Ashley Curl: My 3 Favorite Columbus Day Dates
by Ashley Curl, founder of columbussocialite.com
My favorite time of the year is quickly approaching: Fall. It brings boots season, OSU football and the weather that makes it easy to be outside.
Fall is the perfect time to grab your significant other and experience the city for a day of romance, adventure and fun. Here are three of my recommendations for the perfect day date:
1. Segways + Brunch
Start the day off with a fun two-hour ride around the city-on a Segway. Explore the Short North, Scioto River and Downtown with a ride you won't forget from SegAway Tours of Columbus. You may think you look silly cruising along High Street in your helmet (safety first!), but you and your date will enjoy learning the history of Columbus along the way.segawaytoursofcolumbus.com
Once you complete your ride, head over to Pint House (my fiancé's favorite) for the best soft pretzels in town and a mimosa. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Not only are the libations refreshing, but the retractable roof in the beer garden is perfect with a fall breeze.shortnorthpinthouse.com
2. Apple Picking
Bring out your inner child and head to Pataskala, Ohio, a nearby suburb to enjoy a little outside fun at Lynd Fruit Farm. You can pick apples between September and October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Whether you enjoy Gala, Honeycrisp or McIntosh apples, the farm has a variety of apples to choose from. Be sure to view their website to see when and what can be picked each weekend.
My fiancé and I did this last fall, and it was so much fun. He wasn't so sure what he was getting himself into, but once we parked, we purchased a 10-pound bag and began going tree to tree. (You can either pay for a 10-pound or 20-pound bag, which ranges from $15 to $35, depending on the type of apple.)lyndfruitfarm.com
3. Kayaking + Horseback Riding
Located in Logan, Ohio, Hocking Hills is a little over an hour away from Columbus and can be the perfect day trip date. From kayaking to horseback riding, you will have a memorable and adventurous day. A couple of my favorite places to visit are Happy Trails Horseback Rides and Hocking Hills Adventures.
I've driven down to Happy Trails a few years in a row and enjoyed the hour-long horseback ride along the trails. From the autumn weather to the intimate setting, it's a perfect place for a quick getaway with your better half. Happy Trails has also recently partnered with Hocking Hills Adventures, offering packages of canoeing and horseback riding. Cabrewing anyone?
Enjoy the 15-mile stretch of natural beauty on the Hocking River and if a canoe isn't for you, you can float down the river in a raft, tube or kayak. Just don't forget your koozies!hthorsebackrides.com,hockinghillscanoeing.com