Hop in your Chevy Malibu, Trax, or Trailblazer for exciting day trips just down the road from Pataskala, OH. Stroll through a magnificent heritage rose garden, one of the biggest in the country, see bison roaming free once more across Ohio’s prairies, and watch old programs on television sets from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.
1. Columbus Park of Roses
In Columbus, there is a unique 13-acre landscaped patch within the 149-acre Whetstone Park covered with over 12,000 different rose bushes in the Formal and Heritage Gardens. The astonishing Park of Roses, one of the largest in the United States, was created way back in 1951 by the Central Ohio Rose Society and the Columbus Rose Club and displays heritage roses from before 1867, before the modern era of cultivation began.
The Heritage Garden within the Park of Roses sparked an interest in old roses among avid rose gardeners, making heritage roses extremely popular. On a stroll through this magnificent garden, you will also see The Perennial Garden with 100 varieties of bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees. The Herb Garden is filled with plants used for food and medicines, fragrance, and pollinator qualities.
Address and Hours
The Columbus Park of Roses is at 3901 N. High Street in Columbus and is open from 7 a.m. to dusk year-round. Admission to the park is free.
2. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Take a short half-hour drive to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in Galloway to watch bison roaming freely across Ohio’s prairies once again. Battelle Darby Creek spreads out over more than 7,000 acres of prairies, forest, and wetlands along 13 miles of the beautiful Big and Little Darby Creeks.
Bison have been reintroduced to the park’s 1,600-acre restored prairie, and for a good view of America’s largest mammals, follow the Creek Greenway Trail or stand on the deck at the Nature Center overlooking the enclosed prairie. Explore the park on more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails with picturesque views around every corner. Kayak and fish in the creeks and enjoy a tranquil picnic at one of the beautiful picnic spots.
Address and Hours
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is at 1775 Darby Creek Drive in Galloway and is open from April 1 to September 30 from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from October 1 to March 31 from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
3. The Early Television Museum
For many of us, television is a relaxing pastime after a hard day of hacking away at making enough cash to enjoy life. Now’s your chance to take a retro step back in time to see where it all began. Head out to Hilliard to look at the old television sets in the Early Television Museum, founded by Steve McVoy. The museum features a collection of 200 tube televisions from 1928 to 1962.
There are fascinating mechanical systems from the 1920s, pre-war British and American sets from the 30s, and color sets of the 50s and early 60s. The televisions are all working, and you can even switch them on to view original programming.
Address and Hours
The Early Television Museum is at 5396 Franklin Street in Hilliard and is open Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Head on down Ohio’s highways and byways to exciting places and enjoy extraordinary experiences. Stop at Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala today for a maintenance service. Our qualified Chevrolet technicians will ensure your car is in top shape for an exciting road trip.
Image via Columbus Park of Roses.
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