Columbus, OH is a large city with many things to do. Whether you’re visiting the city, or you’re a permanent resident of Columbus, there is always something to do and something to explore here! However, you might at some point find yourself wanting to get away from the city life and the crowds. Living in a large city can be overwhelming at some points and you might want to get away, or perhaps you’re just looking for a new experience to take the family on! Maybe you have some extra PTO you want to use, or you’re simply just wanting to have a weekend out with friends. But the question you might ask yourself is where should you go? 

Before you can decide where you want to go, ask yourself what kind of trip you’re looking to take. You might be wanting a relaxing day trip, or an extended stay for the weekend. The good news is that Columbus, OH is stationed near so many other cities that can accommodate any adventure or escape you’re looking for! Whether you’re looking to travel hours away or stay closer to home, there are plenty of options for things to do! Whatever kind of trip you’re interested in, keep reading for a list of 7 fun day trips you can take from Columbus, OH. 

1. Put-in-Bay 

431 Catawba Ave | Put In Bay, OH | Put-in-Bay.com

Time from Columbus, OH: 2 hours  

Put-in-Bay is one of Ohio’s hidden treasures. Located on the shore of Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay is only accessible by ferry and offers a small, beach town atmosphere to enjoy! When coming to Put-in-Bay, cars are allowed but parking is limited. The common way of getting around the island is by golf cart rentals, which can be rented at most hotels or house rentals. Put in Bay is great for a family trip, a girls weekend, or even a relaxing weekend away by yourself! 

Whether you want to enjoy your days lounging on the beach alongside the lake, biking around town, shopping, fishing, or riding golf carts through the village, there is something for everyone here! Put-in-Bay may be small, but the nightlife is huge here and there’s a bar for whatever atmosphere you’re looking for. If you’re a fan of going out, Put-in-Bay won’t disappoint. After a night out, wake up to a view of the lake and a relaxing day down by the water!   

“A mix of things for people of all ages to do in the Village of Put-In-Bay. It has been called "the Key West of The Great Lakes," and I can see why. The harbor has the fell of a seaside town. Views are beautiful. It is worth taking a short walk around the harbor. Lots of restaurants.” – Yelp Review 

2. Breitenbach Winery in Amish Country 

5934 Old Rte. 39 NW | Dover, OH | Breitenbach Wine Cellars

Time from Columbus, OH: 2 hours

Nestled in the Amish Country in Ohio, Breitenbach is a must see stop if you’re out exploring. Whether you’re looking to make just a day trip out of it or extend your stay, Breitenbach is a winery you have to check out! They offer samples of every wine they offer for 25 cents a sample, and the winery is stationed in a quirky home perfect for pictures to capture your memories! If you have too much to drink, Breitenbach is also a bed and breakfast! 

While you’re at Breitenbach’s, it is worth taking a look around and exploring all the Amish Country has to offer in Ohio! There are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, and the beautiful landscape will make for the perfect backdrop to your family photo! From antique museums, great restaurants, and shops with homemade goodies, you can spend a whole day here. And if a day isn’t enough, stay the weekend and explore all the places you can at the Amish Country! 

“My wife and I took a day trip for some wine and music.  This place never disappoints. They make great wine and have such a beautiful winery and venue.  The food is good also. Especially the pizza. We met some wonderful people while sitting on the patio listening to love music and enjoying some wine.” – Yelp Review 

3. The Wilds

14000 International Rd. | Cumberland, OH | The Wilds 

Time from Columbus, OH: 1.5 hours

The Wilds is a wildlife experience like no other. Unlike a traditional zoo where the animals are in habitats that you can see while you walk a guided path, The WIlds offers a different experience. At The Wilds, you can choose from several different guided tours that take you out to the pastures on a bus or truck where the animals reside so that you can see them as close to their natural habitats as possible. Unlike a traditional zoo, you can see the animals out in the wild as you explore The Wild’s fields. 

There are different tours The Wilds offer, ranging from a two-hour tour through the pastures on a bus to look at the animals, to a longer tour in the bed of a truck that goes off the traditional path so that you can get up close and personal with the animals. Another aspect of The Wilds is the chance to go on their zipline course where you can fly over the animals and see them from above! The Wilds offers two different zipline courses you can take, each ranging from a short zipline experience to a longer one with more trails and ziplines to choose from. 

“I love this place!! The Wilds is set on over 100 acres I believe and it feels like you're in another country ... not Ohio. The landscape is vast and beautiful!” – Yelp Review

4. Lake Erie 

1566 S Shore Dr. | Erie, PA | VisitErie.com

Time from Columbus, OH: 4 hours

Lake Erie is a great place to go if you’re missing the feeling of laying on a beach, or floating in the ocean. While you won’t find an ocean here and the sand isn’t quite like the Bahamas, Lake Erie is a beautiful place to go with the family if you want to enjoy a day in the sun! You can lay on the beach and enjoy the sun, or head to the water to partake in the water sport of your choosing. Or, bring a pool float and relax in the water!

Not only does Lake Erie offer you a sun-soaked getaway, but there are also many adventures you can go on at Lake Erie! From waterparks, going to the theater, sled riding in the winter, and many amazing restaurants to choose from, Lake Erie is the perfect place to spend the day or extend your trip for the weekend! There are many accommodations at Lake Erie to stay at, and even more activities to explore.

“A nice place to get away from typical city living! Early spring and fall, once the kiddos have gone back to school, make for great uncrowded beach time on Presque Isle.” – Tripadvisor Review

5. Ohio Caverns 

2210 State Rte. 245 E | West Liberty, OH | OhioCaverns.com

Time from Columbus, OH: 1 hour

Deemed “America’s most colorful caverns,” the Ohio Caverns are definitely a must see for anyone who lives in Ohio or is just visiting! There are two tours available at Ohio Caverns: the historic tour and the natural wonder tour. The historic tour is a guided tour through the original caverns that were discovered between 1897 and 1925. Each tour offers a different look at the caverns, and if you have enough time you can take both! 

The natural wonder tour is a guided tour through the caverns discovered after 1925. The natural wonder tour is the more scenic of the two with features like the largest stalactite cave in Ohio. After your tour, enjoy a picnic on the property and enjoy the nice day! The property has many picnic site options to choose from, so you can either picnic in the sun or under the shade of some trees while you watch the sun set. If you’re a fan of adventure and seeing new things, The Ohio Caverns are a must visit!

“We checked out the Ohio Caverns and we were glad that we did. There are two tours that you can go on, the historical and the Natural Wonder tour. The historical was the original cavern and is the less spectacular one. Natural Wonders tour is highly recommended. If you have time, you can actually do both caverns.” – Tripadvisor Review 

6. The Lakehouse Inn and WInery

5653 Lake Road E | Geneva, OH | TheLakehouseInnandWinery.com

Time from Columbus, OH: 1 hour 

The Lakehouse Inn and Winery is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to unwind for the day with a glass of wine and a killer view. And if you’re enjoying yourself and want to extend your trip, you can book a room at The Lakehouse Inn attached to the winery! Wine and a view aren’t all The Lakehouse has to offer; they also have spa services you can book and they are always offering package deals to accommodate whatever stay you have planned! 

The Lakehouse Inn and Winery is also a great place to book a wedding along the lake, or even just a getaway with friends. Or if you’re looking for a single getaway to relax, enjoy a glass of wine and a view at The Lakehouse and enjoy a spa treatment! If you’re looking for your next girls weekend getaway spot, what’s better than a weekend full of sipping wine, lounging by the lake, and enjoying the amenities of The Lakehouse Inn. 

“There is no better one-day escape than this beautiful winery on a hill overlooking Lake Erie; my friends—who have toured New York’s Finger Lakes extensively—were impressed enough to make a second visit in September.” – Tripadvisor Review 

7. Holden Arboretum 

9500 Sperry Rd. | Kirtland, OH | holdenfg.org

Time from Columbus, OH: 2.5 hours 

Holden Arboretum offers so many things to do for anyone who loves the outdoors! With bird watching, hiking trails, and waterfalls to explore, there is something for everyone here! Holden Arboretum’s Kalberer Emergent Tower, a 120 foot tower, allows you to get a 360 view of the park and surrounding area. If you feel up to climbing the tower, the 360 view allows you to see the property from a new perspective. You can even see Lake Erie from the tower! 

If you’re feeling adventurous, they also offer canopy tours. On a platform hanging 65 feet above the air, you can walk along the trees and see nature from a bird’s eye view! If you’re not a thrill seeker, visit one of Holden Arboretum’s many gardens, or have a picnic in the park! Located just 20 minutes from the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, you can make a whole day or weekend out of it and explore both the wildlife at Holden Arboretum, as well as the many gardens at Cleveland’s Botanical Gardens. 

“This is such a lovely place. The canopy walk was on my bucket list for Ohio. It was safe and beautiful. I also loved the overlook tower. There is something for everyone here. From Japanese gardens to nature trails. Plus they have visiting artists. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting north east Ohio.” – Yelp Review 

If you’re a resident of Columbus, OH or you’re just visiting, there’s a good chance you could explore the whole city and never run out of things to do there. But if you’re looking to get away every once in a while, then taking a trip out of the city is a great idea. This could mean taking a trip for the day, for the weekend, or longer if you want. WIth so many surrounding cities, it is only a matter of picking a city that matches your vacation expectations!

Finding a place to visit can be hard, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of getaway you want. But Columbus, OH is not only home to many site-seeing options, but it is also close to many other cities with plenty of activities to choose from. If you’re looking to take a day or weekend trip away from the hustle and bustle of Columbus living, then this list of 7 places to take a day trip can help get you started as you plan your next adventure or vacation away!