I’ve partnered with Ohio. Find it Here. to share this list of places to make spring memories in Central Ohio. All pictures and opinions are my own unless noted otherwise.
Ohio. Find It Here. offers tons of options to celebrate Spring In Ohio. One of the best starting points for eager tourists is the State of Ohio Official Travel Guide. Make sure you share your travel inspiration on social media using #SpringInOhio and #OhioFindItHere.
1. Bird Watch and Explore the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus
The Grange Insurance Audubon Center is a sanctuary for birds and nature lovers, set in parkland created from a formerly urban and industrial site in the heart of downtown Columbus, along the Scioto River. The center is a free public space and has activities for all ages, including an indoor play space, outdoor playground, climbing wall, and three new art installations.
One of our favorite things to do is to check out the Adventure and Discovery Backpacks, which are filled with various nature-themed activities. Families can check out a backpack for an hour and a half at a time; stop by the front desk at the center before you head out to enjoy your activities in the surrounding park. You can also check out binoculars, which make searching for signs of spring and birds even more fun!
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2. Find the flowing waterfalls
Early spring is one of the best times to see waterfalls. Locally, you can visit Hayden Falls and Indian Run Falls, both in Dublin, and Millikin Falls at Quarry Trails Metro Park. Watch this Instagram Reel I made last year from our visits. They’re truly magical.
Just an hour southeast of Columbus is Hocking Hills, where you will be met with scenic forest trails, vast gorges, and picturesque waterfalls. It’s no surprise that Hocking Hills is known as one of the most beautiful State Parks in the country. We take the girls to Lower Falls at Old Man’s Cave and Conkle’s Hollow State Park most frequently when looking for waterfalls, but we also have Cedar Falls, Rockbridge Falls, and Cantwell Cliffs on our list for this Spring.
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3. Get colorful with blooms and butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory
Bloom & Butterflies
Now through May 29, 2023, stroll amid hundreds of colorful, exotic butterflies flying freely through a warm tropical haven filled with bright nectar blooms. Surrounded by lush flora, watch as butterflies soar overhead, bask on plants, and sip on nectar. This year was beautiful; probably our favorite year yet. Tons of butterflies were very active and simply gorgeous. Remember, the butterflies are most active during bright, clear sunlight days. In addition to seeing butterflies in the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome, visitors can learn more about the butterfly lifecycle at the Metamorphosis Lab in the Grand Atrium.
Columbus Blooms
From March 15, 2023 through April 30, 2023 – more than 125,000 tulips, narcissus, pansies and other stars of the season will bloom in the botanical gardens and container displays. Throughout the Conservatory and Franklin Park, magnolias, lilacs, cherries, viburnum and thousands of perennials bring exciting bursts of scent and color after a long winter slumber.
Tip: Each Thursday, the Conservatory will share which plants are in bloom and where guests can spot them. Find out what’s in bloom during your visit and watch the gardens change over the season. The first Spring Blooms Report will be published on March 16.
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4. Watch the Roses Bloom at Columbus Park of Roses
The Park of Roses is a hidden gem in Columbus. It is actually one of the largest public rose gardens in the U.S., with more than 12,000 rose specimens, located within the 149-acre Whetstone Park and is managed by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. The spring is when the park starts to really come to life. It’s the perfect place to take a walk, have a picnic, and watch your kid’s sense of wonder and exploration come to life.
Interesting Fact: Once part of a horse farm, the land was used by area residents for victory gardens during WWII.
Need coffee before? Check out this blog post on my favorite local coffee shop just down the street from the park + more details on Park of Roses.
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5. Explore one of our 20 Metro Parks
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks feature 20 outstanding natural area parks with over 230 miles of trails and over 28,400 acres of land located throughout seven Central Ohio counties. Whether it’s swinging at the playground, digging in the natural play areas, searching for wildflowers, visiting the nature centers, or taking a long walk – exploring our metro parks is one of the best ways to embrace and take in the spring beauty of Central Ohio.
Did you know the metro parks offer TONS of FREE programs for all ages? Most of these programs are advertised on their website or through park Facebook pages. If you attend five, you earn a badge!
6. Meet the Spring Babies on the Farm
What better what to create Spring memories than with baby animals!? My three favorite places to visit with these adorable little babies are Slate Run Historical Farm, Stratford Ecological, and Picture Perfect Ranch in Lancaster.
- Slate Run Historical Farm
- Time has been turned back to the 1880s at Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Experience first-hand what life was like on an Ohio farm. As you stroll through the gardens, barns and farmhouse, you will see the farm’s costumed staff and volunteers going about their daily chores. Pigs, geese, turkeys, Percheron horses and other heirloom animals can be seen.
- Admission is FREE
- Check out our visit from 2021 here. Follow along on their Facebook Page for updates on when the babies are born.
- 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
- Statford Ecological Center
- Visitors are welcome to explore the land, hike the 4 miles of nature trails, visit the livestock, tour the gardens and greenhouses, explore the creek, pond, prairie, and swamps of the State Nature Preserve.
- Admission is typically donation based.
- Follow along on their Facebook page for updates when the babies are born, as well any events they have coming up like Sheep Shearing Day in April.
- 3083 Liberty Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015
- Picture Perfect Ranch in Lancaster
- Picture Perfect Ranch is a 7-acre hobby ranch located in Lancaster, just down the street from Rockmill Brewery. Recently, we did a private guided tour with Curtis where we met, fed and pet all their animals! Highland cows, horses, alpacas, pigs + piglets, goats, Great Pyrenees dogs + puppies, and cats. All of the animals are very friendly. We were totally in love with it all, but what’s cool is their story. They’ve been there just over two or so years and didn’t have animals or a farm before! It started with alpacas and grew to 40+ animals. Keep an eye on their social media as they share the news of new arrivals on the farm this spring.
- Admission is $50/tour – up to five people.
- 1214 Rockmill Rd NW, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
7. Visit a U-Pick Flower Farm
At the top of my list is Mitchell’s Berries & Blooms in Plain City. Late March thru mid-May, over ten thousand bulbs come to life in stunning gold, yellow, cream, salmon, pink, and white hues. They have your typical daffodils and unique shapes of double, frilly, ruffly, and fancy daffodils. You can pick your own bouquets, participate in one of their family-friendly events, or pick up a Bloom Bundle.
Be sure to check out ODNR’s Wildflower Bloom Report for more information on where to see wildflowers this spring.
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8. Attend Art in Bloom at Columbus Museum of Art
Art in Bloom is back at the Columbus Museum of Art from April 27-30. During Art in Bloom, visitors are invited to explore art from the Museum’s permanent collection, brought to life with floral creations by dozens of talented designers. Art in Bloom is a biennial fundraiser that transforms the Columbus Museum of Art, showcasing the talents of Central Ohio’s most talented floral artists and designers in brilliant and creative displays inspired by some of the most iconic works in our collection.
Make sure to check the museum’s calendar. They have several events during the event to participate in, including Open Studio Blooms Family Event, where you make floral fashion accessories, and a class where you can Create an Ohara Ikebana Flower Arrangement with Joe Rotella.
Outdoor Image: Photo by Emma Parker’s Photography, Floral design by Blühen Design
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9. Bike all eight Columbus Greenway Trails
The Central Ohio Greenways Trails are an extensive series of trails that meander through picnic areas, boating and fishing facilities, and family-friendly parks. The girls got new bikes last year, and the first place we went on a bike ride was Highbanks Metro Park. While not on the greenway trail, it is a fun spot for kids to ride around!
Interesting Fact: The first greenway trail was built in Columbus in 1976. This particular route travels along the downtown riverfront.
10. Catch a Spring game
When it comes to sports, Ohio makes it easy to get to a game. Just in Columbus alone, we have NHL, MLS, and Minor League baseball teams who play all within a half mile of each other – not to mention we’re home to The Ohio State Buckeyes!
- Opening Day for Cincinnati Reds is March 30th.
- Opening Day for Columbus Clippers Game is April 4th.
- Columbus Crew season is going strong by the time Spring starts and goes well into summer/early fall.
- It’s not football seasons until the fall, but you can get your gameday fix at the Buckeye Spring Game on Saturday, April 15 at 12 noon in Ohio Stadium.
