Looking for hidden gems to visit around Columbus? Here are some spots to try

Visitors to Greater Columbus often are wowed by the great parks, museums, professional sports and the world-class Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The same goes for Downtown attractions like German Village and the Short North district.

But those who know the area might also discover hidden gems to visit — lesser known attractions that they'd never heard about.

These are a few examples provided by city leaders following a recent request from The Dispatch:

Hidden Valley Golf Course

Location: 580 West William St., Delaware, (740) 203-1470

Its very name evokes the theme, this nine-hole course is favored by many in Delaware County as a quirky alternative to better-known courses. Located just west of downtown Delaware, the course has eight par 3 holes and one par 4. It's considered a great course to learn the game or for older folks to stay active as most users don't use electric carts.

"It’s definitely a place where you can socialize, explore nature or visit with guests," said Lee Yoakum, Delaware city spokesman. "There isn’t a course like it in Central Ohio."

Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve

Location: 5899-12280 Logan County Road 152, East Liberty, 614-717-2770

This pristine area protects about 1,000 acres of wetlands and streamside forests. Yet, "very few people know about it," according to Jen Murphy, spokeswoman for The Nature Conservancy, which owns the property,

In fall 2011, the conservancy completed efforts to restore and recreate the natural flow of the headwaters of Big Darby Creek. There is a 1.3-mile trail to reach an overlook at the stream restoration site.

The Nature Conservancy says the Agnes Andreae Preserve, along Little Darby Creek off State Route 29, west of West Jefferson, is technically closed to the public. But that hasn't stopped visitors from the original 94-acre woodland in Madison County. In the spring, it's filled with wildlife and carpets of trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, Dutchman's breeches and trout lily.

The conservancy bought the land near Little Darby Creek in 1997 for about $234,617 in a move to stall encroaching development. Since then, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has preserved even more land, all of it richly endowed and largely untouched even by deer and invasive species.

The Ohio Railway Museum

Location: 990 Proprietors Road, Worthington, (614) 885-7345

Along the eastern edge of Worthington, this site has an industrial feel. But along the train tracks within, you'll find an old train station, renovated streetcars and interurbans that once traveled from downtown Columbus and beyond up and down the middle of Route 23.

Train enthusiasts and history buffs will be especially drawn to the attractions, even though much of the old trains and equipment are in states of disrepair.

Early Television Museum

Location: 5396 Franklin St., Hilliard, (614) 771-0510

Its name says it all, with hundreds of examples of the television receiver sets from the dawn of the era. In 1947, about 200,000 American households owned TVs. By 1953 that number was 13 million. Today, they are ubiquitous.

This museum has rooms filled with Rube-Goldberg style contraptions with spinning wheels and tiny fisheye screens.

Located in an austere white building bearing a single, namesake sign, the museum has only weekend hours, so it's best to call first. For those interested in electricity's ability to channel moving pictures through the air, this is a must visit.

Ferris-Wright Park

Location: 4400 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, 614.410.4400

The city says this lesser-known grounds "perfectly highlights the city’s connection to its original inhabitants, its respect for local history and its dedication to bringing those stories alive to residents today."

Home to earthworks, natural features and the 1880s-built Ferris Farmhouse, the land was home to early Dublin settlers and indigenous peoples before them. Three Hopewell culture earthworks (two circles and a square) remain in the park today. The earthworks are the northernmost earthworks in the Scioto Valley.

The Hopewell era led to dramatic periods of change and the development of modern Native American tribes. The Wyandot had an active presence in the area, and, today's Wyandot Nation continues to offer guidance and support in interpreting the park’s indigenous history.

The Joseph Farris farmhouse, today an interpretive center, was built just 10 years after Dublin was platted as a village. The last owner of the house was Josephine Holder Wright, who lived there for most of her 96 years.

Tranquility Salt Cave

Location: 30 Dillmont Drive, Columbus, 614-859-3419

Apparently, halotherapy is a thing. And operators here say that salt therapy provides many healing benefits to the human body.

This facility is lined with over 10,000 pounds of Himalayan rock salt boulders, and granulated Himalayan salt rests on the heated floor of the cave.

The operators say it is one of the only salt caves in the area.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here are some Columbus hidden gems to visit