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
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
