This Delaware Day Trip Surprised All of Us

If you've been looking for a day trip that keeps both toddlers and older kids entertained (which feels impossible sometimes), add Fort Delaware to your list.

We met up in Delaware City to catch the ferry over to Pea Patch Island. Surprisingly, there was only one other group on our ferry, so it almost felt like we had the boat to ourselves. The ride is short, but for the kids, it was part of the adventure. They loved watching the water, looking for birds, and getting their first glimpse of the island as we pulled in.

Once we stepped off the ferry, we hopped aboard the tram that takes visitors right to the front entrance of the fort. It was another little adventure that the kids thought was pretty exciting—because apparently anything with wheels is automatically more fun.

From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the volunteers and guides throughout the fort. Everywhere we turned, someone was eager to answer questions, explain how things worked, or share another fascinating story. They were incredibly patient with our crew of curious kids...and there were lots of questions.

"What's this?"

"What did it do?"

"Where did they sleep?"

"How did they get fresh water?"

"Where are the bathrooms?" (A very important question for any family outing.)

The guides never seemed bothered. In fact, they encouraged the questions, which made the entire experience feel much more interactive than simply walking through a historic site.

We wandered through the soldiers' quarters, the officers' rooms, the kitchen and dining hall, and even the prison areas where Confederate prisoners of war were housed. One thing that completely surprised us? The fort had flushable toilets! We definitely weren't expecting that, and neither were the kids. Learning how the fort collected and stored fresh water was another one of those little details that made history come alive.

The biggest hits of the day, though, were the demonstrations.

The cannon firing demonstration was an instant favorite. Several kids were invited to help with the process, and seeing their faces light up was worth the trip all by itself. They were so excited.

The laundry demonstration was another unexpected highlight. Watching clothing get washed the way it would have been in the 1800s—and even getting to participate—turned what sounds like an ordinary chore into one of the most memorable parts of the visit.

One fact that really stuck with us was learning just how enormous Fort Delaware once was. At its peak during the Civil War, nearly 15,000 people were living on Pea Patch Island. Standing there today, it's hard to imagine that many people filling the fort, but once you hear the stories and walk through the buildings, you begin to picture what life must have been like.

Between the ferry ride, the tram, the hands-on demonstrations, and the incredible volunteers who brought history to life, this was one of those outings that kept everyone—from our two-year-old to our ten-year-old—engaged.

We left talking about all the things we learned, and that's usually the sign of a great family adventure.

If you've never made the trip to Fort Delaware, we can't recommend it enough. It's an experience that's educational without feeling like a history lesson, and somehow manages to make kids excited about the past.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

• Plan on taking the ferry from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island.

• A tram is available to take visitors from the dock to the fort entrance.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Don't skip the scheduled demonstrations—they were a highlight of our visit.

• Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and your curiosity!

  
  

Have you visited Fort Delaware? We'd love to hear what your favorite part was!