Hotspots in Columbus, OH

Dock 580 is an historic hardware store in downtown Columbus that has been transformed into two separate urban venues, perfect for a wedding, big or small. Exposed brick and pipes, along with oversized windows and polished concrete floors give the perfect combination of grit and glam. The Venue is a large room with exposed brick and 30-foot ceilings. There’s plenty of room for tables and dancing, with several different ways to arrange the room. The Loft isn’t as versatile. It’s a two-story venue with dancing on the first floor and dining tables on the balcony. Dock 580 started out as a catering company, so the food is excellent. On-staff planners are ready to help you plan your wedding down to the last detail.

You don’t need perfect weather to have a great time at this water park! Fort Rapids, a massive water park built inside of a hotel resort, is a great way to spend a day with the family year ‘round, rain or shine. Visit for just a day, or book a room and stay for the weekend. The many slides, some of which actually travel outside of the building and back in again, along with the splash pools, lazy river and more, are enough to keep the whole family busy all day long. If you decide to dry off for a while, try out the old-time photos or go on a gold mining adventure. Check out the packages before you book – they offer several and they’re usually good deals.

The food at Black Creek Bistro is farm fresh. The long-time owners own a farm just down the road, and grow most of the food served at the restaurant. Items not from their farm are purchased locally when possible as well, so the menu is always changing to accommodate what’s available. Basically, this means don’t get too attached to your favorite dish, because it may not be on the menu when you. Reservations are recommended at this popular Old Towne East eatery, especially during Happy Hour. Every Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m., meal-sized appetizers are offered for just $5 each. Dogs are welcome on the patio.

Ohio is home to many skilled artists, and a large number of those artists display their work at the Ohio Craft Museum. The museum has five exhibits each year, and a permanent collection is on display all year long. On display you’ll find glass, pottery, metal work, paintings, cookware, jewelry, silk scarves, wood carvings and much more. Admission and parking are both free. The museum would be a great way to start a date night or an educational trip for older kids. Take care when you have younger kids in tow – much of what you’ll find on display is breakable!

Take all day to stop and smell the roses at the Park of Roses, a section of Whetstone Park, just north of Columbus. The Park of Roses is 13 acres and is made up of three separate rose gardens. Stroll through the park and see just about every type of rose you can think of, as well as many you never knew existed. On your way into the park, stop at the kiosk and pick up a pamphlet. It’ll give you a map of the park, as well as information to help you identify different rose varieties. Go with a friend for a peaceful stroll, or take the kids to learn a little bit about nature.

Belly dancing is a fun form of low-impact aerobics. It uses the whole body and tones you from head to toe. It’s also been known to be a stress reducer and a confidence booster, so do yourself a favor and give it a try. Your age and size don’t matter at all – this dance is for everyone. Learn from the best at Majestic Belly Dancing, owned by Fariba Mohammadyar. Originally from Iran, she has been practicing the art of dance since she was nine. You can take private lessons or join a group at the beginners or advanced levels. There’s a class here for everyone.

The Lancaster Festival is 10 days of fun and excitement throughout Lancaster. They hold car shows and small concerts downtown, an art walk, concerts at local churches, wine tastings, a children’s fair at the fairgrounds and much more. The crown jewel of the festival is two concerts (one held each weekend) at the outside stage at OUL. Each concert usually costs $15 - $40 to get in, though the cost varies depending on where you want to sit and how early you buy your tickets. The concerts are usually artists that were popular a few years ago, so it’s a good chance to see someone you always wanted to see but never got to. The concerts are followed by pretty big firework shows, so bring a blanket and a picnic and plan to stay while.

The Somerset Fourth of July Celebration in Perry County is a great small town salute to our country’s independence. The celebration takes place every year on the first Saturday in July. The party starts well before lunch with a car and antique tractor show at 10 a.m. and a parade through the downtown area at 11. These activities are followed by games, live entertainment, vendors, food and more until about 10 p.m., when the fireworks start. There’s usually one headlining performer that gives a concert both before and after the firework display, so you can easily party until midnight in downtown Somerset.

There are enough activities at Hoover Reservoir to keep you busy for a week. Go for a hike, play disc golf, bike, or just find a good spot to sit and people watch. The area has several observation decks where you can enjoy views of the water or bird watch. Looking for a fun way to exercise? Get a great workout by walking up and down the huge sets of stairs that lead to the top of the dam. Once you’re finished working up a sweat, go boating or pick a good spot on the shore – this is one of the best fishing holes in town.

Old Man’s Cave is gorgeous any time of year, but during the winter, it’s breathtaking. The mile-long gorge, which throughout the rest of the year is filled with waterfalls and rock formations, is transformed into a winter wonderland during the colder months of the year. The waterfalls become giant icicles, and the wind blows snow banks into works of art. Old Man’s Cave is located just 30 minutes south east of Columbus. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and tread carefully, especially during the winter when the trails often become solid ice. Keep in mind that ice usually takes an extra week or two to melt at Old Man’s Cave, since much of the area is tree-covered.