The best things to do in Wilmington

Kid-friendly chain known for its arcade games, pizza parties & play zones.

34 lanes of tenpin bowling plus volleyball, darts, indoor & outdoor lounges, snacks, pizza & beer.

When you want a no-fuss night that still feels like an event, Highland Lanes delivers with open bowling, leagues, and packages where shoes, lanes, pizza, and soda are handled. Bonus points if you wander into Bullet's Pro Shop for a gear upgrade.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 13, 2026

Perfect for a fast loop that still feels like golf, Hillsboro Elks Golf Course is a friendly 9-hole track with easy online booking, SGN Golf Simulators for rainy days, and The Sand Trap Lounge for the post-round recap. Members and nonmembers welcome.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 17, 2026

The Flip Zone turns cartwheels into confidence with experienced coaching, preschool through high school tumbling, All Star and Wildcat cheer teams, and private lessons that speed up progress... a local spot where strength, coordination, and smiles show up in equal measure.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 31, 2026

Royal Z Lanes keeps things easy with 18 synthetic lanes and Qubica automatic scoring, so you can focus on the smack talk. Perfect for league nights, casual hangs, or a weather-proof party that actually starts on time.

From the Wilmington newsletter, October 27, 2026

Elks 797 Golf Club is a Wilmington staple since 1960, mixing picturesque, challenging holes with a laid-back vibe locals actually want. When Mother Nature sulks, their two Full Swing Golf simulators let you chase Pebble Beach dreams, then refuel at the Lodge Bar + Grill or hop into leagues and events.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 25, 2026

Wilmington Plaza Cinema 5 keeps movie night simple and local, with current releases, buttery popcorn, and that shared-laugh energy you can’t stream. When you want out of the house without leaving Wilmington, it’s an easy yes for date night, a family treat, or solo matinee therapy.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 18, 2026

Schappacher Farms has the u-pick pumpkin patch locals brag about, with six pumpkin patches of specialty pumpkins, gourds and squash, plus a free corn maze and hayride.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 30, 2026

Close enough for a quick Wilmington escape, WGC Golf Course delivers a championship 18 by Jack Kidwell and Mike Hurdzan, lush Rye Grass fairways, and excellent greens from spring through fall, plus one of the Miami Valley’s best practice facilities with a large range, mounded target greens, and two putting and…

From the Wilmington newsletter, October 31, 2026

Game Arena is the rare spot where you can queue up on legit PC rigs, then refuel with TaKorea’s Korean-Mexican fusion and a lineup of game-themed drinks. Weekly and launch tournaments keep the vibes competitive, and they’ll even host your next party.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 13, 2026

Back Nine Golf brings indoor play to Columbus with Full Swing simulators that track details like swing data, ball speed, and launch angle, whether you’re practicing or challenging friends. No membership is needed to book a tee time, so beginners and seasoned golfers can both get in on the fun.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 27, 2026

Galaxy Games & Golf keeps it simple and fun with outdoor 9-hole mini golf and a token-hungry arcade that hits the nostalgia button, plus party rooms when you need a birthday plan. Easy nearby outing for Upper Arlington families who want low-stress, high-smile time.

From the Upper Arlington newsletter, September 11, 2026

Griggs Reservoir Park Disc Golf Course serves up 18 holes with big concrete tees, a mix of open rips and shaded lines, and the Scioto River flirting with a few finishes. Forgot a disc or want to try something new? Disc Golf Mart and Franks Marathon are right nearby.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 16, 2026

Scioto Country Club is that rare Upper Arlington staple where a Donald J. Ross golf pedigree meets easygoing tennis courts and event spaces that feel special, and it’s an important piece of local history.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 3, 2026

A historic public track with rolling, tree-lined fairways and elevated greens just minutes from downtown, Avon Fields Golf Course keeps rounds fun for every skill level. Hit the covered range to groove the swing, then grab a hot dog and a cold beer between nines this week.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, October 14, 2026

Raymond Memorial Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, sports a signature twist with twin par 3 holes that keep your shot-making honest. This week, tackle the raised, contoured greens and front-guarding bunkers for a fun, legit challenge that feels classic Columbus golf.

From the Columbus newsletter, August 5, 2026

The Acres - Restaurant + Bar + Driving Range + Mini Golf pairs smashburgers and house-smoked wings with two restored 18-hole mini golf courses, forty range bays (eighteen covered and heated), and a four-season patio. Bring friends for easygoing fun or book the Trackman bay when you want stats.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, October 13, 2026

This week, Glenview Golf Course delivers 27 scenic holes with lush landscaping, panoramic views, and hazards that keep your focus honest. Warm up at the practice facility, then swing by the pro shop and grab a bite after. Once on Golf Digest’s Top 75 public courses.

From the Hamilton County newsletter, October 27, 2026

Whether you're chasing a proper challenge or excuses for a post-round bite, Blue Ash Golf Course brings a 6,800-yard, par 72 layout with well-kept greens and bunkers, a legit test that's been a Golf Digest top-75 muni, plus the Sandtrap Grill for the debrief.

From the Mason newsletter, August 31, 2026

Opened in 1951, The Mill Course is one of the region's oldest public tracks, a par-71 in Winton Woods with five sets of tees and five scenic lakes from its 1993 redesign. It’s centrally located for a quick round with friends, and hole 8’s over-water par 3 will happily expose any rust in your swing.

From the Hamilton County newsletter, October 31, 2026

Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse nails the sweet spot between first-run hits and midnight-weird cult favorites, with draft beer and real pizza that beats sad popcorn dinners. Bonus points for live comedy nights when you want laughs without scrolling Netflix again.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 2, 2026

Wilson Road Golf Course is an executive 9-hole designed by Jack Kidwell, with six par 3s and three par 4s that are perfect for learning or sharpening your swing. Tree-lined fairways, a meandering creek and two ponds keep it interesting, and the shorter loop means you can actually fit golf into your week.

From the Columbus newsletter, August 23, 2026

For a night that actually feels like an outing, Lennox Town Center 24 Theatres packs IMAX with Laser, a Dolby Atmos auditorium with recliner seats, reserved seating, and advance online ticketing. Bonus points for the full bar with taps, signature drinks, draft beer and wine.

From the Reynoldsburg newsletter, September 4, 2026

Ohio State University Golf Club delivers the famed Scarlet and Gray courses, with Scarlet renovated by Jack Nicklaus in 2006, and rated a top collegiate course by Golf Channel, plus a semi-private setup for OSU affiliates. If you're not affiliated, book lessons with PGA pros and hit the public restaurant after.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 22, 2026

Miner 49er Blacklight Mini Golf turns Grandview Heights into a glowing, Western gold mine with 18 holes under neon and a chill American eatery and bar attached for post-putt refueling. Easy pick for friend groups, birthdays, or a low-stress date, with weekend karaoke to keep the energy up.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 8, 2026

The Journey AR Mural takes three massive walls painted by Eric Skotnes and Ryan Safarti and adds an augmented-reality experience you can explore with your phone. It’s a fun reason to revisit a familiar Columbus art stop, and a reminder that murals can do more than just sit there looking impressive.

Hyde Park Golf & Country Club pairs a classic 18-hole Donald Ross layout with a modern Golf Learning Center (hello, TrackMan) and plenty of post-round fun from bowling to racquet sports. If your week needs greens, good shots, and a community vibe dating back to 1909, this is it.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, August 18, 2026

Gateway Film Center programs everything from new indies to restored classics on crisp 4K laser, then leaves you debating the ending over a drink in the undersea-themed Torpedo Room. Their rotating series like Hitchcocktober and Festival Perspectives make it easy to catch something surprising with friends.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 24, 2026

Legendary Run Golf Course brings a little Scotland on the front nine and a stateside greatest-hits back nine, with holes inspired by Troon, St. Andrews, Augusta, and more. It’s a friendly public track with an Arthur Hills design, a Toptracer range, and The Legendary Grille for post-round fuel.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 23, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Parky's Ark Wet Playground at Winton Woods is the kind of splashy chaos kids dream about, with a legit splash pad for cooling off and a lake steps away for hiking and fishing. Easy way to burn off energy, then grab a shady breather while they giggle themselves tired.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 15, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Adventure Cove turns a quick round into a mini getaway, with 18 outdoor holes tucked among waterfalls, bridges, and evening lights for that pleasantly secluded feel.

From the Wilmington newsletter, October 21, 2026

Beech Creek Golf Course is a longtime local favorite in Cincinnati for a fun, family-friendly 9 that still makes you think. Sneak in a round after work, join a league with your crew, or plan an outing, then book your tee time online and keep the swing honest.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, October 25, 2026

Cincinnati World Cinema keeps The Garfield Theatre buzzing with thoughtfully curated films that dig into real human stories and celebrate cultural diversity. Run by passionate volunteers, it’s where you go when you want more than capes and car chases, plus occasional series that spark post-screening conversations.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, October 6, 2026

Whether you want the latest blockbuster or an indie curveball, Kenwood Theatre keeps movie night fun. Hit the Marquee Bar for 40 craft beer taps, cocktails, and a real food menu, then settle in for a screen that reminds you why you still go out for movies.

From the Troy newsletter, October 12, 2026

California Golf Course gives you rolling fairways with Ohio River views, a layout that challenges sticks yet welcomes newbies, and that classic Cincinnati vibe under towering old growth trees; plus a fully stocked shop and simple grab and go favorites like hot dogs, soft drinks, and ice cold beer.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 7, 2026

Scallywag Tag is a pirate-themed playground for kids and grown-ups, with blacklight mini-golf, high-energy laser tag, and an arcade that eats quarters in the best way. It was voted Best of the West for birthday parties, and Topsail Tavern keeps you fueled between games.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 30, 2026

Neumann Golf Course serves up 27 holes across three distinct nines with fast, true greens and rolling wooded fairways, so you can pick your vibe and play what fits. Four sets of tees keep it friendly, plus a driving range, quick bites, and a fully stocked pro shop.

From the Hamilton County newsletter, October 21, 2026

Amusement center where groups of visitors solve puzzles and decipher codes to "escape" themed rooms.

Reeves Golf Course keeps things friendly for beginners and regulars with wide fairways, small elevated greens, an 18 and a 9-hole par 3, FootGolf, a traditional and Toptracer range, plus a proper pro shop and grab-and-go hot dogs, soft drinks, and ice-cold beer.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 3, 2026

Lafayette Mural Alley turns a cut-through into a little open-air gallery, packed with paint and personality. It’s a low-lift detour when you’re already out and about, and the kind of place you’ll spot something different each time you wander through.

From the Franklin County newsletter, October 13, 2026