🎢 Hocking Hills Is Getting Ohio’s First Mountain Coaster

Plus: 🍸 Meet Columbus' Lost Cocktails

Author

Chelsea Wiley
July 13, 2026

Sponsored by Columbus Recreation and Parks
Jazz & Rib Fest, presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, is a FREE summertime tradition offering the finest in music and barbecue. Celebrate summer along the Scioto Mile in Downtown Columbus with hot ribs and cool jazz on July 24–26. For more info, please click here.

Hello, Monday! Chelsea, here.

We've hiked the trails. We've chased the waterfalls. We've squeezed through the caves. Now, Hocking Hills is giving us an entirely new way to explore Ohio's favorite outdoor destination. A mountain coaster (the first of its kind in the state) is officially on the way, and it's shaping up to be one seriously fun reason to plan another trip.

🍸 Sip Your Way Through Columbus History At This Short North Cocktail Bar
Ever found yourself wishing you could have one more drink at Kahiki or Betty's? Soul at The Joseph's nostalgic cocktail menu is back with even more sips inspired by Columbus favorites.

🇮🇪 How To Experience The Dublin Irish Festival Like A Pro
Heading to the Dublin Irish Festival? We've rounded up the best insider tips, from where to discover emerging musicians to why downloading the Festival app is a must before you arrive.

Headlines 📰 

📹 Columbus is putting new limits on how police can use Flock surveillance cameras after an audit found thousands of searches that may have been immigration-related. Mayor Andrew Ginther has ordered CPD to stop statewide sharing of the camera network while the city investigates how the system was used. (WOSU)

🥫 More than 150 “blessing boxes” around Columbus are running low, and the group behind them is asking neighbors for help keeping them stocked. The community cabinets provide free food and essentials, but rising costs and increased demand have made it harder to keep them filled this summer. (NBC4)

♻️ Columbus is making it easier to turn your banana peels, coffee grounds, and food scraps into something useful. The city’s compost drop-off program has diverted hundreds of thousands of pounds of food waste from landfills, and new sites are helping more residents give composting a try. (Axios Columbus)

☀️ Weather: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 106.

Coming Up This Week 📆

Sponsored by DICK'S House of Sport ⚽
Skip the same old birthday party this year. From rock climbing and golf simulators to kickball, dodgeball, basketball, and more, DICK'S House of Sport in Polaris has everything you need for an action-packed celebration. You can learn more about party packages and availability right here.

Coming Up This Month 📆

via Red, White & BOOM! (Facebook)

😎 The Best Things To Do in Columbus This July
It’s time to get serious about your summer plans, Columbus. Before you know it, it will be a crisp fall morning, so you’d better make the most of summer while it lasts! Here are the best things happening around town this month.

Today's Photo 🤳

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☀️ It might be Monday, but at least it’s sunny. Make the most out of your day, Columbus!

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- Chelsea