Ohio is well-known for its variety of outdoor activities and delicious food, so why not combine the two in one trip? Central Ohio has the gorgeous Highbanks Metro Park, with incredible scenery that you can enjoy all year long. About 30 minutes south is The Thurman Cafe, featuring some of the country’s best burgers – they’re fall-off-the-plate incredible!
The Scenic River Trail at Highbanks will show you the best views in the park and after burning off all those calories, you’ll be ready to treat yourself with a tasty burger! There are a few different routes you can check out on Google Maps, but all are around 30 minutes with traffic.
In a different area of the Buckeye state? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got a few other fun day pairings planned for you in all corners of Ohio!
Google Maps
You’ll start off your day at the stellar Highbanks Metro Park. There are a lot of fantastic outdoor places in Ohio, and Highbanks is one of the best!
Jason Fan/500Px Plus via Getty Images The park gets its name from the 100 foot shale cliff that overlooks the area.
The park is a sprawling 1,200 acres and contains several trails of varying distances and difficulty.
Chelsea Dipman/Alltrails
The Scenic River trail is a very manageable .6 miles and is wheelchair accessible and great for kids.
Jay Dixon/Alltrails
You’ll get a great view of the Olentangy State Scenic River, and you’ll be glad for all the calories you burned when you hit your next stop!
John and Lola Smith/Alltrails For more information, check out the Highbanks Metro Park information page.
Drive around 30 minutes (you won’t even go through a full tank of gas!) and you’ll get to your next destination, The Thurman Cafe. It’s located in the German Village district of Columbus. The historic area has plenty of cool architecture and places to check out.
Alexander Maxwell/Google Maps Hope you’re hungry!
Just one look at Thurman’s incredible burgers and you’ll know why they’ve been a staple of the Columbus food scene since 1942. Their burgers are considered to be among the best in the entire United States, so you’ve certainly got to check them out!
The Thurman Cafe/Google Maps
The cafe serves a variety of bar food appetizers, like jalepeno poppers and cheese sticks, plus pizzas, wings, and fries, but what they’re nationally famous for is their amazing burgers, served with a side of fries and a pickle spear.
Joshua Clegg/Google Maps
The Thurmanator is a two 3/4 pound patty monstrosity containing all kinds of incredible add-ons. If you finish it all in one sitting, you’ll get your photo on the Thurman Wall of Fame!
The Thurman Cafe/Facebook
All right, go ahead and fill up your tank and hit the road! Try to schedule you’re day so you have plenty of room in your stomach by the time you reach The Thurman Cafe: trust us, you’ll need it!
Google Maps
Jason Fan/500Px Plus via Getty Images
The park gets its name from the 100 foot shale cliff that overlooks the area.
Chelsea Dipman/Alltrails
Jay Dixon/Alltrails
John and Lola Smith/Alltrails
For more information, check out the Highbanks Metro Park information page.
Alexander Maxwell/Google Maps
Hope you’re hungry!
The Thurman Cafe/Google Maps
Joshua Clegg/Google Maps
The Thurman Cafe/Facebook
For more great Ohio destinations, make sure to subscribe to the Only in Ohio daily newsletter and follow the Only in Ohio Facebook page. Enter your starting address on Google Maps and get ready to enjoy a perfect afternoon!
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Address: The Thurman Cafe, 183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206, USAAddress: Highbanks Metro Park, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
