Treat your family to a day out in Wilmington, DE, and enjoy loads of kid-friendly activities. Visit the Brandywine Zoo to see exotic wild animals, discover nature at the Nature Playground, go on an outdoor adventure in Alapocas Run State Park, and learn more about the local folk art at the Blue Ball Barn.
1. Meet the Exotic and Endangered Animals at the Brandywine Zoo
Kids love going to the zoo and the Brandywine Zoo, right in the heart of Wilmington, is just the place to take the little ones to see exotic and endangered animals. Meet the friendly lemurs, see the pudu, the world’s smallest deer, the largest bird of prey, the Andean condor, and watch cute red pandas munch on bamboo. The Barnyard at the zoo has many domestic animals the kids can interact with, so don’t forget to take your camera.
At the zoo’s Nature Playground, your kids will get in touch with nature while crawling through a giant log, balancing on stepping block logs, and examining the natural items in the bins. The Nature Playground has bird blinds and insect hotels to help kids learn more about the gritters around them, and at the Little Free Library, they can read, borrow, or leave a book.
Address and Opening Hours
Brandywine Zoo is at 1001 North Park Drive in Wilmington and is open daily from February through December between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. In January, the zoo is open from Friday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
2. Enjoy an Outdoor Family Adventure in Alapocas Run State Park
Head out to the scenic Alapocas Run State Park and explore nature with your family. Take a leisurely hike through the beautiful mature woodlands and along the Brandywine River and see Pawpaw trees, North America’s largest indigenous fruit-bearing tree, along the way. Climb Delaware’s only natural climbing wall and observe the magnificent blue granite cliffs once used to build the city.
Explore Wilmington’s rich natural and cultural history on the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail that runs past historic overlooks and find out more about the history of the textile mills. Your kids will love the Storybook Trail that meanders around the 27,000 square foot Can-do Playground, where they can swing, slide, and play in the sand.
Address and Opening Hours
Alapocas Run State Park is at 1914 West Park Drive in Wilmington and is open from 8 a.m. until sunset.
3. Learn About Local Folk Art at The Blue Ball Barn
The Blue Ball Barn was built in the 1900s as a dairy barn, the barn then became the famous Blue Ball Tavern, a friendly inn for weary travelers through the region. Today the beautifully restored two-story stone barn is the permanent home of The Delaware Folk Art Collection.
The collection showcases cultural artifacts and various artworks and sculptures by local artists displaying the culture, beautiful landscapes, and impressive architecture of Delaware.
Address and Opening Hours
The Blue Ball Barn is at 1914 West Park Drive in Alapocas Run State Park and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pile your kids in the car and head out to these great destinations for a day of family fun and excitement. Before you hit the road, visit Lexus of Wilmington today. Our qualified technicians offer top-quality maintenance and repair services to keep your vehicle in excellent running condition.
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