10 More Ways to Explore Columbus from a Social Distance
As the summer continues, so do the recommendations to stay safe by keeping social distance. Staying home is the safest way to avoid people, but sometimes it’s nice to break up the week by getting out and exploring. Below is a compilation of “off the beaten path” ways to explore Columbus from a safe distance. If these don’t appeal to you or you have exhausted them all, be sure to check out these “15 Ways to Explore Columbus from a Social Distance.”
Get outside and walk the 1.3 mile loop around Antrim Lake Trail.
Take a Walk on the Alum Creek State Park – Storybook Trail. The interactive trail is lined with pages from “In the Trees, Honeybees” to combine reading with outdoor exploration. It’s a short loop, so the toddlers in your group can easily keep up. After you walk the trail you could easily walk over and spend some time swinging or dip your toes in Alum Creek Lake. We had a hard time locating an address online – so to get to the Story Trail, plug “Alum Creek State Park Beach” into the GPS. Once at Alum Creek State Park there will be signs for both the Storybook Trail and the beach. Follow the signs to the parking lot and the entrance to the Storybook Trail will be on the left.
Visit the Chadwick Arboretum. The arboretum is located on OSU’s campus and provides space for a picnic, bird watching, fishing, and opportunity to take in the beauty of nature. The arboretum is open daily without charge.
Explore Inniswood Metro Gardens. Nestled within a scenic nature preserve, paths wander throughout the Inniswood Metro Gardens. The gardens provide a whimsical escape for all ages and include an herb garden, streams and waterfalls, a story walk, and a treehouse.
Spend some time at the Gardens at Gantz Park. “Home to a renovated two story barn, herb garden, historic farmhouse, and arboretum, Gantz Park blends beauty and educational opportunities.”
Take a stroll on the Grandview Heights Public Library’s StoryWalk at the C. Ray Buck Park, 1280 Goodale Blvd. Pages from “The Dandelion Seed’s Big Dream” are spaced along the path and relevant early literacy questions are paired with the story.
Check out Shrum Mound, one of the last ancient cone-shaped burial mounds remaining in Columbus. Located in Campbell Park, Shrum Mound is a 20-foot-high and 100-foot-diameter mound built by people of the ancient Adena culture (800 B.C.–A.D. 100).
Explore the Natural Play Area at Blendon Woods Metro Park. From a cargo climbing net, to a giant teeter-totter, to rope swings, and zip lines, activities are thoughtfully placed among a rugged natural landscape to provide opportunity to explore and be wild.
Take a drive on the covered bridge trail through Fairfield County to find all 17 original covered bridges in the county. Check out the Fairfield County Covered Bridge Trail Guide for all the details.
Cool off with some creeking at Pine Quarry Park. With shallow water, open rock faces, and the tiniest waterfalls, this park is magical.
