Wilmington Riverfront
Mini golf, the Children's Museum, a riverwalk, Blue Rocks baseball, and ice cream by the water — all in one stretch.
The Quick Version
- • Not one venue — a whole district along the Christina River. Mini golf, a children's museum, baseball, a riverwalk, restaurants, and a food market, all walkable.
- • The Delaware Children's Museum and Riverwalk Mini Golf are the family anchors. Budget 2–3 hours for both.
- • Parking is free in the Riverfront lots (Lot K near DCM). Evenings and weekends are easy.
- • The Wilmington train station (Amtrak/SEPTA) is adjacent — you can walk to the Riverfront from the platform.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
2-4 hours
Admission
Free
What to Expect
The Wilmington Riverfront is a redeveloped waterfront district along the Christina River, just south of downtown. It's not a single destination — it's a walkable stretch of attractions, restaurants, and paths that together make a strong family outing.
The two family anchors are the Delaware Children's Museum (bright yellow building, hard to miss) and Riverwalk Mini Golf, which are right next to each other on Justison St. You can combine both in a morning. The Riverwalk itself runs about 1.3 miles along the river, connecting Tubman-Garrett Park in the north to the DuPont Environmental Education Center and Peterson Wildlife Refuge in the south, where boardwalks extend into the wetlands.
Frawley Stadium (Blue Rocks baseball) is on the Riverfront too. Minor league games are one of the best family outings in the area — cheap tickets, relaxed atmosphere, fireworks nights, and kids run around the concourse. The season runs April through September.
The Riverfront is still evolving. Riverfront East, an 86-acre development on the east bank, is in its early phases — new housing, roads, and a planned riverwalk extension are coming over the next decade. The Jack Markell Trail, a 5.5-mile paved path, already connects the southern end of the Riverwalk to Battery Park in the City of New Castle — flat, stroller-friendly, and scenic.
The Wilmington train station (Amtrak, SEPTA, Acela) is right at the edge of the Riverfront district. You can step off a train from Philly and walk to the Children's Museum in 10 minutes.
Who It's Best For
Babies and toddlers: the Children's Museum is built for them — the under-5 area is excellent. Preschoolers: mini golf, museum, riverwalk. Elementary: Blue Rocks games, mini golf, the longer riverwalk trail. Tweens: Blue Rocks, Riverfront Market food options, walking the Jack Markell Trail to New Castle.
Highlights
Delaware Children's Museum
Ages 1–7The bright yellow building on Justison St. Interactive exhibits across multiple floors — water play, building, pretend play, a climbing structure. The under-5 area is particularly good. Plan 1.5–2 hours. Admission ~$10.
Riverwalk Mini Golf
Ages 3+18-hole course right next to the Children's Museum. Landscaped with river plants and birdhouses. $12/person (under 3 free). The shack sells soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes — worth a stop even without playing.
The Riverwalk
All ages1.3-mile paved path along the Christina River. Scenic overlooks, benches, and a boardwalk section at the southern end leading into the Peterson Wildlife Refuge. Flat and stroller-friendly. Connects to the Jack Markell Trail (5.5 miles to New Castle) at its southern end.
Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium
Ages 3+Minor league baseball (Washington Nationals affiliate). April–September. Tickets $8–20. Fireworks nights, themed promotions, a relaxed atmosphere where kids can wander. One of the best-value family outings in NCC.
Riverfront Market
All agesIndoor food hall in a redeveloped warehouse at 3 S Orange St. Counter-service stalls: Mexican, Thai, Peruvian, pizza, poke, salads, coffee. Good for a quick family lunch. Mon–Fri 9–6, Sat 9–4.
Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park
All agesOpen green space at the north end of the Riverwalk with the “Unwavering Courage” sculpture. Hosts the July 4th Freedom Celebration (free family activities starting at 4 PM, fireworks at 9:30 PM) and other festivals throughout the year.
DuPont Environmental Education Center
Ages 3+Nature center at the southern end of the Riverwalk, at the edge of the Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. Boardwalks into the wetlands, bird watching, and a small exhibit space. Free. A quiet contrast to the rest of the Riverfront.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Walking the full Jack Markell Trail to New Castle with a toddler — it's 5.5 miles one way. Do a short out-and-back from the Riverwalk instead.
- • Blue Rocks games on fireworks nights if your kids are under 2 — the noise is intense and the games run late.
- • The Riverfront on a summer afternoon with no shade plan. The riverwalk is exposed and gets hot. Morning or evening is better.
Logistics
Admission
Free admission
The Riverfront itself is free to walk. Individual attractions have their own admission: Delaware Children's Museum (~$10), Riverwalk Mini Golf ($12/person, under 3 free), Blue Rocks tickets ($8–20).
Getting There
Parking
Free in Riverfront lots. Lot K off Beech St (near the Children's Museum) is the most convenient for families. Frawley Stadium and Shipyard Shops lots are free for events. Street meters are free evenings and weekends.
Blue Rocks game nights fill nearby lots — arrive 30–45 minutes early or park in the Shipyard Shops overflow lot. For the Children's Museum on a normal day, parking is rarely an issue.
Entrance
There's no single entrance — the Riverfront is a district. For the Children's Museum and mini golf, head to 550 Justison St. For the Riverwalk, start at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (French St & Rosa Parks Dr) or walk south from the train station area.
Parent Logistics
The Riverwalk is paved, flat, and wide — excellent for strollers. The Children's Museum is fully accessible. Mini golf works with a stroller parked at the side. Sidewalks between Riverfront attractions are well-maintained.
Restrooms in the Delaware Children's Museum, Riverfront Market, Frawley Stadium (game days), and seasonal portable facilities near event areas.
Available in the Delaware Children's Museum.
Limited along the open riverwalk — it's mostly exposed waterfront. The Children's Museum and Riverfront Market are indoors. Bring hats and sunscreen for summer riverwalk walks and mini golf.
Food & Snacks
Riverfront Market (3 S Orange St) is an indoor food hall with Mexican, Thai, Peruvian, pizza, poke bowls, sandwiches, and coffee. Open Mon–Fri 9–6, Sat 9–4. Big Fish Grill and Iron Hill Brewery are sit-down family-friendly options right on the water. Timothy's is another solid choice. The mini golf shack serves soft-serve ice cream (9 flavors) and milkshakes.
Snack strategy: Riverfront Market is the easiest option for a quick lunch with kids — counter-service, multiple cuisines, indoor seating. For ice cream, hit the mini golf shack even if you're not playing. On Blue Rocks game nights, the stadium has standard ballpark food (hot dogs, pretzels, chicken tenders). For a Saturday morning, grab breakfast at the nearby farmers market (Dock St, April–November).
Pro Tips
- ✓ Combine the Children's Museum + mini golf + ice cream for a complete morning. They're 30 seconds apart on Justison St.
- ✓ Blue Rocks Tuesday home games are often the cheapest tickets. Check the promotions calendar — dollar hot dog nights and fireworks Fridays are family favorites.
- ✓ The Jack Markell Trail is excellent for bikes and scooters. Flat, paved, and separated from traffic the whole way to New Castle.
- ✓ Holiday Magic (November–January) transforms the Riverwalk into a light display. Free to walk. The Little Farm petting zoo and live music are seasonal additions.
- ✓ The train station is walkable. If you're coming from Philly with kids, take SEPTA Regional Rail — skip the parking and walk to the museum.
- ✓ Riverfront East development will expand the district significantly over the next decade. New riverwalk extensions, housing, and retail are planned for the east bank of the Christina.
- ✓ The Riverfront Farmers Market (Saturdays, April–November, 8 AM–1 PM) is on Dock St between 2nd and Water — a short walk from the main Riverfront attractions.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekend mornings for the Children's Museum (it opens at 10 AM, least crowded before noon). Weekday evenings for a Blue Rocks game or riverwalk stroll. Saturday for the Riverfront Farmers Market (April–November, 8 AM–1 PM on Dock St, nearby).
Seasonal Notes
Spring through fall is peak season — mini golf is open, the riverwalk is pleasant, and Blue Rocks baseball runs April–September. Constitution Yards beer garden has been a summer staple but is currently closed for relocation (expected to reopen in a new Riverfront location — check constitutionyards.com for updates). Winter brings Holiday Magic light displays along the riverwalk (November–January). The Children's Museum and Riverfront Market are year-round.
Rainy Day?
The Delaware Children's Museum is the obvious indoor option — plan for 2 hours. Riverfront Market works for lunch. Beyond that, the Riverfront is mostly outdoor. Combine DCM with a trip to the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (10 min drive) for a full rainy day.
While You're in the Area
Brandywine Park and the Zoo are a 10-minute drive north. Trolley Square restaurants are 5 minutes away. For a longer adventure, bike or walk the Jack Markell Trail south to New Castle (5.5 miles, mostly flat) — Battery Park at the end has a playground.