Columbus, OH Outdoor Activities
Columbus Outdoor Activity Guide
Columbus is surrounded by 16 parks that are brimming with lakes, streams, and plenty of wildlife, making it the place to be for avid hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the many outdoor activities available to choose from are whitewater rafting, fishing, boating, kayaking, biking, golfing, and taking to the skies in a hot air balloon. Columbus parks worth spending a day at include Sharon Woods, Glacier Ridge, Chestnut Ridge, Prarie Oaks, Clear Creek, and Blacklick Woods, which has a golf course.
For family-friendly fun, going on one of the many local tours or spending the day at the Columbus Zoo are on top of the list. Jack Hanna, host of Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, is the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He has appeared on numerous talk shows alongside some of the more exotic creatures that live at the Columbus Zoo. His work has made the zoo a must-see. Another family-friendly activity is the Ohio State Fair held every July at the Columbus Expo Center.
There are also several tours of the area to attend depending on the level of adventure one is seeking. These tours include the simple and relaxing Finding Columbus Sightseeing Tours, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, and caving tours of the Olentangy Indian Caverns for the truly adventurous.
Columbus concerts range from large in scale, like the multi-day Rock on the Range Festival that is held every May at the Columbus Crew Stadium, to the smaller shows at venues around town. The Rock on the Range Festival attracts national acts like Rob Zombie, Incubus, and Marilyn Manson, while live music of all genres can be heard at Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, The Basement, Southern Theatre, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Newport Music Hall, Skully’s Music Diner, and Columbus Commons.
Outdoor Activity Deals
ClearCreek at The Practice Center
- Franklin
Buckets of 40–45 range balls help golfers warm up at the driving range before they tackle 18 executive holes studded with sand traps
High Lands Golf Club
- Pataskala
Verdant fairways lined with mature trees, bunkers, and waterways present golfers with scenic vistas and challenging course play
Markin Farms Zipline Adventures
- Liberty
Fast-paced zips weave through forests, over ponds, and past rivers on an 80-acre farm, with a double-zip setup at the finish
Recommended Outdoor Activities by Groupon Customers
Dispatch Events knows how Columbus residents cook, exercise, and flounce their kitchen curtains. Its quartet of annual expos and other special events draws from the worldly media prowess of The Dispatch Printing Company, which tailors each sprawling festival to the tastes and trends of the city and beyond. The Columbus Dispatch Home & Garden Show lures celebrities from HGTV and other outlets as guests take in home-improvement and gardening ideas, such as which shrubs best lend themselves to topiaries of neighbors' faces.
Upon crossing the threshold at United Skates of America, a barrage of shimmering lights and colors assault the senses. A disco ball scatters rainbow shards of light across metallic streamers and low barriers striped with colorful lights. A glossy wooden rink acts as the centerpiece of the whimsical decor, packed with roller skaters during public hours. The vibe of open sessions evolves throughout the week in stride with rotating jams, from Top 40 hits to the hip-hop and R & B of the '80s, '90s, and 1890s. Frequent cameos by childhood icons, such as Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, captivate kids, who can grab hold of supportive Skate Mates as they round the rink. Novice rollers glide like pros after skating lessons, held in five-week sessions by a team of veteran rollers, and partygoers zoom around the oval track during birthday bashes. An arcade and snack area offer safe haven for the athletically averse or those still mastering bipedality.:m]]
All year long, Ohio ATV World hands over the keys to a stable of well-maintained Suzuki, Yamaha, and Polaris all-terrain vehicles that purr beneath riders as they wind down through 12 miles of trails in Hocking Hills Nature Trails. In rain, sleet, snow, or sun, attentive staff members provide helmets before indoctrinating off-road skills into beginners and experts, who can zip through trail barrels and ramps atop their four-wheelers. Off the beaten path, Ohio ATV World arranges group outings and birthday-party activities, such as scavenger hunts set amid the park’s scenic foliage and natural wildlife.
