Five Ways to Enjoy a Throwback Summer

A Delaware summer staple since it opened in the early 1970s, Dari Point's menu is full of ballpark-worthy snacks and sandwiches. But the real draw is the handmade soft-serve ice cream. "We have lots of people who tell us, 'I've been coming here since I was a kid getting Smurf Cones,' " owner Jim Ballinger says of their specialty cone made with blue-raspberry sherbet, two candy eyes and a marshmallow nose. The stand is open daily through the end of October, so pick a sunny day to order ice cream at the window and snag a seat at a picnic table. 303 E. Winter St., Delaware, 740-362-1355

"Anybody that grew up in Westerville is going to have memories here," owner Dave Pfefferle says of Westerville Mini-Golf, which was built 26 years ago at the Westerville Golf Center. Putt your way through two 18-hole courses outlined with bricks and surrounded by flower-filled landscaping, two waterfalls and a pond. westervilleminigolf.com

Skip Yassenoff's family has been in the drive-in movie theater business since his dad built Columbus' first drive-in theater in 1940. Yassenoff now owns South Drive-In, the last of nine local drive-ins his dad and cousin built. The 64-year-old South Side attraction can fit up to 800 cars. Admission is $9 for adults, $1 for ages 5 to 11 and free for kids younger than 5. Order from the concession stand-or bring your own snacks and drinks-and park at one of two screens to catch "How to Train Your Dragon 2" or "Transformers: Age of Extinction" this month. southdrive-in.com

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department teamed up this year to stock six city ponds in hopes of promoting fishing. Head to the ponds at Whetstone, Big Walnut, Schiller, Krumm and Linden parks to reel in catfish and sunfish-just be sure to update your fishing license on ODNR's website and check rules and regulations, which vary from park to park. ohiodnr.gov

One of the few original 1950s drive-in diners left, Sumburger Drive-In offers a menu of diner classics-think sandwiches, french fries, coleslaw and milkshakes-but locals know there's only one thing to order. "You could wipe out the whole menu and just have one thing: the Sumburger," owner Bill Righter says of the namesake hamburger with American cheese, lettuce and secret sauce on a steamed bun. Each booth at the Chillicothe institution has its own order phone, but the real fun is outside, where the waitstaff provides car-side service to 32 carports. sumburger.com