Granville and neighboring Newark provide attractions to keep families entertained and engaged. For outdoorsy types, camping at Lazy River at Granville (lazyrivergranville.com) brings with it air shows, a Wild West weekend and Halloween festivities, as well as ziplining, BMX biking and swimming.
In Newark, the Midland Theatre (midlandtheatre.org) operates the Yellow Bus Series, which ferries in elementary students for a morning of live theater and fun presentations tied to their science studies. The Works (attheworks.org), also in Newark, bills itself as central Ohio’s only hands-on learning center. Preschoolers can join in a playdate, kids can take part in jewelry making, and young adults can learn glass-blowing.
Granville is dotted with examples of history. On the campus of Denison University, the Denison Museum (denison.edu) houses thousands of cultural objects from Asia, Africa, Europe and Central America. The Granville Historical Society Museum (granvillehistory.org) adds a whimsical touch by challenging visitors to a “What Is It?” game, awarding prizes to those who identify the names or uses of antique items. In 2010, the stumpers included a vinegar jug, a wagon wheel hub and a farrier’s hoof-trimming tool.
For visitors drawn to classic architecture, the Robbins Hunter Museum (robbinshunter.org) stands as a monument to the American Greek Revival style. Examples of residential architecture abound in the town. “Wandering is a good thing to do,” noted the Off the Trails website. “You’ll see everything from early 1800s to the classic 1950s [houses]."
Golf and tennis play a large role in Granville’s recreation community. The Donald Ross-designed Granville Golf Club (granvillegolf.com) features the signature 18th hole, which sits 125 feet above the fairway. The course, with its rolling terrain and strategic sand bunkers, earned 4.5 out of 5 stars from “Golf Digest” in the magazine’s 2009 “Best Places to Play” issue. Granville Golfland (granvillegolfland.com) is dedicated to game improvement, with a driving range, a putting green and a practice sand bunker. Golfers of all ages can take lessons from PGA professionals there.
Granville Tennis Club (granvilletennis.org) marked its 63rd year in 2011. The facility is open to guests accompanied by a member and welcomes players with open courts, lessons and a clubhouse. Platform tennis players can work on their game at the Granville Platform Tennis Club (no website; 1539 Columbus Rd., Granville, Ohio; 740-587-2735).
With its open-air accessibility, Granville has plenty of space to showcase its vendors. The Granville Farmers Market (granvilleareachamberofcommerce.com) runs Saturdays from May through October in the heart of Granville’s Village neighborhood. Specialty shops tie into the small-town atmosphere, with florists, confectioners, boutiques and craft stores lining the streets.
Dining in Granville is largely a casual experience characterized by pubs, pizzerias and ice cream parlors. In 2011, Off the Trails recommended the River Road Coffee House (riverroadcoffeehouse.com), calling it a “hidden jewel.” For a more formal occasion, the historic Buxton Inn (buxtoninn.com) has roast duckling, filet mignon and sea scallops on its dinner menu.
