Columbus' baby elephants, COSI exhibits and Quarry Trails climbs all get prime billing in Ohio's new 2026 travel guide.

Why it matters: It's a good time to start planning summer getaways, and the guide offers plenty of options within driving distance.

Zoom in: Our local section recommends outsiders check out the experimental museum Prototype, partake in Red, White & Boom, and visit North Market as it celebrates 150 years.

Zoom out: The lengthy guide features a state parks checklist, from Catawba Island off of Lake Erie to Shawnee 200 miles south in Portsmouth.

• It shares how Ohio is celebrating America's 250th birthday with public artwork, creative trails and movie screenings.
• For the cryptid cranks, the guide suggests attending the Ohio Bigfoot Conference near Cambridge in May or the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival in August.

🐶 The intrigue: Gov. Mike DeWine's dog, Dolly, recommends visiting "pup-friendly hot spots" like Hamilton's Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park with 70 outdoor pieces "that blend nature with art."

💭 Tyler's thought bubble: I'm a lifelong Ohioan who has been to all 88 counties, yet I still use this annual guide for finding new travel ideas.

• One example: learning the Aullwood Audubon Center in Dayton has an iconic Thomas Dambo troll installation.
• Or that the new Ohio Museum of Horror in Galion has an on-site restaurant with a menu based on famous criminals' "last meals."

Go deeper: Read the digital guide or request a printed copy by mail.

Travelers looking for a thrill, here's what to expect at Ohio's amusement parks this season.

Chain-lifting the news: Believe it or not, Kings Island opens Saturday. It's weekends only until mid-May.

• Cedar Point opens May 9 with a daily schedule from the jump.

What's new at KI

🐝 There's buzz around the park's reimagined Phantom Theater dark ride, an indoor attraction featuring immersive scenes and returning characters.

• Famed wooden coaster The Beast received some upgrades in the offseason.
• Expect a rides-first experience until the full entertainment lineup — including the waterpark and shows like illusionist Brad Ross – rolls out around Memorial Day.

What's new at CP

🎆 The park will help celebrate America's 250th birthday from June 29-July 4 with fireworks and specialty concessions.

• No new major rides this year, but popular events are returning in 2026: Boardwalk Nights, HalloWeekends and a french-fry-themed fest late in the season.

🪓 Nearly 90 undergraduate degree programs are being cut by Ohio public universities as a result of Senate Bill 1's requirement to eliminate programs that produce less than five degrees annually. (Ohio Capital Journal)

🏛️ A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers says a pair of bills that would eliminate Medicaid middlemen could save the state millions of dollars. (Statehouse News Bureau)

🏒 Despite missing the playoffs, the Blue Jackets extended head coach Rick Bowness' contract. (The Athletic)

🌳 Residents of 10 local suburbs are eligible for a $100 rebate toward a native plant if they remove a Callery pear tree. Other invasive plants also qualify. (WCMH-TV)

If this stretch of warm weather has you itching to get outside, here's a quick gardening guide.

Why it matters: Grocery prices rose at the fastest pace in three years during December — and are expected to get worse — so it couldn't hurt to try your hand at growing a salad.

Dig in: Several veggies are eligible to go into the ground now, according to the Ohio State University Extension.

• The ideal window for peas, potatoes and spinach is closing soon.
• The 10 veggies we included are among the best for beginners, per the Old Farmer's Almanac.

What's next: Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and other tasty toppings will need to wait till May.

There's no shortage of professional-quality art and sport on display this weekend — but what if you're in the mood for something wackier?

🏁 Our pick: Red Bull Chariot Race.

The intrigue: From the high-flying Flugtag to the classic soapbox race, the energy drink brand has become known for its silly spectacles.

• This weekend, Goodale Park hosts the Chariot Race, featuring "the wackiest of rides."

How it works: The rules are actually quite extensive, but boil down to teams building "chariots" powered by only human and gravity power.

• Teams must perform a 30-second "creative skit" to a judging panel before the race, and winners are selected by a combined score of their skit, chariot and race time down the track.
• Winners take home $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull.

Stop by: The event starts 1:45pm Saturday, 120 Goodale St. and is free to spectate and participate.

What else is happening:

🕹️ The OSU Humanities Institute's "Humanities on Tap" series dives into the art of video game music tonight at the Worthington-area Level One Bar & Arcade.

🎤 Comedian Lavell Crawford of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" is at the Funny Bone all weekend.

🏈 The Ohio State football Spring Game kicks off at noon Saturday.

⚾️ The pros are in action, too: catch the Clippers all weekend long, the Aviators tonight or the Fury Sunday.

🍽️ The Taste of Granville showcase's the village's best eats Saturday afternoon.

🪄 The Harry Potter Butterbeer Truck Tour brings wizarding beverages to Easton Sunday afternoon.