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It’s back for 2023! Experience the magic at the Fairy Trail – a lovely, family-friendly outdoor experience in Central Ohio. If you’re looking for a beautiful hidden gem in Central Ohio, then look no further than the Fairy Trail at Infirmary Mound Park in Licking County. This park in Licking County (about 30 minutes to the east of downtown Columbus) promises to delight visitors of all ages! This is a great opportunity for a pleasant, socially distanced outing in the beautiful outdoors. If you’re like us, then we promise that this outdoor jaunt at Infirmary Mound Park will invite a little magic into your day! Infirmary Mound Park We stumbled upon Infirmary Mound Park while taking a joyride after work. Although we’d passed the sign prompting drivers to turn left off of Main Street, numerous times over the years, we never took the time to explore. What a mistake! This…

We’re excited to help you get out and enjoy these beautiful parks in Columbus, Ohio! For each park, we’ll share our favorite trail so you have a list of some of the best hiking in Columbus, Ohio. We will also share the location so that you know what to put into your GPS. These parks are not ranked, rather we number the parks to make it easier for you to read through. We also recommend keeping track of your hikes in this nifty hiking journal (affiliate link). Ready? Let’s dive in! 1. Slate Run Metro Park (Canal Winchester) Slate Run Metro Park is a hidden gem in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park system. Every time we visit this park, I feel like we are discovering a place that that not many people seem to know about. While not far from the city, you get to momentarily forget the…

Slate Run Metro Park is a hidden gem in the Columbus area as it has so much to offer. It is highlighted by the relative quiet that you can experience in terms of traffic and visitors not far from an urban center. Slate Run Metro Park is located in Canal Winchester, about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus. While not far from the city, it has a uniquely rural feel. Visitors get a bit of reprieve from being in a population center. You are greeted by options to visit wetlands, tree-covered trails, and even an historic living farm! With diverse experiences to be had, Slate Run offers something new with each visit! Slate Run Metro Park Map This map of Slate Run Metro Park shown below shows a variety of park entrances. The main entrance is located along the right side of the map which is off of State Route…

It’s easy to enjoy Ohio’s covered bridges. These historic structures hearken to a time when life was simpler, and they are often found in picturesque settings off the well-traveled road. Check out these beautiful covered bridges in Ohio for a relaxing and fun jaunt outdoors! Why Did They Build Covered Bridges? Covered bridges are structures, typically spanning a waterway, that are built with a wooden frame or truss. Wood was used as a less expensive building material, but is prone to rotting. Weather conditions, like you see in the east and midwest US, can facilitate rot over time. The coverings preserved the wooden structure underneath. This visual from Bustamante Engineers shows how covered bridges are constructed. This visual helps to spot some of the differences in the construction of the various bridges. Building A Quest Around Covered Bridges in Ohio We were looking for some low-key places to visit that…

Walnut Woods Metro Park is a great destination for some beautiful recreation in the Central Ohio area! Here, you will find great hiking – like the popular Tall Pines area -, nice places to bike, and even places to take your dogs. What is there to explore at Walnut Woods Metro Park? Walnut Woods is a beautiful, dog-friendly park in Groveport, Ohio. It boasts over 7 miles of trails, 2 dog park areas, bike paths and gardens. There is a lot to do – we highlight a few things below! Walk (or bike) one of the Parks trails Walnut Woods Metro Park contains five named trails. We share our favorites below. Additional details on these trails can be found on the Walnut Woods Metro Parks page here. Explore the Monarch Trail The Monarch Trail is an easy, paved trail which can be accessed via the Buckeye trail. Walkers will share…

There are so many beautiful Central Ohio parks!  As residents of Central Ohio, we are so fortunate to have a number of gorgeous State Parks, Regional / Metro Parks and Local Parks right in our back yard!  Living in Central Ohio has its perks (“park perks”… I like it ;-))! That being said, this is an attempt to introduce some of the parks near us that are well worth a visit.  Putting this information together is a fun challenge.  Even though I’ve lived in Columbus or one of its many suburbs for most of my life, there are quite a few parks that I haven’t visited before. Join us in exploring the parks and places near you as well!  Adventure awaits, and is probably closer to home than you may realize. Our Central Ohio Parks Challenge – 100 Parks to Explore Below is a list of 100 parks that we…

Autumn is officially here!  That means football, cooler weather, holidays, and… leaf peeping?!?  Yes. Leaf peeping! …and the fall colors in Ohio are top notch! What is leaf peeping? Leaf peeping is when you travel for the purpose of taking in the beautiful fall colors!  The oranges, yellows, and deep reds create a mosaic of wonder when you look across the beautiful landscapes!  Taking time to go on a scenic hike or drive enables you to enjoy the wonder of the natural cycle that nature undergoes as the days grow shorter, and the temperatures cool. Where can I see fall colors in Ohio? Ohio has a variety of places to fully enjoy the beauty of autumn.  Below, we outline 6 of our favorite spots along with some of our recommendations for what to do when you visit. 1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park There are several places to welcome fall…