hocking hills ohio Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

Study the sky night or day!

What does it take to make for ideal astronomy viewing? Exactly the conditions you will find in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. That is why it is now the home of the John Glenn Astronomy Park. The Hocking Hills State Park is located forty miles from Columbus, easy to get to but far enough to have excellent visibility without light pollution getting in the way of star gazing.

Clear night skies have drawn many astronomy enthusiasts and now the John Glenn Astronomy Park takes that to the next level. The Solar Plaza welcomes visitors to study the daytime features of the sky. The Sun, Earth, and the North Celestial Pole are just a few of the features on display before the night time show begins. The enclosed 540-square-foot observatory allows for viewing the night sky with its retractable roof.

If you want to spark some excitement in nature and science this is a great destination. So many of us get a diluted view of the stars that it is easy to forget how magical and inspirational they are. This park offers visitors the experience of the near pristine night sky through a large telescope and with their bare eyes.

Night or day you can head to the woods and enjoy the Hocking Hills State Park then visit the observatory at the John Glenn Astronomy Park to get a wider view of the natural world.

Ohio’s Hocking Hills, known for its lack of light pollution and resulting clear night sky views, has always been a mecca for astronomy fanatics. Thus, members of the Friends of Hocking Hills State Park (FHHSP) has broken ground on for John Glenn Astronomy Park, which opens in early 2018. Named for one of America’s greatest heroes and an Ohio native, the park will be fully built and ready to open formally in June.

In the park’s own words, “sadly, the lights of our modern world have, in recent decades, put our view of the heavens behind a veil of artificial light. Most of us live under a sky that gives only a pale, washed out hint of its former beauty.

An astronomy park in the Hocking Hills State park was inspired by our vanishing night sky. The Hocking Hills, in rural southeastern Ohio, is one of the few areas left in the state of Ohio where the night sky can be seen in its near pristine state. The observatory will provide a venue for visitors to the Hocking Hills State park to experience the night sky through a large telescope and with their eyes.”

Find out more on the John Glen Astronomy Park website – jgap.info – or on Social Media – Facebook

Pristine Ohio, Ready For Adventure

Hocking Hills Ohio is a destination for any nature enthusiast. Come, stay, and enjoy the outdoors day and night with hikes, high flying tours, rock climbing, and stargazing. Located just 90 minutes south of Columbus Ohio, the Hocking Hills State Park should definitely make your vacation ‘To Do’ list- there really is so much to do there. Then when you need a break from the great outdoors, head inside with some of the local shops, do some antiquing, or check out the artwork on display in the Historic Square Art District.

Hocking Hills Eco-Tours High Rock Adventures is just one of the many options for visitors to get out and enjoy this stunning landscape while keeping active. For the adventurers in your family, there is repelling and rock climbing that will have your pulse pounding. If that is not your style, a gentler option is the hiking tours through the pristine wildlife and unique rock formations. The Ecotour Adventures are informative, insightful about nature, and are just good old fashioned fun. High Rock Adventures goes so far as to issue a Rock Challenge. Spend time in rock halls, experience ascents, descents, squeezes, tunnels, narrows, and scrambles. You won’t need to wear a harness, but you will get your hands on time with the local rock formations.

If rock climbing doesn’t get you high enough, try Hocking Hills Canopy Tours for another opportunity at a bird’s eye view of Ohio. They offer a variety of tours to meet your needs, even ones under the light of the moon. Rated one of the top zipline adventures, this is sure to thrill you. Their Dragonfly Tour even allows the younger members of your family to get in on the zip lining. Spend time as a family speeding through the tree tops, or this is a perfect adults only activity too.

If your days aren’t already booked, drop in at the John Glenn Astronomy Park. There is plenty to see when the sun is up, too. At night you do get the full view. Since the area is known for its lack of light pollution, the night sky puts on a real show. Inspiring you to look up and wonder at the greater universe around us, the John Glenn Astronomy Park blends science, history, and imagination in one destination.

For your creature comforts after an evening under the stars, give a log cabin a try. Cedar Grove Lodging offers the perfect place to rest your head while in the Hocking Hills area. With six cabins and two lodges, there are options available for any size group. Just a short drive from all of the most popular hikes in the State Park, guests can enjoy those trails or even hike on the 65 acre property. Hot tubs, gas grills, fire pits, and wi-fi along with their rustic cabins offer a balance of the outdoors and everything you need for a great nights sleep.

Don’t miss spending time in town while on your trip. A great, and somewhat quirky destination in the Hocking Hills Region is the Columbus Washboard Company located in Logan, Ohio. Started in 1895, they are now the only washboard manufacturing company in the United States. Their products are still assembled by hand, a process you can see when taking a guided tour of the factory. If you are in the area Father’s Day Weekend be sure to get tickets for the Washboard Factory Music Festival. Appalachian Bluegrass and Folk music fills the town for three days every year. Take the time to visit, and choose your own souvenir to take home (or check out the Columbus Washboard Company’s Online Store)to get your own piece of American made history. They have a variety of fun items including soaps, Fostoria glassware, instruments, and vintage laundry. This sounds like something you might glaze over- don’t. It’s one of those things you will be glad you decided to see. And at this point, it’s truly one of a kind.

No matter your interests, the Hocking Hills Region of Ohio has something to offer. You can enjoy the natural splendor of the area, as well as the art and shops in town. No matter what you like to do, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your trip. For more details and activities visit Hockinghills.com.