just under 1 mile long and runs over unpaved ground with some grassy sections. In addition, the Delaware County Wine & Ale Trail leads to fourteen breweries and wineries in the county. This variety can play a role when searching for a holiday apartment if you do not want to spend every day of your vacation in the same way.

Places and Further Destinations

For orientation within the destination, you can also include the local places Orange, Delaware and Powell in your further planning. If you would also like to compare other destinations, you can find Columbiana County, Shelby County, Pickaway County, Ross County and Hancock here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ohio.