COLUMBUS – If you’re yearning to visit one of the top travel destinations in the world but can’t afford the airfare or don’t have a passport, don’t worry. One of them is only a few minutes away from downtown Columbus.
The Hocking Hills, in southeast Ohio, has been included on Forbes.com’s recently released list of the world’s “50 Best Places to Visit in 2023,” a list that includes such exotic getaways as French Polynesia, Armenia, Morea and Qatar.
Citing the region’s hiking trails, waterfalls, cliffs, recessed caves and hemlock forests, Forbes’ travel experts call the 13,000 acres 40 miles southeast of Columbus “an outdoor wonderland” and “Ohio’s prettiest spot.”
Research and book travel here or by calling 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).
The writers gave the region five-star reviews for spectacular scenery marked by deep gorges, lush forests, soaring rock faces, unique rock formations and stunning waterfalls.
The Hocking Hills features a newly reopened state park lodge and unique outdoor and arts experiences, which sparked a record number of searches and positive reviews, causing it to surge in popularity.
Among the attractions and events visitors will find in the area are night “moth lightings,” hands-on butterfly experiences, canopy tours, kayaking and pontoon boats.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park offers educational programming on weekends giving visitors a fascinating astronomy lesson, complete with incredible access to high-powered telescopes in an atmosphere free of the light pollution of the city.
Local artists open their studios and give lessons in glass blowing, painting or ceramics.
From cabins in the woods, cottages, hotels and country inns, to treehouses, yurts, geodomes, hobbit houses – even a cabin built into an actual cave — the region offers affordable and unique accommodations and opportunities to unplug an unwind, such as a salt cave, woodland spas and sauna pods.