Major city · United States
Delaware, OhioDelaware
Give Delaware one night or a half-day: a small college downtown, two state parks and the Olentangy caverns. Skip it if you want big-city sights.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice)
- Airport
- CMH
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Delaware is a county seat of about 35,000 people 30–40 minutes north of Columbus, built around Ohio Wesleyan University and a compact Sandusky Street downtown of pizza shops, brewpubs and a 19th-century courthouse square. It is a base for the Little Brown Jug harness race in September, the Olentangy Indian Caverns and two state parks, not a destination in itself. Most travellers see it as a half-day or an overnight on the way between Columbus and central Ohio's small towns.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Delaware, Ohio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small city; the real risks are winter ice on pavements, deer on US 23 at dusk and drinking on a college night out.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 740-203-1111 Delaware Police non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMH John Glenn Columbus International (About 30–40 min south by car via I-71 and US 23; no direct bus to Delaware…
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$9–14
- BeerDraught beer in a downtown bar$6–9
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi or rideshare3.1 mi taxi or rideshareSurge pricing on race weekend and college nights.$12–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketOlentangy Indian Caverns entry$10–12 adult, $7–9 child (check)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedChain motel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedChain motel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International (About 30–40 min south by car via I-71 and US 23; no direct bus to Delaware, so rent a car or take a rideshare.)
Weather and climate
Delaware, Ohio: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C36°F
−7°C19°F
11 rd
Feb
4°C39°F
−6°C21°F
10 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
−1°C30°F
11 rd
Apr
17°C63°F
5°C41°F
12 rd
May
22°C72°F
11°C52°F
12 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
16°C61°F
10 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
18°C64°F
10 rd
Aug
28°C82°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Sep
25°C77°F
13°C55°F
8 rd
Oct
18°C64°F
7°C45°F
9 rd
Nov
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Dec
4°C39°F
−4°C25°F
11 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. DATA buses run through town and onto the OWU campus, with service into the evening on college days. A car is the practical way to reach the caverns and both state parks; street parking downtown is metered and campus parking needs a visitor permit from Public Safety.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min by car; about 30 min by bus
Car via US 23 south and I-71, or Greyhound from Delaware
The obvious pairing: museums, the Short North and the airport are all south.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Car via US 33 and I-270
Suburban dining and the Columbus Zoo area; easiest with a car.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via US 42 west
Small-town stop; combine with Madison County sights rather than a dedicated trip.
Mount Vernon, Ohio
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via US 36 east
Historic downtown and the Kokosing Gap Trail; a full half-day.
Gambier
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car via US 36 east and OH 229
Kenyon College village; pair with Mount Vernon in one loop.
Newark, Ohio
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via I-270 and OH 16 east
Earthworks and a small downtown; better as a stop en route to southeast Ohio.
Lancaster, Ohio
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via US 33 southeast
Historic square and glass heritage; combine with Hocking Hills.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Sandusky Street
Walk to restaurants, bars and the OWU campus; a handful of small inns and B&Bs, book ahead for race weekend.
US 23 north strip
Chain motels with free parking and easy highway access; 5–10 min drive from downtown.
Delaware State Park
Camping with electric sites, showers and a beach on the reservoir; 10 min north of town.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rideshare CMH airport → Delaware, one way1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| DATA day pass2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in US dollars, before sales tax; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Pizza, 12-inch | $14–20 |
| Deli sandwich | $9–14 |
| Draught beer in a downtown bar | $6–9 |
| 5 km taxi or rideshareSurge pricing on race weekend and college nights. | $12–18 |
| Olentangy Indian Caverns entry | $10–12 adult, $7–9 child (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Campus parking on a school day is the hardest parking in town: get a visitor permit from Public Safety or come by bus.
- Taxis are phone-only and can take an hour on cold or busy nights: plan around DATA buses or drive.
- The caverns close for the winter, roughly November to March: check before you drive out.
- Race weekend in September fills every bed in the county: book weeks ahead or stay in Columbus.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Delaware Police non-emergency
- 740-203-1111
Pocket card
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Delaware, OhioDelaware
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Delaware Police non-emergency740-203-1111
Embassy
No embassies in Delaware; consulates are in Chicago, New York and Washington, DC. Check your country's nearest consulate before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare CMH → downtown Delaware: $50–70, about 35 min (check)
- Greyhound Columbus → Delaware: about $10–15, about 30 min (check)
- DATA local bus: small fare, day pass available (check)
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- The check, please — The check, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Delaware, Ohio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CMH: last-mile options to Delaware field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Sandusky Street downtown, the OWU campus, the US 23 motel strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Olentangy Indian Caverns, Delaware State Park, Alum Creek, the county fairgrounds) and eat pages with last orders.
- Race-weekend and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.