Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus, OH

I have found a new hang out. And, no, it is not a candy shop, it is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center located off Whittier Street downtown. This place is seriously cool. Full of educational information and full of fun educational play time for the kids, and FREE. They not only have an indoor area where kids can play and learn, but they offer a playground, educational classes, and nature hikes to learn about wildlife in Ohio.

When we first got there a preschool class was about to start so we couldn’t play in the area with the dress-up costumes and netted jungle gym, but we were led to the library where there were books upon books for children and adults alike. Binoculars were placed around the room to birdwatch (and the view was fantastic, even on the gray rainy day we visited) and speakers filled the air with chirping from the birds outside. The Audubon Center put microphones on the bird feeders so patrons visiting the library could listen to beautiful bird chatter. I was surprised with how inquisitive our group of children were! My mommies group read books about birds of Ohio, ants, books in Spanish, and taught little ones how to use binoculars. And, we lucked out. There were three female Mallard ducks with their suitors down at the pond. Those of you who don’t know about Mallards, in the spring each female has three male ducks that follow them around until one is chosen. So, there were a number of ducks to spy on through the binoculars.

The staff at the Audubon Center was so friendly and helpful. Information was provided on birthday parties, preschool and older child programs, and explanations about how the building was constructed to be sustainable and good to the earth. The parking spaces in the lot were even designed to collect rain water and let it settle back into the ground, not let it run off with car fluid toxins into the Scioto River. Displays in the main lobby give eco-friendly suggestions on how visitors can be good to the environment. For example, one child produces up to 67 pounds of lunch trash per year. Even a resuable lunch bags cuts back on that trash tremendously, and there are tons of places to get them. Check out Sprout Soup in Clintonville or even your neighborhood Target.

We ate lunch in their meeting space, which was large and should be considered for renting if you need a meeting space, and then onto the play area. The play area is in a big room that is also used for classes for kids. There is a netted jungle gym, beautifully crafted and hand-made bird and butterfly dress ups, a playhouse with lots of animal puppets, and a few reptiles and amphibians living in tanks. We probably played in there for over an hour, and the kids did not want to leave. Bathrooms were close by and there were even bathrooms and a water fountain outside if you decide to hang with with the trees during your visit. The center has many comfy couches inside and out for sitting peacefully to read or watch wildlife. The place is just gorgeous, and I cannot wait for a family hike and for the kids to play on their playground!

Information on the programs and open hikes can be found here: Events Calendar. Check it out!

Grange Insurance Audubon Center
505 W. Whittier Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-545-5475

Public hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

If you plan to go:

• If you want to play inside, I would recommend calling to see when there are classes and plan your visit around them. That way you aren’t waiting to take the kids into play or to visit the library.
• They have a huge playground located just north of the building.
• Take Whittier all the down, and you will see the building.
• Plan on taking a lunch or snacks and a drink.
• Strollers would easily maneuver around in the building or the playground, but I would suggest carrying baby if you are hiking.