The Ultimate Ohio Experience in One Weekend

If you’re looking for the ultimate Ohio experience, Columbus is the place to start. Home to the Ohio State Buckeyes, a booming culinary scene, numerous museums and cultural events, beautiful neighborhoods and amazing people – Columbus is one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, even recently included in the New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Visit in 2019”.  The energy in Columbus cannot be compared to any other place. 

For your first visit,  I suggest visiting for a long weekend during the fall. The changing of the leaves and cool air make fall the ideal time for exploring. 

Arriving Friday morning, you’re going to start your day off with an Ohio history lesson at  the Ohio History Center. From ancient to modern history, you’ll have an interactive day filled with exhibits exploring everything from life in the 1950s to extinct and endangered Ohio species to a collection of restored Civil War battle flags. This gives you the perfect base to exploring Ohio.

Later in the evening, you’ll dine at Milestone 229. During dinner, you’ll have spectacular views overlooking the Scioto Mile, which reconnects downtown to the Scioto River through an integrated system of parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths. Once dinner is over, you’ll walk through downtown to the Ohio Theater. Ohio Theater is the lavish home to the Columbus Symphony, BalletMet, and Broadway in Columbus – hosting world-class performing artists of all genres.

The next morning, you’ll head to the Ohio Statehouse for a self-guided, cell phone audio tour. The buildings are working government offices, but also pay tribute to history, people and places in Ohio. After exploring the 10 acres of Capitol Square, you’ll need to re-fuel. Taking a short walk, you’ll head over to North Market. As central Ohio’s authentic public market, they are home to many local, unique merchants, farmers and makers. 

After you’ve refueled, it’s time to get ready for the best fall tradition of all -seeing the Buckeyes play! Two and a half hours before kick-off, you’ll join 10,000 other fans to cheer on the Buckeyes at a pep-rally called The Skullsession. Once you’re feeling very Ohio, you’ll head over to the game to cheer on the Bucks! After the game, it’s time for a treat at Buckeye Donuts. They’ve been making hand-cut donuts since 1969 and are open 24 hours a day.

 The next day, you’re going to get to a chance to disconnect a bit and hike the beautiful trails of Hocking Hills State Park. Just a short 45 minute drive,  you’ll come across waterfalls, recess caves, history, wildlife and more at one of the top attractions in all of Ohio. But, first, before leaving Columbus, you must stop at Brown Bag Deli.  Located in Historic German Village, they’ll have eveyting you need for a delicious picnic in the park after your day of hiking.

 There you have it. The ultimate Ohio experience filled with history, local food, a pep-ralley with the biggest Ohio fans and a beautiful hike exploring the breathtaking fall views of Ohio.

This trip will have you planning your next trip before it’s  over.