Bird Watching in the City

While you would never guess this birding oasis is back there (behind the city impound lot), the Grange Insurance Audubon Center is a great place for a kiddo outing. The building itself has learning and fun opportunities behind each door. Kids can don bird costumes and climb through a nest, see native animals and talk about natural habitats through puppet play. There is a great library full of themed books (birds, animals, green living) and the chance to bird watch.

The grounds, in partnership with Metro Parks, are wonderful for exploring wildlife and flora. We particularly enjoy looking for turtles sunning themselves on logs in the Scioto River. Across a pond with a boardwalk is a rock climbing wall and big playground for added fun.

If you go:

• Pack snacks and drinks. There is no place to buy them on the grounds.
• Map it before you go because it is tucked back there, but is easy to find once you know where you are going.
• Bring a stroller if you plan on taking little ones across the board walk - there are not high rails to keep curious kiddos out of the water.