4 Reasons to Visit Grove City This Fall

This fall, explore the vibrant blend of art, nature and community in Grove City, Ohio. From the innovative "Game Time" stereo painting in Fryer Park (with more to follow) to the scenic trails of Scioto Grove Metro Park, this dynamic Columbus suburb invites you to discover its rich history and contemporary charm. Whether you're browsing downtown shops, enjoying live music or having fun at local festivals, Grove City promises memorable adventures. Learn more about this Columbus suburb and uncover what makes it a great place to visit this season. 

Interactive Art

One of the first things fall visitors to Fryer Park will see is “Game Time,” the first in a series of public stereo paintings by artists David Lane and Cody Wood. With the naked eye, the larger-than-life painting appears to be two images: one portraying the first year of the Grove City High School Alumni Softball Tournament in 1983 and the other depicting the tournament in 2023. Look through a double horizontal periscope contraption mounted in front of the painting, though, and the two paintings become one.

“It’s a way of using your binocular vision — your left and right eye — to create a three-dimensional image,” Lane explains. In this way, the paintings connect Grove City’s past with its present, beyond the capabilities of a photograph.

The second painting, not yet installed at press time, depicts a group of bison before and after the city’s establishment. While they once roamed wild in the area, Ohioans can now see bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, about 15 minutes from Grove City. Look closely for the small details that make each side of the painting unique. Lane and Wood have more stereo paintings in the works, each taking about six months to complete.

“We’re trying to find ways to not just comment on history,” Wood says, “but also [ask] what can be enjoyed in Grove City right now?”

Outdoor Exploration

As summer turns to fall, Grove City’s parks are the perfect place to experience the changing seasons. Opened in 2016, Scioto Grove Metro Park is a popular choice for a variety of outdoor activities. The 620-acre park offers eight different hiking trails, two archery courses and five campsites, as well as areas for fishing and kayaking. Climb the fire tower, which was installed at the end of 2023, for views of the park and surrounding city.

The park represents a variety of Ohio habitats, from woods and waterways to prairie land and oak savanna. Keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer and migrating birds as you explore the walking and hiking paths. To see the season’s colorful fall foliage, park manager Kurt Fortman recommends following the 1.8-mile REI River Trail, where you can also cross Scioto Grove’s picturesque rope suspension bridge, a popular choice with little ones who love to feel it bounce beneath their feet.

Closer to downtown, Fryer Park has walking paths, a playground and fishing spots. The park is also home to Century Village, a re-created late-19th-century Ohio town. While visiting Grove City, be sure to stop at Gantz Park to take a stroll through the arboretum and gardens or sign up for a class in the park’s renovated barn.

Community Gatherings

Starting as a small local art competition, Grove City’s Arts in the Alley celebrates 45 years of community and creativity in 2024. The festival, organized by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, returns to the center of town this year Sept. 20 through 22.

Over 100 artists are scheduled to display and sell their wares during this year’s event, which also features five judged art shows, as well as people’s choice awards and a chance to become a part of the city’s permanent collection. For young artists, the Kids Fun Street has expanded to include more take-home crafts and an updated sensory-friendly area. Enjoy food from one of the many vendors while exploring the lineup of arts, crafts and entertainment.

The second day of the festival kicks off with a parade on Saturday morning, with the fifth annual Voice of Grove City competition going on throughout the day. Much like the popular TV show, competitors showcase their singing talent for a chance to win a $2,500 prize.

The lively Columbus suburb has lots more in store for the remainder of the season too. The Summer Sizzle Concert Series continues through the end of September with live music in the town center every Friday night. The Heart of Grove City Food Truck Festival, which takes place on Fridays during the summer, continues biweekly through October, and Oct. 26 brings Boo Off Broadway, a Halloween event with games, local vendors and food.

“I keep telling people, ‘If you haven’t been to Grove City in a while, you haven’t been to Grove City,’” says Shawn Conrad, president and CEO of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a new day here.”

Downtown Shopping

The stretch of Broadway that runs through downtown Grove City offers shoppers plenty to explore. Visitors can get creative by making candles at The Chandler or picking up home decor at The Farm Table on 62. It seems there is always a new shop to discover, including a fresh find for flowers and a haven for trading card collectors.

Open since May 2024, Butterfly Boutique carries an abundance of locally grown flowers, including many cultivated by shop owner Katie Fleming. Shoppers will also find teas, seasonal decor, jewelry and art — much of it sourced from local artists and women-owned businesses.

Fleming and her staff take pride in their ability to help customers find the right flowers for any occasion. Stop in to buy a ready-made bouquet or create one of your own. The boutique also hosts build-your-own bouquet classes and themed events.

“I like to say we’re more than just a retail shop,” Fleming adds. “We’re kind of a flower experience.”

A short walk away, visitors will find CardCollector2, a one-stop-shop for trading cards and sports memorabilia. Owner Ryan Johnson bought the store in 2019 after the former owner retired, rebranding and expanding both the space and inventory. The store sells sports cards, trading card games and other card-related supplies, so stop by to browse boxes of single cards, buy variety packs or just talk with the staff about the hobby.

The shop periodically hosts a trade night, where card enthusiasts from Grove City and beyond gather. Some trade nights are even geared specifically to kids, which is part of Johnson’s goal to inspire the next generation and build a community around the store.

“If you have any questions … that’s what we’re here for,” he says. “We’re meant to be an entry point into the hobby.”

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When You Go
For more information about destinations and events in Grove City, visit grovecityohio.gov or visitgrovecityoh.com.

Arts in the Alley
facebook.com/artsinthealleygc

Boo Off Broadway
gcchamber.org/boo-off-broadway

Butterfly Boutique
butterflygc.com

CardCollector2
cardcollector2.com

Fryer Park
visitgrovecityoh.com

Scioto Grove Metro Park
metroparks.net

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