The fall colors are fading fast, and even though some of us are hesitant to admit it, winter is just around the corner. It’s fair to admit that cold weather isn’t most people’s idea of a great time, but with the right knowledge on hand, you can plan for just as much adventure and fun in the colder months of the year as the warm ones.
Grove City, Ohio, might be one of the best-known hidden gems that Ohio has to offer. Best-known hidden gem, you ask? What does that mean? Grove City is one of the largest Columbus, Ohio suburbs. Depending on where you are downtown, it can be just a ten-minute drive away. Those who have taken the time to travel and explore Grove City have come to find that it has an impressive range of all-encompassing and exciting adventure options for people of any age range and ability.
With Christmas just around the corner, you may be looking to get a head start on some holiday shopping to beat the last-minute crowds. It’s highly recommended to check out Grove City’s Historic Town Center if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts. The most meaningful gifts are the ones with thought behind them, the ones you’ll never find a replica of again and that you’ll hold onto for years. Grove City’s Historic Town Center has just that. If you’re visiting, make sure to stop into Country Hearth Primitives for a collection of antique goods and home decor created by local vendors, all packaged in a quaint shop that holds over four floors of goods. If it’s art you’re after, Sommer House Gallery and Co. has just what you’re looking for. They offer custom framing and also dapple in giving old furniture new life by offering to stain, chalk paint, update hardware, and do custom carpentry work. If you’re into fashion, there are plenty of locally owned boutiques where you’re sure to find one-of-a-kind fashion items you won’t find anywhere else. Grace and 62 Boutique, Grove Sheek Boutique, and the Look are all also located in the Historic Town Center, all within walking distance of each other.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by our local brewery, Grove City Brewing Company. They brew their own beer in-house and have a delicious menu that’s sure to fill your stomach after a day full of adventures. If you’re more of a wine drinker, they’re conveniently attached to Plum Run Winery, where you can sample a variety of local Ohio wines.
If beer and wine aren’t your thing, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, such as the Italian American-inspired cuisine at Cimi’s Bistro, overlooking the beautiful Pinnacle Golf Course, or numerous pizza places across the city. In fact, if you plan to visit more than once, check out the Grove City Pizza Trek. Eat at all the participating locations and grab your well-deserved Pizza Trek t-shirt from the Grove City Visitors Center located in the Town Center on Broadway.
If you’re more of a nature lover, Grove city is surrounded by a plethora of outdoor hiking trails and metro parks. Home to the REI River Trail, Scioto Grove Metro Park boasts more than 620 acres of beautiful nature along the Scioto River, with mature forests and scenic bluffs overlooking the river. It has 3 miles of trails, picnic areas with shelter houses, and numerous overlooks. It’s one of the few parks around the word that is in partnership with REI, who helped fund the building of a backpack trail with 5 campsites. But even if you’re not looking to book a campsite, it’s a great way for backpackers to stay in shape during the colder months, or if you’re just getting into the sport, it’s also a great trail for beginners.
Grove City is also adjacent to Battelle Darby Creek, another staple for nature lovers to hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski along miles of snowy trails throughout the park. If you’re into cross-country skiing, the 3.2-mile Dyer-Mill Trail is specifically reserved just for skiers. If hiking is more of your thing, the 8.3-mile Darby Creek Greenway is perfect, especially if you want to get another peek at the two bison pastures it passes by.
Maybe nature isn’t your thing, but you’re still looking for something exciting and adrenaline-pumping? Gather your family and friends and head to LVL UP Sports paintball park, home to the largest paintball castle in the midwest. A colossal, multi-level structure, the paintball castle is open year-round and offers countless opportunities for fun for kids and adults of all ages.
Regardless of your age, ability, or the type of adventure you’re looking for, Grove City is full of things to do no matter the time of the year.
