This is a perennial favorite section of the fair! It's a quieter, relaxing bit of nature within the…read morehustle and bustle of the fair, but it is packed with plenty of things to do, see, and learn. Tour the tiny nature center, which was showcasing amphibians at the time of our visit, and step inside a yurt to see what makes it a unique overnight option. If you're taller than 50 inches, you can sign up for a kayak lesson in the pond. They offer good instructions on the basics and then let you try it out. The Discovery Pavilion has a lot of information, the kayak sign-up booth, a section that showcases state parks (this year, the focus was on the upcoming Great Seal State Park). They also offer a living stream exhibit where you can see some of the critters that can be found and hold a crayfish. There's also a sand dig area. A neat addition this year was the opportunity to try putting out a virtual fire with a light up fire extinguisher. A fire tower is located near the classic giant Smokey the Bear. Unfortunately, you can't climb it, but it does set the scene nicely. Smokey, who is turning 79 this year, will chat with you if desired. There are multiple playground options - the recycling express train is a kid favorite, a wildlife themed one, and a newer gas and oil themed one that has a very neat - and popular - OHIO structure in it. There is also a prairie to explore, a display of native animals (owls, hawks, fox, skunk, and more), a wetland area, a butterfly house, a geology walk, and a number of additional hands-on activities, including archery and shooting ranges, and a fishing pond for 14 and under using cane poles. A gift shop and information booth are also available. A lot of related organizations usually host booths back here too, with additional activities, games, and plenty of information. This is always the first place I recommend when asked about the fair!

Open during the run of the fair, The Natural Resources Park is an 8 acre oasis of green where…read moreyou'll find an abundance of trees, cooling shade and scenic views. Located in the SE corner of The Ohio State Fairgrounds, you'll find this cool micro-park is a nice getaway from the overload of the sights and sounds of the nearby Midway and Kiddie-land areas. This place is packed with plenty to see and do. Be sure to check out the amphitheater there where you can relax and watch a show, visit the butterfly house to watch the little winged ones and don't miss the aviary with it's premier resident, an American Bald Eagle. Take a stroll through the wetlands and prairie areas too while you're there. People preferring something more active might want to head over to the shooting range and try their hand at archery or target shoot with an air gun. The park also has a 7200 square foot pond so you can try your hand at some kayaking. And for the kiddos, let them do some fishing at the stocked pond or have a talk about fire safety with an animatronic 14 foot tall Smokey the Bear. Natural Resources Park is an educational park and there's a lot of Ohio Department of Natural Resources folk around to answer your questions. Looking for the best places in Ohio to hike, bike, fish, camp and boat? These men and women are eager to talk with you about what The Buckeye State has to offer us. Make it a point to visit the park while you're there this year. There's something for everyone and you just might learn a little bit if you do.

Beautiful park, with PLENTY to see and do, even on a cold-ish, cloudy day. I made a quick, last…read moreminute detour here on a recent visit over to Columbus, and was really glad I did. Lot of trails (though not QUITE as well-marked as this directionally "challenged" hiker might like!!) and there's also a nice nature center, full of great displays, and apparently, some interesting community events (and great restrooms!!). I parked near the nature center, got my bearings, and decided to hike the shorter orange and yellow trails, which looped me around back to where I started in the parking lot area. Beautiful, lots to see, "somewhat" well-marked, but I made it out, so very do-able!! I wanted to also take the "Lake Trail," but didn't realize at first that it was the paved trail that started at the Nature Center. Once I realized I was heading in the right direction, it was a quick, easy trek to the two observation "shacks" on the shores of the park's beautiful Thoreau Lake. DON'T skip this short, scenic hike... Well worth the trip!! Blendon Woods (and all the other Metro Parks in the region) is a GREAT place for a day (or more...) in nature. Picnic pavilions, playgrounds, educational programs at the nature center, lots of trails... Definitely a four season GEM!! Check it out!!

Amazing, playgrounds, amazing nature, Center and as a teacher, I had an amazing time with a…read morenaturalist taking my fifth graders on a field trip here. There is so much to see so much to learn and beautiful wildlife and forest. You will definitely see turkeys if you stick around either walking the road or on the trails. We have had beautiful winter walks and times in the summer herewith family.

An Ohio State property, this area has some interesting constructed wetlands. The indoor education…read morecenter is only for students and there aren't public restrooms available. They call part of the area a constructed "billabong". It does not have any Australian wildlife, but it connects to the larger river greenway trail and it is a nice little area that is free to access.

Columbus is fortunate to have a Ramsar wetland (a wetland of international importance) right here…read morein our own backyard, and it is easily accessible from the Olentangy Greenway Trail, which runs right by it. The grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk daily, but respect the signage because research is underway. There is an observation pavilion, which is unfortunately in need of repairs at this time. When it's open, it gives you a nice view of the wetland area and all of the wildlife that may be about. There's good signage that explains the wildlife, the natural history of the area, and how research is conducted. Regardless, there are several paths that will take you in and around the area so you can enjoy the views, and you can also walk around on the Olentangy Greenway Trail to look around, as well. We saw several deer walking near the trail. There is parking available if you're driving by, otherwise, make it a nice little stop on your greenway trail journey!

Great walking loop trails with a variety of trails [gravel, wide path, light hiking trails]. There…read moreare a couple different parking lots to park in. Trails are well kept, as well as supplying dog bags for patrons.

Excellent stop if you are one a road trip with kids or dogs or both! Everyone can get out of the…read morecar and get their wiggles out. We brought snacks and enjoyed them under a shady tree near one of the lakes but could have also chosen a picnic table. The park is incredibly clean as there are no trash cans... you take your trash with you. The park is beautiful and peaceful. Well taken care of. Will return when we pass through Ohio again in the future.

This is a fun little neighborhood park that is hidden back behind several houses. There is street…read moreparking and then you walk through two old pillars and head down a trail into the woods. There are two short trails that wind around, making it a fun place for smaller kids to explore. Though there are houses that edge along one side and a railroad track on the back end, the woods themselves feel peaceful. There is even a small meadow area and some areas where water forms when it rains, adding some extra things to check out. There are benches and foot bridges positioned in strategic locations. It's a great little pocket of nature preserved in the Marblecliff/Grandview area!

From the Marble Cliff web site...Dogs are not permitted in the parks…read more Paul J. Falco Park on Fernwood Avenue and Tarpy Woods at the south end of Cambridge Blvd. are owned and maintained by the Village for the enjoyment of all. The parks are open to guests from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. year-round. Dogs are not permitted in the parks.

The drive to Delaware State Park is just under an hour from where we live in Columbus. This makes…read moreDSP a great spot if we want to go camping but want to spend more time at the state park than we do driving to get there. In addition to the full length Disc golf course that DSP has there is also a practice course. The practice course is adjacent to the campground office, to the right of the dog park area. The campground store, while small, seems well stocked with the standard things you might forget. Check out the shirts! Each Ohio State Parks has different t-shirts and Delaware SP seems to update theirs with relative frequency. We've camped a handful of times at DSP, usually in the same loop. Seems like a fair amount of the sites have low areas, it's a good idea to check out loops before booking a campsite with that in mind. Camping with an RV? The dump & fresh water fill has two lanes. There can still be a backup at times of folks waiting to dump or fill but the line moves relatively quickly. Bonus: there's a Kroger not too far from DSP.

Tried to drive through to check out all the available campsites for upcoming weekend - the employee…read moreat the gate said we couldn't come in because they were "too busy" we explained we weren't getting out of the car just driving to look at spots. She was SO rude of a state employee . Yelled at my husband and told us to turn around. State funded campground not letting in people is bizarre . Won't be back here to camp.

It's a great neighborhood park with nice natural walking areas near the river and nice wide open…read morefields to throw a frisbee or toss a ball. Lots of people bring their dogs here to run off lead which means there can be dog poop in the fields so watch outThe hill is a great place to picnic.

Clinton-Como Park is a nice small park by the Olentangy River. I like this because it's also…read morelocated along the bike trail. The park has some athletic fields and a few picnic tablesIt seems to be really dog friendly. This is a nice view of the river from there. I have seen many bikers and runners stop and admire the scenery. It's not as popular as Whetstone but it's a very nice place to play or watch. There's a baseball field and basketball court. It's not that hard to find a parking spot. The lot in the north area is big enough. It also has an area that's connected to the Olentangy Wetlands by a bridge. This is a nice way to get a view of the river. I like these not as well known parks like Clinton-Como Park. It's not crowded like the bigger ones. There are some nice views of the Olentangy River from many areas and there's also good athletic and play equipment to keep kids busy while you hang out there.

Nice big shaded urban park. The Pride festival meets here every year in June. Very accessible as…read morewell with paths and benches.

Spent another lazy Sunday in the park! I welcome any chance to soak up some sunshine. The tree I…read moresat under kept dropping flowers on my head, so I'll likely bring an umbrella next time.