Columbus is a scenic city with plenty of hiking trails and parks to visit. Whetstone Park of Roses is made up of 13 acres featuring rose, herb, and perennial gardens. There are over 11,000 roses at the park and the roses look best between mid-June through mid-September. The Scioto Mile is another hot spot for those looking to get active or take a bike ride along the riverside.
Columbus is well known for its art scene in the Short North Arts District. During the summer months, the district hosts a Gallery Hop for viewers wanting to see all the spots. Non-traditional exhibits litter the city and street performances are around any corner. If you start feeling hungry, the area is known for creative restaurants like Brassica, Forno Kitchen, or Condado. Mikey’s Late Night Slice is a popular pizza destination based in the Short North. The food truck vendor serves a variety of guests of all ages and has something on the menu for everyone.
Any fitness fans may appreciate downtown Columbus’ commemoration of bodybuilder, actor and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with a bronze statue. Schwarzenegger won a bodybuilding contest in the state back in 1970 and promised to return to Ohio. He kept his promise by beginning the annual Arnold Sports Festival, which takes place at the Convention Center.
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) of Columbus is an innovative science museum combined with a research center. COSI operates the country’s largest educational outreach program. The museum features over 300 exhibits for viewers to interact with and the largest planetarium in Ohio. COSI sits beside the Scioto River and the grounds make the perfect place for a picnic.