Wabash Erie Canal Park
Wabash Erie Canal Park
4.5
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4.5
43 reviews
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tipton68
Indianapolis, IN198 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This park is so interesting and so beautifully planned out. We started with the museum, one of the most informative and well-organized we've visited. For only $5 per adult and $1 per child, you can get a complete history of this canal area and how Indiana history was affected by it. Note: I would say that most Indiana natives neither are aware of this history nor of the park. Almost all of the cabins were open when we visited and the volunteers/artisans are very friendly and talkative. The boat ride is a special treat and the guides are excellent. There is also an old canal boat that is the focal point of the playground; our grandson had a great time. Note: the pioneer village buildings are open just from 1-4 from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,807 contributions
May 2020
I got out of the house and did a bit of a solo road trip. This virus stuff has all of us a little stir crazy, but things are slowly opening back up (with proper social distancing of course), so I headed out.
The Delphi Canal Park is a place I had circled on my map of more local places to check out, so I made it the last stop before heading home. The Interpretive Center and historic building where all closed and the canal boat wasn't running, but I had a nice walk out past the railroad track tunnel and all along the canal the other direction. It's a really interesting area and the historic little village is well done. I'll have to get back someday when it's all open to see it. There were people out walking and fishing, enjoying the warm weather.
The Delphi Canal Park is a place I had circled on my map of more local places to check out, so I made it the last stop before heading home. The Interpretive Center and historic building where all closed and the canal boat wasn't running, but I had a nice walk out past the railroad track tunnel and all along the canal the other direction. It's a really interesting area and the historic little village is well done. I'll have to get back someday when it's all open to see it. There were people out walking and fishing, enjoying the warm weather.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl Vianco B
Lafayette, IN26 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The town of Delphi has done an excellent job restoring the historic canal. Growing up here, I remember when the canal was nothing but green moss. I'm amazed at the park now. Fun place to ride the canal boat, kayak, paddle boat, hike the nice trails, visit the museum and historic buildings.
Written July 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iwanttoseeamerica
Saint Louis, MO411 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
I wouldn't make this a destination but we were in Delphi shopping at antique malls. They have a real cute main square and two people told us to go to this park.
In less than an hour we walked the grounds, visited the interpretive museum and visit the kiln. It was a good break from driving.
The park area was clean and had a cool boat playground area. We were there during the week so we had the place to ourselves, but the boats were not operating- didn't really look like we missed too much there.
The interpretive center is free and has some neat artifacts and a hands on lock and dam display.
A cabin to show life on a boat and some way of life antiques. A small gift shop at the end.
The water is an eerily pretty soft emerald green. You can rent paddleboats, kayaks and I believe bikes as well. The pioneer village is small and it was closed as well when we were there. There are restrooms at the end of the village by the parking lot which were open.
When we left the park, we went about two blocks to a historic lime kiln park area. It was close to the canal but I don't remember how to get there, I am sure they can tell in the interpretive center.
It has the remnants of an enormous lime kiln, a bridge to walk over the water and a couple trails.
In less than an hour we walked the grounds, visited the interpretive museum and visit the kiln. It was a good break from driving.
The park area was clean and had a cool boat playground area. We were there during the week so we had the place to ourselves, but the boats were not operating- didn't really look like we missed too much there.
The interpretive center is free and has some neat artifacts and a hands on lock and dam display.
A cabin to show life on a boat and some way of life antiques. A small gift shop at the end.
The water is an eerily pretty soft emerald green. You can rent paddleboats, kayaks and I believe bikes as well. The pioneer village is small and it was closed as well when we were there. There are restrooms at the end of the village by the parking lot which were open.
When we left the park, we went about two blocks to a historic lime kiln park area. It was close to the canal but I don't remember how to get there, I am sure they can tell in the interpretive center.
It has the remnants of an enormous lime kiln, a bridge to walk over the water and a couple trails.
Written October 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShelleyinBoston
Boston, MA108 contributions
Jun 2011 • Solo
Take your family and go to this park. It is beautifully pulled together. There is an early fancy house. Canal boats to ride...with lots to see. There is a small museum and lots and lots of trails. This is a family outing worth planning.
Written June 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy
West Lafayette, IN174 contributions
Aug 2019
We have visited the park and taken the canal boat ride before and would do it again. With just the ticket for the boat ride, one can visit all of the village (circa 1850 ish) buildings. A combo ticket enables one to also visit the museum. This is an amazing park, started in a small town by a small committee who wanted to save a portion of the Wabash and Erie Canal. They have done a superb job! The guide for the boat was knowledgable and friendly. It is definitely worth a trip to Delphi from anywhere in Indiana...
Written August 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennIAabroad
Des Moines, IA80 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
I took my parents here when they were visiting me in Lafayette for the weekend. The drive from Lafayette is quick and pretty -- lots of fields and trees. My parents have become fascinated with river travel after doing a cruise in Europe, so I thought they would enjoy the canal ride on the replica boat and consequently the museum. I was right! It was a super hot summer day (90+ degrees) and the canal boat does not go so fast as to create a breeze. I'd recommend going early, or waiting for a cooler day. Other than that, it was a great experience. I had no idea this canal system existed in Indiana! I found the history of its build and purpose very interesting. We paid for the package to go through the museum and village afterwards. You can easily spend tons of time in that museum! It's very well thought out, interactive, stuff for all ages. I was impressed by its quality. It was too hot for us to spend much time walking around the village or trails afterward, but I'd love to go back another time.
Written July 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chappy222
Flora, IN76 contributions
Jun 2017
I absolutely love this place! There are great walking trails, a small playground for the kids and plenty of space for picnics and family get togethers. The exhibits are very informative and when they have the canal days, they have a blacksmith, a carpenter, weavers and broom makers. You can walk through the old cabin and schoolhouse. The canal ride on the big yellow boat is fun and interesting as well. There is an old red iron bridge on one of the trails that has been restored as well as an old lime kiln that is fascinating.
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilJ925
Brownsburg, IN188 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
A little bit of a hidden gem, the Wabash Erie Canal Park is worth visiting if you are in Delphi.
The canal boat tour is definitely a must. Your guide will provide plenty of historical info while the boat gently glides through the serene and clean canal.
I would also recommend the museum. It is self-guided and provides plenty of additional history about the canal and the local area. They even have some good artifacts, including the skull of a mule that was apparently shot in the head. The museum is free, but they do have a free will offering to help maintain it (which I recommend you do).
There are other things to see here, as well. Unfortunately, the old house on site was not open, but looked like it would be also worth seeing.
This is a great place to visit and doesn't cost much (free just to walk around, if you like).
The canal boat tour is definitely a must. Your guide will provide plenty of historical info while the boat gently glides through the serene and clean canal.
I would also recommend the museum. It is self-guided and provides plenty of additional history about the canal and the local area. They even have some good artifacts, including the skull of a mule that was apparently shot in the head. The museum is free, but they do have a free will offering to help maintain it (which I recommend you do).
There are other things to see here, as well. Unfortunately, the old house on site was not open, but looked like it would be also worth seeing.
This is a great place to visit and doesn't cost much (free just to walk around, if you like).
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica L
North Pole, AK10 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
This place is adorable. Everyone that works here is a volunteer which shows that they enjoy sharing the stories and history of Delphi. The Delphi (canal boat) starts running on May 14th and its every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. It doesn't say the times on their website so I thought Id throw that in there =)
Written April 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can find their phone number on their web site. They are on eastern time.
Written September 19, 2016
What are the times available for Saturday Sept 24? Would a person using a walker be able to access the boat?
Written September 11, 2016
Contact the Wabash and Erie Canal for answers to all your questions.
Written September 12, 2016
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