Scioto Mile Park is an urban paradise located in the heart of downtown Columbus. Beautiful fountains provide a relaxing atmosphere and seating throughout the park allows visitors to stop and rest for a little while. The view of the city is uniquely beautiful and the atmosphere is perfect for a romantic stroll or a family picnic.

The Columbus Topiary Garden is a topiary garden unlike any other. Whereas the average topiary garden collects a bunch of random figures doing random things, this one is a unified work. It recreates Georges Seurat's classic painting ‘A Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ in three-dimensional shrubberies. Each life-size figure plays the part of a figure in the painting, and it is marvelous. An on-site museum will fill you in on the history of the park, the Old Deaf School, and the surrounding neighborhood.

Known as the second oldest park in the city, Schiller Park is tucked away in the German Village area of Columbus. A sprawling 23.45 acres, the park features lush foliage, picnic and gazebo area, playground, fishing pond, basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamond, walking trails and recreation center. The park was temporarily renamed during World War II when anti-German sentiment was widely popular in the United States.

The Franklin Park Conservatory is an institution serving Columbus residents and visitors since 1895. It has always been home to a wide range of exotic flora. The place has changed with the times, however, opening facilities for other educational and entertainment-oriented events. Today, it's famous not only for its plants but also for its James Turrell light installation and its Dale Chihuly glass exhibition. Throughout the year, the conservatory hosts an ongoing series of special events, some aimed at the science-minded set, others more like an unabashed party.

Spread across 60 acres (24.28 hectares), Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens can be found on the Agricultural Campus of The Ohio State University. Its 17 beautiful gardens are full of hostas, roses, wildflowers, perennials, tropical plants, shrubs and trees. The wide range of flora includes non-native and native species. It is also an environment educational base for those interested in horticulture. Enjoy the Labyrinth walk inspired by the renowned Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth or check out the green roof at Howlett Hall.

The idea for the Park of Roses was conceived in 1951 when members of two different rose clubs teamed up to share their love for roses with the rest of Ohio. The Park opened in June 1953 and continues to host the Columbus Rose Festival every June. There are 12,000 rose bushes in the park of 400 varieties, as well as other specialized gardens such as the herb garden, perennial garden, and daffodil garden, which houses more than 1,000 varieties of daffodils! Admission to the park is free, and it is open every day sunrise to sunset.

Inniswood Metro Gardens is a beautiful oasis where guests can observe the beauty of nature and spend time in peace amongst the many flowers. These gardens are wonderful for people of any age, children and adults alike, with scenic, winding walkways and a picturesque setting. There is also a children's garden in addition to a meditation garden and a rose garden.

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is a beautiful park in Galloway, Ohio, with miles of trails stretching over hills and winding through scenic settings. Home to a wide variety of wildlife, some of the popular animals here includes American Bison, deer and woodpeckers. Later, also pay a visit to the Nature Center for a closer look at some native wildlife and to learn more about the animals that live here.