Columbus, Ohio and surrounding areas .... when to visit, what to do?

[U2_rocks]

I have clients to visit in Ohio It will be just one visit ever, so I want to make the most of it! I'm wondering if there's a "don't miss" festival or attraction? I'd prefer to go in July or August, as the kids are out of school and it's easier on DH.

Any thoughts are much appreciated. I will research this to death on the internet as I do all my trips, but you guys could give me a good place to start from, and some first-hand knowledge!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I mean that in the nicest way possible!

I've lived in Ohio my whole life, and have never found much that is interesting to do in Cleveland, Toledo, or Columbus.

Don't come to Cleveland for the Rock Hall of Fame. It's horribly boring. I know there is a Football Hall of Fame in Akron (or Canton). Never been.

 

[Nala56]

The Ohio State Fair is a really nice one and I think it's in August. If you like Longerberger baskets, they factory is near Columbus. The Air Force musuem is in Dayton about an hour away.


I'll keep thinking!!

 

[SPAM]

The Ohio State Fair is a really nice one and I think it's in August. If you like Longerberger baskets, they factory is near Columbus. The Air Force musuem is in Dayton about an hour away.


I'll keep thinking!!

yeah thats what i was thinking. i love the fair. if youa re into science we have COSI. http://www.cosi.org/adapt.php?page=home&fl=1
and we also have a great zoo. http://www.columbuszoo.org/

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I mean that in the nicest way possible!

I've lived in Ohio my whole life, and have never found much that is interesting to do in Cleveland, Toledo, or Columbus.

Don't come to Cleveland for the Rock Hall of Fame. It's horribly boring. I know there is a Football Hall of Fame in Akron (or Canton). Never been.

LOL You don't mince words, do you? We'll be passing through Columbus on our way to Cincinnati this summer. Don't ask me why we're going to Cincinnati--I really don't have a clue, other than we haven't been there before and it ws there or Cleveland. Don't I have an exciting family? Who else chooses Ohio for vacation? Personally, I would have chosen Florida, but no, I have poop in the muds for family. Oops, did I just say that?

 

[shortbun]

How old are your children?
There's loads to do here. We have a rockin' zoo with a fairly good water park(Wyandotte Lake) right next door. COSI. Museum of Art. Amish area north and east. East near and in Newark are some cool Native American Ceremonial and burial mounds-also near there is Granville for antiquing/the Longaberger basket folks/Flint Ridge(more native American stuff). The Heisey Glass museum is also in Newark(not for little ones.) I don't know where you are originally but we just REALLY enjoyed the "Freedom Center" in Cincinnati. It's a great museum all about the Underground Railroad and the history of the African American culture/families in America-facinating! About an hour west of Columbus in Yellow Springs is Young's Dairy. It has a neat petting zoo and really good ice cream as well as other things to do-minature golf/hay ride/restaurant. Columbus has the obligatory "Magic Mountain" in the north near Polaris Mall, a Game Works in Easton Shopping area(fab restaurants and really great shops here!) There is a sulkey race track just south of town called Scioto Downs. It's kinda fun once. The Ohio State Fair is a very good fair; it runs for about 12 days in august. The Clippers are a NY Yankee's farm team and it's fun to watch them play. Cheaper than major league and more intimate. We have some great parks-Whetstone comes to mind. Good for a picnic, see the rose garden and take a nice walk along the river(Olentangy) or bike along the path up to Antrim park and it's lake. Sunday nights at Whetstone there are usually family concerts near the gazebo in the Rose Garden. Franklin Park Conservatory has several climates duplicated and a wonderful Palm House as well as a huge collection of bonzai plants that are fun to see. Schiller Park in German village has Shakespeare in the Park all summer. Check for dates and shows when you will be in town. I've been typing nonstop and have not run out of ideas. Matter of fact, we might just stay here for vacation this summer!!! Welcome and enjoy.
mimi

 

[MouseWorshipin]

LOL You don't mince words, do you?

We'll be passing through Columbus on our way to Cincinnati this summer. Don't ask me why we're going to Cincinnati--I really don't have a clue, other than we haven't been there before and it ws there or Cleveland. Don't I have an exciting family? Who else chooses Ohio for vacation? Personally, I would have chosen Florida, but no, I have poop in the muds for family. Oops, did I just say that?

Your family chose Cincinnati for a vacation?! Do you have relatives there that give them money? Florida for me, too!

Tell you what, let your family come out here - they can stay in my house - and you and I can go to Florida. When I'm not here, it is a total free-for-all. DH lets them do and eat whatever they want. Wanna stay up until 3 a.m. playing video games? Sure! Wanna eat popcorn, cookies, and Hostess treats all day? Why not?! Go outside in the snow and run a circle around the house in your underwear just to see if you can? Sounds like fun! Your kids will be malnoursihed (and possibly hypothermic) when returned to you, but they'll have a blast.

I've never been to Cincinnati, but have visited most of the rest of Ohio. B-O-R-I-N-G.

Marietta is worth a visit, just to see the Indian Burial Mounds...if you're into that kind of thing.

 

[kydisneyfans]

After living 30 years in Northeast Ohio before moving to KY-I will say that Columbus is our favorite metro area and likely will visit this summer also.

We second the following-Ohio State Fair, COSI, the zoo, Wyandot Lake, Easton Towne Center-Magic Mountain.

Add the JC Penney outlet on the east side to the list. Snapping pictures of the horseshoe is a nice sight for OSU fans.

Shopping in Columbus is fantastic, whether it is Easton, Polaris, or others.

As for Cincinnati-Kings Island is a very good park with kids-Nickelodeon Universe opens next weekend-the largest themed Nick Jr kids area in the world. The Cincy Zoo is just OK in my opinion-much to do at the riverfront. Just across the border in Indiana are riverboat casinos. Coney Island is an old time amusement park. Jungle Jim's in Fairfield is a unique grocery store.

As for making Ohio a vacation destination-it's a great spot for spending several days---but it isn't Florida. All 3 major metro areas have worthwhile attractions, just pick and choose what you want to see.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Your family chose Cincinnati for a vacation?! Do you have relatives there that give them money? Florida for me, too!

Well, what happened is that it was going to be a cheap vacation summer since our son's Bar Mitzvah is in Nov, so we're spending $ then. But I can never skip a vacation, so we looked for things to do closer to home. My kids wanted an amusement park and we were looking at the alternatives. We almost chose Cedar Point, but instead decided to get Seasonal Passes for Kings Dominion in VA, which we haven't been to in years (about 2 hours away) and we'll go down several times this year and then we'll go on a driving trip (Yahoo!) and hit Kings Island.

My DH is not a Disney fan. He is almost ready for another trip and does want to go back to Universal. Maybe next spring break we'll go back to Universal. Or the following summer if that doesn't work out. I'll get the Disney itch and bring my 6yo back to WDW--my DH knows that it's a fact of life.. I brought my 18yo DD in January for a week.

Back to Columbus--how is the science museum? How does it compare to the museum in Pittsburg? How long should a person allow?

kydisneyfans, Can you tell me more about Jungle Jims?

 

[kydisneyfans]

see www.junglejims.com for more details. It is more of a grocery "complex" with just about anything you would ever want to find to eat, and then some. Many items from throughout the world-from wines to cheese to fresh seafood. The size of the store is similar to a superwalmart. We saw it featured on a Cleveland TV station several years ago even though the store was in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Mills is another option and is 1 exit west of Jungle Jims on I275. It is an outlet mall/regular mall/entertainment complex that i failed to mention in the previous post.

COSI is one of the best Children's museums in the country. Plan on at least a half day visit-if not all day. I cannot compare it to Pittsburgh since we have not been there. A Star Wars exhibit will be on display from June through the summer-if the kids are into that.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oh, COSI, is a children's museum. We only have one little guy--the rest are past the children's musuem age. Is there anything that's more for teens (that my 6yo wouldn't want to do) that they could do for a day in the area?

 

[Microcell]

Can you go to Sandusky too? It is near Toledo. Has Cedar Point. That is the only thing in Ohio that I ever went there for. I belong to the cooler and hipper neighbor to the north- Michigan!!!

 

[Jpgirl]

I'm reading with great interest as I moved from Cincinnati to Houston 4 years ago. If it weren't for relatives in Cincinnati and Columbus I'd never go back. It's not that I hate Ohio, I just never "got" Ohio. I laughed when I saw Jungle Jim's as vacation destination. We lived close to it and I personally avoided the place after 10 AM and weekends. But it's true that even some people that I know here have heard about it. If you're into cycling there's a rails to trails park in Loveland-it's about 70-80 miles long-maybe longer since eventually it's supposed to go to Cleveland. The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the oldest and best zoos in the country. The riverfront (especially the Kentucky side) is supposed to be cool with and entertainment center. Also there's King's Island amusement park (not Disney by any stretch of the imagination). I think it's still there. In Columbus (I lived there too) COSI is cool. German Village is a neat-go to the sausage place (can't remember the name). That's about it, now if you want to come to Houston, I can tell you so many things to do that you'll need a vacation for your vacation. Have fun.

 

[ntburns22]

COSI is having a Star Wars exhibit this summer.

There are always the indoor waterparks (3) in Sandusky as well as Cedar Point. Sandusky is inbetween Cleveland and Toledo.

 

[chager]

Don't bother with COSI!!! Very little to see or do now. Exhibits are only open occasionally now. My mom and boys just went there Wed with a group. All the prices have been increased now too. Very few hands on exhibits are left. They are even talking about getting rid of the big pendulum at the entrance. In fact an employee became very rude with my mom when she asked where some things were that used to be there. She was told that if she "had a thousand dollars or a million then we will open up more things for you. Or bring in 35 people paying full price and we will open an exhibit just for you!" VERY RUDE!!! The boys were bored beyond bored. Even Nick remarked about how rude the employees were and there was nothing to do.
The Zoo and Wyandot are alot of fun though. All ages can have fun at Wyandot. The Air Force museum in Dayton is cool. We went there with Scouts and the kids really enjoyed it.
Good Luck!!!

 

[mojophone]

I have clients to visit in Ohio It will be just one visit ever, so I want to make the most of it! I'm wondering if there's a "don't miss" festival or attraction? I'd prefer to go in July or August, as the kids are out of school and it's easier on DH.

Any thoughts are much appreciated. I will research this to death on the internet as I do all my trips, but you guys could give me a good place to start from, and some first-hand knowledge!

There are actually a great many things to do here in our great city. I beleive my 2 favorites are The Chili Cookoff, The Ribburn off.

 

[MomofKatie]

Oh, COSI, is a children's museum. We only have one little guy--the rest are past the children's musuem age. Is there anything that's more for teens (that my 6yo wouldn't want to do) that they could do for a day in the area?

COSI is more in the league of Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry than "just a kids' museum". Teens would find things to occupy their time. It really is worth a visit.

In Cincy, there is a really great new aquarium on the riverfront.

The Columbus Zoo is really wonderful- Jack Hanna is the Director Emeritus. they have an amazing manatee exhibit, and the open kangaroo exhibit is really cool- no barriers between you and all the 'roos!

The University area of Columbus is fun- lots of unique little shops and restaurants. Also, the old German section- if you like German food, head to Schmidt's. Yummy!

Columbus has a Major League Soccer team- if you are into soccer, they have a really nice, soccer-dedicated stadium. The season just started and goes through the summer.

Contrary to some, we loved living in OH! We were in Columbus for 18 months, and wish it could have been longer. The city is just really nice- nice people, easy to get around, lots of things to do, and the Buckeyes being in town brings that fun, funky "College Town" feel to it.

 

[bobcat]

I love living in Central Ohio! Many of our favorites have already been mentioned. We actually bought a family pass to COSI last summer, especially since they are having the Star Wars exibit. The Titanic exhibit last year was spectacular and we are really looking forward to this summers headliner. You can get tickets ahead of time and after seeing the lines for Titanic last year I would recommend it. They are time stamped so there are only a certain amount of people allowed in the exhibit at a time. We can easily spend a day here. The Columbus zoo is very nice and constantly expanding. They have a great gorilla area.

Licking county, north east of Columbus, has indian mounds, flint ridge, blackhand gorge (good canoeing and hiking), Dawes Arboretum (very beautiful), Longaberger baskets, The Works (is affiliated with COSI and has hands on exhibits), and there is usually something going on every weekend (festival, music on the square, gus macker)

Southern Ohio is simply beautiful. Lots of great hiking in Hocking County.

Easton is a great shopping experience.

I know I will think of more as soon as I post. LOL

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Sounds like there would be enough to do in Columbus to be worth a day on our way to Cincinnati. How about Louisville? It think it's a couple hours on the other side of Cinci, but didn't know if it would be worth it for us. We wouldn't be interested in an amusement park since we would have spent a couple days at Kings Island, but any other ideas would be welcome.

OP, sorry if I've moved out of Ohio. I can start a new thread if you'd prefer.

 

[U2_rocks]

Thanks for the ideas so far! My kids won't be with me though ... it will just be me on a business trip. I will be shopping of course (I shop everywhere! ), but wondered what else I should experience while in the area.