
The Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system has curated some beautiful light displays this holiday season. Currently, you can enjoy lights at Blacklick Woods Metro Park, Highbanks Metro Park, Homestead Metro Park, Inniswood Metro Gardens and Scioto Grove Metro Park each evening. We recently visited Homestead to enjoy the gorgeous weather and spend some much needed time outside. We were excited to see the holiday lights and arrived at the park early to allow for time to play and explore before sunset.


By chance, we happened to arrive during a Metro Parks program. The naturalist leading the event shared they were hosting an elf scavenger hunt throughout the park. We were then provided a list of clues to locate each elf, along with a clipboard, and were on our way. We spent the next hour walking around the park searching for each elf. One by one, we spotted them and checked them off our list. After completing the challenge, Connor was rewarded with his choice of an item from the prize bin and a candy cane.

The scavenger hunt was a wonderful addition to our visit. We absolutely loved having an interactive activity planned out to take us all over the park. Connor is still talking about how much fun he had following the clues and searching for the elves. To keep up to date on future programs, including the next elf scavenger hunt, you can complete the Program interest form. This allows the Metro Parks to connect with you via a weekly email to share future event announcements and registration information.


As night began to fall, the park became illuminated for visitors to enjoy as Christmas music played. When we approached the covered bridge we were greeted by park naturalists who were handing out candy canes and passports for the Winter Hike Series. With lights around the pond and through the meadow that leads to the parking lot, it was the perfect distance for little legs. In all, our family had a wonderful time at Homestead.

Homestead Metro Park | 4675 Cosgray Rd | Hilliard, OH 43026