2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
oo d t Ou u n F
r
Favorite Outdoor Playgrounds Every Kid’s Playground at Liberty Park 2845 Home Road, Powell 43065; 740-881-5432; libertytwp.org The first “universally accessible” playground in Ohio — at least 70 percent of equipment has to be accessible to kids using wheelchairs, braces and other support equipment; also features an ADA-compliant shelterhouse and restrooms
Fancyburg Park
Millstone Creek Park
3375 Kioka Ave., Upper Arlington 43221; 614-583-5300; uaoh.net
745 N. Spring Road, Westerville 43082; 614-901-6500; westerville.org
25 acres; located off Kioka Avenue between Swansea and Wickliffe roads; playground; shuffleboard courts and sports fields; restrooms; picnic area and grills
15 acres; “Inclusive Boundless” playground; natural play area in a wetlands; gazebo and boardwalk; ADA-compliant bathrooms with changing stations
FANCYBURG PARK
2015 GO-TO GUIDE The
MILLSTONE CREEK PARK
Jeffrey Park 165 N. Parkview Ave., Bexley 43209; 614-559-4300; bexley.org
columbusparent.com
34 acres; playground for 2-5 year olds; nature trails with a boardwalk along Alum Creek; no dogs allowed; sports fields; shelterhouse; restrooms open from April-October
4
Thompson Park 4250 Woodbridge, Upper Arlington 43220; 614-583-5300; uaoh.net Located on Mountview Road between McCoy and Lane roads; playground; restrooms; two shelterhouses, grills, picnic areas; sledding hill; fitness trail and sports fields
SCIOTO MILE FOUNTAIN AT BICENTENNIAL PARK
With places to go and things to do for cent�al Ohio families
2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
o Go Tuid e G
Table of Contents
Top Family Attractions Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile
1 Letter from the Editor
The park is located at 233 Civic Center Drive (Downtown), Columbus 43215 and the Scioto Mile runs along the east side of the Scioto River from Scioto Audubon Park north to the Arena District; 614-332-5205; sciotomile.com
2 Maps:
*Central Ohio *Columbus Neighborhoods
With its 15,000 square-foot interactive, splash-pad fountain (operating April-October) and outdoor amphitheater, Bicentennial Park is the centerpiece of the Scioto Mile, an urban park with more than 145 acres of riverside land. The North Bank Park and Pavilion on the north end also features a splash-pad fountain. The area lights up every December with the Grand Illumination and throughout the year hosts numerous festivals and concerts. Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Free.
4 Places to Go:
*Top Family Attractions *More Local Attractions *Daytrippin’ Destinations
6 Things to Do:
*Fairs and Festivals: From July 2015-June 2016 *Family Entertainment: Theater, dance, music and more *Spectator Sports
Columbus Commons ZOOMBEZI BAY
10 Outdoor Fun:
*Our Great Parks *Favorite Outdoor Playgrounds *Favorite Sledding Hills *Favorite Splash Pads
15 Indoor Fun:
*Favorite Free Indoor Play Spaces *Favorite Library Children’s Areas *Play Cafes
2014 Best of Columbus/ Family Faves:
columbusparent.com
The results of Columbus Parent’s annual contest to recognize family-favorite restaurants, retail, destinations and events, as determined by our readers’ votes FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY
160 S. High St. (Downtown), Columbus 43215; 614-227-3788; columbuscommons.org Opened in 2011 on the 7-acre site of the former Columbus City Center mall, the Commons has quickly become a focal point for family fun and entertainment in central Ohio. The park features a carousel, gardens, a performance stage for world-class entertainment and a large lawn for concert seating, an outdoor reading room, life-size chess set and food service. The Commons for Kids programming on Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (late May-late August) offers free activities and games. Food Truck Thursdays are a popular summertime lunch destination. Hours: open dusk to dawn. Free (except for some concerts).
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 Powell Road, Powell 43065; 614-645-3400; columbuszoo.org Consistently voted one of the best zoos in the country, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. Its 582 acres are divided into six geographic regions of the world, including the Heart of Africa, the Polar Frontier and North America. The complex also includes the Zoombezi Bay water park (see separate listing). Extensive year-round education programs. The Wildlights display in mid-November through early January is a highlight of the central Ohio holiday season. The Zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours vary by season. Current admission costs: $14.99 ages 10-59, $10.99 ages 60+, $9.99 ages 2-9, free under 2. Parking $8. Annual family membership $99 includes free or reduced admission to 100+ U.S. zoos.
columbusparent.com
2
Pla t o Gc es o
2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
5 201
3
2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
o Go Tuid e G
Table of Contents
Top Family Attractions Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile
1 Letter from the Editor
The park is located at 233 Civic Center Drive (Downtown), Columbus 43215 and the Scioto Mile runs along the east side of the Scioto River from Scioto Audubon Park north to the Arena District; 614-332-5205; sciotomile.com
2 Maps:
*Central Ohio *Columbus Neighborhoods
With its 15,000 square-foot interactive, splash-pad fountain (operating April-October) and outdoor amphitheater, Bicentennial Park is the centerpiece of the Scioto Mile, an urban park with more than 145 acres of riverside land. The North Bank Park and Pavilion on the north end also features a splash-pad fountain. The area lights up every December with the Grand Illumination and throughout the year hosts numerous festivals and concerts. Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Free.
4 Places to Go:
*Top Family Attractions *More Local Attractions *Daytrippin’ Destinations
6 Things to Do:
*Fairs and Festivals: From July 2015-June 2016 *Family Entertainment: Theater, dance, music and more *Spectator Sports
Columbus Commons ZOOMBEZI BAY
10 Outdoor Fun:
*Our Great Parks *Favorite Outdoor Playgrounds *Favorite Sledding Hills *Favorite Splash Pads
15 Indoor Fun:
*Favorite Free Indoor Play Spaces *Favorite Library Children’s Areas *Play Cafes
2014 Best of Columbus/ Family Faves:
columbusparent.com
The results of Columbus Parent’s annual contest to recognize family-favorite restaurants, retail, destinations and events, as determined by our readers’ votes FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY
160 S. High St. (Downtown), Columbus 43215; 614-227-3788; columbuscommons.org Opened in 2011 on the 7-acre site of the former Columbus City Center mall, the Commons has quickly become a focal point for family fun and entertainment in central Ohio. The park features a carousel, gardens, a performance stage for world-class entertainment and a large lawn for concert seating, an outdoor reading room, life-size chess set and food service. The Commons for Kids programming on Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (late May-late August) offers free activities and games. Food Truck Thursdays are a popular summertime lunch destination. Hours: open dusk to dawn. Free (except for some concerts).
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 Powell Road, Powell 43065; 614-645-3400; columbuszoo.org Consistently voted one of the best zoos in the country, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. Its 582 acres are divided into six geographic regions of the world, including the Heart of Africa, the Polar Frontier and North America. The complex also includes the Zoombezi Bay water park (see separate listing). Extensive year-round education programs. The Wildlights display in mid-November through early January is a highlight of the central Ohio holiday season. The Zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours vary by season. Current admission costs: $14.99 ages 10-59, $10.99 ages 60+, $9.99 ages 2-9, free under 2. Parking $8. Annual family membership $99 includes free or reduced admission to 100+ U.S. zoos.
columbusparent.com
2
Pla t o Gc es o
2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
5 201
3
2015 FAMILY GO-TO GUIDE
oo d t Ou u n F
r
Favorite Outdoor Playgrounds Every Kid’s Playground at Liberty Park 2845 Home Road, Powell 43065; 740-881-5432; libertytwp.org The first “universally accessible” playground in Ohio — at least 70 percent of equipment has to be accessible to kids using wheelchairs, braces and other support equipment; also features an ADA-compliant shelterhouse and restrooms
Fancyburg Park
Millstone Creek Park
3375 Kioka Ave., Upper Arlington 43221; 614-583-5300; uaoh.net
745 N. Spring Road, Westerville 43082; 614-901-6500; westerville.org
25 acres; located off Kioka Avenue between Swansea and Wickliffe roads; playground; shuffleboard courts and sports fields; restrooms; picnic area and grills
15 acres; “Inclusive Boundless” playground; natural play area in a wetlands; gazebo and boardwalk; ADA-compliant bathrooms with changing stations
FANCYBURG PARK
2015 GO-TO GUIDE The
MILLSTONE CREEK PARK
Jeffrey Park 165 N. Parkview Ave., Bexley 43209; 614-559-4300; bexley.org
columbusparent.com
34 acres; playground for 2-5 year olds; nature trails with a boardwalk along Alum Creek; no dogs allowed; sports fields; shelterhouse; restrooms open from April-October
4
Thompson Park 4250 Woodbridge, Upper Arlington 43220; 614-583-5300; uaoh.net Located on Mountview Road between McCoy and Lane roads; playground; restrooms; two shelterhouses, grills, picnic areas; sledding hill; fitness trail and sports fields
SCIOTO MILE FOUNTAIN AT BICENTENNIAL PARK
With places to go and things to do for cent�al Ohio families