Whether you’re looking for a beautiful view or some sand between your toes, sometimes there’s nothing that will do the trick quite like going to the beach.

Of course, there are plenty of water parks, lazy rivers, natural swimming holes, and swimming pools open this summer. But nothing beats a day splashing around in the lake.

So pack up the beach bags, grab the umbrella, and head to the car. A sun-soaked day awaits. Don’t forget to practice proper social distancing, wear a mask when you can’t, and wash your hands frequently.

Lake Hope State Park

Lake Hope State Park offers a 500-foot beach perfect for catching some rays. Additional activities at the park include camping, boating, hiking, and mountain biking. From the stunning Zalecki State Forest to the enchanting fields of wildflowers, this park is always worth a visit. Be sure to watch the video above before visiting the beach.

• Where: Lake Hope State Park, 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651
• Cost: Free
• Features: Camping, boating, hiking, mountain biking
• Distance From Columbus: 70 miles

Long’s Retreat

• Where: 50 Bell Hollow Rd, Latham, OH 45646
• Cost: $5 per person
• Features: Waterslides, splash pad, diving boards, and more
• Distance From Columbus: 80 miles

Baylor Beach Water Park

• Where: 8777 Manchester Ave. S.W., Navarre, Ohio 44662
• Cost: $17 a person (kids 3 and under are free)
• Features: Camping, slides, inflatables, diving boards
• Distance From Columbus: 115 miles

Nelson Ledges Quarry Park

• Where: 12001 Nelson Ledge Rd, Garrettsville, OH 44231
• Cost: $12 per person on weekends, $10 on weekdays
• Features: Scuba, fishing, camping
• Distance From Columbus: 162 miles

Maumee Bay State Park

• Where: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, OH 43616
• Cost: Free
• Features: Trails, fishing, boating
• Distance From Columbus: 135 miles

Kelleys Island State Park

• Where: 920 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
• Cost: Free
• Features: Trails, kayaking, fishing, boating
• Distance From Columbus: 136 miles

Nickel Plate Beach

• Where: Huron, Ohio
• Cost: Free, with a parking fee
• Features: Volleyball courts, playground, grills
• Distance From Columbus: 115 miles

Salt Fork State Park

• Where: 14755 Cadiz Rd, Lore City, OH 43755
• Cost: Free
• Features: archery, dog park, fishing, trails
• Distance From Columbus: 91 miles

Headlands Beach State Park

If you want to visit Ohio’s largest natural sand beach, Headlands Beach State Park is the place to be. This mile-long beach along Lake Erie offers soft sand, clear water, and a chance to watch the waves roll in like you’re on the coast. The adjacent nature preserve is also a gem for bird watchers and hikers.

• Where: 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
• Cost: Free
• Features: Swimming, sunbathing, nature preserve, hiking
• Distance From Columbus: 145 miles

Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach in Bay Village is one of the most scenic Lake Erie beaches and a perfect summer day trip. Nestled in the Cleveland Metroparks system, the beach features views of the downtown skyline, plenty of sand for lounging, and clean water for a refreshing dip. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, and the nearby cliffs offer gorgeous sunset views.

• Where: 28649 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
• Cost: Free
• Features: Lifeguards, scenic views, hiking trails, picnic areas
• Distance From Columbus: 130 miles

Have fun, stay hydrated, and don’t forget to check the water quality before heading out!

Featured image via Maumee Bay State Park Facebook.

The post No Ocean, No Problem: The Best Beaches In Ohio For A Weekend Escape appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

After being laid off during the Great Depression in 1932, Harry “Ben” Hartman started filling his time with his passion for natural construction.  He turned his yard into a garden of rock structures, numerous plants, and statues of animals and people.

He spent years putting together the garden and after he passed away in 1944, the garden was maintained by his wife followed by a folk art preservation group over 50 years later.

The Hartman Garden is now owned by the Friends of the Hartman Garden group who launched a grand re-opening of the space in 2010.

Now, the garden is open every day to the public for self-guided tours through the quirky masterpiece.

Walking through the garden you can see historically themed rock structures, hand painted figurines and garden beds full of seasonal plants and blooming flowers.

Mary Hartman loved having visitors in the garden to see her husband’s work after his passing.

Please be respectful when visiting the garden by staying out of the flower beds and leaving all the rocks as you found them.

A stroll through the structures is completely free of charge.

It makes for the perfect family friendly day trip as an unusual historical site.

The Hartman Garden is in Springfield, Ohio, only 45 minutes from downtown Columbus.

The address is 1905 Russell Ave, Springfield, OH 45506.

The garden is a great place for school trips or group tours.

A 45 minute guided tour of the garden is $10 a person with a minimum of $100 per tour.

The garden remains a popular attraction during the colder months.

When the holidays come around, themed figurines and and seasonal flower beds appear throughout the garden.

The garden is full of completely unique structures all handmade during the Great Depression era.

Detailed rock creations of buildings such as castles, churches, and historic homes can be found in every corner.

It’s operated and maintained 100 percent by volunteers with the Friends of the Hartman Garden group.

Whether it’s giving tours or pulling weeds there are always ways to help out.  You can find them on Facebook or send them an email to find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities.

The post Take The Perfect Day Trip To Ohio’s 80-Year-Old Rock Garden appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The holiday should be a time for a relaxing break with family and enjoying your time together. But sometimes, the craziness of the Christmas kitchen totally ruins that.

This year could be the year that you and your family decide to skip the stress altogether at one of these Columbus restaurants. Sounds pretty great, right?

Buca di Beppo

Chi Thai

Columbus Fish Market

Fiery Sky Asian Kitchen

J. Gilbert’s

Little West Tavern

Texas de Brazil

The Barn

Chouette

Due Amici

The Guild House

Hank’s Low Country Seafood & Raw Bar

HARU

MTM Tavern

Song Lan

Refectory

The post Here’s Which Columbus Restaurants Are Open On Christmas Eve And Christmas Day appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Buckeye candies are a favorite treat for nearly every Ohio heart and making these delicious treats at home is a popular holiday tradition in Ohio. Making hundreds of buckeye candies with my grandma will always be a delicious and delightful memory from my childhood.

Trays and trays would fill the countertops and tables before we slid them into the freezer until morning. But what’s a girl to do when it’s not the holiday season and grandma isn’t around? Here are 10 places where you can definitely get your peanut butter and chocolate fix.

Anthony Thomas

The buckeye candies from Anthony Thomas are so quintessentially Ohio. The best part is, you can even take a factory tour and find out exactly how they make all of the goodies at Anthony Thomas. 
Address: 4636 West Broad St. Columbus, Ohio 43228
Multiple locations.
Website: Anthony Thomas

Winans Coffee and Chocolate

Eagle Family Candy

The buckeyes at the Eagle Family Candy Company remind me so much of the homemade candies of my youth. If you’re feeling nostalgic, this is the treat for you.
Address: 4590 N High St. Columbus, OH 43214
Website: Eagle Family Candy

Marie’s Candies

On the hunt for the perfect chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio? I’m sure that means something different to everyone, but personally, I think Marie’s Candies gets it right. These little treats are incredibly rich and full of flavor, so don’t overdo it.
Address: 311 Zanesfield Rd. West Liberty, Ohio 43357
Website: Marie’s Candies

The Buckeye Lady

The Buckeye Chocolate Company

When they name their whole company after a candy, you know they do it well. The Buckeye Chocolate Company makes a lot more than just buckeyes, but we all know why we’re here. We came for these little morsels and they don’t disappoint.
Address: Multiple locations.
Website: The Buckeye Chocolate Company

Sweet Tooth Cottage

The best addition to any party, buckeyes from Sweet Tooth Cottage pair perfectly with many of their other treats. I can see the themed party taking shape now, and I just want to say, I’d love an invitation. 
Address: 10221 Sawmill Parkway Powell, OH 43065
Website: Sweet Tooth Cottage

Greater’s Ice Cream

We’re going outside the box now people. It’s time for all-buckeye everything, and that includes ice cream. Grater’s makes a mean Buckeye Chocolate Chip ice cream. Chelsea once called it, “the best ice cream ever created in the universe”. She’s dramatic, but it is pretty darn good. 
Address: 1534 W. Lane Avenue, 43221
Multiple Locations.

Whits Frozen Custard

I know that you’re thinking that we just covered buckeye ice cream. But can you ever have too much? Really? I think not. Besides, this is technically custard, not ice cream. The Buckeye Madness from Whit’s is a vanilla custard with Reese’s Cups, chocolate syrup, and peanut butter.
Address: 3339 North High St. Columbus, Ohio 43202 (multiple locations)
Website: Greater’s Ice Cream

Buckeye Donuts

You can’t have a list of buckeye-themed treats and not include the iconic buckeye donut from Buckeye Donuts. That would be heresy. There aren’t really words to describe how perfect eating one of these bad boys on the way to The Shoe for a home game is, so I highly recommend you make that experience happen for yourself.
Address: 1998 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Buckeye Donuts

The Original Pancake House

At The Original Pancake House, you can get a few different buckeye options. The buckeye pancakes are light and fluffy, and the buckeye crepes are sweet and delicious. You really can’t go wrong with anything at the Original Pancake House, but especially not when you’re choosing the buckeye items.
Address: 1633 W. Lane Ave. Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Website: The Original Pancake House

Bon appetit, Columbus. I hope you’re ready to satisfy that sweet tooth.

The post The Best Places For Chocolate Buckeye Lovers Around Ohio appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

But if you aren’t going to be here on election day you might just shrug it off. But you don’t have to, because voting absentee is easy. Here’s how you can vote without being in town on election day.

With the recent rise in youth political engagement, many people are expecting the 18-29 age group of voters to grow in this next election.

A large portion of that age group is college students. This means that come election time, many voters are not at home where they are registered to vote, requiring the use of absentee voting or early voting. The instructions for absentee voting are out there, but they aren’t as simple as they could be. So, here is an easy how-to guide on voting absentee in Ohio.

If you haven’t registered to vote yet, do that here. The deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the November 2024 General Election is October 7.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is three days before the election in which you want to vote, but it’s highly encouraged to register as soon as possible.

How To Vote Absentee In Ohio

1. Print this and fill it out
Absentee ballot request form To vote absentee you have to have a ballot mailed to you, this form says “hey guys, send me a ballot”. On the form, you can designate where the ballot will go in a separate box from your voter registration address.

2. Mail it to your county board of elections
Never mailed anything before? Don’t worry, there’s a first time for everything. You can find the address of your county board of elections here. You can buy stamps at the post office, grocery store, or pharmacy. Here’s how you address an envelope. Drop it in a mailbox or take it to the post office.

3. Wait
Your ballot will be mailed to your designated mailing address. You can track your ballot here. If you’ve waited a couple of weeks and it doesn’t show up and you aren’t able to track it, then call your county board of elections and explain the situation.

4. Return your ballot to your county board of elections
Once you fill out your ballot you can either drop it off or mail it to your county board of elections. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Your ballot must be postmarked no later than the day before the election AND received no later than 10 days after the election. If you’re putting regular stamps on the envelope, ask the post office to postmark it for you. That will be proof that you didn’t mail it late. Absentee voting by mail begins on October 8, 2024 here in Ohio. You can see the full voting schedule here.

5. Feel proud
Voting is the core principle that makes the United States a democratic nation so, be proud of your contribution to society.

Originally written by Tess Stuber. Updated with current information by Chelsea Wiley.

The post The Complete Guide On How To Vote Absentee In Ohio appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Alright, I’ll tell you. If you want to sleep easy at night, the surest way is to get out there in your community and give back.

Whether you’re looking to care for animals or people, Columbus has no shortage of volunteer opportunities where you can make the perfect volunteer match. Volunteering at any local organization is a great way to give back to the community and there’s no cause too small.

So how can you help in Columbus? Here are 50 ways to get involved in your area!

Helping the houseless

Columbus Coalition for the Homeless

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Help ensure that families have a comfortable place to sleep at home by volunteering your time at the Furniture Bank where they repair and organize furniture and assist families with furniture selection.
Website: Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Andrew’s House

St. Stephen’s Community House

The Homeless Families Foundation

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat For Humanity builds housing for families in need. This homes change the lives of families all across central Ohio as the housing crisis continues to be a major issue. Volunteer your time with the building, the awareness, and much more.
Website: Habitat For Humanity

Star House

The Open Shelter

Hunger

All People’s Fresh Market

All People’s Fresh Market provides a vital service on the south side of Columbus. Volunteers are needed to help distribute food to those in need. You can learn more about volunteering your time by clicking the link below.
Website: All People’s Fresh Market

Mid-Ohio Foodbank

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank keeps an ongoing calendar of volunteer opportunities and events coming up. You could help stock grocery items in the Kroger pantry or even prep meals at one of their meal giveaways. Volunteers can register on their website for a multitude of opportunities.
Website: Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Life Care Alliance- Meals on Wheels

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Meals on Wheels provides over 6,000 meals a day and you can help by volunteering as a driver or with a group to deliver. These meals are crucial parts of some people’s lives and a great way to really make a difference in a person’s day.
Website: Life Care Alliance- Meals on Wheels

Animals

Capital Area Humane Society

Keeping pets happy and healthy is the best way to get them adopted into forever homes. Spend some time at the Capital Area Human Society feeding, cleaning, playing and loving the cats, dogs, and even bunnies!

Website: Capital Area Humane Society

Ohio Wildlife Center

Volunteer at the Ohio Wildlife Center to answer questions about wildlife information or help with the wildlife hospital admissions.

Website: Ohio Wildlife Center

Franklin County Dog Shelter

Pets Without Parents

Are you obsessed with animals? This is perfect for you. Volunteer your time at Pets Without Parents to help feed, walk, and clean their cats and dogs. You can also assist with running the laundry and talking with potential adopters.

Website: Pets Without Parents

Colony Cats

Sunrise Sanctuary

Canine Companions

Canine Companions trains dogs to assist people with disabilities. Volunteering with Canine Companions means helping to train puppies to become the service dogs they are capable of being!
Website: Canine Companions

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Life Care Alliance- Senior Pet Care Program

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Often as we age we aren’t able to care for our beloved pets the way we used to, but instead of giving them up the Senior Pet Care Program will bring volunteers to the homes of the elderly to assist with feeding, cleaning and veterinary visits. Having a pet can be really beneficial in a senior’s life so services like this can make a big difference.
Website: Life Care Alliance- Senior Pet Care Program

Environment

Columbus Recreation and Parks

Columbus Recreation and Parks offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities. From helping to keep our parks clean and trash-free to planting trees, volunteers will have an easy time finding something meaningful to help out with.
Website: Columbus Recreation and Parks

Columbus Audubon

The Garden At Gantz Farm

Franklin Park Conservatory

Whether it’s getting your hands dirty in the garden or giving educational tours in the exhibitions, there’s plenty to be done at the Franklin Park Conservatory. You can volunteer alone or with a group!
Website: Franklin Park Conservatory

Health

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has plenty of volunteer opportunities for every age and every interest. You could teach a disaster prevention class, help with fundraising events, or volunteer at a blood drive. Whether you want to spend a few hours or make it a regular item on your weekly schedule, there’s always something for you.
Website: The American Red Cross

Equitas Health- Care for All

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center

Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf

Ohio Health’s Fore Hope program helps individuals with neurological conditions get back to living healthy, productive, social lives through therapeutic golf. You don’t have to be a golf expert to donate your time.
Website: Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf

Crisis Text Line

National Alliance On Mental Illness

The Unverferth House

Open Door Art Studio

The Open Door Art Studio provides a space for people with disabilities to engage their artistic and creative- sides. Volunteer in the studio to help create masterpieces or to help with general maintenance to keep the facility running.
Website: Open Door Art Studio

VA Ambulatory Care Center

The Columbus VA Ambulatory Care Center has many volunteer opportunities from mail services to primary care assistance. Volunteers are a crucial part of caring for Columbus veterans.
Website: VA Ambulatory Care Center

Suicide Prevention Services

The Suicide Prevention Services run the 24 hour crisis phone line and are always in need of volunteers to help staff the line.
Website: Suicide Prevention Services

Children’s Health

Flying Horse Farms

Flying Horse Farms is a camp for children with serious illnesses. This is an opportunity for these children to be more than their illness and give them a chance to just be kids. Volunteer your time to help these kids have the most enjoyable week of their lives.
Website: Flying Horse Farms

Ronald McDonald House

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A Kid Again

PBJ Connections

Education

Ohio State House

Remember going to the Ohio State House in elementary school with your class? Well, the tour you went on was probably done by a volunteer! Give back and help others learn about the great state of Ohio!
Website: Ohio State House

Columbus Literacy Council

Columbus Metropolitan Library

At every Columbus Metropolitan Library location there’s an after school homework help center that’s run mostly by volunteers. It’s a great way to give back to the community if you enjoy working with kids. They also use volunteers for stacking the bookshelves and their “Ready For Kindergarten” program. Due to COVID-19, the library isn’t accepting volunteers, but keep it handy because they’ll be back eventually and they’ll need your help.
Website: Columbus Metropolitan Library

Women and Girls

Dress for Success

Help give women the tools they need to succeed in the professional workplace. Dress for Success helps get women the workplace attire they need and career development tools they need to ensure they have a successful start to their career.
Website: Dress for Success

Choices Shelter

Girls On The Run

Help inspire young girls with this 5K program of children and mentors. You never know what kind of impact you can have on a young girl’s mind. Girls On The Run has opportunities for one-on-one support as well as volunteering your time on your local council.
Website: Girls On The Run

Freedom A La Cart

YWCA Center for Women

Social

Stonewall Columbus

Help support the LGBT community by volunteering with Stonewall Columbus to put on events and fundraisers throughout the year and the annual pride festival in the summer.
Website: Stonewall Columbus

The Buckeye Ranch

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

The post 50 Ways To Volunteer In Columbus In 2023 appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

Central Ohio boasts a rich tapestry of architectural wonders. One area where this extraordinary design is showcased is within some truly stunning schools. From historic landmarks that have stood the test of time to modern marvels that redefine contemporary aesthetics, the high schools in Central Ohio offer an array of stunning architectural achievements.

But what makes these beautiful spaces even more significant? Studies suggest that aesthetically pleasing environments can have a profound impact on student learning. Beautifully designed schools can foster a sense of pride and engagement among students, creating an atmosphere conducive to growth and exploration.

So let’s take a look at some of the most beautiful high schools in the area.

Cristo Rey Columbus High School

The Cristo Rey High School building was originally built in 1899 as Ohio School for the Deaf on 400 E. Town St. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was established as Cristo Rey High School in 2013. The building was purchased by Cristo Rey and then they hired Columbus architectural firm Schooley Caldwell Associates to manage the extensive renovations needed to restore the building to be used as a school again.

West High School

You’ll find West High School at 179 S. Powell Avenue on the West side of Columbus. It was designed by Howard Dwight Smith and completed in 1927. The third-floor North West addition wasn’t added until 1953.

Bexley High School

Bexley High School moved from its Main Street location in 1932, to what is now Montrose Elementary. The new building was constructed to fit more students along with modern accommodations such as chemistry labs, industrial design spaces, and athletic fields. The current building was designed by O.D. Howard architect and built by Robert H. Evans Co. General Contractors. Bexley High School was built next to the existing Elementary and Junior High Schools and then later joined together by the cafeteria.

Columbus School For Girls

The current location of Columbus School for Girls in Bexley was established in 1946. There were major renovations in 1969 to add a pool, a lower school, a fine arts facility, and more. The main campus has a full ten acres of land. The most recent renovations were made in 2012 for a new athletic complex.

Saint Charles Preparatory School

St. Charles was founded in 1923 as a seminary and moved to its current 20-acre campus location on East Broad St. in 1925, boarding Alum Creek on the Westside. The main building was constructed with French influence to form the shape of an “H”, dedicated to Bishop Hartley, with the tiled cloister connecting the two wings at the front. The arches in the colonnade and the brickwork reflect a Mediterranian look. It was one of the first buildings in Ohio constructed using the new steel-enforced concrete method. The gymnasium building was added in 1930 and a new chapel was created in 1937, as well as other small renovations throughout the years.

New Albany High School

The current New Albany high school, located at 7600 Fodor Rd, was built and opened in 1996 with renovations in 2002. The building was designed in a Georgian architectural style to follow the popular architectural style of the ’90s. The building was constructed with a campus-style idea on 120 acres of land and the buildings are connected with tree-lined walkways.

Grandview Heights High School

Grandview Heights High School was built in 1923 as a high school during the day and a community building during all other hours. This was a common trend at the time. In 1924 one of the second-floor rooms became the Grandview Public Library. W.B. Ittner from St. Louis was the architect on the project and their firm was nationally recognized specifically for designing school buildings. The building was constructed with classical Georgian architecture. Grandview has had three notable expansions since it’s original build and these include the 1931 expansion of both bings to each side of the building, the 1957 addition of the gymnasium, and the 1971 addition of the industrial arts wing.

Africentric Early College

Africentric’s new campus at 3223 Allegheny Ave spans over 55 acres. Africentric is a Columbus City School’s specialty school that incorporated elements of African culture in both the interior and exterior of the building that mirror the school’s specialty curriculum. Some of the brick patterns on the exterior walls are reminiscent of an African cloth called “kente”.

South High School

South High School was built in 1922 with a classical style by Richard, McCarty, & Bulford architecture group. The building was created to hold up to 2,000 students. The building underwent three renovations to prepare for 21st-century learning but kept its architectural style.

Hamilton Township High School

The current building of Hamilton Township High School was completed in 2009 by SHP Leading Design. The new building was constructed to pay tribute to the original 1939 Hamilton Township high school building. The brickwork, bell house, and two cupolas are reminiscent of the features of the previous building. Hamilton Township shows their school pride in a 53′ x 8′ mural depicting the township history, painted by Allan Bender of Blinc Studios in Toronto, Ontario and then shipped and installed in 2009 with the completion of the building.

East High School

Located at 1500 E. Broad St. on the east side of Columbus, East High School was originally constructed in 1922 by architecture partnership Howell & Thomas. The school underwent $28.2 million worth of renovations in 2009.

Columbus North International High School

Frank Packard designed and built Columbus North High School in 1922. In 2013 the building was reconstructed as North International High School by Jim Butz. In 1987, North High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Linden Mckinley STEM Academy

Linden McKinley High School was originally constructed by Howard Dwight Smith in 1926 as Mckinley Jr. High School. Four additions and multiple renovations were completed over the years and it was finally renovated in 2009 by Moody Nolan to support a complete STEM curriculum.

The post The 13 Most Beautiful High Schools In Central Ohio appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

The first time I tried stand-up paddle boarding I was in Costa Rica and I think I ate an entire beach worth of sand. Since then I’ve opted for calmer waters… Here are some beautiful places to go paddleboarding around Central Ohio.

Hoover Reservoir

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Hoover Reservoir is a calm and quiet place to paddleboard. Boats can only go up to 10 mph so the chance of a big wake knocking you off your board is pretty slim. There are multiple boat ramps that you can use around the reservoir for easy starting spots. Pack a picnic lunch and have the perfect chill summer day in the park and on the water.

Alum Creek Reservoir

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Alum Creek Reservoir is always popular for all kinds of water activities during the summer. You can put in off the beach on the south side for a more exciting paddle experience with the wake from the boats and jet skies, or you can head to the Northern portion of the lake for a quieter more relaxed, scenic trip.

Olentangy River

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There are six different access points of the Olentangy River. From North to South those are Broadmeadows Bridge, Northmoor Park, Tuttle Park, Olentangy King, Harrison Park, and Lower Olentangy Boat Launch. There are a few dams along the river, so for the least obstructed trip start at Broadmeadows Bridge and paddle for about 3 miles down to Northmoor Park.

Scioto Mile

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If you’re looking for a more urban paddleboarding experience then look no further, you can paddle the Scioto Mile which flows right through downtown at Bicentennial Park. You can put in from the boat ramp on the South East side of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

Not an experienced paddleboarder with your own board? Check out these places to rent them!

Windrose Outdoor

Alum Creek Marina

Lake Logan Marina

The post 5 Places To Have A Paddle Boarding Adventure In Central Ohio appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

In landlocked Ohio, sometimes a day in the water seems far-fetched, but luckily there are tons of river spots within driving distance for an amazing water expedition!

White water rafting is a combination of thrilling, terrifying, and beautiful, and it’s definitely an ego booster when you finish. Rushing across the rapids with your friends and feeling like you might tip at any moment is super exciting.

If you haven’t given it a try yet, I’d highly recommend it! Here are six places to get you started.

Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

Located in Ohiopyle, PA, Laurel Highlands River Tours offers three different levels of white water rafting. Whether you’re a pro or have never been on a raft before, there’s a route and guide for you! If just one adventure isn’t enough for you, you can buy full-day packages that include rafting, rock climbing, and zip-lining! Sounds absolutely epic, right?
Address: 4 Sherman St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Distance from Columbus: 219 miles, 3.5 hrs
Website: Laurel Highlands River Tours and Outdoor Center

Adventures on the Gorge

The New River Gorge has been a popular place for white water rafting for many years now. Adventures on the Gorge offers single-day and overnight rafting trips. I’ve never done an overnight trip but it sounds totally amazing! I hope I get an invite if you make the trip. They have options for all levels of experience, so bring your whole fam.
Address: 219 Co Rte 60/5, Lansing, WV 25862
Distance from Columbus: 223 miles, 3 hrs 40 min
Website: Adventures on the Gorge

East Race Waterway

Head to South Bend, IN to experience urban white water rafting. It sounded crazy to me too, but it’s actually super cool! The city of South Bend has learned how to incorporate outdoor adventures right in the heart of its downtown area. Each ride is super adorable too! $6 for one ride, $10 for two, or $15 for three. You can also buy a day pass for unlimited rides for $20.
Address: 126 North Niles Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617
Distance from Columbus: 253 miles, 4 hrs 20 min
Website: East Race Waterway

ACE Adventure Resort

ACE Adventure Resort has a thousand different activities for the most fun-fill outdoor weekend ever. White water rafting is just one of them. My family went to ACE for vacation and had so much fun. Half-day, full-day, and overnight trips are available at different levels.
Address: 1 Concho road, Oak Hill, WV 25901
Distance from Columbus: 217 miles, 3 hrs 40 min
Website: ACE Adventure Resort

River Expeditions

West Virginia Adventures

The post 6 Places For An Epic White Water Rafting Adventure Within 5 Hours of Columbus appeared first on Columbus Navigator.

There’s no shortage of lists of the most beautiful colleges and universities around the country. Luckily, here in Ohio, we have so many gorgeous campuses that it’s easy to make a complete list for our state alone.

From historic buildings to architectural gems, a stroll around campus at these colleges and universities will certainly inspire.

The University of Akron – Akron, Ohio

The university opened as Buchtel College in 1872 and it was only one building. That building still stands on campus as “Old Buchtel” but is now accompanied by pristine, modern buildings like the College of Polymer Science building with its 12-story reflective glass.

Akron is full of beautiful new architecture featuring a wide variety of interestingly shaped buildings and lots of modern looking glass installations. The Student Union building has beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows and is architecturally unique with its angular structure.

Website: The University Of Akron

Ohio Wesleyan University – Delaware, Ohio

via Wikimedia

With the red brick and tree-lined paths strolling through this campus on a nice day was quite serene and peaceful. Combined with the modern architecture, this small town university is a beautiful balance of new and old.

One of their most notable architectural features, built in 1931, is the Perkins Observatory which is home to the third-largest telescope in the world. Being close to downtown Delaware also gives students access to even more than what the campus can offer. Ohio Wesleyan also runs the Strand Theatre and two local nature preserves.

John Carroll University – University Heights, Ohio

This campus is perfect for a student that wants the traditional campus feel. The beauty of John Carroll lies in the symmetrical, Collegiate Gothic style of all the buildings. Everything meshes together perfectly to create an old, hometown vibe.

One of the larger buildings on campus is the Administration Building and it’s modeled after an English royal Palace-the Hampton Court.

Website: John Carroll University

Otterbein University – Westerville, Ohio

The Otterbein campus has a beautiful mix of new and old, urban and rural, and everything in between. Located in the highly residential area of Westerville, Ohio it’s easy to make this campus your suburban home. Alum Creek runs along the West side of campus giving students a great place to go relax or study while listening to the quiet water.

Built in 1871, the oldest building on campus is Towers Hall, a national landmark and home to many different academic fields. The Rike Recreation Center is one of the most impressive structures on campus. Spanning over 72,000 square feet, the massive indoor athletic facility holds all kinds of events throughout the year.

Website: Otterbein University

The Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio

via Wikimedia

As one of the largest universities in the country, this school has around 60,000 students and takes up nearly 2,000 acres of Columbus, Ohio. Located close to downtown Columbus the campus is in a great location for a multitude of opportunities. But this school doesn’t lack the traditional campus vibe.

The Oval is Ohio State’s central quad and is a beautiful green space for students to gather. The Oval is also the location of a few buildings from the National Register of Historic Places. Of course, we can’t leave out the legendary Ohio Stadium, home of the Buckeyes football team.

Website: The Ohio State University

Oberlin College – Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College has some of the best architecture around. Buildings such as Peters Hall will make you feel like you’re walking among castles. The Japanese-inspired pond designed by the original World Trade Towers architect is also a sight to see at any time of the year.
Surrounding the college is Tappan Square, one of the most frequently populated greens on campus that hosts a multitude of community events throughout the year. Oberlin is also home to one of the top college museums in the country, The Allen Memorial Art Museum.

Website: Oberlin College

University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, Ohio

This University is a gorgeous combination of community-campus and urban city living. Situated in downtown Cincinnati, you can get the feel of living in a busy city while still getting the close-knit campus vibe as you walk the paths through both the modern and historically styled buildings.

The university started out as Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio in 1819 but has since become the University of Cincinnati that we know today. One of their most notable buildings is the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, an angular brick building designed by Frank Gehry.

Website: University of Cincinnati

Miami University – Oxford, Ohio

In the total college town of Miami Ohio, this university’s full trees and traditional style buildings make the campus easy to call home. Some of their buildings are even on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1856 in a Greek Revival style, the Langstroth cottage is one of the cutest buildings on campus.

Miami is also home to the oldest functional dormitories in the state,  Elliott Hall and Stoddard Hall. The beauty of this campus comes from the revival styled architecture and large green spaces that join together in the person campus town setting.

Website: Miami University

Ohio University – Athens, Ohio

The Hocking River on Ohio University’s campus really adds to the overall community, home-town vibe here. As well as being scenic and beautiful there’s also a long bike trail running right alongside the river. Walking the path along the river just enjoying the fresh air really made me feel at home.

College Green is the central quad and it’s surrounded by multiple notable campus buildings including the historically recognized Manasseh Cutler Hall. The many green spaces partnered with all the hills in this 1,800-acre campus really make this a beautiful place to be.

Website: Ohio University

Kenyon College – Gambier, Ohio

Arguably one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, Kenyon College sits in the small town of Gambier, Ohio. Founded in 1824 this college has plenty of beautiful old architecture like Bexley Hall. The wide sidewalk stretched through the entire campus is known as Middle Path and is not only a beautiful way to get to class but a great place for students to hang out.

The overall cohesiveness of the campus gives it a real sense of community. With the main stretch of Gambier nearby the campus feels just like a home away from home. Whether you stroll through Middle Path under the full blooming trees or walk up to the gloriously rebuild Old Kenyon residence hall, there is something to see in every corner of this campus.

Website: Kenyon College

Case Western Reserve University – Cleveland, OH

One of the most beautiful times of year on campus has to be spring when the cherry blossoms surround the lagoon. It’s truly a sight to behold.

Website: Case Western Reserve University

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