Day Tripper

One-day excursions from central Ohio

There are many ways to enjoy a day in Ohio, and a drive within the state often takes less than three hours.

Some suggestions:

Cleveland: Two hours and 15 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Western Reserve Historical Society and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Lancaster: 40 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, the Ohio Glass Museum & Glass Blowing Studio, Rock Mill and Covered Bridge historical park and the Raymond S. Wilkes Gallery.

Fairfield County: 35-60 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include Buckeye Lake State Park, the Amish markets of Rushcreek Township and Sharp Farm Market.

Hocking Hills: 70 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include Logan Antique Mall, the Ash Cave rock formation and the Rock House cave.

Nelsonville: 60 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Robbins Crossing Historical Village and Majestic Galleries.

Athens: 75 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include the Kennedy Museum of Art, Wolftree Winery, the Ridges Cemeteries & State Mental Hospital, the Dairy Barn Arts Center and Strouds Run State Park.

Licking County: 35-50 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include Great Circle Earthworks and Museum, Buckeye Lake Historic Cranberry Bog Tours and Granville Orchard.

Dayton: 70 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include a Walking Brewery Tour, the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Dayton International Peace Museum and the Wright Brothers’ Bicycle Shop.

Newark: 45 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include Dawes Arboretum, downtown Newark, Buckeye Winery and Goumas Candyland.

Cincinnati: 100 minutes from Columbus. Attractions include the Cincinnati Art Museum, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, Wolff Planetarium and trolley tours of the city.

Francis Pellicciaro is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.