Summer fun in all shapes, sizes and speeds

THEME PARKS

Zoombezi Bay

10101 Riverside Drive, Powell (Delaware County)

This water park, located next to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, features plenty of aquatic thrills, including water slides, the Wild Tides Wave Pool and a Tiny Tides area for younger visitors. The park also offers Summer Nights family-friendly movie nights on selected Fridays. Zoombezi Bay will also take part in the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson” on June 21, as water parks, pools and other aquatic attractions throughout the country attempt to break a Guinness World Record.

ADMISSION: Daily admission from $34.99, or $26.99 for children 3 to 9.

INFORMATION: zoombezibay.columbuszoo.org, 614-724-3600

BOTANICAL GARDENS/ZOOS

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

1777 E. Broad St., Columbus (Franklin)

The conservatory’s historic and beautiful Palm House has been wowing visitors since 1895. And this year, a new, 2-acre Children’s Garden offers fun and educational features such as a Canopy Walk and Hammock Lounge, Sandstone Bluff and Creek, the Learning Pavilion and the Wetland Explore area.

ADMISSION: $18, or $15 for those 60 and older, $11 for children 3 to 12

INFORMATION: fpconservatory.org, 614-715-8000

Dawes Arboretum

Credit: Doral Chenoweth

Credit: Doral Chenoweth

7770 Jacksontown Road S.E., Newark (Licking)

This botanical beauty spot, recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, covers 2,000 acres and features 8 miles of hiking trails and a 4-mile scenic-auto trail.

In addition to extensive wooded and wild areas, the arboretum has several themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, one of the continent’s northern-most bald-cypress swamps, a woodland garden and Dutch Fork Wetlands with six ponds, a prairie meadow, an observation deck and a shelter house. Visitors can also climb an observation tower for magnificent views of the entire arboretum.

ADMISSION: free

INFORMATION: dawesarb.org, 1-800-443-2937

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Credit: Joshua A. Bickel

Credit: Joshua A. Bickel

4850 W. Powell Road, Powell (Delaware)

One of the country’s most popular zoos houses 10,000 animals of 600 different species grouped in six distinct regions: Australia and the Islands, Congo Expedition, Shores, Asia Quest, North America and Heart of Africa.

Among the baby animals born at the zoo over the winter were Asian small-claw otters, a silvered leaf langur and a Humboldt penguin — all endangered species and all as cute as can be.

ADMISSION: $14.99 and $9.99 for children 3 to 9 for Franklin County residents; $19.99 and $14.99 for nonresidents

INFORMATION: columbuszoo.org, 614-645-3400

OUTDOOR MUSIC

Lancaster Festival

July 19-28, Lancaster (Fairfield)

This music festival, featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor venues in and near Lancaster, has been entertaining music lovers since 1985. The festival features a wide variety of music, from classical performances by the Lancaster Festival Orchestra to popular pop and country acts, including Martina McBride, who will perform during the event’s finale.

Other festival events include art displays and demonstrations, dramatic performances and kids’ activities.

ADMISSION: varies by performance

INFORMATION: lancasterfestival.org, 740-687-4808

Express Live!

405 Neil Ave., Columbus (Franklin)

This indoor/outdoor combo venue, near Huntington Park baseball stadium in Columbus’ Arena District, was once known as LC Pavilion. The unusual indoor/outdoor arrangement allows for shows and acts of all sizes.

Upcoming open-air outdoor concerts include Incubus on June 1, Jack White on June 4 (sold out; check secondary markets), Primus on June 5, Barenaked Ladies on July 11 and Lindsey Stirling on Aug. 8.

ADMISSION: ticket pricing varies

INFORMATION: www.promowestlive.com/concert_venues/express-live-columbus-ohio, 614-461-5483

MUSEUMS

Columbus Museum of Art

480 E. Broad St., Columbus (Franklin)

Art lovers who haven’t visited the Columbus Museum of Art in a few years are in for a treat.

An expansion completed in 2015 added 50,000 square feet to the museum, allowing the display of many additional works. The expansion itself is an intriguing architectural design of limestone and copper.

The Art on Wednesdays program, on selected Wednesday afternoons, features a behind-the-scenes perspective on the museum’s exhibitions and collection from guest speakers. Thrifty visitors can also take advantage of free admission every Sunday.

ADMISSION: $14, or $8 for those 60 and older and students 18 and older, $5 for children 6 to 17. Free admission on Sundays.

INFORMATION: columbusmuseum.org, 614-221-6801

Ohio Glass Museum & Glass Blowing Studio

124 W. Main St., Lancaster (Fairfield)

The glass industry has been important to Lancaster and Fairfield County since the 19th century, and the museum offers a look at some of the history, and fascinating glassware, associated with the region.

Visitors will see collections of glassware produced by local artisans, as well as from glassmakers around the world. A glass blower gives demonstrations during regular museum hours in the site’s glass-blowing studio and also offers classes for those who want to experience the art for themselves.

ADMISSION: $6, or $5 for senior citizens, $3 for children 6 to 18

INFORMATION: 740-687-0101, ohioglassmuseum.org

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COSI Columbus

Credit: Joshua A. Bickel

Credit: Joshua A. Bickel

333 W. Broad St., Columbus (Franklin)

Visitors to COSI, one of the country’s most acclaimed science centers, can enjoy old favorites such as the high-wire unicycle or the new American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery, which opened last fall. Visitors to the Dinosaur Gallery can see a full-sized cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton or climb into a full-scale model of an oviraptor nest — alongside 20 eggs. (Don’t worry. They probably won’t hatch.) The gallery also includes interactive exhibits that highlight ongoing paleontology research and the latest findings.

ADMISSION: beginning at $25, or $20 for children 2 to 12. Family Friday Night (last Friday of the month) offers admission tickets after 5 p.m. for $15, or $10 for children. Some exhibits have an additional fee.

INFORMATION: cosi.org, 614-228-2674

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SPORTING EVENTS

Columbus Clippers

330 Huntington Park Lane, Columbus (Franklin)

Columbus’ triple-A baseball team makes its home in beautiful Huntington Park in the Arena District. Widely acknowledged as one of the best minor-league ballparks in the country, Huntington Park features seats in a variety of price ranges, and many special promotions and giveaways throughout the season, including the ever-popular dime-a-dog nights.

Each Sunday home game is Bob Evans Family Day, with two adults and up to four youth admitted for $15.

ADMISSION: $5 and up for single tickets

INFORMATION: clippersbaseball.com, 614-462-5250

Columbus Crew SC

Mapfre Stadium, Interstate 71 near East Hudson Street, Columbus (Franklin)

See ‘em while you can. The owner of Columbus’ beloved professional soccer team has plans to move the club to Austin, Texas. But whether or not the Crew winds up in the Lone Star State, Buckeye State fans have an opportunity all summer long to cheer on one of the charter members of Major League Soccer at its home in Mapfre Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium built in the United States.

ADMISSION: from $25

INFORMATION: columbuscrewsc.com, 614-447-2739

The Memorial Tournament

May 28-June 3, Muirfield Village Golf Club, 5750 Memorial Drive, Dublin (Franklin)

The world’s best golfers gather annually for this PGA tournament to pay tribute to the tournament founder and host, the legendary Jack Nicklaus. The $8.9 million purse — with $1.6 million to the winner — doesn’t hurt, either.

Past winners include Tiger Woods, Kenny Perry, Vijay Singh, Tom Watson, Ernie Els and, in 1977 and 1984, the host himself. Last year’s winner was Jason Dufner.

Each year, the Memorial also honors legendary names from the world of golf. This year’s honoree is Hale Irwin, a winner of 20 PGA Tour events.

ADMISSION: Weekly patron badges are $185. Practice round tickets are available online for $35 for a set of three and also at the gate.

INFORMATION: www.thememorialtournament.com; 1-877-682-2343

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Scioto Downs

6000 S. High St., Columbus (Franklin)

Although the venue, offering live racing since 1959, is updating its grandstand seating area, spectators can still watch live harness races five nights a week from the track’s clubhouse and Budweiser Party Patio.

Visitors can also wager on simulcast races from around the country or bet on slots or other games at the racino’s Eldorado Gaming parlor.

ADMISSION: free

INFORMATION: sciotodowns.com, 614-295-4700

FESTIVALS AND FAIRS

Ohio State Fair, July 25 to Aug. 5

Ohio Expo Center, Interstate 71 and East 17th Avenue, Columbus (Franklin)

One of the largest state fairs in the country, the Ohio State Fair features 360 acres of exhibit halls, animal barns, rides, food and entertainment venues.

This summer’s featured entertainers include Reba McEntire (July 26), the Commodores (July 28), Cheap Trick and Styx (Aug. 4).

ADMISSION: $10, or $8 for those 60 and older, $8 for children 5 to 12 (most concerts have an additional fee)

INFORMATION: ohiostatefair.com, 1-888-646-3976

ComFest, June 22-24

Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus (Franklin)

This festival was established in 1972 and claims to be the largest independent, volunteer-run festival in the country. Visitors will find alternative politics, local music, arts and crafts, food and drink and a certain aroma in the air that might take them back to their college days.

ADMISSION: free

INFORMATION: comfest.com

Red White & Boom, July 3

Downtown Columbus (Franklin)

You want fireworks? We have fireworks. More than anyone else in the state, in fact.

Ohio’s largest fireworks event also features a parade, live music, food vendors, beverage stands (adult and otherwise), children’s play areas, a beer garden and more during the daylong celebration of the rockets’ red glare, bombs bursting in air.

INFORMATION: redwhiteandboom.org

WINERIES/BREWERIES

Bokes Creek Winery

26211 Route 31, Raymond (Union)

Set amid the fields of rural Union County, this lovely little winery grows its own grapes and fruit and produces wine for a variety of tastes. Bokes Creek features live music on Friday nights and an open-mic session all day on Saturdays. There’s no food served on site, but you can take your own or order delivery from nearby pizzerias in Raymond or Marysville.

INFORMATION: bokescreekwinery.com, 937-358-2401

Rockmill Brewery

5705 Lithopolis Road N.W., Lancaster (Fairfield)

Specializing in Belgian-inspired ales, Rockmill’s Fairfield County tasting room is located at a former horse farm near Rock Mill Park, site of a scenic and historic covered bridge and restored 1824 mill.

Those driving to the brewery through Columbus might want to stop first at Katzinger’s Deli in German Village, which offers 20 percent off selected cheese pairings for Rockmill brews. The brewery’s beers can also be enjoyed at Rockmill Tavern, 503 S. Front St., in Columbus’ Brewery District.

INFORMATION: rockmillbrewery.com, 740-205-8076

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

ZipZone Outdoor Adventures

7925 N. High St., Columbus (Franklin)

ZipZone offers both a self-guided Adventure Park experience and two fully guided zip line tours.

The Adventure Park takes visitors through a series of elevated platforms connected by ladders, bridges, ropes, zip lines and other obstacles through the lush forest of Camp Mary Orton. Activities are appropriate for ages 5 and older.

The guided zip line tours, with visitors zooming from tree to tree, offer plenty of adrenaline, but less physical challenge, than the Adventure Park.

ADMISSION: Adventure Park, $46, or $38 for children 7 to 11. Zip line tours begin at $46.

INFORMATION: zipzonetours.com, 614-847-9477

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Trapper John’s Canoe Livery

7141 London-Groveport Road, Grove City (Franklin)

The venerable location has been offering canoeing and kayaking trips on Big Darby Creek National Scenic River for many decades.

Paddlers meet at the livery in Darbydale and can choose a variety of trips from “sampler” paddles of 1 to 2 hours to full-day, 12-mile floats from the confluence of the Big and Little Darby creeks in Battelle-Darby Metro Park. The livery can also provide shuttle service for paddlers with their own kayaks or canoes.

ADMISSION: Float trips begin at $16, or $5 for children 6 to 12, canoe or kayak.

INFORMATION: trapperjohnscanoeing.com, 614-877-4321