Outdoor Escapes

Any time's a good time to discover Central Ohio's more natural side. But when your brain is full and your body stiff from too many hours in the study chair, there's no better remedy than a little fresh air and some outdoor adventure. Luckily for you, you're surrounded by 130 miles of trails, 32,000 acres of parks and green space that lends itself to all types of activity ... hiking, biking, boating, fishing, jogging ... you name it. Here's just a sampling to get you off your duff and on your feet, bike, ropes or whatever it is that will replenish your soul.

best places to get outdoors

Olentangy River Greenway
Map it My Space

Olentangy River Greenway
This 10-foot-wide and 12.75 mile multi-use pathway connects Worthington, Clintonville, Ohio State, Harrison West, and Downtown. It crosses the Olentangy River at two points and has a favorite 1.2 mile jogging path around Antrim Lake.

Confluence Park
Spring & RT 315
(614) 294.7383

  • Alum Creek Greenway
    19 scenic miles of paved trail weaves through Alum Creek greenway corridor, connecting Westerville, Columbus, Bexley and Groveport.


    Map it My Space

  • Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
    Six hiking trails! Those who dare should explore trails on the north side of the river. Many lead up out of the Licking River Gorge that cuts through the famous Black Hand stone formation. Cyclists have four paved miles at the bottom of the gorge.

    County Road 273, Heath, OH 43056 (just outside Toboso)

    Map it My Space

  • City of Dublin
    96 miles of bike paths parallel to the Dublin roads; an emerald necklace of 38 parks; rollerblading or skateboarding in the 15,00 sq. ft. 3-level skate park. Just a 20-minute drive NW of downtown Columbus.


    Map it My Space

  • Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
    Day, weekend, and extended trips including: bicycling, flat and white water boating, caving, backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. Numerous outdoor education opportunities too. Volunteer-run and very reasonably priced.

    1525 Bethel Rd Ste 100, Columbus, OH 43220-2054
    (614) 442.7901

    Map it My Space

  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
    It's a great zoo, it's Zoombezi water park, it's Safari golf, and a variety of musical concerts--something for everyone!

    4850 West Powell Road, Powell, OH 43065
    (800) 666.5397

    Map it My Space

  • Franklin Park Conservatory
    88 acres of exotic plants, the works of glass artist Dale Chihuly, and a nightly illumination of the glass Palm House at dusk by renowned light artist James Turrell.

    1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203
    [Olde Towne East]
    Discount: $7.00 for students, all inclusive

    Map it My Space

  • Glen Echo Park
    A 4-acre city park with steep wooded banks that drop to a meandering creek ravine. Forget you are in the city as you walk along the creek path and escape the street noise just above you.

    510 Cliffside Drive, Columbus, OH 43202 [Clintonville]

    Map it My Space

  • Grandview Hop
    Don't miss the action along Grandview Ave. from 5 to 9pm on the last Saturdays of April through November. Check out the shops, the live music, art, trunk shows, food, maybe even a chair massage.

    Grandview Avenue, between 1st and 5th
    [Grandview Heights]

    Map it My Space

  • Highbanks Metro Park
    Clear your head with great views of the Olentangy River from the massive 100-foot shale bluffs, or hike through deep ravines, open fields and forests on seven easy-to-difficult trails. History buffs should check out the two Adena Indian burial mounds and the prehistoric earthwork. Also great cross-county skiing, sledding and canoeing.

    9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035 (U.S. Route 23 North)

    Map it My Space

  • I-670 Trail
    This 3.5-mile paved trail begins near Ohio Dominican University on Airport Drive ends at Ft. Hayes/Cleveland Avenue. This trail also connects to the Alum Creek Greenway Trail at Nelson Road.


    Map it My Space

  • Santa Maria
    Take a $4 guided tour of the museum-quality replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship, docked at the edge of the Scioto River.

    25 Marconi Blvd., at Battelle Riverfront Park.
    [Downtown]
    (614) 645.0351

    Map it My Space

  • The Scioto Greenway Trail
    7.5-mile greenway through the heart of downtown Columbus. Four sections connect to the Olentangy Trail and form a downtown loop popular with joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists.


    Map it My Space

  • Shakespeare in the Park / Schiller Park
    See Shakespeare under the stars in Schiller Park, the jewel of German Village. Plays begin at 8pm Thursday through Sunday, May 28th to September 6th. Year round enjoy the tennis & basketball courts, sledding hill, walking paths, sculpture, and the recreation center.

    1000 City Park Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
    [German Village]
    (614) 444.6888
    Discount: Free

    Map it My Space

  • Trapper John's Canoe Livery
    Try canoeing, kayaking or tubing on Big Darby Creek. Many trip options: half day, full day and overnight. Only 10 minutes from Columbus.

    7141 London Groveport Rd., Grove City, OH 43123
    (614) 877.4321

    Map it My Space

  • The Wilds
    Board a guided Safari Transport to view rare, endangered, and indigenous animals living in natural, open-range habitats. The Wilds also offers a challenging complex of mountain bike trails.

    14000 International Road, Cumberland OH 43732
    (740) 638.5030

    Map it My Space

  • Alum Creek State Park
    Advanced mountain bikers love the North Bike Trail's 6-mile loop through creeks, hills and ravines. Novices can stick to the 2-mile South Bike Trail loop of open areas and low hills. Hikers have five trails and 59 miles of varying difficulty to work with. Sun seekers love Ohio's largest island beach, which sits adjacent to the large reservoir.

    3615 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
    (740) 542.4631

    Map it My Space

  • Buckeye Lake State Park
    Endless opportunities for water-related recreation including swimming, skiing, boating and fishing.

    2905 Liebs Island Rd., Millersport, OH 43046
    (740) 467.2690

    Map it My Space

  • Columbus Metro Parks
    Whether you like to hike, bike, fish, bird, jog, or just enjoy some peace and quiet, you can find the ideal spot in one of the 15 parks, the golf course, or the historical farm that make up the free Columbus Metro Parks system.

    (614) 891.0700

    Map it My Space

  • Columbus Ski Club
    Join others for downhill skiing, racing, or snow boarding trips to neighboring states and beyond. Other local activities include billiards, golf, soccer, tennis, rafting, softball, bowling, tennis, volleyball, and various social events.

    (614) 481.7669

    Map it My Space

  • Dillon State Park
    Something for everyone. Camp, fish, boat, swim or sunbathe on 1,360 feet of beach. Mountain bikers have 12 miles of interlocking trails color-coded for difficulty. Hikers enjoy five moderate-level wooded miles of bridle trails.

    5625 Dillon Hills Dr., Nashport, OH 43830
    (740) 453.4377

    Map it My Space

  • Gallery Hop
    If it's the first Saturday of the month from 4-10pm, plan to roam the galleries, shop the boutiques, eat great food, and be where the action is.

    High Street from Nationwide Blvd. to 11th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43215 and 43201 [Short North]

    Map it My Space

  • Goodale Park
    A 32-acre city park surrounded by the beautiful architecture of Victorian Village. Goodale is famous for the view of the Columbus skyline, the scenic pond, gazebo and its historic park shelter.

    120 West Goodale Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212 [Short North]

    Map it My Space

  • Hocking Hills State Park
    Bundle up for the annual January trek with 5,000 other hearty hikers. From the campground to the icy waterfalls and caves, to snow-covered sandstone formations is six miles of winter fun, plus a hot feast mid-trip. Only 43 miles from downtown Columbus.

    19852 State Route 664 South, Logan, OH 43138
    (740) 385.6842

    Map it My Space

  • Hot Times Community Arts & Music Festival
    This year's street festival from September 9-13, will showcase local and nationally known musicians, dancers, poets, and performance artists.

    Parsons Avenue & Main Street, Columbus OH
    [Olde Towne East]

    Map it My Space

  • North Market
    A gem of a public market with dozens of stalls featuring fresh produce, meats, poultry, seafood, ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries, fabulous flowers, and great gifts. Daytime hours only, go hungry!

    59 Spruce Street , Columbus, OH 43215
    [Short North / Arena District]
    (614) 463.9664

    Map it My Space

  • Scioto Audubon Metro Park
    Enjoy great birding, fishing, boating, hiking, and jogging on 71-acres of the Whittier Peninsula along the Scioto River.

    395 W. Whittier Street, Columbus, OH 43215
    [Brewery District]
    Discount: Free

    Map it My Space

  • Thomas J. Evans Bike Trail
    It's an easy 14.4-mile scenic, paved and shady ride. Steadily declines from Johnstown to Newark with great access for Denison, COTC and OSU Newark students.


    Map it My Space

  • Topiary Park
    The most famous topiary in this 7-acre park is the recreation of Georges Seurat's painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grand Jatte". It is a wonderful way to see art and a great place for a picnic.

    480 E. Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215
    [Discovery District]
    (614) 645.0197
    Discount: Free

    Map it My Space

  • Whetstone Park of Roses
    In the heart of Whetstone Park is one of the largest municipal rose gardens in the United States. Peak bloom times are mid-June and mid-September.

    3901 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202
    [Clintonville]
    (614) 645.3350
    Discount: Free

    Map it My Space

  • Zoombezi Bay
    Catch a thrill on 15 state-of-the art water slides, in the wave pool, or on the action river. Wind down your day in the lazy river--all part of this 22.7 acre water park in the Columbus Zoo.

    4850 West Powell Road, Powell, Ohio 43065

    Map it My Space
-->

© 2010 The Dispatch Printing Company, reproduction prohibited. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, About Our Ads and Terms of Service. It is the policy of The Dispatch Printing Company and Affiliated Companies to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, martial status, disability, military status, citizenship or any other legally-protected status in accordance with applicable local, state and federal law.