When the weather is nice, groups convening in Southern Ohio will like being outdoors, where activities starring everything from beer to polar bears await them.
Depending on the group’s makeup, planners can choose options to accommodate varying fitness levels (from a relaxing event at a farm in Dayton to a running tour in Cincinnati) and desired thrill levels (from a food tour in Columbus that will impress attendees’ palates to an adrenaline-producing zipline outing in Warren County).
Read on for more popular outdoorsy options to keep groups entertained in the southern half of the Buckeye State.
Cincinnati
Once upon a time, Cincinnati was the third-largest beer-producing city in the country, and today this storied brewing heritage is a tale the city likes to tell.
One way to learn about Cincy’s brewing culture is via the Queen City Underground Tour, a group-friendly outing that’s ranked among the top five underground tours in the U.S. by National Geographic.
According to Julie Calvert, spokeswoman for the Cincinnati USA CVB, groups first enjoy a stroll through the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood to visit buildings that were once home to saloons, beer gardens and theaters, and then descend below the city streets to explore recently discovered tunnels that were once vital to Cincinnati’s beer heritage.
“After all the brewing talk comes everyone’s favorite part, as the tour ends at the Christian Moerlein Brewing’s tap room,” she says.
Ranked among the top 20 fittest U.S. cities in 2013 by Time magazine, it’s no wonder Calvert’s next two outdoor recommendations in Cincinnati require attendees to work up a sweat.
At Washington Park, which recently invested $48 million for renovations, including new fountains and a stage, groups will find a variety of fitness classes for all skill levels from spring through fall. Popular options include yoga, Zumba and kickboxing.
“Groups can also enjoy live music or classic film screenings under the stars in the park,” Calvert says.
Via Cincinnati Running Tours, groups will explore the city’s history and cultural traditions during one of six 6.2-mile routes, including the signature tour that takes participants through scenic downtown parks, Amen Corner, the business district and Over-the-Rhine.
Columbus
An outing to Hocking Hills Canopy Tours is wonderfully suited to a group made up of both thrill-seekers and nature-lovers.
According to Beth Ervin, spokeswoman for Experience Columbus, this fun and exhilarating 2.5- to three-hour adventure is located in the scenic Hocking Hills, offering groups a refreshing escape from the city.
“Groups zip through treetops on a network of cables and adventure sky bridges suspended above the forest floor, overlooking a cave, rock cliffs, the Hocking River and more,” she says.
Back in Columbus proper, small groups can get acquainted with the city’s culinary scene via Columbus Food Adventures, which offers a variety of itineraries that Ervin says feature everything from standout ethnic eateries to the city’s famous taco truck scene.
“This is a true way to experience the foods we know and love here,” she says, adding that groups can travel by air-conditioned van or foot. “Either way, delicious food will be consumed and participants will meet leaders of the local culinary industry.”
And at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which accommodates groups of up to 10,000 people, attendees will find interactive experiences, including private polar bear viewings, as well as a variety of event options, such as a cocktail reception with manatees.
“The recently opened Heart of Africa exhibit allows visitors to ride camels, feed giraffes and get close to lions,” Ervin says.
Dayton
Five Rivers MetroParks encompasses 25-plus parks and 16,000 acres in Montgomery County.
Two highlights of this park system that appeal to groups, according to Bev Rose, spokeswoman for the Dayton CVB, are Cox Arboretum MetroPark, which features walking trails and a variety of beautiful gardens, and RiverScape MetroPark.
“Located in downtown Dayton along the banks of the Great Miami River, this ‘walking park’ allows groups to visit various Dayton ‘invention stations,’” she says, explaining that the stroll pays tribute to Dayton inventions, from the airplane and cash register to the electric car starter and the pop-top can.
The park also sports a large covered pavilion for outdoor concerts and other activities throughout the year, and an ice rink is open under the pavilion during winter.
“Groups will enjoy the gorgeous flowers and river views and the ‘mental refresh’ that can only come from being outside and communing with nature,” Rose says.
At Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, a picturesque 200-acre nature complex, there are six miles of walking trails, various gardens and the new Farm Discovery Center, which is available for group gatherings, according to Rose.
Aullwood also hosts a number of special events throughout the year that groups might enjoy, including AppleFest in fall and FarmBabies in spring, Rose adds.
Warren County
Ozone Zipline Adventures, located in Oregonia, offers group zipline tours that are well-suited for teambuilding, adventure and fun, according to Mary Fessler, spokeswoman for the Warren County CVB.
“Encouraging colleagues to take that first leap and then cheering their success is a perfect way to build camaraderie and trust,” she says, adding that there are three different day tour options ranging from approximately 2.5 to five hours in length, as well as seasonal full moon nighttime zipping. “Knowledgeable guides add interesting nature and eco info throughout the tours, and the beautiful treetop and river views are breathtaking.”
Ozone is located at Camp Kern, which also offers horseback riding and overnight accommodations.
Also in Warren County is Kings Island, which is the Midwest’s largest amusement park, sporting some 80 rides and attractions, including the popular wooden Diamondback rollercoaster. Group ticket sales are available and picnic outings are accommodated.
Clinton County
In Clinton County, Bonnybrook Farms is a historic 370-acre working farm in Clarksville, where groups can enjoy a chuck wagon event during summer.
This fun farm event culminates with a barbecue dinner followed by a wagon ride to the creek, where attendees can enjoy homemade cobblers and cookies, tin cup coffee and s’mores roasted around the campfire.
Lantern Light Rides are offered in autumn months.
Another unique option in Clinton County is its Barn Quilt Trail, which mixes the area’s agricultural history and artistry. Groups can take a self-guided tour through the picturesque countryside to visit up to 54 area barns adorned with hand-painted quilt squares. Interested groups can check in with the Clinton County CVB, which has produced brochures filled with the history of each barn and quilt pattern.
