Circleville
Day Trips
Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Circleville's hidden gems and unique experiences!
Start the day with freshly brewed coffee at a cozy downtown café. Browse charming specialty shops and local artisan stores along Main Street. Enjoy friendly conversation with shop owners and pick up unique souvenirs.
Indulge in a hearty lunch at a family-owned diner. Stroll past historic red-brick buildings and learn about the city’s rich heritage. Drop into the Pickaway County Historical Museum to see rotating exhibits.
Watch the sunset as you relax on the banks of the Scioto River. Savor farm-to-table fare at a popular bistro with a warm atmosphere. Cap the night with live music or a community concert in the town square.
Drive to the twin Piatt Castles nestled in adjacent woodlands. Take a guided tour to marvel at 19th century architecture and period furnishings. Capture photos of ornate stonework and lush gardens.
Enjoy a picnic on the castle grounds overlooking the rolling hills. Wander the walking trails and spot wildlife in the surrounding forest. Listen to interpretive stories about the Piatt family’s history.
Attend a seasonal event or ghost tour if available after dark. Sip on local craft cider under ambient lantern light. Reflect on the day’s discoveries as fireflies dance in the moonlight.
Hike the winding trails of A.W. Marion State Park amid pine forests and wildflower meadows. Pause at scenic overlooks to photograph serene lake views. Listen to chirping birds and rustling leaves overhead.
Spread out a blanket near Friendship Point for a lakeside picnic. Sample homemade sandwiches and fresh fruit from a nearby farmer’s market. Spend time fishing for bluegill or simply relaxing by the water.
Rent a canoe for a peaceful paddle at dusk. Watch as the sky transforms with pink and orange hues above the water. Warm up around a shoreline campfire and roast marshmallows.
Tour the historic campus and admire its collegiate Gothic architecture. Chat with students and faculty about campus life and faith-centered education. Pop into the art gallery to view student exhibitions.
Join a workshop or lecture open to the public, ranging from music recitals to guest speakers. Have lunch at the university café and sample seasonal salads and sandwiches. Take a self-guided stroll through the landscaped quad.
Attend an evening chapel service or a campus concert featuring local musicians. Fellowship with community members over hot cocoa and cookies. Reflect on inspiring performances under the glass atrium.
Head to a nearby apple orchard for a DIY apple-picking adventure. Learn sustainable harvesting techniques from the farmers. Taste freshly pressed apple cider straight from the press.
Participate in a farm tour to see livestock and learn about crop rotation. Enjoy a cooking demo using seasonal produce in the orchard’s barn kitchen. Feast on a rustic farm lunch with homemade pies.
Take a sunset farm tour on a horse-drawn wagon ride. Sip spiced apple mulled wine by a communal bonfire. Share stories with fellow visitors under a starlit sky.
Pick up a kayak from a rental outfitter near downtown Circleville. Receive paddling instructions and safety briefings from experienced guides. Set out upstream while the river is calm and glassy.
Pause at a secluded sandbar for a riverside picnic. Swim or simply relax in the gentle current. Watch for herons fishing along the banks and turtles basking on logs.
Kayak back as the sun dips below the tree line. Land at a cozy riverside café at the takeout point. Celebrate your day with cold craft beer and pub fare.
Wake up early and browse the Circleville Farmers Market for vintage treasures and handmade crafts. Chat with local artisans who will share the stories behind their creations. Pick up fresh baked goods for a midday snack.
Hop between antique malls and vintage boutiques along Scioto Street. Uncover mid-century furniture, vinyl records, and retro décor pieces. Haggle for a rare find and bring home a piece of history.
Sit down at a historic tavern that’s been serving the community for decades. Savor signature cocktails surrounded by retro furnishings. Swap finds of the day with friends over hearty comfort food.
Start with a guided food tour sampling local pastries, farmstead cheeses, and artisanal chocolates. Learn about the regional ingredients that make Circleville cuisine unique. Meet the chefs behind your favorite bites.
Visit a family-owned brewery to taste craft beers brewed with Ohio-grown hops. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the copper kettles and fermenting tanks. Pair your beer flight with gourmet pretzels or charcuterie.
Dine at a fine-dining restaurant known for its seasonal tasting menu. Watch chefs prepare dishes tableside in an open kitchen. Toast to your culinary discoveries with a glass of local wine.
Attend a community yoga session in the town park to start your day with energy. Chat with locals about upcoming festivals, fairs, and events. Pick up promotional flyers for live performances.
Experience a matinee performance at the local community theater. Whether it’s a musical, play, or children’s show, enjoy intimate seats close to the stage. Meet cast members after the show during a talk-back session.
Head to the annual farmers’ market concert series or summer movie night if in season. Grab a picnic dinner from food trucks and set up lawn chairs. End the night dancing under string lights with live bands.
Visit a sprawling pumpkin patch to choose your perfect gourds. Navigate hay bale mazes and snap photos with giant scarecrows. Savor a sample of warm pumpkin donuts fresh from the fryer.
Tour the working cider mill to see apples transformed into tangy cider. Try apple butter and cinnamon-spiced popcorn in the farm store. Join a pumpkin-decorating workshop in the barn.
Take part in a twilight hayride lit by lanterns through the orchard rows. Sip hot apple cider around a communal fire pit. Share ghost stories with new friends while enjoying crisp fall air.