Upcoming Events & Programs
Whether you're coming for history, music, food, crafts, or you'd like to help us clean up around the park, there are plenty of ways to be part of the fun and history of the Wabash and Erie Canal in Delphi.
Click on the flyer below to learn more about our upcoming events.
Canal Season Will Open May 20!
Saturdays at Canal Park
Every Saturday afternoon in 2023 from May 20 to September 9, join us 1-4 PM at the Wabash & Erie Canal in Delphi for family fun and an engaging Indiana history experience! Entry to our park is free, and there are no parking fees.
Check out this map to orient yourself to the park and all our different amenities.
On any given Saturday, you can choose from any of the following activities to enjoy:
BOAT RIDES
Take a narrated 40 minute ride down our stretch of the restored canal on our beautiful 54-foot replica canal boat, The Delphi. This is a very peaceful ride with plenty to see and learn along the way. Kids and adults will love it, and there may even be some local wildlife to observe along the banks! Rides depart from the boat dock at approximately 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and (if needed) 3:30 PM.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Space is limited, so you may call our office to reserve your tickets in advance: 765-564-2870. If you reach voicemail, make sure to mention that you want boat tickets!
Boat rides are handicap accessible. In inclement weather, or in the event of unfavorable water levels, boat rides may have to be canceled. You would be able to reschedule or refund your ticket in such an event. You can find more information at the canal boat page.
PIONEER VILLAGE
Stroll through our historic Pioneer Village and visit a sampling of artisans, crafters, and historic interpreters who invite you to experience what life was like during the Canal Era of Indiana’s history. Touring the Pioneer Village is completely free! Some of our crafters may have products to purchase.
Some potential options include: the blacksmith, the cooper shop, the broom-maker’s shop, the loom house, the papermaker, the one-room schoolhouse, the little white church, the general store, the railroad depot, the post office, the Bowen Cabin (an inn), the Fouts Cabin (a family home), the Kuns Cabin (kids’ activities), and more! You can find more information at the Pioneer Village page.
INTERPRETIVE CENTER (TICKETS/MUSEUM)
In our main building, you can buy tickets for all our programming at the reception desk. Enter through the large double-doors under the central awning. There are also restrooms and water fountains available inside.
While you’re there, don’t forget to visit our award-winning museum! It offers tons of hands-on fun for adults and children alike! All our exhibits have interactive elements that offer visitors a chance to explore the history of the Wabash & Erie Canal and how it contributed to Indiana as we know it today. Be sure to ask at the reception desk for the video guided tour! Museum tickets are $5 for adults, and $1 for children (12 and under). You can find more information at the museum’s page.
REED CASE HOUSE
You can tour through the personal home of the superintendent of construction for the Wabash & Erie Canal from Carroll County to Lafayette! Reed Case lived in this historic home, and it has been fully renovated, restored, and furnished. Experience how a well-to-do family in a bustling canal town would live, and appreciate the decor and stories of the Case family! Tickets to the Reed Case House are $5 for adults, and $1 for children (12 and under).
KIDS CANAL PLAYBOAT
If you have some kids who need to run off some energy, our playboat is a great spot to do that! While we have plenty of great outdoor spaces, the playboat is perfect for kids to use their imaginations and enjoy a full-scale canal boat replica at the same time. The boat includes a slide, a fireman’s pole, monkey bars, and plenty of fun cabin space that kids can use to create their own adventures.
TRAILS
Here at Canal Park, we offer a trail network of 10+ miles! Feel free to bring your bikes or simply enjoy a peaceful walk along the canal. Trails branch out to the park’s north and south, and you can find more trails information here.
SPECIAL EVENTS
On certain Saturdays, we host special events during the season and beyond! You can check our events calendar above, and our summer events are described below:
Pioneer Village Day (June 10): We highlight our many talented Pioneer Village artisans and open up the village for guests! Be sure to visit all the historic buildings you can during this special afternoon!
Canal Days (July 1): This is our biggest event of the year, and it runs all day, 10AM to 4PM. We have all the activities listed above, plus we host vendors from around our area! It is a full day of canal fun!
Kids’ Fun Day (August 12): We host several different activities and games for kids to enjoy in addition to our usual Saturday programming. It’s an afternoon out that will be sure to entertain the whole family!
Don’t forget! We have several other great events scheduled beyond the regular season. Check out the events calendar linked at the top of this page.
FAQs
We are a volunteer-driven organization, and virtually everyone you see in our parks is a volunteer. We are tremendously grateful for the time and efforts of our volunteers, and we hope to respect their time while also remaining open for public programming. Our museum, trails, campground, and facilities rentals are staff-supported and open throughout the week, but our public programming is limited to Saturdays during the summer season.
See the Camping and RV Park page for details
Camping, RV Park & Sleeping Cabins
The Wabash & Erie Canal is proud to offer historic trades classes for Fall 2023. Please visit the Historic Classes page for more information and registration details.
Fall 2023 Historic Classes
See the Interactive Map!
Get a closer look at Canal Park with our Interactive Map!
