Ohio’s gorgeous countryside delightful for roving families

Die-hard UH Warriors football fans heading to the Ohio State game Saturday may be in for a surprise.

No, not that shock … the Buckeyes are the reigning NCAA champions and considered a favorite to repeat this season, after all.

The surprise could come just before or after the game by venturing out in Columbus and the surrounding bucolic Central Ohio region.

Talk to Columbus residents and they will convince you that experiencing a game at the cavernous 105,000-seat “horseshoe” Ohio Stadium is a don’t-miss event that is worth the trip all by itself. But if the weather cooperates, September should be a perfect time of year to discover the region’s many other charms and attractions.

Here are three family-friendly suggestions to round out your trip, whether you are going to the game or, perhaps, taking your high-schooler on a tour of the area’s numerous small liberal arts colleges and large universities:

>> Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: In the Columbus suburb of Powell, this world-class zoo prominently stresses conservation and education. That’s true of many zoos, of course, but this one boasts a strong affiliation with its former director “Jungle” Jack Hanna, familiar to viewers of just about any TV talk show over the past four decades.

In his TV appearances, Hanna affects a goofy, somewhat disoriented persona, but he always manages to inform the audience about the animals he brings on the set. Likewise, the Columbus Zoo entertains with numerous interactive exhibits and consistently delivers a message about ecology, encroachment and extinction.

The large attraction is affordable, with our family of four paying less than $80 on a recent weekday. Admission prices are $12.99 for seniors, $14.99 for children ages 3 to 9 and $17.99 for ages 10 and up. Keiki under age 3 are free. Parking is $8 a car.

A couple of caveats on the price: The park has extra features, such as rides and events, that incur additional fees; an extra $9.99 at the entrance will cover all of those extras, or you can just pay as you go, a la carte. Also, weekday visitors may be disappointed to find some park attractions closed. A weekend visit is highly recommended for the most complete experience.

Still, the Columbus Zoo easily can fill a full day as you meander through the park’s continent-themed sections.

After about 5 miles or more of walking, we rewarded ourselves with the best meal — by far — that we had during our week in Central Ohio. Not far from the park’s entrance, at 15 E. Olentangy St. in Powell, we noticed the full parking lot at the Local Roots restaurant and figured that was a good sign. The wait was short, and the cuisine of locally sourced food was a unanimous success. Our family ate for under $85 including dessert and tip.

For more information, visit columbuszoo.org or call 614-645-3550; Local Roots, www.localrootspowell.com or 614-602-8060.

>> Gateway to Amish Country: Drive north from Ohio Stadium and out of Columbus and you will quickly be in corn and soybean country. Ohio weather can be tricky — and at times downright nasty — we were told, but you hedge your bets with a mid-September visit. If you luck out, as we did in August, you will be treated to bright blue skies, low humidity, warm days and cool, starlit nights. In other words, the perfect weather for a road trip.

Scenic routes abound, offering verdant vistas of cornfields, valley marshes and fun-to-drive rolling hills. Among the most scenic byways that we traveled was Highway 62, also called the “Gateway to Amish Country.” This two-lane highway winds through the farmlands of Knox, Holmes and Wayne counties, all teeming with town after town that put the “quaint” in “quaint farm village.”

But to fully appreciate the area’s charms (one town is actually named Charm), you need to do more than a drive-by. We made numerous stops along Highway 62, including the covered  Bridge of Dreams over the Mohican River outside of Brinkhaven, the short trail to Honey Run Waterfall in Honey Run Highlands Park in Howard, and the historic town of Millersburg, which features the Hotel Millersburg, one of Ohio’s oldest operating hotels, established in 1847 but tastefully renovated in 2006.

For more information, check out visitamishcountry.com and www.hotelmillersburg.com or 800-822-1457.

>> Hikes, bikes and canoes: As with its many scenic byways, Central Ohio offers outdoor enthusiasts abundant options. Bicycle and hiking trails, many along river banks, are plentiful throughout the region, as are canoeing opportunities — all providing up-close encounters with the Buckeye State’s gorgeous flora and fauna.

On several short hikes along the Kokosing River, we saw hawks, raccoons and at least one otter. We learned at the Columbus Zoo, and read at several trailheads, that the bald eagle population of Ohio is booming, totaling about 200 nesting pairs compared with four pairs in 1975. No confirmed sightings on our trip, but the possibility kept our eyes on the skies.

For biking and hiking, check out the Kokosing Gap Trail (13 miles through Mount Vernon, Howard and Danville), the Heart of Ohio Trail (15 miles, Centerburg to Mount Vernon) or Mohican State Park (State Route 3 in Loudonville, west of Millersburg and Highway 62). Canoes and kayaks are available for rent in several places along the Kokosing and Mohican rivers where we traveled. Prices vary, but at the Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe in Howard, rentals start at $25 for one hour and rise to $45 for 3-1/2 hours.

For more information: trekohio.com, bicycle-rental.regionaldirectory.us/ohio.htm or parks.ohiodnr.gov/biking and kokosingvalley.com.