As the temperatures begin to rise in Central Ohio, it’s time to stow away the lists of indoor activities and get excited about the opportunities for exploration and outdoor activities. Spring is upon us and Westerville is the perfect place to stay active and enjoy the outdoors – it is known as “the city within a park”, after all!

Westerville offers 650+ acres of parkland and 51 miles of outdoor recreational trails, ensuring endless days of enjoying the fresh air. Inniswood Metro Gardens is a beautiful place to visit in the spring for a walk around the 123-acre scenic botanical garden. Bring your four-legged friend to Brooksedge Dog Park featuring a big fenced in area with three separate sections for different dog sizes. One of Westerville's newest parks, Johnston McVay Park has a nature-inspired play area and the story book trail for kids. Visit Alum Creek Park North which features a large playground, a shelter to rent and an amphitheatre hosting the Summer Concert Series.

The trail system in Westerville is also a great place to walk or explore the city via bike, intersecting with various parks and playgrounds going right through the heart of the city and beyond. If you want to stop for a bite along the way, there are eight public bike racks located in Uptown Westerville to park your bike while you explore. View them here. For a longer ride, the Ohio to Erie Trail spans the state of Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland, connecting four of Ohio’s metropolitan cities, a dozen large towns, including Westerville, and numerous small villages.

Alum Creek South Park has more than 30 acres of land offering a variety of activities for people of all ages. The park includes a roller/street hockey rink, a skateboard park, a climbing feature, a 1.7-mile recreation path, soccer and sports fields. It’s also home to the only USA BMX sanctioned track in Greater Columbus.

If you’re a golf pro, or you just like to play the game, spring is the time to dust off the clubs and hit some balls. There are two golf clubs located in Westerville and the Westerville Golf Center offers an 18-hole mini golf course as well as batting cages to get some practice in. Not far away is TopGolf for a fun evening out with friends to practice your swing. Check out the options in Westerville.

While maybe not quite warm enough to swim at local watering holes and pools, water activities abound with Hoover Reservoir on the eastern edge of Westerville. This Columbus Metro park offers over 4,700 acres of peaceful and serene landscape providing a range of recreational activities including picnicking, hiking, boating, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and disc golf.

We know you can only walk, bike, run and explore for so long before you work up an appetite or need a refreshing beverage. Or, maybe you’re not into outdoor recreation and would rather taste your way through the city. This is where the “city” part of the “city within a park” comes in. Uptown Westerville offers many restaurants, breweries, wineries and more to get a true taste of the city.

Start the day with a donut from Schneider’s Bakery (you won’t be disappointed), and coffee from Java Central. For later in the day, Temperance Row Brewing/Uptown Deli and Brew not only offers a great food menu, but is also the first brewery in Westerville to open after the city lifted the dry ban years ago and offers a great selection of beer. Not far away is one of the newest establishments, Fattey Beer Co. and nearby is Good Vibes Winery or Meza Wine Shop for those that prefer wine. There’s a huge variety of restaurants from fast-casual, like FUSIAN or Northstar Café, to casual dining such as Barrel & Boar and Jimmy Vs to upscale restaurants like Asterisk Supper Club. Many of these establishments have patio dining options for those who want the fresh air without the physical exertion of outdoor activities!

Uptown Westerville also has a DORA, designated outdoor refreshment area - so you can grab a drink and take it with you to explore the district. Pop into many of the unique shops and boutiques along State St. Spring is the perfect time to update your wardrobe or find new home décor.

Westerville features several outdoor events and festivals in the city, many beginning in the spring. Don't miss out on some of the best produce and local food at the Saturday  Farmer's Market (opening day is May 20) and head Uptown on the 4th Friday of each month (May-October) for the Fourth Friday Festival to enjoy live music, food trucks, activities and unique shopping. View all the events Westerville has to offer in the spring and beyond on our events calendar.

Post by Michelle Downar