Zoë & Kyle
Things to Do
Ye Olde Mill
If you're a fan of ice cream, you've got to take a trip to Velvet Ice Cream Brand's Ye Olde Mill! This idyllic little mill and pond is where the ice cream gets made. There's a little restaurant inside the converted mill where you can enjoy a fresh scoop (or two), or, if the weather permits, you take it outside and enjoy it by the pond as you watch the ducks! This is one of our favorite places to visit in the summer, and with an open season of only May - October, you'll be just in time to enjoy one of their last ice cream cones before they close for the winter and spring!
Market Street Soda Works
Here's another seasonal treat for ya! Open only May-October, Market Street Soda Works boosts Ohio's Best Root Beer Bar, with root beer on tap and over 160 soda-pop bottles, and soda floats of all kinds! You can catch them at their storefront, or check out their website to see all the special places (including some delicious food trucks!) that they'll be hanging out at.
The Dawes Arboretum
No matter the season, you can enjoy the nearly 1,800 acres of plant collections, gardens and natural areas at The Dawes Arboretum. If you're a nature lover through-and-through, then this is absolutely a space you must visit! You can explore the grounds on the eight-mile hiking trail, or, if you're feeling a little less ambitious (or you're cold in our October weather!), via the four-mile auto drive. The grounds are open daily from 7 AM until Dusk, so do be sure to get there before it's too late in the day in order to experience the beautiful grounds. If you choose to visit Monday-Saturday between 8 AM and 5 PM, or Sunday 1-5 PM, there is also a visitors' center, gift shop, discovery center and a bonsai collection you can enjoy!
Licking Park District
Looking for more to do outside? If you're staying near the wedding venue, you may want to check out the Licking Park District, which consists of over 1,619 acres of park land and over 40 miles of paved trails. At this collection of parks and hiking trails, you can do all kinds of activities like picnics, fishing, Disc Golf and more. There's even a 4-acre dog park if you decide to bring your furry friends with you! Visit the park district website to find your perfect adventure!
Newark Earthworks
Kyle and I both are history lovers - we both have/are working towards history degrees from Ohio University. So, if you're like us, you might want to do something that has some history to it. Visiting the Newark Earthworks might be right up your alley! The Newark Earthworks is the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world and was designated as Ohio's official prehistoric monument in 2006. This is a great way to explore Ohio's ancient history, but, from a wheelchair user's point of view, do keep in mind that this adventure is not the most accessible one. You might want to consider using a wheelchair or other walking aids if you struggle with mobility, as exploring the mounds requires extensive walking across significant distances. There are limited paved paths, no direct walkways to the center of the Great Circle mound, and even the parking lot is a little bit of a distance from both the earthworks and the museum. It's worth it, but help from aids is definitely welcome!
The Works: Ohio Center of History, Art, & Technology
If you've got little ones with you, this is a MUST! This is a great space for families to explore history, art and technology together. You can even learn glassblowing here - which, if you didn't already know, has a special place in Zoë & Kyle's love story. This is a pay-to-play kind of adventure, but it's always a hit among kids, and a great way to learn in a fun, hands-on environment!
Penn & Beech Candle Co.
There are a couple locations for this shop, so feel free to visit their website and visit whichever one you prefer, but this particular location is just around the corner from our first apartment together, so it holds a special place in our hearts. This is one of our absolute favorite things to go do on a lazy weekend. We love candles in general, so being able to pour them ourselves and create the unique scents we truly love, is so much fun. This location also has a special pup on staff - and we're not saying that's the *only* reason we go to this location over and over again .... but it kinda is.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Honestly, who doesn't love going to the zoo? Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the nation's top zoos, and we visit every opportunity we have. In October, the fun increases with Halloween lights, displays, and trick-or-treating stations for the kiddos.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Harvest Blooms is Franklin Park Conservatory's annual fall festival - and the event where Kyle proposed, Halloween Night, 2021 (yeah, we have a weird thing for Halloween). This event runs all October long (and, if you happen to be in town late September, you can help kick it off the Conservatory's Oktoberfest events), and is absolutely worth the visit if you have the time! There are HUNDREDS of Jack-O-Lanterns to look at all over the grounds, plus fun activities for all ages, and food trucks to keep you warm. Head inside the conservatory to the (glass-blown) pumpkin patch and choose your favorite to purchase and remember the evening by - we went on the last night of the event and there were still hundreds to choose from, so you're sure to find one you like!
The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek
Maybe you're looking for a romantic place to have dinner with your loved one? We love & whole-heartedly recommend visiting The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is casual but elevated, and the memories made are beautiful. It's a pricier joint, but you won't be disappointed, we promise.