Best Day Trips From Columbus, OH

If you’ve already visited many of the popular attractions in Columbus or just want a change of scenery, a road trip is a way to scratch that itch without busting your budget or blowing all of your paid time off on a more expensive and lengthy trip. With its central location, Columbus is right where you want to be when exploring other parts of Ohio and the Midwest.  

You can arrange many fun day trips from Columbus, including the easily-customizable options we’ve recommended below. Stop feeling stuck and start thinking about where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there!  

Explore Other Major Cities 

Access to numerous highways makes Columbus an ideal starting point for a trip to another city. There are many urban centers within road-trip distance, with others, like Chicago, close enough for a weekend trip! 

Northeast to Cleveland, Ohio 

At just over two hours from Columbus on I-71, Cleveland is close enough for a day trip but far enough away to feel novel. If you want to learn or immerse yourself in culture, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Museum of Art are must-visit destinations! For music lovers, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has enough memorabilia and events to make it the cornerstone of a trip. There’s also shopping at locations like the Arcade and many beautiful parks to explore.  

The return trip from Cleveland, OH to Columbus, OH takes just as long, but return routes on road trips often feel longer than the initial drive. Consider saving a few fun pit stops for the two-plus hours you’ll be headed home. When you’re nearly back, consider driving a little farther and stopping at the Field of Corn or Cornhenge in Dublin, Ohio, for a funny photo op! 

Southwest to Cincinnati 

I-71S can take you out of Columbus straight to Cincinnati, which is about two hours away. If you want to explore museums, Cincinnati has several fun ones to visit. The Cincinnati Museum Center has permanent and traveling exhibitions, a five-story OMNIMAX theater (also known as an IMAX Dome), and special events, such as theme cooking classes. You may also want to visit the Cincinnati Art Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, or the American Sign Museum.  

Many people come to Cincinnati just to visit the Zoo & Botanical Garden or to catch a game at the Great American Ball Park. There are also unique shopping options in Cincy, from cute downtown boutiques to the Kenwood Towne Centre shopping mall. If you prefer outdoor attractions, there are amazing parks in and around Cincinnati, including Ault Park and Glenwood Gardens. There’s plenty to fill an entire weekend, not just a long day! 

Cross the Border to See Parkersburg, West Virginia 

A roughly two-hour drive southeast on US-33 and US-50 will bring you over the West Virginia border to Parkersburg, West Virginia. Getting out of the state can make a day trip feel more like a real vacation, and Parkersburg is a charming place to visit for a day! You can take a ferry to the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, which is on an island in the Ohio River. Immerse yourself in local history at a reconstructed Palladian mansion, bike the paths on the island, or take a hike to observe local wildlife.  

In Parkersburg proper, there’s a beautiful historic district with impressive homes, the Fort Boreman Park commemorating a Civil War battle, and plenty of unique shops and restaurants. History buffs, in particular, will enjoy a trip to Parkersburg, but anyone can appreciate the area’s impact on national history.  

Immerse Yourself in Nature 

One of the best ways to structure a road trip is to set a beautiful natural attraction as the primary destination. There are even some beaches near Columbus, Ohio, that are worth a visit in any season, not just in the summer when swimming is an option.  

Soak up the Sun at Alum Creek State Park Beach 

Some of the best day trips are short. It only takes about half an hour to reach Alum Creek State Park from Columbus. People from all over come to camp, swim, or boat on Alum Creek. The 3,000-foot beach is the largest in the Ohio park system. There are changing rooms, showers, and restrooms. During the colder months, people come here for sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.  

Visit the Big Lake at Nickel Plate Beach  

A two-hour drive north will bring you to one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the country! Nickel Plate Beach is a local park managed by the City of Huron. Enjoy a swim in the waters of Lake Erie or head out in a kayak for a memorable adventure. The beach here has picnic shelters, grills, and even a permanent outdoor ping-pong table. Visitors may want to note that the lake has strong currents and that there are only seasonal, temporary bathrooms available.  

Hunt Waterfalls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park 

Some of the best national parks in the Midwest are right here in Ohio! One of the most popular national parks near Columbus, Ohio, is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With cycling paths, picnic/BBQ facilities, and famous waterfalls, such as the incredible Brandywine Falls, it has something for everyone. Head off the most popular trails to see Buttermilk Falls as well for incredible memories and photo ops! Hiking, kayaking, and biking are all great ways to see what Cuyahoga Valley National Park has to offer. It’s definitely worth the two-hour drive! 

Explore Rock Formations at Hocking Hills State Park 

Given how large and popular it is, many people think that Hocking Hills State Park is a national park, but it is managed by the state of Ohio. There are multiple famous waterfalls in Hocking Hills, as well as incredible cliffs and rock formations. River waters have carved gorges that create incredible vistas. There are also caves, such as the Old Man’s Cave, which you can access via the “Scary Bridge.” Hocking Hills is a popular place to hike and camp. With more than 9,200 acres to explore, it may be worth a longer trip! 

Make Your Way Home to Central Square Apartments 

While an escape is sometimes just what you need to break up the monotony of work and adulting, coming home is sometimes the best part of a trip, especially if you live at Central Square Apartments. Life is better here, in part, because of our accessible location near SR 161 north of downtown Columbus.  

Our 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments in Columbus, Ohio have air conditioning for daily comfort and large closets for all of your clothing and gear. They also have washer and dryer connections to make cleanup after a road trip easier. If you’d like to enjoy these amenities and more, a move to Central Square Apartments could be the right choice for you! Schedule a tour today to see our beautiful community and thoughtfully-designed homes in person!