Family-Friendly Fun

The Riverfront is jumping with activities for families, including Stratosphere, an indoor trampoline park, the Delaware Children’s Museum and the 3,000-seat, 14-screen Penn Cinema with the state’s only IMAX theater.

Just ask Gene and Regina Bloemker of Middletown, who are frequent visitors with their 11-year-old son, Alex. “We just went to a birthday party at Stratosphere, and we have visited the Children’s Museum,” Gene Bloemker says. “The transformation of the Riverfront is amazing.”

The Bloemkers also enjoy minor-league baseball, cheering on the Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium, home to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. Joe Valenti, the team spokesman, says parents and kids are a strong fan base. “They come because it’s an enjoyable night of entertainment for the family, with great baseball and the best Friday night fireworks around,” he says. “With free parking and tickets starting at $4, families can afford to come again and again.”

The list of family-oriented activities is growing. In May, a mini-golf course opened. During winter, the Horizon Services Riverfront Rink can accommodate up to 350 ice skaters. There are activities for parents and grandparents, too, including the free Shipyard Summer Concert Series at Dravo Plaza and Family Night cruises on the River Taxi.

A water taxi transports visitors to various destinations on the Christina River. The Riverboat Queen offers crab cruises throughout the summer. The Wilmington Rowing Club and the Wilmington Youth Rowing Association offer instruction and programs for beginners and experienced athletes.

The Kalmar Nyckel, an authentic seagoing re-creation of a 17th-century sailing vessel, serves as a floating classroom promoting Delaware’s maritime history.

The Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge is one of the few city-based nature preserves in the United States. Named in honor of the former governor and environmental champion, the 212-acre refuge gives visitors an up-close look at the indigenous animals, birds and fish that make their home in wetlands. The DuPont Environmental Education Center offers child-friendly interactive exhibits and guided tours.

Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park is a 2.5-acre natural amphitheater-style park and the site of festivals, including the Riverfront Blues and Bob Marley music festivals. The park is open year-round, with serene gardens and bench seating for rest and reflection.