I've lived in Ohio for all but two years of my life, and even so, I'm still discovering new adventures all the time. Whether it's stumbling on a hidden gem or rediscovering a longtime favorite, there's little I enjoy more than exploring the Buckeye State. Today's feature destination falls into the former; it's a nature park hiding in plain sight in our state's capital city that's full of opportunities for outdoor recreation, bursting with beautiful blooms, and absolutely free to experience! Let's pay a visit to Whetstone Park, a 130-acre hidden gem in Columbus, Ohio, that's home to its very own rose garden.

When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? Really, truly, stopped to take a minute and appreciate the beauty and wonder all around us?

I visited Mount Hood in May and was brought to tears by its beauty, but you don't have to travel to Oregon to experience awe and wonder in Ohio, you can simply visit Whetstone Park in Columbus.

Whetstone Park is a 149-acre regional park in the Clintonville community of Columbus. A beautiful place for hiking, walking, and wandering, Whetstone Park is a trailhead for the Olentangy Trail (which provides access to Northmoor Park) and adjacent to the Webster Nature Preserve.

Treasures abound within the park's modest acreage; Whetstone Prairie, planted in May 2004, converted 5.1 acres of the park into native Ohio prairie complete with vernal pools and woodland buffer.

The prairie is teeming with native flora and fauna, attracting pollinators to its beautiful, vibrant blooms and foliage.

Of course, these buzzing insects are also undeniably drawn to the resplendent rose garden hidden inside this park, too.

The Columbus Park of Roses is a 13-acre rose garden that showcases over 350 rose varieties and 11,000 total roses. This award-winning park has five unique gardens: the Main Rose Garden, the Heritage Garden with turn-of-the-century roses, the Earth-Kind Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, and the Perennial Garden.

The rose garden opened in 1953 and stands as one of the most wonderful hidden gems in Ohio. It's free to visit and open year-round, with the summer months prime time to stop and smell the roses.

Guests are encouraged to admire these roses and take photos; however, please don't pick these beautiful blooms.

Did you know there was a rose garden hidden in this nature park in Columbus, Ohio? The Columbus Park of Roses is a true Buckeye State treasure that's sure to sweep you off your feet. Visit The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks for more information about Whetstone Park and the Columbus Park of Roses.