Columbus, OH is one of the most exciting cities in the Midwest with tons of culture and attractions to explore! There's no need to worry about having to leave the youngsters behind when you set out to experience the best that the city has to offer: here are some fun kid-friendly activities to enjoy when you're in our wonderful area! 1. Play the Latest Video Games at Game Arena What kid doesn't love video games? Game Arena is a modern arcade that features all of the major consoles and high-end PC gaming setups. You'll be able to play the latest and most popular titles with the kids in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This arcade regularly holds tournaments and other events throughout the year, so it's a great place to compete and socialize. more If you need to take a break and grab a bite, Game Arena hosts Takorea, a terrific Korean joint that serves up delicious Korean fried chicken, bulgogi nachos, and much more! 2. Learn About the History of Printed Cartoons at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Named after the acclaimed Ohio cartoonist, this museum is located on Ohio State University's main campus and features the world's largest archive of comic book and printed cartoon art. The collection boasts well over 500,000 works, including comic strips, magazine cartoons, and graphic novels. In addition to American art, Billy Ireland is home to an extensive international collection and a section devoted to Japanese manga. 3. Take a Scenic Bike Ride Along the Camp Chase Trail The amazing scenery of the Camp Chase Trail provides the perfect excuse to strap the bikes to your Honda CR-V's versatile crossbars and head out for a ride! This section of the Ohio to Erie Trail is mostly flat and paved, making it easy for younger bike riders to negotiate. While traveling along the trail, you'll get great views of Big and Little Darby Creeks and the wooded areas just outside of the southwestern part of town. 4. Get Up Close with the Wildlife at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The Columbus Zoo sprawls over 580 acres and is home to thousands of animals from over 800 species. Several regions of the world are represented here, such as the Congo Basin's rainforest and the Arctic Circle. When you take the kids to the Heart of Africa section of the zoo, they'll be able to feed giraffes by hand or ride a camel! The park even features a number of kid-friendly amusement park rides. Participating in any of these exciting activities is sure to make any child's day! In search of a new ride for getting the family from place to place? Stop by Performance Columbus today and check out our huge selection of vehicles that can help you make terrific memories with your friends and family! Image via pixabay.com
Are you planning a tour of Columbus, OH, and the surrounding area in the comfort of your Toyota Highlander? On your next drive through the region, you'll discover fantastic biking trails throughout the city where you can explore fantastic scenery, local attractions, and nearby parks with the whole family! Check out some of our favorite spots around our lovely city that are just waiting to be enjoyed: 1. Alum Creek Trail If you're looking for a scenic bike ride along the best river corridors in Columbus, you'll love the Alum Creek Trail. This fantastic cycling trail includes excellent views, including Three Creeks Park, Westerville, and the Ohio Dominican University area. It's a wonderful place to enjoy a few hours of hiking or cycling with the family and a popular spot for dog walking. You'll enjoy the giant trees, spectacular river scenery, and nearby attractions. more 2. Wilson Road Park Wilson Road Park is an exceptional place for cyclists, with lighted trails, restrooms, benches, and over 47 acres to explore on foot or by bike. You'll enjoy the wooded areas, an open shelter for picnics, and access to the Greenway Trail and the Camp Chase Trail. This local park offers connections to over 125 miles of regional paths, with further access to the Erie Trail, which follows the Ohio River to Lake Erie. This major trailhead offers picnic tables, a water fountain, bicycle racks, and a bike repair station for your convenience. It's the perfect spot for cyclists of all levels and all ages. 3. Three Creeks Metro Park This extensive park offers excellent facilities for sports, boating, fishing, and trails for hiking, cycling, and dog walking. It's an excellent place to visit for the day and explore the great outdoors during your next drive to Columbus. It's a fantastic pet-friendly place to spend the day, with well-maintained, easy-to-ride trails, scenic walking paths, and a beautiful lake in the center of the park for fishing and birdwatching. 4. Antrim Park Antrim Park is a great local place to enjoy an afternoon at one of the sports fields, trails, or courts. This park connects with an impressive cycling trail, which offers spectacular scenery and photography opportunities. Antrim Park has a pond and river, which is ideal for fishing, and it's a short drive from many of the city's local attractions, including access to the downtown trail, which is perfect for sightseeing. On your next family trip to Columbus, you'll discover exceptional dining, shopping, and plenty of outdoor choices to enjoy nature. If you feel like getting more active around town, there’s a plethora of beautiful park spaces with cycling trails to explore with the whole family, no matter your level of skill – you can even bring along your furry friends on some of the trails! Start making your plans to check them out! Image via pixabay.com
If you're new to Columbus, OH, or are just looking for a new way to spend your time, why not get to know the state parks near Columbus? They are a great way to enjoy some outdoor fun and can make for a memorable experience! Topiary Park Topiary Park is a beautiful state park that is located close to Columbus and features a variety of gardens and attractions. This park features a large Japanese garden, an arboretum, an herb garden, and much more. If you’re looking for a place to hike, this park also features several trails for hiking enthusiasts. Topiary Park is a must-see when you’re visiting Columbus. more Alum Creek State Park Beach Alum Creek State Park is a park in Franklin County. It’s located on the east side of Columbus next to I-270 and the Alum Creek tributary of the Scioto River. The park features a large beach and reservoir for swimming, boating, and fishing. The beach is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. During the rest of the year, visitors can take advantage of the picnic areas, ball fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, and bike trails that are available year-round. Highbanks Metro Park Highbanks is a favorite of ours, and it should be yours too. The park has more than 20 miles of hiking trails through forests, meadows, and ravines. This park also features several ponds, a small lake, and a waterfall. The park is open year-round, so you can enjoy it any time of year. Our favorite part about Highbanks is all the wildlife that you can see there. Deer are plentiful in this park, as well as many other types of birds and other animals. We've seen coyotes and foxes here before too! The best part is that you don't have to go far from the parking lot to see some amazing wildlife! Buckeye Lake State Park Buckeye Lake State Park is one of the most popular Ohio parks. The park features camping, fishing, and boating on Buckeye Lake. It's also close to Columbus, making it an easy day trip for those who want to escape the city. The park includes a marina with boat rentals and boat launch ramps. There are two campgrounds along the lake: North Shore Campground has 82 campsites, and South Shore Campground has 52 campsites. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and parking area. Sites can accommodate tents or RVs up to 35 feet long. Traveling to new destinations like the places mentioned above is exciting for everyone! You can get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer while enjoying a change of scenery. Start making your plans to visit one – or all! – of these terrific options soon! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License
