101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio (Part III 21-30)

Thank you to those who have returned to check out the third part of my very long list of Ohio attractions, you can skip the next paragraph! For those who missed the first two parts of my list,you should read the next paragraph. It explains what this list is all about. Thank you to you as well!

If you have been following me on instagram @krisofohio, you have seen my daily posts since the first day of spring. I have posted a month's worth of cool places and things in Ohio using #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio. These posts have included Ohio attractions that have made World and National best lists, places off the beaten path and exceptional Ohio brands. I have 71 days of posts left to go. This is where I plan to slow it down. I have posted a good portion of my favorite places and things in Ohio, but now I need to do some more exploring. On this post you will find the third group of ten attractions from my list and I will be adding to my list throughout the rest of the year. Feel free to help me with suggestions to complete the list. Leave your favorite Ohio attractions in my comments and they may just make my list. To the Ohio tourist, whether you are visiting from out of state or a resident exploring your home state, there is so much to do in Ohio. Use my list to start your Ohio adventure. I have posted only places I have experienced and all photos are mine unless otherwise specified.

Happy Exploring!

Kris, 

21. Hartman Rock Garden
 1905 Russell Avenue
Springfield, OH 45506 

This is my favorite garden and one of my all time favorite places. After Ben Hartman was laid off during the Great Depression he created the rock garden using hundreds of thousands of stones. The folk art creation is opened 365 days of the year and is free to the public. Donations are always welcomed. The garden is the most beautiful from Memorial Day to Labor Day when flowers are at full bloom. Follow their facebook page to learn about volunteer opportunities like helping plant this year's flowers in the garden.

22. African Safari Wildlife Park
267 S Lightner Rd
 Port Clinton, OH 43452
419.732.3606

We have some interesting drive-thrus in Ohio. One of them is the drive-thru safari at African Safari Wildlife Park. You can feed animals like zebras, bison, camels and kudu all from the comfort of your car. It is a cool experience if you don't mind the car getting a little dirty or having animals literally sticking their heads into your car. Animal lovers will enjoy it, I know I did. You can also watch pigs race and interact with other animals and staff through educational shows.

 
23. Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
1777 E Broad St  
Columbus, Oh 43203 
 614.715.8000

We have more than a few attractions on best lists in Ohio and a handful of them are in Columbus. One of those places is Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. It was voted one of the best botanical gardens in the US by the Travel Channel along with botanical gardens in DC, New York and San Francisco. It features over 400 species of plant life and includes botanical environments such as a rainforest and desert. There are new exhibits quarterly but my favorite is the annual spring/summer exhibit, Blooms and Butterflies.

 


24. The Depot Rail Museum

921 Old Henderson Rd.

 Columbus, OH 43220 

 614.324.5945 

The museum is unknown to many because it is used mostly as an event venue. However, I am told that they will open for large tour groups if you call to make a reservation. I was given a private tour by a a friend of the owner a few years ago and fell in love with car 100. It was built in 1886 for the Ringling Bros. The rail car is gorgeous! It has cherry wood interior, antique Victorian style furniture and plenty of props and photos from the early circus life of the well known entertainment brand. The museum is a cool place to learn about rail road history or book your birthday party, wedding or work event.

25. Cedar Point
One Cedar Point Drive 
Sandusky, OH 44870

Most people who love roller coasters will tell you that their favorite amusement park is Cedar Point. It is another Ohio attraction ranked highly by the Travel Channel. It doesn't get any better than number 1. This place has the ability to turn adults into screaming children. It is a roller coaster enthusiast's dream, the Disney World for adults. New this year is the Rougarou, a floorless roller-coaster that dives down 137 feet and goes 60mph as your legs dangle. Opening weekend is just weeks away, May 9-10.

 
26. Ye Olde Mill (Home Of Velvet Ice Cream)
11324 Mount Vernon Road
 Utica, OH 43080
740.892.3921 

As you can tell, I love ice cream since this is my third ice cream feature. Velvet's Ye Old Mill makes the cut because they offer a full experience. They have been serving ice cream from this historic mill since the 70s. They provide free tours during the week. There is a small museum on site that covers the history of the mill from it's original use in 1817. There is also information about the history of ice cream and the Velvet brand from it's beginning in the early 1900s. They throw an annual Ice Cream Festival at the end of spring. This year's dates are 5/23-5/25.

27.Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
4850 Powell Rd
Powell, OH 43065
 614.645.3400

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium frequently makes the top ten list of zoos in America. It was voted number 1 zoo by The USA Travel Guide recently. It is also the headquarters of Jack Hanna. It is home to 10,000 animals and 575 species. The recently added Heart of Africa exhibit offers patrons a chance to feed giraffes, take a ride on a camel and watch cheetahs and lions.

28.COSI (Center of Science & Industry)
333 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614.228.2674

Another museum on a best list is COSI. It was ranked 10 of the top science museums by the Huffington Post. It is a great place to workout the brain with thought provoking and interactive exhibits.  I am excited that the planetarium is back! There are always new exhibits quarterly. I look forward to checking out 'Top Secret' a new spy inspired exhibit. There are also always cool movies showing in the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater.

29. Ohio State Buckeyes
 The Horseshoe 
411 Woody Hayes Drive 
Columbus, Ohio 43210



I don't need to say much about why the Ohio State Buckeyes made my list, so I will keep it short and sweet. History was made when the football team against all odds, won the first National Championship. They also have the best band in the land. This will be a hot ticket this coming football season.

30. The Honda Indy 200 At Mid Ohio
7721 Steam Corners Road
 Lexington, OH 44904

If you are a fan of car racing, this may interest you. In Lexington, Ohio, Honda hosts the annual Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. This summer will be the 31st Verizon Indy Car Series. Past winners have been Andretti, Castroneves and Unser. Patrons can camp out on the grounds. If you get tired of watching the cars race, you can find activities at the Indy Car Fan Zone. Sponsors give away free items. There are autograph sessions and driver Q&As. The year I went, I missed my opportunity to meet Patrick Dempsey, race car driver and (McDreamy aka Dr. Derek Shepherd of Grey's Anatomy). I am still pouting.

Look for my next ten cool Ohio features, coming soon. Thank you again for checking out my list! Follow me on instagram to get daily Ohio posts about restaurants, wineries and breweries. You can also get the next features from my list before I post them to the blog. Look for me @krisofohio  or search the hashtag #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio.

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous! 

Kris,

101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio (Part II 11-20)

Thank you to those who have returned to check out the second part of my very long list of Ohio attractions, you can skip the next paragraph! For those who missed the first part of my list,you should read the next paragraph. It explains what this list is all about. Thank you to you as well!

If you have been following me on instagram @krisofohio, you have seen my daily posts since the first day of spring. I have posted a month's worth of cool places and things in Ohio using #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio. These posts have included Ohio attractions that have made World and National best lists, places off the beaten path and exceptional Ohio brands. I have 71 days of posts left to go. This is where I plan to slow it down. I have posted a good portion of my favorite places and things in Ohio, but now I need to do some more exploring. On this post you will find the second group of ten attractions from my list and I will be adding to my list throughout the rest of the year. Feel free to help me with suggestions to complete the list. Leave your favorite Ohio attractions in my comments and they may just make my list. To the Ohio tourist, whether you are visiting from out of state or a resident exploring your home state, there is so much to do in Ohio. Use my list to start your Ohio adventure. I have posted only places I have experienced and all photos are mine unless otherwise specified.

Happy Exploring!

Kris, 

11. Room Escape Adventures/Trapped in a Room with a Zombie

 Columbus Idea Foundry
421 W. State Street
Columbus, OH 43215

 The company is based here in Ohio but have managed to provide escape adventures to many cities in the U.S and even a few cities abroad. This tells me, that people are excited about alternative options for entertainment. Something creative! If you want a different kind of date, special occasion activity or team building exercise; allow yourself to be locked in a room with a zombie that is chained to a wall with an hour to escape. Every five minutes the zombie's chain is released a foot until he or she is able to reach you in the last moments of that hour. That is, only if you aren't able to escape before then. Are you smarter than a zombie? Check out this show to see!

 

photo from room escape adventures site

  
12. Merry Go Round Museum 

301 Jackson Street

Sandusky,Ohio 44870

419.626.6111 

Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, this is one of the most beautiful museums in Ohio! Inside a former post office, built in the 1920s, you will find a collection of carousel animals including pieces from Cedar Point's past. The museum also has a collection of items that belonged to renowned carousel artist, Gustav Dentzel.The museum featured four carousal deer in the White House during the holidays, last year. A carousel ride is included with your ticket.

13. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Jeni's ice cream isn't just a treat, it is just a part of the daily lives of Columbus folk. Her stores are everywhere and when you think about ice cream, that is the place you go. Lines are around the corner all year long because she provides a culinary experience. The flavor combinations are interesting and unique and the Food Network's show 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate' agrees. This is not only one of the best ice cream spots in Ohio, it is possibly one of the best in the United States. She has stores in seven cities in six states.

14. The Warren G. Harding Home & Memorial

The Harding Home
380 Mt. Vernon Ave
Marion, Ohio 43302
740.387.9630
800.600.6894

The Harding Memorial
Delaware Ave 

The home and memorial of the 29th President of the United States is in Marion, Ohio. The home contains 5,000 original items used by the Harding family, including 300 items from the White House. The memorial is a Greek Ionic colonnade made of marble. It is the largest memorial to a president outside of Washington DC. At night it glows.

  
15. Slate Run Historical Farm
1375 State Route 674 N.
Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110

The park is part of the Metro Parks system of Central Ohio. When you visit the park, you are stepping back into the 1880s. The staff dresses in period clothing and farm chores are done as they were during that period of life. The farm includes many of the normal farm animals such as horses, cows, hogs and turkeys. There is a Gothic Revival farmhouse from 1856 that was restored to fit the era. Sign up to participate in weekly programs on the farm to get the best experience. The programs offer a hands on experience as a farmer for a day: feeding the animals, herding the sheep and whatever else needs to be done on a particular day.
 

16. Glacial Grooves State Memorial
Kelley's Island

Located on the north side of Kelley's Island, is the largest accessible example of glacial grooves left in the world. It measures 400ft long by 35ft wide. The native limestone contains marine fossils, some of which are 400 million years old. If you visit Kelley's Island, take a golf cart or bicycle to check out the natural wonder.

17. Put In Bay
 South Bass Island

This tourist spot has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. In the 1800s it served as a base for Oliver Hazzard Perry. Besides it's ties to the War of 1812, it is also a cool place because of what it has to offer to all types of tourists. During the day, families can partake in activities like miniature golfing, butterfly watching or spelunking. At night PIB comes to life and the partying begins. People can bar hop at least a dozen bar including the Beer Barrel Saloon (the longest bar in the world). Take a short ferry ride and you are there!

18. Young's Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937.325.0629 

This is one of my personal favorite ice cream destinations because the ice cream is made from a 15% butterfat mix. This is higher butterfat mixture than most use, so the product is richer in taste. It is made at the dairy farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The place offers two food option. The Dairy Store serves burgers and fried cheese curds or you can get country style dishes like buttermilk chicken and beef and noodles at The Golden Jersey Inn. This is a great place to spend the day with the family because there is plenty to do. You can utilize the batting cages, driving range and play miniature golf. There are also kiddie rides and a petting zoo where you can feed farm animals.

19. Wyandot Popcorn Museum
 169 E. Church St.
Marion, OH 43302 
740.387.4255

This museum is very unique because it is all about popcorn history.  At this museum you will find the largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters, specifically the largest collection of restored popcorn antiques. The museum is one of two popcorn museums in the world. It is located under a circus tent inside Marion's Heritage Hall. A free box of popcorn come with admission.
 

20. AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame
13515 Yarmouth Dr.
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
614.856.2222

If you love motorcycles, this museum is all about motorcycle history. The exhibits include: bikes from the oldest U.S motorcycle brand (Indian Motorcycles), a section on Evil Knievel including a replica of his Harley Davidson and a police motorcycle from the movie Terminator 2. You can view the very first motorcycles built to recent electric models. There is a biker inspired art exhibit that ends early May. 

I have covered twenty places from my list. I will post the next ten tomorrow. If you are interested in checking out the rest of my list before then, follow me or visit my instagram page @krisofohio. You can also look up #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio in the instagram hashtag search.

Be blessed! Be free! Be Adventurous!
Kris,