Whether we like it or not, we all know that summer goes by way too fast.
There is so much to do around town any time of the year, but summer is its own thing entirely. From concerts and festivals to hiking and watersports, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
Let’s get out there and enjoy the warm weather and summer vibes while they last, friends.
Visit a sunflower field
From the golden sunlight to the golden flowers, a sunset visit to one of central Ohio’s sunflower fields is something that you absolutely need to do while the flowers are still blooming. You can have a gorgeous photo op and then buy a flower or two to take with you. The Coshocton Sunflower Festival and The Patch on 37 are both fantastic fields to visit.
Chill out with some outdoor yoga
Life is stressful, so why not enjoy the last days of summer while outside and doing something great for your body. From free sessions in parks to Cave Yoga, you’ve got plenty of options to park yourself and your mat somewhere gorgeous.
Balance the day away while paddleboarding
This is one of the most time-sensitive activities because before you know it you won’t want to risk falling off your paddleboard into the water. If you have your own board, there are plenty of waterways around Columbus to put in and paddle away. But if you are looking to rent a board for the afternoon, you can head to the marina at Alum Creek for a day of fun in the sun.
Go fruit picking
U-pick farms are available Spring through Fall. Late summer is a great time to grab both peaches and apples around Columbus, and nothing says summer weekend quite like some homemade apple pie made with freshly-picked local apples. Wondering where to go pick? Check out Cherry Hawk Farm in Marysville.
Catch an outdoor concert
There are some incredible acts coming to Columbus this summer, plus plenty of opportunities to check out some awesome local musicians. From pop concerts at KEMBA! Live to fun nights like Picnic with the Pops, there is no shortage of music festivals around over the next few months.
Go to the drive-in
Wanna have an old-school kind of summer? A visit to South Drive-In is the just the thing. This summer the theatre will be playing some action classics, some kid-friendly films, and some new releases. Grab your crew, load up the car, and head to South Drive-In. You’ll have a blast.
Take a stroll around Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory is gorgeous all year round, but the park itself is at its peak in the summer. If you have little ones, the Children’s Garden is a fantastic place for them to enjoy the great outdoors. The Chihuly exhibit is always a treat to see and you should definitely make time to check out the Paul Busse Garden Railway.
Clean up your neighborhood
I think we can all agree that keeping the neighborhood looking fresh is worthy of our time. Cleaning up litter is something that the whole neighborhood will love you for, and it really is a great way to feel connected to your community. Obviously, this is an activity you could do all year long, but you’ll never have better weather for it than summer. Don’t forget to wear gloves!
Enjoy a meal or drink on your favorite patio
Looking for something yummy? Head directly to your favorite Columbus patio and enjoy a nice meal or yummy cocktail. Need some patio suggestions? How do rooftop views sound? This should go without saying, but, tip your servers, people!
Get some stamps in your Ohio Parks passport
If you haven’t heard yet, an Ohio Parks passport you can get stamped for visiting various parks around the state. Exploring Ohio has never been so rewarding and yes, even though I’m in my mid-30s, I still love the idea of getting a prize for doing something that I’d be happy to do anyway.
Take a self-guided walking tour through German Village
German Village is one of the city’s most iconic historic neighborhoods. Experience the brick streets, the beautiful parks, and the charming vibes for yourself by taking a self-guided tour. According to the German Village Society, “You’ll see and learn about historic architecture, as well as the way early German residents lived, worked, and built the village we live in today.”
Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Spend the day with some of the cutest animals in the world, including my favs, sea lions and seals. They’ve also had a slew of adorable babies born recently, some of which are already available for viewing.
Explore some public art
Of course, it’s always a good time to visit the Columbus Museum of Art, but if you’re focused on staying outdoors, you should really make time to check out some of the incredible murals we have around the city. There’s a huge variety of murals and street art in Columbus and we’ve got a guide to some of our favorites right here.
Cheer on the home team
Throughout the summer, you’ll find a handful of Columbus teams battling it out on their respective fields. Both the Columbus Crew and the Columbus Clippers will be playing home games throughout the season, so get yourself down to the Arena District and show them some love.
Take a stroll through the tree canopy
Blacklick Woods Metro Park is now home to an incredible Canopy Walk. The structure places you near the top of the tree canopy, offering a glimpse into a world we’d normally never see up close from the ground. The canopy walk is for visitors of all ages and it’s ADA friendly. Have fun exploring!
Enjoy a day at your favorite beach
Before you know it we’ll all be sipping pumpkin spice lattes and snuggling up in our favorite oversized sweaters. So before that happens, let’s just enjoy summer the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: with our toes in some sand. Don’t put that swimsuit away just yet! There’s still some fun to be had. Here are some beaches around Ohio worth checking out and here are a few places where you can splash around if that’s more your speed.
