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13 Easy Day Trips from Columbus, Ohio that are Perfect for Families

Plan an easy road trip from Columbus Ohio from this list featuring 11 day trips from Columbus that are within a one hour drive AND great for families!

There really are so many fun things to do with kids in Ohio! I’ve put together this list of easy day trips from Columbus, Ohio that are great for families. These are all road trips you can do in one day.

Even though there are so many fun things to do in Columbus, sometimes we need a little change of scenery! And there are so many hidden gems in Ohio! I love when we discover a cute little downtown area, an amazing park or a great museum that is just outside of Columbus! It’s like being on vacation, even though you’re just a short drive away!

Archway in Hartman Rock Garden in Springfield, Ohio, an easy day trip from Columbus, Ohio.
Hartman Rock Garden in Springfield, Ohio.

Check out the incredibly creative Hartman Rock Garden in Springfield, Ohio, learn all about Ohio’s aviation history in Greene County or let the kids get hands on with science at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology in Newark, Ohio!

boys at The Works Museum in Newark, Ohio just 40 minutes from Columbus.
The Works Museum in Newark, Ohio.

Explore some pretty cool parks like Wegerzyn Gardens in Dayton or Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio! Or check out the cool gravity rail at Aldersgate Park in Marysville!

Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio is just one hour from Columbus, Ohio.
Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

With one of these day trips from Columbus, you can spend a day exploring an Ohio town that is guaranteed to be filled with surprises! We have had so much fun taking these trips!

family in front of a bi-plane in on a road trip from Columbus to Greene County, Ohio!

The criteria for this list is that the destinations are a one hour or less drive from downtown Columbus! So if you’re looking to break up the weekday routine or want a weekend getaway from Columbus, pick one of these nearby cities and go exploring!

If you’re looking to go a little bit further, check out my list of Ohio Road Trip Ideas that cover the whole state!

Easy Day Trips from Columbus for Families

If you're looking for ideas for easy day trips from Columbus, Ohio, this list is a great place to start! These family-friendly road trips from Columbus feature destinations that are all less than one hour away!

Ohio has so much to explore! Central Ohio is in the middle of all of it and I’m so happy we can take mini vacations to some pretty cool places! I hope you are inspired to plan a day trip to one of these places with your kids! Tag me in your pictures on Instagram @whatshouldwedotoday_cbus !

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11 easy day trips from Columbus, Ohio for families!

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