Attractions and Places To See around Heath - Top 20

Heath is rich in history, most notably with the Newark Earthworks. These prehistoric Hopewell Native American geometric earthen enclosures, built between 100 BC and 500 AD, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore the Great Circle Earthworks in Heath and learn more at the Great Circle Museum. Additionally, the Davis-Shai House, an 1861 Gothic Revival home, serves as a community arts center, and Canal Lock Park houses the original canal lock, marking the starting point of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

For extensive natural exploration, visit The Dawes Arboretum, spanning 2,000 acres with 16,000 species of trees and plants, ideal for bird and butterfly watching. Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve offers stunning sandstone formations, waterfalls, and deep gorges with trails for hiking and biking. Taft Reserve provides over 400 acres of meadows and woodlands with more than 8 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.

Yes, Heath offers several family-friendly options. The Works – Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology in nearby Newark features hands-on science displays, a planetarium, and live glass-blowing demonstrations. For active fun, the Heath City Water Park boasts an Olympic-sized pool, lazy river, slides, and an interactive water playground. The Altitude Trampoline Park provides indoor activities like basketball trampoline dunk and dodgeball.

You'll find diverse trails for various activities. Taft Reserve offers over 8 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve has trails for hiking and biking amidst unique geological formations. For more hiking options, explore routes like the 'Rhydypenau Park – Llanishen Reservoir loop' or 'Roath Park Lake – Roath Park Rose Garden loop'. You can find more details on these and other trails in the easy hikes around Heath guide or the general hiking around Heath guide.

Buckeye Lake State Park is a popular destination for water activities, encompassing 3,400 acres suitable for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking. Riverview Reserve, bordering the Licking River, offers opportunities for river fishing and canoeing with a dedicated launch site.

Yes, the Longaberger Basket Building in Newark is a distinctive architectural landmark, famously shaped like a giant woven basket.

The Dawes Arboretum is an excellent spot for bird and butterfly watching, featuring a Japanese Garden and an Observation Tower. Riverview Reserve showcases woodland and wetland habitats, providing opportunities to observe various species of wildflowers and wildlife. Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve is also a prime location for bird watching.

Beyond the major sites, Heath maintains several local parks such as Geller Park, Hoback Park, Hitchcock Park, Dorsey Mill Park, and Forry Preserve. These parks offer amenities like playgrounds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and walking trails. Geller Park is also a venue for many community events.

For runners, there are several trails ranging in difficulty. Moderate options include the 'Stream Ford loop' and the 'Roath Park Waterfall – Roath Park Lake loop'. For more challenging runs, consider the 'Llandaff Weir – Radyr Weir loop' or the 'Llandaff Weir – Blackweir Bridge and Weir loop'. You can find more details in the running trails around Heath guide.

Yes, golf enthusiasts can visit Moundbuilders Country Club and Mastodon Golf Club. Moundbuilders Country Club is particularly notable for being designed around ancient earthworks.

Visitors appreciate the diverse range of experiences, from the historical significance of the Newark Earthworks to the natural beauty of The Dawes Arboretum and Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve. The variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and water sports, along with family-friendly options, makes the area appealing to many.