Grove City: Trails, Gardens and History

In Grove City, nature experiences meet gardens and local history. Trails through old-growth forests, cliffs overlooking the Scioto River and activities on the river offer a range of ways to enjoy the outdoors. There are also gardens with distinctive plants and historic places that tell the story of the area’s agricultural past and development. When choosing a vacation rental, consider which of these aspects of the area you want to shape your stay.

Trails, Forest and Water

Scioto Grove has more than 7 miles of trails through old-growth forests and along scenic cliffs overlooking the Scioto River. Those who enjoy walking will find nature trails with forest and river views. Visitors can also canoe and kayak on the Scioto River in the same park. So both land-based activity and experiences on the water may be of interest during a stay in Grove City.

Another specific option is the Multipurpose Trail at Scioto Grove: this paved route is 2 miles long and designed for walking and biking. Its length and paved surface set it apart from the description of the longer trails through the forest and along the cliffs.

Fryer Park also offers opportunities to observe nature. Set in a preserved woodland area, the park is suitable for birdwatching and quiet walks. Park at Beulah features a 25-acre natural area surrounding West Water Run creek in the Beulah Park neighborhood. These landscapes give nature lovers several different reasons to explore the area’s green spaces.

Gardens and Sensory Exploration

The Gardens at Gantz Farm are planted with culinary, medicinal and fragrant plants. In the Garden of the Five Senses, visitors can experience the therapeutic properties of herbs and plants through smell, color, touch, sound and taste. The focus is not only on the plants themselves, but also on how they are experienced through different senses. If you enjoy combining nature experiences with a closer look at plants when planning a trip, you can make these gardens a focus of your visit.

Local History and Downtown

Local history is presented and preserved at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum, which also houses a diverse collection of historical artifacts. The Historic Gantz Farmhouse is a carefully preserved landmark that illustrates the area’s agricultural roots. Another historic park experience is Century Village: it dates to around the turn of the 20th century and is located on the grounds of Fryer Park.

At Park at Beulah, a preserved Historic Finish Line Feature recalls the park’s origins as a thoroughbred racetrack in 1923. The Grant-Sawyer Home, formerly known as the A.G. Grant Homestead, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was occupied by descendants of the same family from the 1840s onward. These places offer different ways to explore history, from agricultural roots and a former racetrack to a home with a long family history.

Town Center Park is in the historic downtown district and connects directly to multipurpose trails. The farmers market is held there weekly on Saturday mornings from May through September. When choosing your vacation rental, you can first decide whether you mainly want to include trails and nature, gardens, local history or the market in your trip. The right priority depends on which experiences will make your stay in Grove City special.

More places in the same broader selection: Columbus, Upper Arlington, Lockbourne, Whitehall, Westerville, Obetz, Canal Winchester, Worthington.

Back to the broader travel overview: Franklin.