Get Back to Nature in Zanesville, Ohio

Zanesville and Muskingum County, OH

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

Day One: Explore The Wilds in Ohio

One of Ohio’s most unique destinations is right here in Muskingum County. A place where threatened and endangered animals from all over the world – rhinos, giraffes, antelope and now cheetahs – live in mixed-species groups, roaming expansive natural habitats. A place called The Wilds, one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers with nearly 10,000 acres. Hop aboard an open-air safari to get up close time with the animals in the pasture and get behind the scene looks.  Take a bird’s eye view from a zip line or explore the Wilds by horseback or cast your line on a guided fishing safari. TheWilds.org

A beautiful urban garden located in Zanesville, Ohio. Mission Oaks Gardens exists quietly and virtually undetectable from the street in a residential neighborhood. More than seven acres of gardens showcase hundreds of rare and unusual plants including a collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and conifers. Perennials, annuals and wildflowers fill the gardens year round. The gardens also feature two waterfalls, a natural bog, perennial garden, walking paths, creek, gazebo and one of the most renowned conifer gardens in the state. The nearly two acre conifer garden displays over 300 trees, many of which are not native to North America. Free and open to the public daily from dusk til dawn.  missionoaksgardens.org/

Dorsets N’ Daylilies is a 237-acre farm which is the home to over 900 hybridized daylilies, 150 head of Dorset ewers and 40 head of commercial cows.  Visitors are able to purchase daylilies and ship them back to their home.  The owner is very knowledgeable on all the species and will offer a guided tour of her garden.  Reservations are needed for this tour.  dorsetsndaylilies.com

Boat experience in Zanesville

Day Two: Take a Ride Over the River in Ohio

The Lorena Sternwheeler is moored at Zane’s Landing Park at the west end of Market Street in downtown Zanesville and offers excursions on the Muskingum River.  She can carry 75 passengers and is 104 feet long.This Muskingum County treasure travels up the Historic Muskingum River Water Trail and offers a relaxed and pleasant ride through wide waters, passing scenic woodlands just the way our ancestors did. She has carried governors, Miss Americas, Pat Boone, and the Imperials.  Newspapers throughout the world write about the Lorena and radio and TV coverage is extensive. Worldwide coverage came when the Lorena survived the “Blizzard of ’78.”  The riverboat was within a quarter-inch of capsizing.  Lunch, Dinner, Twilight and Public Cruises are all available.   visitzanesville.com/Explore/Destinations/133/Lorena-Sternwheeler

Visit the largest Suri alpaca farm in Southeast Ohio, Spring Acres Alpaca Farm, with more than 90 alpacas on 180 acres of rolling hills. Feel the finest, softest, most beautiful fleece that is also light weight, hypoallergenic and water repellent. The Alpacas of Spring Acres is a real working alpaca farm that offers shopping, education, accommodations and many opportunities to experience and enjoy the wonderful world of alpacas.  The Alpacas of Spring Acres offers fiber arts experiences such as weaving, spinning, knitting and crocheting to name a few.  So, put your hands on this exquisite fiber and find out what all the excitement is about!  Enjoy the Farm Store and Weaving Center during your visit. Thealpacasofspringacres.com

View a collection of more than 300 bronze sculptures and learn about the sculpture process from start to finish at the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio & Gallery. Located at 110 S. Sixth Street in downtown Zanesville. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free on-street parking available. 740-453-9822

The Art Loft, the loft studio of Susan Stubbins, Linda Graham, Sandy Booth and Susan Nash. Find mixed media collages, art quilts, paintings and fiber arts. Located at 26 N. 3rd Street Rear in downtown Zanesville. Entrance is on the 4th Street side of the building. Free on-street parking available or pay to park in the 4th Street lot. Open weekdays, 1 to 5 p.m., mornings by appointment or chance. Also open during “First Friday” Art Walks. Call ahead to confirm availability at 740-452-8262.

Y Bridge in Ohio

Day Three: Experience Excellent Art in Zanesville

Experience the Zanesville Appalachian Arts Project (ZAAP) Gallery where exhibits change monthly. ZAAP is a community arts group with nearly 100 members. The membership represents a diverse range of talents and media. Located at 625 Main Street in downtown Zanesville. Open Thursday-Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. and during “First Friday” Art Walks.

Discover the beauty of Mission Oaks Garden, a continually evolving intercity woodland garden located in an older residential section of Zanesville. The majestic mature white oak trees provide the genesis for the woodland garden. The large perennial garden and a conifer garden are included on approximately 5 acres. Entrance to the garden is at 424 Hunter Avenue, Zanesville.

Drive over the world-famous Y Bridge that spans the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. First built in 1814, the current bridge is the fifth structure at this site. Ripley’s Believe it or Not featured the Y Bridge as “the only bridge in the world which you can cross and still be on the same side of the river.” The Putnam Hill Park Overlook offers the best view of the bridge. The park is located off Pine Street, just south of West Main Street.

Tour the Stone Academy Historic Site & Museum. This National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site was the birthplace of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society. Originally built to serve as Ohio’s statehouse, it is the oldest public building still standing in the state. Museum features exhibits of local pottery and glass, furniture, a Y Bridge display and a 1913 Flood exhibit. Located in the Putnam Historic District at 115 Jefferson Street, Zanesville. Open May-September, Wednesday-Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. and year-round by appointment. 740-454-9500

Experience the history of early transportation at the National Road and Zane Grey Museum. The museum also features exhibits on author Zanesville Grey, “Father of the American Western,” as well as a beautiful collection of Zanesville Art Pottery. Tours are guided. Open May-October, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. 800-752-2602

Explore the Zanesville Museum of Art and participate in a variety of the activities they are offering. This museum displays fine American and European paintings, sculpture, historic and studio glass, Asian arts plus temporary exhibits. Located at 620 Military Road, Zanesville. www.zanesvilleart.org

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Zanesville-Muskingum County Convention & Visitors Bureau

205 N. Fifth Street, Zanesville, OH 43701

740-455-8282

www.visitzanesville.com

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