Delaware: Art, Nature and the Cardinal Greenway

Delaware offers plenty to explore during stays with a variety of interests: art and culture, nature, learning opportunities and outdoor trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Delaware, it may help to first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Attractions range from an art collection and a planetarium to a long rail-trail and natural areas with diverse habitats.

Art, Culture and Special Interests

The David Owsley Museum of Art is located in Muncie, in Delaware County. Its collection comprises more than 11,000 works of art from every continent, representing 5,000 years of civilization. The museum brings together a wide geographic range and a long historical span. The Charles W. Brown Planetarium is the largest planetarium in Indiana. The National Model Aviation Museum preserves the history of model aviation and makes it accessible to visitors.

The Bob Ross Experience pairs painting with a specific technique: certified Ross instructors teach the wet-on-wet technique in its painting classes. Workshop availability and booking arrangements may vary; if a class is important to your plans, confirm the current arrangements in advance. Tours of the complete Glick Center studio are available by appointment only. Booking requirements may also change, so check the arrangements before planning a studio tour.

Natural Areas and Habitats

Christy Woods is a 17-acre site with mature deciduous forest and tallgrass prairie. It has served as an outdoor teaching laboratory for Ball State University for 100 years. Species found there include tiger swallowtails, red bats and migrating scarlet tanagers; their presence may vary by season.

The Minnetrista Nature Area features three habitats typical of Indiana: tallgrass prairie, wetlands and forest. By comparison, mature deciduous forest and tallgrass prairie are the focus at Christy Woods. Visitors interested in habitats can compare these two distinct settings without treating them as the same type of landscape.

The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse offers a distinctive highlight: it houses more than 2,000 orchids and the largest university orchid collection in the United States. The collection may continue to grow, so its size may change. Food and shopping are also part of the local offerings: in 2026, the Farmers Market at Minnetrista was announced to feature a selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handmade items, flowers, meat, honey and artisan products. The vendor mix may change with the seasons.

Learning Opportunities and Activities

The Nature Lab is designed for children and their accompanying adults. Younger learners can enjoy Saturday story times, crafts and hands-on learning activities; the activity schedule may vary. If you’re planning to attend a specific offering, check the latest dates in advance.

The National Model Aviation Museum has a different focus from the art collection and planetarium: it centers on the history of model aviation, which the museum preserves and makes accessible to visitors. On the Garfield Trail, a mobile pass guides visitors through check-ins at individual Garfield statues. As this digital feature may be updated, check the latest details if you plan to use the pass.

Trails in Delaware County

The Cardinal Greenway is a 62-mile paved rail-trail. It runs through five counties, from Richmond through Muncie to Marion. In Delaware County, Gaston is the Greenway’s northernmost point; from there, the route heads south through Muncie toward Richmond. The paved trail is suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters, and is ADA accessible. Maintenance and weather can affect operating and access details; check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Another trail option is the Prairie Creek Trail System at the southern end of Prairie Creek Reservoir in Delaware County. As trail conditions and maintenance can change, it’s a good idea to check conditions before a trip. The two trail options can be distinguished by their described settings: the Cardinal Greenway is a long rail-trail that crosses several counties, while the Prairie Creek Trail System is identified by its location at the southern end of the reservoir.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Muncie, Putnam County, Lagrange County, Posey County, Tipton County, Newton County, Pike, Morgan.

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