This post is written by Carol Allerding, Events Director for Experience Columbus.

As summer was drawing to a close for me and my 17-year-old daughter, I was looking for an adventure to mark the beginning of her senior year in high school. We decided upon the Zip Line Safari at the Wilds, and it did not disappoint.

Neither of us had ever zip lined before, so we were excited and anxious when we arrived. Unfortunately we had made our reservation on a 95-degree day, and the 2 1/2-hour tour was not going to be complete until 12:30 p.m. It was hot, but did not detract from the adventure.

Our experience started at the highest point of the preserve by gearing up and training on a ground zip line. Gearing up is the first step in making you feel safe and secure, but it also makes you feel like a high ropes performer. Don’t know how many of you have experienced this before, but I sure that is a normal reaction. The instructors were great (Matt and Jimmy,) and they gave us the all-important hand signals and tips for not catching your fingers when you come into a tower. Our group consisted of a family of four from Michigan (Michigan State, not that other town) and two local ladies. You can bring a camera and water to drink, but everything must be secured by carabiners. I’m sure experienced zip liners have additional recommendations. I wish I had brought binoculars.

Climbing up the first platform gave us a taste for the rest of our day that would be spent looking above everything else. Because of the heat, most of the animals were either in the lakes or seeking shade, so we concentrated on soaring above the preserve. Our guides stopped on every platform to point out animals in that section and give us history on the land itself; sometimes filling in with jokes and stories about the area.

My daughter is 90 pounds, and required a good push off some of the longer platforms to reach the other side, but the rides were amazing. There were two in the trees, three over lakes and the rest over animal pastures, for a total of ten air rides on a cable. Sometimes, it was just amazing to be gliding above all the beauty that is now The Wilds. The most memorable was riding over 80 feet above the largest body of water and looking down at the animals that were cooling off from the hot day. I don’t know how this compares to zip lines in the trees, but it gave an amazing perspective to everything below.
Our last thrill was to rappel off the final tower and that added to the fun of the day. I would recommend this adventure for anyone that loves a little twist to the ordinary!

COSI

This post is part 5 of a 6 part series featuring Experience Columbus Days , which takes place Oct. 8-11. During that time, Columbus attractions offer 50% off (or in some cases, BOGO or free admission). Plus, the restaurants of Dine Originals Columbus offer 25% off your food bill for two people.

In this post, Cathe features things to do that are fun for the entire family during Experience Columbus Days. You can also check out previous posts that feature delicious dining options , plus outings that are great for groups , great for dates and perfect for art fans . Stay tuned for the last post in the series - we’ll feature Experience Columbus Days activities that are recommended for history buffs.

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With 50% off admission (or BOGO) at so many attractions, it’s crazy not to take the entire family—kids and all—out and about during Experience Columbus Days.

It looks like we’re in for good weather this weekend but regardless of how it shapes up, there are both indoor and outdoor options. (more…)

This post is part 3 of a 6 part series featuring Experience Columbus Days , which takes place Oct. 8-11. During that time, Columbus attractions offer 50% off (or in some cases, BOGO or free admission). Plus, the restaurants of Dine Originals Columbus offer 25% off your food bill for two people.

In this post, Kelly features some Experience Columbus days ideas that would be great for dates . Stay tuned for future posts in the series - we’ll be featuring Experience Columbus Days activities that are perfect for art fans, fun for kids and recommended for history buffs. You can also check out previous posts featuring outings that are great for groups and delicious dining options .

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Looking for a new date idea? There are some great options within the Experience Columbus Days discount offers. Several activities that are great for dates are highlighted below, so get planning. After all, nothing strengthens a relationship like sharing a new experience together. (more…)

Why is it that our to-do lists, filled with places we want to visit and restaurants we want to try, always seem to grow rather than get smaller? When my fiance and I found ourselves with a free weekend recently, we decided to take full advantage and finally cross an item off our list. After much debate—yes, the list is that long—we settled on the Wilds .

Located in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in the country. Rare and endangered species from around the world live in this 10,000-acre, open-range habitat. Take one of the several tours offered, and you will get an up close and personal look into this extraordinary world. Only 74 miles from Columbus, the breathtaking views—think open land and rolling hills—made it hard to believe we were still in Ohio.

Once there, we opted for the Open Air Safari, a 2-½ hour tour of the open-range animal areas. We felt like we were entering a scene from Jurassic Park, minus the dinosaurs. Buffalo, giraffe, rhinos and more roamed about freely. A curious few even ventured near enough to the bus for some great candid shots. Along the way, our tour guide shared a wealth of knowledge, fun facts and funny stories with us. At the end of the day, we walked away with more information, stunning pictures and a deeper appreciation for the Wilds’ mission to “advance conservation through science, education and personal experience.”

If the Wilds is not already on your to-do list, it should be. Complete details on tours, pricing and special events can be found here .