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7 Fantastic Hiking Trails Near Columbus, OH

Hiking trails | Drive Direct in Columbus, OH
If you're an avid hiker and enjoy exploring the great outdoors, you'll find fantastic parks and trails in Columbus, OH. There are plenty of terrific cycling and hiking trails to visit on your next visit to town.

1. Alum Creek Trail

This fantastic trail is one of the best hiking spots to visit when you drive through the city. Alum Creek Trail follows some incredible scenery along the river, which includes Three Creeks Park. It's an amazing place to view wildflowers, wildlife, and natural habitats along the trail. This park features several footbridges, with wide paths for cycling. Alum Creek Trail is pet-friendly and a wonderful spot to visit with friends or family.

2. Blendon Woods Metro Park

Blendon Woods features over 650 acres of park space, including beautiful ravines, streams, and rich forests. This scenic park provides excellent amenities such as a disc golf course, ice skating, and a nature center. It's an amazing spot to observe wild turkeys, ducks, birds, and habitats in the Walden Waterfowl Refuge, located in the park. Blendon Woods is a great place to enjoy your next hiking trip and a chance to capture some amazing pictures.

3. Olentangy Trail

You'll find this incredible trail runs from Worthington to Columbus and follows the Olentangy River through several communities. It's an amazing park that offers connections to trailheads, and several recreational spaces, including Whetstone Park and Antrim Park. This trail is conveniently located on the campus of the Ohio State University and extends just over 22 miles.

4. Indian Run Falls

Indian Run Falls is just a short drive away in Dublin, OH, and offers a calm, peaceful trail with beautiful forests, waterfalls, and a stream. It's the ideal spot to take a break: maybe plan a picnic and hike with family or friends! This park is pet-friendly, and there are some great restaurants and takeout shops to visit after a walk through the park.

5. Sugarbush Trail

If you're looking for a fun place to explore with kids, Sugarbush Trail is a beautiful park with lots of birds, butterflies, squirrels, deer, turtles, and other small wildlife along the trail. A portion of the trail system is paved, which makes it easy for cyclists and inline skating. It's a terrific space to explore year-round.

6. Big Walnut Trail

Big Walnut Trail is a local path that's ideal for cycling, jogging, and walking. This trail system offers lots of pleasant views of open fields, lots of trees, footbridges, and streams. It's a fabulous path for exercise and visiting with pets.

7. Wolfe Park

Wolfe Park is a relaxing spot that features a trail for cycling and hiking, a pet-friendly area with a few historic sites, and well-maintained amenities. It's also a wonderful place for an outdoor party or small picnic. On your next drive through town, there are amazing trails and paths to explore when you visit Columbus. Start making your plans to visit each one so you can compare and who knows: you may find a new favorite hiking spot!   Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License
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Park trails | Drive Direct in Columbus, OH

Discover Nature: 3 State Parks You Can Drive to From Columbus, OH

There are three state parks that you can drive to from Columbus, OH without having to deal with the stress of navigating your way through the city streets. These parks are easy to access and provide a great way to relax and enjoy the scenery. Without further ado, let's take a look at these parks! Glen Echo Park Glen Echo Park is a 400-acre park located just north of Columbus. There are many different things to do at Glen Echo, such as biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The park also has a great hiking trail called the Glen Echo Loop Trail that takes you through some beautiful scenery. If you're in the mood for an adventure, check out the Lost River Gorge Trail, which features some pretty challenging terrain! more You can find this state park just off Route 37 in Delaware County. There is no admission fee to visit this park, but there are fees for certain activities like horseback riding and camping. Alum Creek State Park Beach Alum Creek State Park is one of the most popular parks in Ohio. It offers a variety of activities for all ages, including camping, swimming, and hiking. The park is known for its beautiful beach along the banks of Alum Creek Reservoir. The beach is open to swimmers from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend. There are lifeguards on duty during those months, but they're not always available. If you're looking for a remote spot where you can swim without someone watching over you, this isn't it. However, if you want to enjoy the water with other visitors who also have their eyes on the water, then this might be a good choice for you. The beach has plenty of parking spaces close by, as well as restrooms and changing areas if needed before heading out into the water! Buckeye Lake State Park Buckeye Lake State Park is less than an hour's drive from Columbus. This beautiful park has a lot to offer. The lake itself is surrounded by cottages and homes, but there are also plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. There are two ways to get to Buckeye Lake State Park: take the North Shore Drive or the East Shore Drive. Both directions take you through scenic areas of water and forest before reaching their destination. The North Shore Drive takes you along the north side of Buckeye Lake; it offers some great views of the lake as well as access to various overlooks and parking areas for those who want to hike or bike along the water's edge. The East Shore Drive goes along the eastern side of Buckeye Lake; it also offers some great views and access points for hikes and biking along this shoreline area. When you’re ready for a break from the city life, head on out to one of the idyllic state parks nearby – start making your plans today! Image via pixabay.com

Live music | Drive Direct in Columbus, OH

Drive on Over: 4 Popular Live Music Venues in and Around Columbus, OH

There are a lot of exciting activities and attractions to check out in Columbus, OH, including some of the best music venues featuring a number of different bands and musicians. One of the most fun ways to spend a night is to visit one or two of these awesome spots, so check out the list below to see which ones are the most popular in your area! 1. A&R Music Bar Whether you're looking to discover new local musicians or are searching for which bands are touring through the city, this cool spot features a wide range of different shows for you to enjoy. The friendly staff is always ready to make you feel comfortable in any way they can, and the doors are always open, so you can easily take a breath of fresh air whenever you feel like it. Enjoy the awesome atmosphere that this intimate stage and stylish decor provide every night. more 2. The King of Clubs This venue is one of the most visited spots in the city for many reasons. You can watch from the balconies above or hit the floor below for some dancing, but anywhere you choose to stand gives you a great view of the stage. The King of Clubs offers a lot of different genres but is particularly popular among rock fans. Order something to eat or drink while you're here – just remember to drink responsibly when ordering from their bar. 3. Big Room Bar If you want a place that values local talent and music history above all else, come to the Big Room Bar. This is quite an intimate spot, yet there's plenty of room for you to take to the dance floor with your friends! If you're ever in need of some fresh air, the patio outside provides a relaxing environment to chill out whenever you'd like. Getting to this place couldn't be easier, and the great parking available makes it one of the best places to drive to. 4. Woodlands Tavern With two stages and plenty of space for you and your friends to hang out, Woodlands Tavern has remained one of the most beloved spots for over a decade now. There are a lot of musical performances to enjoy at this place, but it also has TVs, a pool table, and other games for you to keep yourself entertained. Their craft beer is always ready, along with daily specials and a menu of delicious tacos, sandwiches, and more. When it comes to finding places that can provide you with the best up-and-coming bands and musicians, there's arguably no better place than this city. If you're ever in the area, you can't go wrong by checking out one of these fun spots – start making your plans today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Ohio Statehouse | Drive Direct in Columbus, OH

Drive Around Town: 3 Local Attractions to Visit Near Columbus, OH

Whether you live in the region or are traveling around in your shiny Toyota RAV4 or Chevy Equinox, the city of Columbus, OH, is chock full of local attractions for you to check out with your friends or family! Home to over two million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, Columbus is a vibrant city where there’s always something going on that’ll entertain locals and visitors alike. These are just some of the spots you should check out while visiting our fair city. 1. Scioto Mile Without a doubt, one of the best ways to start exploring Columbus is to go for a walk along Scioto Mile. Covering an area of about 175 acres, this urban oasis features a pedestrian promenade sitting along both banks of the Scioto River, as well as a series of riverfront parks, bikeways, and beautiful spots where you can enjoy a sunset with great views of the city's skyline. more While Scioto Mile is now one of the most important landmarks in the city, the area has only recently been adapted for public use. This recreational complex was established as part of the Scioto Greenways project, which was created to revitalize a part of the city that had been largely abandoned since the early 1900s. 2. Ohio Statehouse Welcoming over half a million visitors each year, the Ohio Statehouse serves as the state capital and is one of the most beautiful Greek Revival buildings in the entire United States. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the building was completed in 1861 after more than two decades of construction. Nowadays, the place works as both a government building and a historical museum. Thanks to its location in the heart of the city center, you can easily walk to the Ohio Statehouse from most other local landmarks. Some of the most beautiful sections of the building include the rotunda, the Grand Stair Hall, and the atrium. The two-story cupola features an observation deck from where you can have excellent views of the city. 3. Ohio History Center If you want to learn more about the history of our incredible state, the Ohio History Center is a place you should not miss while in Columbus. Established in the early 1970s, this museum and cultural center is located about three and a half miles north of the downtown area. Besides the permanent exhibition, the Ohio History Center regularly hosts temporary exhibits, as well as cultural events and performances. Before you hit the road and start exploring all the wonders that Columbus has to offer, consider one of these spots to kick off your excursion! Getting out and about is a terrific way to expand your knowledge and enjoy the sights available in our historic city! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License