The heart of Ohio beats with variety of activity
COhio Statehouse
COSI Columbus
entral Ohio, ironed flat by glaciers, might not offer much in the way of topography, but visitors will find an abundance of historic sites, parks, family attractions and shops that more than make up for the area’s lack of fancy geography. Here are 10 must-see places to visit: BROAD AND HIGH STREETS, DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS (FRANKLIN COUNTY)
More than just the center of deal-making and politicking, the Ohio Statehouse is a beautifully restored Greek Revival structure offering tours, a state politics museum and a chance to see your elected officials in action, for good or ill. You’re paying for it, after all. (614-752-9777, www.ohiostatehouse.org) 333 W. BROAD ST., COLUMBUS (FRANKLIN COUNTY)
The Center of Science and Industry, located on the site of the old Columbus Central High School, is one of the country’s leading science centers and has been named the best for families by Parents Magazine. The center boasts areas such as Lab Space, Little Kidspace, Space and live shows. Plus, you can watch rats play basketball! And, visitors can become super-sleuths in the “Sherlock Holmes” exhibit, which runs through Sept. 1. For ticket prices and hours of operation, see Page J16. (614-228-2674, www.cosi.org)
Topiary Garden
E. TOWN STREET, COLUMBUS (FRANKLIN COUNTY)
The Georges Seurat painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte comes to life in the 7-acre Old Deaf School Park near a quiet neighborhood Downtown. Shrubs are trimmed to resemble the figures of the paintings as seen from a central vantage point. Visitors can join the topiary people and animals — some larger than life-size — for a picnic in the park any day of the week. (www.topiarypark.org)
The Book Loft
631 S. 3RD ST., COLUMBUS (FRANKLIN COUNTY)
Bibliophiles might never leave this 32-room bookstore, one of the largest independents in the nation. The Book Loft offers a labyrinth of bookish delights, spread through several pre-Civil War buildings in the city’s popular and visitor-friendly German Village neighborhood. And while there, check out the legendary cream puffs at nearby Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant. (614-4641774, www.bookloft.com, www.schmidthaus.com)
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 W. POWELL RD. (DELAWARE COUNTY)
The world-famous zoo earns its reputation as one of the country’s best. New this year is the Heart of Africa exhibit, in which visitors can view lions from inside a plane. True, the old 1956 Beech-18 aircraft will be on the ground, but it still makes an unusual viewing platform. (614-6453550, www.columbuszoo.org)
Velvet Ice Cream’s Ye Olde Mill
11324 MOUNT VERNON RD., UTICA (LICKING COUNTY)
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The mill is a fabulous place for ice-cream lovers and history buffs (despite ye olde annoying spelling). Velvet celebrates its centennial this year, and the 20-acre mill site, which also includes an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, museum and factory-viewing gallery, will be bustling with special activities this summer, including the Utica Sertoma’s Ice Cream Festival, which will take place Memorial Day weekend. (740892-3921, www.velvetice cream.com
Sherman House Museum
137 E. MAIN ST., LANCASTER (FAIRFIELD COUNTY)
The birthplace of Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman (and his brother, U.S. Sen. John Sherman) is now a museum with original Sherman-family and Civil War artifacts. It’s a great place to celebrate this year’s sesquicentennial of Sherman’s famous March to the Sea, which helped bring the war to an end. Just don’t tell your friends from Georgia. (740-687-
5891, www.shermanhouse.org)
Slate Run Historical Farm
1375 RT. 674 N., CANAL WINCHESTER (PICKAWAY COUNTY)
Visitors can experience life on an 1880s farm — part of the Franklin County Metro Parks — that features farm animals, demonstrations and a restored 1856 Gothic Revival farmhouse. Costumed guides plant and harvest, take care of the animals, and show visitors 19thcentury farm life in all its mudand manure-bespeckled glory. (614-833-1880, www.metro parks.net/ParksSlateRun Farm.aspx)
Cemetery prairies
(MADISON COUNTY)
The tiny, beautiful Bigelow and Smith cemetery state nature preserves near Plain City in northern Madison County harbored some of the last remaining tall-grass prairie plants left in the state. Seeds gathered from these quiet, beautiful cemeteries have helped re-grow prairie areas and spread the plants to other parks. (naturepreserves. ohiodnr.gov/smithcemetery; naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/ bigelowcemetery)
Covered bridges
(UNION COUNTY)
Northwest of Columbus, Union County is home to four historic 19th-century covered bridges — plus several picturesque modern additions — over Big Darby Creek, a National Scenic River, and its tributaries. The bridges have all been refurbished and are wellmaintained, and the drives between them are quite scenic. The county hosts an annual Covered Bridge Festival in late summer. (www.covered bridgefestival.com)