Don’t get me wrong, it’s great living in Columbus, Ohio—there’s great food, the art world is really booming, and the metro parks are really beautiful—but sometimes you just wanna get outta there for a while. Nothing wild, just an easy afternoon to relax, explore someplace new, and connect with some other energy. So, I’ve been doing this thing where I visit places 1-2 hours outside of the city. And to be honest, there are some really great places you probably didn’t even know existed.
So, if you’re a local looking to mix up your weekend or simply in Columbus and want to see more of Ohio, here are my favorite day trips that are really easy, lots of fun, and full of character.
Day Trippin’ Like a Pro: Fast Facts
Before you go, I have to tell you things I’ve learned the hard way (so you won’t have to).
- Always check park websites before heading out—trails can close randomly, especially after heavy rain.
- Get some beverages and snacks for the cooler. Not every small town has a Starbucks on every corner, is there?
- Make sure you have some money on you–some of the best spots (consider local bakeries or parking lots) still only accept cash.
- Don’t overbook yourself. Much of the pleasure is simply strolling about, not rushing from place to place.
- Bring a friend or go alone—both are a blast but entirely different atmospheres. I’ve gone on a lot of these solo with nothing but a great playlist, and seriously, it’s really relaxing.
1. Yellow Springs: Relaxed Atmosphere and Fantastic Hiking Trails
You’ve never been to Yellow Springs? You’re gonna love it. Only a little more than an hour west of Columbus, this offbeat little burg is like a dollop of Berkeley coolness nestled in the Midwest. It’s artsy, it’s fun, and it is really, really friendly, that kind of we-don’t-care-whom-you-are-as-long-as-you’re-down-to-good-vibs kind of way.
I visited Glen Helen Nature Preserve for the first time, and it completely blew me away. Imagine this: waterfalls, beautiful hiking paths, and these really adorable stone steps that literally make you half-expect to be in one of those fairy tales. When I was getting hungry, I stopped by Ye Olde Trail Tavern, one of Ohio’s oldest establishments. Their patio is great weather permitting.
You’ve gotta visit Dark Star Books and see the vinyl and vintage at Urban Handmade. Trust me, you won’t be able to leave there without buying something you didn’t even know you wanted.
2. Hocking Hills: Nature’s Playground, for real
Hocking Hills is no secret, but it’s great—on weekdays, at least, when it’s not crowded. It’s only about an hour southeast of Columbus and has some of the state’s best natural scenery.
Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, and Old Man’s Cave are the highlights, and they have some really laid-back hikes with scenery that is straight out of Instagram. I’ve hiked those trails every month of the year, and each has its own atmosphere. The leaves completely go nuts in the fall, and the waterfalls become these incredible ice sculptures in the winter.
If you’re adventurous, you may want to zip-line through the trees or canoe along the Hocking River. My favorite way to end my day at Kindred Spirits is relaxing at this really cozy restaurant at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, having a glass of wine and some delicious comfort food.
3. Granville: Where Small-Town Appeal Meets That New England Atmosphere
Granville reminds me so much of Vermont, not Ohio whatsoever. It has that adorable little downtown, those beautiful old homes, and Denison University up on the hill, so it has this very wholesome, school-ish vibe that completely got me.
It is only an easy 40-minute drive east of Columbus, making it great for an easy day’s outing. I like to start at River Road Coffeehouse, then walk along the main street, browsing the shops and stopping at the Granville Farmer’s Market if it is open.
Hey, you have to see the Granville Inn if you like buildings; it’s like it came out of the pages of a Jane Austen novel. When the weather is nice, I pack a picnic and off to Infirmary Mound Park I go—much less people, and the wildflower trails are really mellow.
4. The Newark Earthworks: A Journey Back in Time
A little way out of Granville lies this phenomenon that astounds most Ohio people—these gigantic, immensely symmetrical Native American earthworks. The Newark Earthworks, created by the Hopewell culture some 2,000 years ago, have recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and to see them up close is totally awesome.
So, on an impulsive whim, I figured that I’d go see it after stumbling across it in some offbeat travel book, and I’m really glad that I did. Walking around there leaves you with this wild sensation that’s difficult to describe. And there’s this awesome little museum at The Works just nearby that really encapsulates the history and significance of those huge statues.
You have to see this if you’re interested in history or simply want to groove to something old-school cool.
5. Lancaster And Rising Park: Great Views And Some Art to See
If you drive like 45 minutes southeast of Columbus, there’s this town named Lancaster that’s much more cultured than you’d expect. They have the Ohio Glass Museum, and it’s actually much cooler than it sounds—I went to see a glassblower demo there, and it was really mesmerizing.
Wanna know my favorite spot? Rising Park! You can go up to Mount Pleasant and look at the entire city, and it’s so awesome. It’s a relatively short but steep walk and well worth it. I’ve gone there several times, and it’s always like discovering a secret treasure.
Then I normally stop by Ale House 1890 for a drink or lunch. They have all the standard pub fare as well as some interesting specials. I once had this goat cheese flatbread that I am still dreaming about.
6. Delaware: A College Town Full of Surprises
I never imagined I’d connect with Delaware, Ohio, but here we are, surprise! It’s maybe 30 minutes north of Columbus and is home to Ohio Wesleyan University, so the town is filled with this great, young energy. And it’s got that laid-back Midwestern hospitality that just makes you want to sit back and unwind.
Downtown is really cool and there are lots of great spots—Coffeeology is my coffee spot, and 1808 American Bistro is perfect for dinner. And there’s a great arts scene with The Arts Castle providing classes and exhibits.
If you are going there during the summer, be sure to visit the Delaware County Fair, where they have the storied Little Brown Jug harness race. We went once with no knowledge of horse racing whatsoever and still had an amazing time.
7. Addo: Not So Suburbs—Experience Some Irish Whimsy and Great River Views!
Dublin, Ohio—not the one in Ireland, by the way! It’s about 25 minutes northwest of downtown Columbus, but it really seems like a whole other place, you know? I initially visited to attend the Dublin Irish Festival, which is really large and a lot of fun, but I also ended up really enjoying the walkable downtown and beautiful riverfront as well.
Start your adventure at Bridge Park, the hip side of town with great restaurants and pubs. Walk across the Dublin Link bridge, and voila, you’re downtown amidst charming boutiques and snug cafes. I always make it a point to get a scoop at Dairy Depot come the beginning of summer.
And if you have some free time, you seriously ought to visit Indian Run Falls—a short walk from downtown—and it’s like having your own little nature retreat right in the suburbs.
8. Circleville: Pies, Pumpkins, and All the Good Stuff
You really have to visit Circleville this October to experience the great Pumpkin Show! Even if there is no Pumpkin Show going on, though, it’s really worth the drive. Only 35 minutes from Columbus, it has that charming small-town atmosphere, like living in one of those Hallmark movies.
The town square is really adorable, and the diners there make great comfort food. I bought a slice of pumpkin pie off of one of the street vendors last fall and basically gobbled it up while relaxing on one of the benches with some high school band players entertaining me nearby. All about the fall atmosphere!
Pro tip: Wanna have an adventure? Drop by A.W. Marion State Park for a relaxing hike along the lake.
Conclusion: Why these day trips are important
You know one thing that I completely adore about day trips? They really teach you that you don’t necessarily have to go far to find awesomeness. People always seem to forget Ohio, but if you ignore the highways and drive through those sweet little towns and parks, you can see there’s actually much to be explored.
Each place I have spoken about has both its own atmosphere—some are ultra artsy, some are nature-focused, some are simply weird in the best possible way—and they’ve each made me adore this corner of the Midwest even more.
Next time you want to shake things up, forget flying and drive your car. You can just as easily find your new favorite place an hour from home.