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4 Amazing Day Trips to Take in Your Ford Near Pataskala, OH

A photograph of a waterfall at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio..
Hit the road in your Ford Edge, Escape, or Bronco for unforgettable day trips to some of the most amazing places near Pataskala, OH. Explore mysterious recess caves behind tumbling waterfalls, catch some sun on Ohio's longest beach, walk through an astounding topiary garden, and discover the magical structures and figures in an art garden.

1. The Caves and Waterfalls of Hocking Hills State Park

Take a drive out to Logan to discover the mysteries of the many caves and waterfalls in the beautiful Hocking Hills State Park. The caves are not holes in the rock but astonishing recess caves with overhanging cliffs, some behind picturesque waterfalls. Old Man's Cave was named after a hermit who lived in this massive cave in the late 1700s, and Ash Cave, the state's largest recess cave, got its name from the settlers who first discovered it. Both these caves have plunging waterfalls and are not only wrapped in mystery but also tell the story of thousands of years of geologic history when the Wisconsin Glacier began to melt, rushing through cracks in the ground, creating deep, winding gorges and caves. Hocking Hills State Park is at 19852 State Route 664 S in Logan and is open all year round from dawn to dusk.

2. Alum Creek State Park

Pack your beach gear and umbrella in the trunk and head out to Ohio's longest inland beach in Alum Creek State Park. Laze in the sun on the 3,000-foot beach, swim, jet ski, paddle, and boat on the enormous 3,387-acre Alum Creek Reservoir. Take your fishing tackle along and fish for bass, bluegill, muskie, crappie, and saugeye in the quiet coves nestled among shale cliffs, the secluded inlets, and from the tree-lined shores. Hit the trails on foot, on a mountain bike, or in the saddle and explore the lake's shoreline and the beech and maple forests. Alum Creek State Park is at 3305 S Old State Road in Delaware and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

3. The Topiary Garden Park

The astonishing seven-acre Topiary Garden Park in downtown Columbus is a living recreation by sculptor James T. Mason of a scene in Georges Seurat's famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The park is the only topiary representation of a painting in the world and consists of 54 topiary sculptures of people picnicking and sunbathing, eight sculpted boats, three dogs, a cat, and a monkey. The Topiary Garden Park is at 480 E Town Street in downtown Columbus and is open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

4. Hartman Rock Garden

Hop in your car and hit the road to Springfield to stroll through the extraordinary Hartman Rock Garden created by Ben Hartman between 1932 and 1944. The unique art garden consists of delightful figurines, magical structures, and a beautiful fishing pond, all made of glass, wood, concrete, metal, and thousands of stones. Hartman's wife, Mary, called it "a garden of love" and looked after it lovingly until she died in 1997. Hartman Rock Garden is at 1905 Russell Avenue in Springfield and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Take a trip to unique places and see and experience the astonishing wonders of Ohio. Before you head out of town, stop at Coughlin Ford of Pataskala today and look at our wide inventory of new and used vehicles. Image via Explore Hocking Hills.
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3 Kid-Friendly Activities You Can Drive to Near Pataskala, OH

It isn't always easy to come up with fun activities to do with your children. Once you figure out one thing they like, their tastes change. With that in mind, we've put together a list of some of the best kid-friendly activities within a quick drive of Pataskala, OH. These activities are bound to build some memories. 1. Pataskala Municipal Park Pataskala families have quite a few small parks nearby. The municipal park located at 500 S Twp Rd is one of the best for every season. In the summer, there's a community swimming pool. A small stream by the walking paths is great for throwing rocks. There is a baseball field, volleyball court, art on the fence by the creek, swings, and a playground with slides. If you're lucky, you can hear a train whistle as it passes by. Whether your children are still learning to walk or they are riding bikes, there are lots of choices here. When you're done playing, enjoy a family meal at the picnic tables. more 2. Better Together Playnasium If your kids are anywhere from one year old to about ten years old, you'll want to check out the Better Together Playnasium. This indoor playground was built to be inclusive, so sensory-friendly activities are available for children who are frequently overstimulated and there are walking devices for children who need them. The playground is meant as a social space for kids to play and learn together. There is a lot of equipment like play mats for tumbling and safely running around. They also offer classes here, like preschool yoga and preschool music. You'll find this indoor playground located at 5089 York Rd SW. 3. Epic Escapes For slightly older children, there is Epic Escapes. Escape rooms are an activity the whole family can focus on together. Everyone will need to pile into your new Ford Expedition Max Platinum for this one. Fortunately, the second-row heated seats make it a comfortable ride for everyone involved. The rooms at Epic Escapes are all at various difficulty levels. The owner will be able to help you choose the right one for your group. They all have fun themes and are done differently. You'll find the escape rooms located just 10 miles from downtown Pataskala at 1946 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Rd in Reynoldsburg. Your family spends a fair amount of time together in the car. It's a good idea to have that vehicle be as safe and comfortable as possible. Visit Coughlin Ford of Pataskala today and look for your next new vehicle. Image via pixabay.com.

Closeup of Margherita Pizza on a pan.

Three of the Best Pizza Joints in Driving Distance of Pataskala, OH

Pizza brings everyone together, and it's hard to find someone who doesn't like pizza, at least in some iteration. Put the kids in the Ford Explorer and head to one of these spots next time they're clamoring: these are the best pizza joint near Pataskala, OH. MOD Pizza Head over to 333 Hamilton Rd in Gahanna for this delicious spot. MOD Pizza is open from 11am until 9pm from Sunday through Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. They have fast service, delicious pies, and a good rewards program that will let you save on your favorites. They've got more than 40 toppings and 8 finishing sauces to choose from, so it's hard to go wrong here building your own. But if you're not feeling creative, try one of their classics. The Tristan is mozzarella, asiago, mushrooms, pesto, and roasted red peppers. The Dominic has a white sauce, mild sausage, red onions, tomatoes, and fresh basil with asiago cheese. We also love the Jasper, with mushrooms and a spicy chicken sausage. more Bexley Pizza Plus When you need great pizza without all the frills, this is the place to come. Bexley Pizza Plus has great pies, subs, and a good selection of beer and wine to go with it. If you do enjoy some brews, though, please drink in moderation and never drink and drive. You'll find them at 2651 E Main St in Columbus, and they're open from 11am until 9pm Sunday through Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. We love their Maximum Pep, which is absolutely covered in pepperoni and mini pepperoni. If you're a cheese fan, don't miss the Six Cheese, which has Colby, romano, Swiss, provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan. All their pizzas come with traditional or thin crust, and you can choose mozzarella or provolone on every one. If you want something different, we suggest trying their Lorraine, which is bacon, spinach, and onion with Swiss cheese. Antolino's If you want something in the Italian style, go for this spot, where you can also get great pasta and stromboli. Antolino's is located at 1050 Beecher Crossing N in Gahanna, and they're open from 10:30am until 9pm. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so be aware. They offer drive-thru service, too, so order online or call ahead if you're in a hurry. When you order your pizza, you can choose from one of their five dipping sauces to go on the side. They also have banana peppers, jalapenos, black olives, and raw, chopped onions if you want those on the side. If you're a bacon/ranch person, their chicken bacon ranch pizza is the best. Get to all the great pizza spots in our area with your reliable vehicle: and keep it running that way with reliable service from Coughlin Ford of Pataskala!

A woman with a white snow hat and green coat is sitting in her SUVs trunk with the door propped open and she is enjoying a hot drink on a snowy day.

3 Favorite Winter Activities You Can Drive to From Pataskala, OH

Wintertime in Pataskala can be a magical time of the year. With snow-covered landscapes, chilly air, and festive activities, it's no surprise that many people look forward to the winter months. If you're looking for a fun way to get out of the house and experience the winter season, there are plenty of winter activities right around the corner that you can drive to from Pataskala, OH. Ice Skating at Alum Creek State Park If you're looking for a great winter activity that suits both kids and adults, ice skating at Alum Creek State Park is a must-do. There are many different types of skating to choose from, from figure skating to speed skating, so there's something for everyone. You can also enjoy ice skating lessons and try new moves, or just relax and skate around and warm up. And if you'd like to keep the experience indoors, you can even visit the museum at the state park to learn a little more about the area's natural history. Alum Creek State Park is located at 3615 S Old State Rd, Delaware. more Sledding at Infirmary Mound Park If you're looking to get out of the house and get some exercise, then sledding at Infirmary Mound Park is a great winter activity for you. There are a number of sledding hills at the park that are perfect for beginners, and the sledding surface is smooth for an easy glide down the hill. If you'd prefer to tackle a more challenging hill, there are also a number of hills that are perfect for experienced sledders. And if you're looking for something even more extreme, you can snowmobile and ATV at the park. The park is located at 4351 Lancaster Rd, Granville. Attending a Festival of Lights at the Columbus Zoo The Festival of Lights at the Columbus Zoo is a holiday tradition that happens every year in December. You can enjoy some strolls, walks, and tours through the zoo while you explore the displays and lights. The park's Holiday Lights After Hours offers visitors the opportunity to explore the park's light displays and enjoy the zoo's Holiday Lights without the crowds. And if you'd like to add an animal encounter to your experience, the zoo is home to several animals that you can photograph with the zoo's photo-guided trails. There are plenty of fun activities that you can drive to from Pataskala, so bundle up and get ready for a winter adventure! You'll have even more fun this winter in an all-new Ford Explorer Limited, an attractive and sporty car with a stylish interior design that's fun to drive. Stop at Coughlin Ford and test drive the Ford Explorer, an affordable vehicle perfect for any outdoor adventure down the road.