Ride and Hike at Carousel Park and Equestrian Center

Whether you're just looking to go for a hike or want to learn how to ride a horse, you can accomplish your goal at Carousel Park and Equestrian Center. The Wilmington park sprawls across 217 acres of flourishing nature, filled with emerald meadows and sparkling blue ponds. Miles and miles of paths wind throughout the woods, offering a serene spot to collect your thoughts or chat with a friend.

If you're interested in the equestrian part of the park, head to the center and take a horseback-riding lesson or just go for a tour of the barn. You can also BYOhorse and set out on the cross-country trail, which will teach your steed how to safely navigate different types of terrain. The Equestrian Center even hosts "pony parties" every autumn Saturday and Sunday, when your little ones can come take a spin on a smaller steed.

Carousel Park and Equestrian Center
3700 Limestone Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 995-7670
www.nccde.org/425/Carousel-Park-Equestrian-Center
www.yelp.com/biz/carousel-park-new-castle-county-equestrian-center-wilmington

Arcade Games Meet 1980s Pop Culture at 1984 in Wilmington

Whether you're old enough to remember the year 1984 or young enough that you have to rely solely on television and movies, anyone who can appreciate 1980s nostalgia will have a blast at 1984, a popular Wilmington bar.

Try your hand at one of 1984’s classic arcade games, like Pac-Man, Frogger, and Tetris, or systematically work your way through all of them—1984 has a collection of more than 30 machines (best of all, the arcade prices are also 1984 prices: just a quarter each). And don't forget the '80s karaoke nights or '80s DJ nights when you can dance the night away to your favorite vintage tunes.

Fortunately, the bar's stock isn't stuck back in 1984, so you'll find a nice selection of your favorite modern craft brews to wet your whistle while you're having fun.

1984
2511 W. Fourth Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 384-6479
www.1984wilmington.com
www.yelp.com/biz/1984-wilmington

Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream: Tasty Treats

Go back in time at Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream, back to a time when the local ice cream parlor was a place to meet and enjoy a sweet treat. It’s still that way at Sweet Lucy’s. Whether you like a traditional scoop of ice cream or soft serve, there’s something for everyone. If you’re with a group, why not start off with tabletop s’mores? Then take your time to pick your frozen treat. There’s enough flavors to suit every sweet tooth, but locals really like the PB Caramel Cookie Dough and the classic strawberry. Get a triple-scoop sundae, or try a couple of scoops on a cone of your choosing. The banana splits are huge and the shakes and root beer floats are thick and rich. Eat in, take out, and you can also book a party at Sweet Lucy’s.

Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream
3201 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 477-0777
www.sweetlucysicecream.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-lucys-wilmington

Bring Your Four-Legged Friends to Talley Day Park

Talley Day Park brings the people of Wilmington together in the fresh air with its slew of features and amenities. Perhaps the most prominent is the Talley Day Bark Park, a beloved dog park (it was one of the first fenced dog parks in the county). Split into two separate areas for larger dogs and smaller dogs, Talley Day Bark Park has water fountains to refill your puppy's bowl, bags for waste removal, and usually plenty of other furry friends to play with. According to one Yelp reviewer, the small dog portion of the park is mostly shaded, making it an ideal spot during the summer.

Elsewhere in Talley Day Park, humans can enjoy other features, including the colorful playground and shady pavilions. The Brandywine Hundred Library is even technically right in the park, so you can go grab a good book and bring it back outside to read in the grass.

Talley Day Park
1300 Foulk Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 571-4006
www.nccde.org/945/Talley-Day-Park
www.yelp.com/biz/talley-day-bark-park-wilmington

Picnic, Bird-Watch or Fish at Brandywine Creek State Park

At an impressive 933 acres, it's no wonder that Brandywine Creek State Park plays host to such a huge spectrum of activities. Some of the activities are simple, like enjoying the sights and aromas in the Tulip Tree Woods. One of Delaware's first nature preserves, this grove of tulip poplar dates back nearly 200 years. So does the Freshwater Marsh, where bluebirds flit to and fro and wildflowers thrive.

You can also go bird-watching at the park, which is home to more than bluebirds. Many types of hawks soar overhead, so keep an eye out. If you're interested in fishing, Brandywine Creek teems with bluegill, crappie, and small mouth bass, while Wilsons Run has trout. Near the lakes there are 14 miles' worth of trails. They're an ideal spot to go for a run or a hike, or to capture a special photograph. Once you're done, spread out a blanket on one of the lawns and read a book, fly a kite, or have a picnic.

Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 577-3534
www.destateparks.com/park/brandywine-creek/
www.yelp.com/biz/brandywine-creek-state-park-greenville

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