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Staying Active

When traveling to a city for a meeting, convention or trade show, often physical activity takes a back seat. You may not know where to go or what to do, but we guarantee if you find the time before, after, or between meetings, you'll have plenty of options to get out and be active in Columbus.

Columbus has hundreds of acres of green space located conveniently throughout the city. There are so many opportunities to hop off the pavement and onto a trail, just a short ride from Downtown Columbus. Columbus Metro Parks offers more than 20 parks with over 200 miles of trails for beginner trailblazers and veteran runners alike. Terrains vary from flat fields and rocky ravines to breakneck bluffs and rugged ridges. The parks and trails are beautiful any time of year from the changing of leaves in the fall to the blooming of flowers in the spring.

The recently renovated Scioto Mile created 33 new acres of parkland in downtown Columbus. With miles of multi-use trails stretching from Bicentennial Plaza in the south to North Bank Park in the North, this is a great spot to take a stroll and enjoy both the city and nature.

Inniswood Metro Gardens, just northeast of downtown is a nature preserve featuring formal gardens and lawns, a trail, with a center for workshops and a library. Looking for a day trip? If you have extra time, head south to scenic Hocking Hills highlighted by cliffs, gorges, rock shelters, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Many Columbus parks, like the Columbus Commons, just a mile from the Greater Columbus Convention Center, offer free fitness classes during the summer months. Check out their website for class options. Lucky for us, there are many great parks in the city that offer fun activities and events all year round, so get out and start exploring – and don’t forget your camera!