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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

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

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

Wintertime in Columbus, OH can be a wonderful time of year to explore the area and find some fun activities that the whole family can enjoy! Whether you are looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, there are plenty of winter activities that you can drive to near Columbus. From skiing and snow tubing to ice skating and snowshoeing, there’s something for everyone to partake in! Snow Trails: Skiing and Snow Tubing For adventures and excitement, head out to Snow Trails, located at 3100 Possum Run Rd, Mansfield, just an hour west of Columbus. The two options available are the Alpine Slide and the Downhill Ski School. There are also options for snow tubing. Kids can enjoy a variety of activities as well, including snowshoeing and sledding. more The Alpine Slide is open on weekends from December through the end of February. The Downhill Ski School is open on weekends and some weekdays – but be sure to check the website for specifics. Snow Trails also offers special nights throughout the season for those who want something a little spooky or festive! Clear Creek Metro Park: Ice Skating and Snowshoeing Clear Creek Metro Park, just a little more than an hour from Columbus at 185 Clear Creek Rd in Lancaster, offers public skating on two indoor rinks. The rink at Heritage Metro Park is open year-round on weekends and holidays, while the rink at Creekside Metro Park is open on weekends and holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Both rinks are available for birthday parties as well! Admission for public skating is $4 for adults and $3 for children. Clear Creek also offers snowshoeing, a great low-impact exercise that is accessible to all ages and fitness levels. The trails are open from 7 a.m. until sunset, with guided tours offered during the week. Groomed Trails at Alum Creek State Park: Cross-Country Skiing Alum Creek State Park, just an hour and a half from Columbus at 3305 S Old State Rd, Delaware, offers groomed trails for cross-country skiers. The trails are open when there are at least two inches of snow on the ground and are free to use. Depending on the weather, they generally open sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas weekend. Alum Creek State Park also has a cross-country ski hut open on weekends and holidays, providing a warm shelter and a place to rest. No matter what the weather is doing this winter, there are always fun things to do in Ohio! Start making your plans today to visit each of these delightful spots and get ready to make some seriously fun memories that you’ll be looking back on for years to come! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

With beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities that bring together locals and visitors of all ages, the fall season is a fantastic time to visit the city of Columbus, OH. Whether you want to take part in some spooky Halloween events or are searching for the best spots to check out the spectacular autumn colors that characterize this time of the year, here are three fantastic fall activities you can enjoy while in the area. 1. Go Apple Picking at The Orchard and Company Apple picking is one of the most popular autumn activities in the entire United States and a great way to spend a day with friends or family. Located just 20 miles northwest of the city center, The Orchard and Company is a large complex that can be reached in about 25 minutes by car and offers apple-picking patches, festivals, and interactive activities throughout the season. more Heading to The Orchard and Company on a sunny day is always a great plan, but the fall season is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit this place. Besides the large apple fields, this place offers wagon rides, a corn pit, hay barns, and a shop where you can buy some delicious homemade bakery items. 2. Carve Some Jack-o-Lanterns at Lehner´s Pumpkin Farm Located near the small town of Delaware and about 35 miles north of the Columbus city center, Lehner´s Pumpkin Farm is another great spot to experience the fall spirit and spend a day away from the city with your friends and family. Offering a 15-acre u-pick patch with all sizes of pumpkins, grounds, and squash, this place is the perfect spot to collect what you need for a delicious pumpkin pie or a spooky jack-o-lantern. Although the u-pick patch is the most popular attraction at this farm, the place also offers a selection of pre-picked and washed pumpkins. Before you visit this place, make sure to check out their website and learn more about the different activities and special events organized here. 3. Take a Spooky Tour Around Thurber House The former house of cartoonist James Thurber, Thurber House, is a great destination to get spooked in a series of guided tours led by local volunteers who will tell you all about the legends and strange tales about the property. The house where this family-friendly event is located about one mile east of Capitol Square in the Columbus downtown area. These are just a few of the many different fall-themed activities available in the greater Columbus, OH area for you and your loved ones to enjoy this season! Start making plans to visit one – or all! – of these terrific options and get ready for some wonderful memories! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Summer is a great time to get out and about and explore your local area. Next time the weather is good and you fancy an adventure, try one of these summer activities near Columbus, OH. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium There's so much to do at Columbus Zoo that you'll struggle to fit it all in. Visit nearly 600 species of animals from all over the world, including lions, bears, and elephants. If you want to learn more about your favorites then be sure not to miss the Keeper Talks, which are full of fascinating facts and a chance to witness feeding time! more Kids will have a blast exploring the many outdoor playgrounds and having a go on the carnival rides, so bring along the whole family! Grab some lunch at the Congo River Market Food Court, or bring your own food and use one of the many picnic areas available. There's plenty of parking at just $10 for the day, and don't forget to stop by and visit the gift shop on your way out so you can grab a souvenir! Olentangy Caverns These naturally formed limestone caves have been used through the ages by many cultures and tribes – it was even a robber's hideout in 1834! Discover the exciting history and amazing natural formations on a self-guided tour. Make it into a day trip and try your hand at mini golf, gem mining, and the treasure hunt maze. There's even a petting zoo where you can meet some furry friends! Activities can be paid for separately, or you can grab an all-access pass if you're going to stay all day. Remember to wear sturdy shoes to go inside the caves and enjoy the trails in the surrounding woodland – if you have any energy left after your underground adventuring! Zoombezi Bay Cool off on a hot day at this exciting water park. There's something here for everyone, from speedy drop slides for the thrill seekers to a wave pool for a bit of family fun. Tiny Tides is a heated-water playground, especially for young children, and Croctail Creek is an adults-only area with a swim-up bar and a heated lazy river. Can't fit everything into your day? Then consider grabbing a season ticket and come back as often as you’d like! There's plenty of parking, or you can take the bus and get money off your ticket. There are plenty of options for food and snacks, and you can rent a locker for your valuables, making it easier to enjoy the water without worrying about your things! Whether history is your thing, you're an animal lover, or you enjoy cooling off in the water on a hot day, there's summer fun for everyone not too far away! Start making your plans to visit each of these entertaining attractions today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Golf is a sport that many people love to play, and whether you are an amateur or professional, the Columbus, OH area has some of the best golf courses in America. We’ve listed out some of our top favorites below – check them out now! 1. The Ohio State University Golf Club, Scarlet Course The Scarlet Course is the flagship course at Ohio State University. This 18-hole championship-caliber course was designed by nationally renowned architect Alister MacKenzie and opened in 1930. Since its inception, the course has hosted four NCAA Championships and two U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship tournaments. more The Scarlet course also features an executive nine-hole layout (Scarlet Nine) for those who want to play their way around without committing to 18 holes. The course features elevation changes of over 70 feet, minimal water hazards, and strategically placed bunkers. It's a par 72 with six sets of tees ranging from the longest at just under 7000 yards to the shortest at just over 2500 yards. 2. The Ohio State University Golf Club, Gray Course The Gray Course is a private, 18-hole layout with a par of 70. The fairway is lined with trees, and the natural landscape provides an abundance of wildlife. The club also has a driving range, putting green, chipping area, and sand trap for players to hone their skills before hitting the course. The course's amenities include a pro shop, locker rooms, and showers. 3. Scioto Country Club The Scioto Country Club offers a wholesome experience. From the food to the club memberships, it is all designed for you as an individual. The course itself offers 18 holes of play with different layouts and challenges. The Blue course plays at about 6500 yards from the back tees off of blue tees and is far more difficult than the white or yellow tee boxes. This is because it (the Blue course) takes advantage of that extra yardage by adding deep bunkers and water hazards throughout the layout (and there's no shortage). The Red course has shorter yardage but still enjoys plenty of tight fairways and small greens, so accuracy is highly rewarded. The Green course rewards you with an extra 300 yards of length and a more open layout. 4. The Eagle Eye Course This course is located near the Columbus Airport, making it very convenient for those visiting from out of town. The course starts with a few easy holes but becomes challenging around hole number 12, where water comes into play. Holes 13-16 have some fairly long par fours that will test your skills at golf because they can be difficult to get onto in two shots. The finishing stretch has a couple of good risk-reward holes, including 18, which requires you to navigate over trees or else face an uphill shot all the way back up to the green. The above courses are sure to please any golfer, no matter what their level of skill is. Try out the most intriguing – or sample a few to find your favorite!

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. more 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

Cycling is a great way to explore the great outdoors, and in Columbus, OH, there's plenty of room to roam. Miles of biking trails wind through the city itself and for long distances outside the limits, giving riders the perfect excuse for a summer's day in the saddle. Whether you prefer skylines or trees, you're sure to find the perfect trail out there for you 1. Scioto Trail The first greenway in the city of Columbus, Scioto Trail, has been a local favorite since its completion in 1976. Sections of the trail follow both banks of the Scioto River, with fantastic views of the Columbus skyline. more The most popular section of the trail is the well-known Scioto Mile, with a string of promenades and local landmarks. The main trailhead is at the southern end of the trail, in the beautiful Audubon Nature Centre, and the trail also directly connects to another major Columbus Trail, the Olentangy Trail. 2. Olentangy Trail One of the most popular ways for visitors to see Columbus is via the Olentangy Trail, which follows the route of the Olentangy River through the Ohio State University Campus. The trail starts in the downtown community of Worthington and has trailheads in several of the city's major parks, including Whetstone Park. 3. Chestnut Ridge Trail Located just a few miles southeast of the city, the Chestnut Ridge Trail offers a great mountain biking experience. The trail system is over ten miles long and offers trail difficulties suitable for everyone, including a professionally-built flow trail with some tricky technical sections for seasoned riders. The ridge is surprisingly steep with some tough climbs to tackle – it's actually the start of the Appalachian Mountain range. 4. Dillon State Park Located just under an hour's drive to the east of Columbus, close to the town of Zanesville, OH, Dillon State Park has an excellent stacked trail system to keep mountain bikers entertained all day long. Over 15 miles of track include flowing singletrack downhills, challenging climbs and accents, and some excellent rock gardens to navigate. However, despite this, the trails tend to be very short on markers and it's quite easy to lose your way so take a map with you when you go. 5. Big Walnut Trail This newly-renovated trail runs through several of central Columbus's parks, starting in Three Creeks Metro Park and running through numerous parks before terminating ten miles later at Hoover Reservoir, a beautiful spot to stop for a bite to eat while overlooking the water. Previously several disparate sections of trail, new works are currently being undertaken to connect the various sections, but it might still be worth taking a map to help keep you on track. This list is just a short selection of the many fantastic bike trails near Columbus that you can explore, so grab your bike, head out there and see what you can find!