Historical Tours

El objetivo de este encuentro es romper el hielo, hablar de las historias que nos gusta escribir, de por qué escribimos, de los libros que nos gusta leer, de qué dificultades encontramos al enfrentarnos al folio en blanco y de qué esperamos del grupo. En definitiva, se trata de conocernos como personas para entendernos como escritores. No importa si has escrito diez novelas, cuatro cuentos o el precioso título de un poema sin versos. Aquí todo aspirante a juntaletras es bienvenido.

Sziasztok! Mielőtt mindenki elmerülne a nyári szabadságok és tervek megvalósításában, fussunk össze még egyszer a Teszt és Tea keretein belül! Ezúttal egy rendkívül forró témát hozunk nektek: hogyan támogatja az AI a mindennapi szoftvertesztelést a gyakorlatban? **FONTOS RÉSZLETEK:** Ez alkalommal az Raiffeisen Bank Zrt. vendégei leszünk. Az esemény gördülékenysége érdekében ezért az alábbiakra figyeljetek: * Maximum **80** **fő** fog tudni jelentkezni a meetupra * A jelentkezéshez **meetup appot** használjátok kérlek * A jelentkezés során kérlek használjátok a **valódi neveteket** (ettől függ, hogy be tudtok-e jutni majd az irodába * **Jelentkezni június 7.-én napvégéig tudtok!** **Előadásaink** **Tomócsik Zoltán, Szabó Beáta: Az AI, mint a quality menedzsment hatékony támogató eszköze** Egyre gyorsabb sprintek, egyre kevesebb idő – és közben a minőség nem romolhat. Ismerős? Amikor banki rendszereket tesztelünk (online banking, mobilapp, core rendszerek), hamar eljutunk oda, hogy a manuális megközelítés már nem elég. Itt jön képbe az AI. Ebben az előadásban azt mutatjuk meg, hogyan jutottunk el oda, hogy az AI nem csak egy hype, hanem valós eszköz lett a tesztmenedzsmentben: * segít eldönteni, mit érdemes tesztelni, * képes teszteket generálni, * és támogatja a döntéshozatalt a legkritikusabb pontokon. De nem minden arany, ami fénylik: beszélünk a veszélyekről is – hallucináció, adatvédelem, auditálhatóság –, és arról, miért marad továbbra is kulcsfontosságú az emberi kontroll. Ez az előadás azoknak szól, akik szeretnék érteni, nem csak használni az AI-t a banki tesztelésben. **Ágnecz Gergely: AI a szoftverfejlesztésben és tesztelésben – gyakorlati tapasztalatok egy SDET-től** Mind tapasztaljuk az AI hype-ot és az eszközök térnyerését az iparban. Nézzük meg egy gyakorlatiasabb szemszögből, hogyan alakította át az elmúlt években az AI a szoftverfejlesztést és a minőségbiztosítást, illetve hogy mindez hogyan néz ki egy SDET mindennapjaiban Nagy örömmel várunk minden lelkes érdeklődőt, találkozzunk a meetupon!

Enjoy your time learning and practicing public speaking with Budapest Toastmasters! There is no need to speak or any previous experience in Public Speaking. --- 👉Keycode: 12, 3rd Floor. Please arrive by 6:20 PM, the meeting starts at 6:30 PM👉No registration or dress code is needed, the event is FREE.👉NOTE: We will have signs in the place so you can locate easily the Toastmasters Meeting room. --- Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our membership is 313,000 strong. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,650 clubs in 126 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations. The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses, and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish but must also communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams, and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters program. Every Toastmaster's journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback—and accept it. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.

## **Pope vs. AI?—Current Events Social: Life's big 'AI' questions!** Get ready for a fun combo of philosophical musing and current events. Even global leaders and tech pioneers are pausing to ask what comes next. Following the Vatican’s recent warnings on AI safety and Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah’s admission that these questions are *"bigger than the AI research community,"* it’s time for us to weigh in! Here are 3 big questions we’ll dive into around our friendly table: 1️⃣ **Who holds the remote control?** As algorithms take over decision-making, how do we ensure humanity always retains ultimate control? 2️⃣ **Are we risking "digital slavery"?** With warnings comparing unchecked AI to historical exploitation, how do we prevent technology from dehumanizing workers and users? 3️⃣ **What makes us human—and not more and more like AI?** As machines get smarter, how do we safeguard our unique human connection, creativity, and imagination? 📰 **Useful link:** We may use this article to guide our discussion: [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedppn6002jo](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedppn6002jo) Bring your curiosity and your best skepticism. Let’s grab a drink and solve the ultimate CAPTCHA: what actually makes us human? (No clicking on traffic lights required!) ✦•······················•✦•······················•✦ Kat is a writer, teacher, and theater artist. Formerly based in New York City, she is now traveling the world and bringing her meetups here to learn alongside our community. Come join her!

Indítsd 2026-ot argentin tangóval! Nincs szükséged semmilyen előzetes tánctudásra, és egyedül vagy párban is jelentkezhetsz! Várunk szeretettel minden tangózni vágyót! Oktató: Szeghalmi Endre Kezdés: 2026. jan. 12., hétfő 20:00 – 21:00. Az órák minden hétfőn ugyanebben az időpontban folytatódnak. Helyszín: Roxy Stúdió, Tátra u. 4. Jelentkezés és további infók: A [www.tangolibre.hu/tango-tanfolyam/](http://www.tangolibre.hu/tango-tanfolyam/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExbDFsUmtNd2dIQVpmSHY3TXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR50fTXksGSsXPYTo3IYigrZIXxtxdytBSer6v-jm9Y7HrcgPGLXn9R-dfaPCg_aem_0misiL79POQIY53C46m1Mw) oldalon találsz minden részletet, és itt tudsz regisztrálni. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Start 2026 with Argentine tango! No prior dance experience is required, and you can sign up either alone or with a partner. We warmly welcome everyone who would like to dance tango! Instructor: Endre Szeghalmi Start: Monday, January 12, 2026, 8:00–9:00 PM Classes will continue every Monday at the same time. Venue: Roxy Studio, Tátra u. 4. Registration and more information: [www.tangolibre.hu/en/tango-classes-for-totally-beginners/](http://www.tangolibre.hu/en/tango-classes-for-totally-beginners/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExbDFsUmtNd2dIQVpmSHY3TXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR50fTXksGSsXPYTo3IYigrZIXxtxdytBSer6v-jm9Y7HrcgPGLXn9R-dfaPCg_aem_0misiL79POQIY53C46m1Mw)

**IMPORTANT:** Please note that this meetup.com page is a partner channel. Visit the link below for official RSVP: https://luma.com/hyy33c7z \-\-\-\-\- **Visit our office, where virtual cells are built, tested, and applied to transform R&D** On June 8, we welcome you to Turbine HQ, so you can meet the teams, tour the lab and touch the tech that fuels our virtual cell platform. **Welcome & Introduction - 19:00, repeated on demand at 20:00** We will share what it takes to build a lab without limits from a scientific, operational, and commercial perspective. Then, we will discuss the impact on discovery and translational workflows, grounded in case studies, applied experience and measured business value. **Meet the 'Mitochondria' -** **throughout the evening** Guests can explore our facilities and engage with the teams that power our platform. Representing * ​Biolabs & Data Generation, * ​AI/ML R&D, * ​Product & Virtual Lab, and * ​Customer Delivery and Business Development, ​each station is designed to be interactive and informative including a closer look at our automatic lab-in-the-loop infrastructure, integrated with Revvity. **Refreshments will be served during the full event. Come and join for open conversations, food, drinks, and peer exchange with fellow R&D leaders.** ​----- Please note: capacity is limited and attendance is subject to confirmation. Food and drinks served during the event may contain allergens, which will be indicated; however, consumption remains each guest’s individual responsibility. Turbine Ltd. may take photos during the event for documentation and communication purposes. By attending the event, guests acknowledge that they may appear in photos taken at the event. Turbine Ltd. may use these photos after the event on its owned social media channels, including LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. If you do not wish to be photographed or featured in event communications, please let a member of the Turbine team know upon arrival. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

**This week's venue: Beer People \| Lázár utca 7\, Budapest 1065** We hold a bi-weekly workshop to encourage creative writing where we share pieces of creative writing and solicit feedback from the other attendees. Some members also use the forum to find others with whom to collaborate, edit work, and/or brainstorm plot, themes, settings, and so forth. And from time to time, we participate in competitions, recite and/or offer material for events organized by other groups. At the moment there is no prompt for this particular meetup. Instead, writers are invited to submit something they have (or are working on) or to craft a short story specifically for the event. Of course, there's no pressure to submit something. Many participants are interested in hearing ideas, questioning the authors, and examining style and technique. Often, we explore other published works as well. The submission guidelines are as follows: 1. limit the piece to 850 words (to give enough time for any other submissions being read at the event); 2. make the text available (though you can read it aloud) for the other attendees. Many authors bring a few printed copies, others post their work in the comments of the meetup; 3. have a question in mind for the group about the submission; and, 4. If offering something from a longer work, be prepared to give a little bit of background first.

***Pop-Up 2K to Drink: The Danube Sunset Dash!*** Last-minute pop-up run tonight! I'm visiting Budapest and prepping for the Škofja Loka Four Bridges Night Run in Slovenia on June 20—what better way to train than crossing the breathtaking Danube? Join me for a casual 2K loop and post-run drinks. Gemini mapped out this route for me😅, but any local advice or tweaks to the path are more than welcome when we meet up! No pressure, easy pace, great views, and a complete route on foot. * **7:35 PM – Meetup at Fővám tér:** Street level outside the main M4 metro exit (next to the Great Market Hall). Look for Kat's red hat! * **7:45 PM – Step Off & Bridge Crossing:** Crossing the historic Liberty Bridge right away to catch the sunset lighting over the water. * **7:55 PM – Buda Riverbank Stretch:** A flat, breezy stretch straight down the Buda side path right next to the river. * **8:05 PM – Crossing Petőfi Bridge:** Jogging back across the Danube to return to the Pest side. * **8:10 PM – Drinks at Esetleg Bisztró Click to open side panel for more information :** Finishing right at the end of the bridge to cool down on the terrace. I haven't been to this bar yet, but it's highly rated! **Good to know:** * **Transit:** Fővám tér is on Metro M4 and Trams 2, 47, 49. * **The Bar:** Esetleg Bisztró Click to open side panel for more information is a laid-back local spot with great alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (wines, craft beer, mocktails, and sodas). Whether you're training or just want a light evening jog, come join! See you tonight! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-＊＊☽☾＊＊\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Kat is a writer, teacher, and theater artist. Formerly based in New York City, she is now traveling the world and bringing her meetups here to learn alongside our community. Come join her!

**English below ----------------------** Ez most az első picit kötetlenebb könyves eseményünk lesz. Nem egy konkrét könyvet fogunk kibeszélni, hanem inkább kinézünk az Ünnepi Könyvhétre, és meglátjuk, hogyan működik ez a lazább forma. De aggodalomra semmi ok, a könyves kibeszélő és a duma mindenképpen az esemény része lesz. :) A menetrend a következő: **14:00 – Gyülekező és bemutatkozás** A Vörösmarty-szobor környékén találkozunk. Egy nagyobb társaságot keress, és hogy biztosra menj: a kezemben egy Moby Dick könyv lesz, szóval ha ezt látod valakinél, mi vagyunk azok. Kezdésként tartunk egy gyors bemutatkozást, és átbeszéljük, ki mit szeretne megnézni. Én személy szerint csak körbe akarok nézni és megállni ott, ami épp megtetszik, de ha neked komolyabb terveid vagy konkrét célpontjaid vannak, nyugodtan jelezd, biztosan találsz majd valakit, aki veled tart. **14:15 – Indulás a standok közé** 14:15-kor elindulunk, szóval kérlek írj az eseményhez, ha késel. Ha nem érsz oda kezdésre, az sem gond, később is simán be tudsz csatlakozni, rugalmas az egész. A megbeszélt irányok mentén kicsit szétválunk kisebb csoportokra, és teszünk egy kört a forgatagban. **15:00 – Találkozó a Kiskirálylánynál(Vigadó tér)** A nézelődés után 15:00-kor a Kiskirálylány-szobornál találkozunk újra a Vigadó téren. Várunk egy picit, hogy mindenki odaérjen, majd együtt átgyalogolunk a Városháza Parkba (ez egy laza 10 perces séta lesz). **15:20 - 17:00 – Könyves duma a Városháza Parkban** Letelepedünk a parkban, ahol picit átbeszéljük a könyvheti élményeket, meg persze jöhet a kötetlen beszélgetés bármilyen könyvről. A hivatalos részét 17:00-kor zárjuk, de utána is ott lehet maradni tovább, ameddig van kedvünk sztorizni. Gyertek, nézzünk szét, aztán dumáljunk egy jót a parkban! **English version / International attendees:** This is our first casual, free-form event. Instead of discussing a specific book, we’ll visit the Festive Book Week together and see how this format works. * **14:00 – Meetup:** Near the Vörösmarty statue. Look for a bigger group and a guy holding a **Moby Dick** book. We'll do a quick intro and share what everyone wants to check out. * **14:15 – Heading out:** We'll explore the stands in smaller groups. If you're late, just drop a comment here and catch up with us later. * **15:00 – Re-grouping:** At the Little Princess Statue (Kiskirálylány) at Vigadó Square, followed by a 10-minute walk to Városháza Park. * **15:20 - 17:00 – Book Chat:** We'll settle down in Városháza Park to talk about our Book Week finds and books in general. The official event ends at 17:00, but feel free to stay longer! > 🌍 **Language note:** Since this is a local event, most attendees will likely speak Hungarian, but the organizers and many of us speak fluent English. Feel free to join us, we are happy to chat in English and make sure you're included!

Practice Buddhist meditation in the middle of Budapest! The meditation is suitable for beginners. Each regular meditation is guided and begins with a short introduction. (all together is about 30-40 minutes) Our regular Buddhist meditations have proven popular with people who want to integrate authentic Buddhist methods into their daily lives. For the modern lay person who is juggling work, relationships, and an active role in society, we teach a meditation that is easy to learn, and profound and powerful for experienced practitioners. The meditation originates from the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It has a cumulative effect on mind, leading to greater clarity and calmness. Fearlessness, joy, and active compassion are the result of regular practice of Buddhist meditation. * Do I need any special clothing? No special clothing needed. * Does the attendance cost anything? No, the meditation is free.

Please sign up in advance! Hot Paprika Presents: Budapest’s Best Pub Quiz! Sign Up: https://forms.gle/CouTc9QdmoPqEkRp8 Join us for the Hot Paprika Pub Quiz at Bunkert, kicking off at 8 PM! This isn’t your average trivia night—it's hosted by comedians, so expect uncomfortable laughs, unexpected twists, and an unforgettable time! What to Expect: Diverse Topics – From pop culture to history, no subject is off-limits! Comedian Hosts – The hilarious Tauseef Parvez will keep you entertained. Big Prizes – Weekly winners score free comedy show tickets & bar discounts . Donation-Based – Come, play, and support the show however you can! Gather your team, sharpen your wits, and let’s make trivia night legendary! Register now and don’t miss out!

*Most professional events feel like a job interview. Most social hangouts feel like aimless small talk. We are here to do the opposite!* \-\-\- 👉 **STEP 1:** RSVP on MeetUp 👉 **STEP 2:** [Get your ticket on Luma](https://luma.com/pu365vs1) \-\-\- At the **Women’s Coffee Network**, we offer a non-traditional experience where you don't have to fight for your voice, perfect an elevator pitch, or navigate a room of strangers alone. We created this circle because **we don't believe in the hustle; we believe in the power of a steady anchor.** Working with the precision of a designer and the empathy of a coach, we’ve built this soft sanctuary where **the superficial is skipped** and **the high-fidelity connection begins**. We're here to share personal stories and build professional alliances. ​ WHO IS THIS FOR? * 🎀 It's a **female-only community** because we have our unique way to express ourselves, struggles in the business world, and jokes only other women can understand. * 🎀 If the idea of a meetup with 50 people makes you want to stay home, this circle is for you! We gather in **small, intimate groups** — to meet enough new people to have a deep conversation, but not so many that you feel anxious or overwhelmed. * 🎀 Whether you are leading a corporation, building a creative empire, or navigating the quiet uncertainty of a career transition, you have a seat at our table. The **diversity of professional backgrounds** makes our circle special with shared wisdom. * 🎀 Our **soft-flow dialogue** ensures that no bravery is required to be heard. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room to be the most impactful. Here, your silence is respected, and your voice is gently invited. HOW TO JOIN US? 👉 **STEP 1:** Register here on MeetUp 👉 **STEP 2:** [Get your ticket on Luma](https://luma.com/pu365vs1) WHAT IS INCLUDED? * ⚓️ 2 hours of expert-led facilitation and curated dialogue * 🏠 Exclusive access to our private Facebook community * 💜 Supporting our work to create steady anchors for professional women * 🎫 All platform and transaction fees are also included. **If you feel called to create real connection in Budapest within a female-only community, we can’t wait to welcome you.** 💜 [👉 To secure your spot, please register here](https://luma.com/pu365vs1) \-\-\- \-\-\- Follow us on ​[LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/17220029/)\| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/womenscoffeenetwork/?hl=es) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/womenscoffeenetworkglobal) to see the atmosphere of our gatherings and get a daily dose of grounding.

We're happy to announce the 11th Budapest ML Meetup! Join the next session in-person to connect with the community and enjoy the presentations. 📆 Date: June 9, 2026 **·** Tuesday 📍 Location: Budapest **·** 1134 **·** Váci út 47 E **·** GTC White House Office 🗣 Language: English 🗣️**Talks** * *World-models and the twilight of LLMs* [Gergely Várhelyi-Tóth](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tgergo1/), TÜV Rheinland * *Prototype to Production: AI Solutions in Finance.* [Erika Frits,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-rita-frits-4a3455159/) BlackRock **Planned Schedule** * 17:30 Arrival * 18:00 Welcome notes and Presentations * 19:30 Follow-up discussions * 20:00 Closing time 🎉 Catering and the venue are provided by Aladdin Engineering. 🙋‍♂️ This will be an in-person event with no streaming or recording.

**〜 run for your coffee ☕️🥐** welcome to the **unplugged club Budapest ✨** a space to slow down, leave the phone behind, and reconnect with yourself and others through low pressure shared experiences ☻ This time, we’ll meet for an easy **5km run** that ends with a well deserved coffee 🏃🏻‍♀️☕ **〜 What to expect** ◦ This is a relaxed, beginner-friendly run with no pressure on pace or performance. ◦ We’ll run together through a comfortable 5km route in Budapest. ◦ After the run, we’ll hang out at Kelet Kávézó for some coffee or beverage of your choice. **〜 Details** 📅 Saturday, June 13th 🕘 Start: 9:00 am 📍 Meeting point: Szent Gellért tér 🏃‍♀️ Distance: \~5 km beginner friendly pace ☕ Finish: Kelet Kávézó If you see this: **this is your sign to start running!** **✨**🏃🏻‍♀️🏃**✨**

🔥 OVER 50 HAPPY HOUR at PBR EASTON! 🔥 Looking to meet new people, enjoy great music, dance, laugh, and have an unforgettable night out? Then grab your friends and join us for one of the most exciting Over 50 social events in Columbus! 📍 PBR Cowboy Bar + Smokehouse – Easton 📅 Thursday, June 18th ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (and the fun keeps going!) This is NOT your typical quiet happy hour… this is a high-energy, country-meets-nightlife experience designed for fun-loving singles and couples over 50 who still enjoy getting out, socializing, and making memories! ✨ What’s Happening: 🎵 Live Music from 6:30–8:30 PM 🐂 Mechanical Bull Riding starting at 8:30 PM 💃 Line Dancing with Instructor from 9–10 PM 🎧 DJ & Dancing starting at 9 PM 🍹 Drink Specials All Night: $3, $4 & $5 specials! Whether you want to relax with a drink, hit the dance floor, try the mechanical bull, or just meet a great group of people in a fun atmosphere — this event has something for everyone. 👉 IMPORTANT: When you arrive, CHECK IN with the host under: “Doug / Meetup” to receive your wristband. 🚗 FREE Parking available across from the venue and at the Easton West Garage. Come when you can, leave when you want… but don’t be surprised if you stay all night! Let’s make Thursday night FUN again! 🎉

Join Bold Spirit Travel for an all-women’s journey through the [heart of Provence. ](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/south-of-france-provence-2026) From charming villages and bustling markets, to lavender fields and coastal cliffs, this adventure blends history, art, food, and stunning landscapes. Your base is a boutique hotel in Aix-en-Provence, the perfect hub for exploring southern France. *\*We can only take 10 women on this trip.* **Highlights** * **Aix-en-Provence** – stroll cobbled streets, browse colorful markets, and enjoy lively cafés. * **Marseilles** – tour its historic basilica and meet traditional soap makers. * **Arles & Wine Tasting** – explore Roman ruins and sip wines at Mas Valériole estate. * **Lavender Fields** – capture the beauty of Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. * **Cassis & the Calanques** – enjoy seaside scenery and an optional boat ride. * **St. Rémy** – wander the vibrant market and visit Van Gogh’s former monastery. * **Les Baux-de-Provence** – experience the dazzling immersive light show. * **Cabrières-d’Avignon** – discover lavender’s artistry at the Lavender Museum. **What's Included:** * 6 nights in a boutique hotel (shared occupancy; private upgrades available). * Expert Bold Spirit tour leader plus bilingual local guides. * Meals as listed in the itinerary. * Private ground transportation. * Pre-trip support: Zoom call, WhatsApp group, and packing guidance. **Why Travel With Us?** This Provence adventure is designed for women who love travel, culture, and connection. You’ll share meals, explore iconic sites, and enjoy the slower pleasures of the French countryside—with expert guidance and community every step of the way. **Pricing:** * **Trip Cost:** USD 5,885 * **Deposit:** USD 700 non-refundable (secures hotels and guides) Get in touch with us to set up a call and learn [more](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/south-of-france-provence-2026). Contact:[ https://www.boldspirittravel.com/contact](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/contact)

Join us for a full three mile hike this Thursday (6/11) at 6:30 pm at Sharon Woods Metro Park. This scenic hike includes dirt trails (with hills) through the woods, grass trails through the meadows and paved trails along the pond. Please be able to hike at least at a moderate pace so that the group doesn’t have to wait for you often. We don’t want to lose you!

**History** [Chestnut Ridge Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge/) is historically significant because it sits on a 300-million-year-old outcropping of Blackhand sandstone. Geographically recognized as the very first foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, the ridge rises 1,116 feet above sea level. Long before European settlement, the land served as a sacred site for ancient civilizations. The park contains the Old Maid's Orchard Mound, an eight-foot-tall burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C. This ancient landmark has remained largely intact and is now protected on the National Register of Historic Places. The documented modern history of the land began with an official survey conducted by Ebenezer Buckingham in 1801. Original land deeds of sale from this period notably bear the signatures of United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In the 1830s, Irish laborers arrived at the ridge to quarry its rich Blackhand sandstone. The blocks they hewed were used to build the crucial locks for the nearby Ohio and Erie Canal. Remnants of this early sandstone quarrying operation can still be spotted by sharp-eyed hikers along the modern trails. Agricultural transformation defined the ridge throughout the mid-to-late 19th century. Settlers discovered that the high elevation created a natural air flow that prevented late-season frost damage to crops. Extensive fruit orchards were planted across the slopes between 1860 and 1880. One notable orchard was established by John Wagner, a Spanish-American War veteran who chose the ridge specifically for its proximity to the bustling Columbus market. The park's current name pays homage to the massive American chestnut trees that once dominated the ridgeline before a devastating ecological blight wiped them out in the early 20th century. The conservation story of the modern 486-acre park began in March 1962. The Metro Parks board announced land acquisition plans to block developers from building a residential housing development called Chestnut Heights. Director-Secretary Walter A. Tucker advocated heavily for the purchase, citing the ridge's immense value as a scenic overlook for central Ohio. The district systematically purchased multiple agricultural parcels over the next two decades. After operating strictly as undeveloped farmland through the 1970s, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park officially opened to the public on December 18, 1988. In recent decades, the park has evolved from a quiet hiking spot into a premier regional destination for outdoor sports. A major turning point occurred in 2010 when the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) partnered with the park district to develop new infrastructure. Volunteers worked extensively to construct a single-track mountain bike trail, which officially opened in October 2011. An expert gravity and flow trail featuring advanced jumps was later integrated into the loop in 2016. Today, the park successfully balances its deep ancient, industrial, and agricultural history with active recreation. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Chestnut Ridge](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CHR_map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Ridge, Meadows, and Homesite Trails, and Law's Lane, which is unmarked on some maps. None of these trails is individually very long, so we will hike a few permutations and loops until we get in 4-5 miles. The hike will be moderately strenuous. **Where We'll Meet** Drive to the rearmost picnic area at the back of the park. There's a latrine here, but there's no water fountain here or anywhere else at Chestnut Ridge. I strongly recommend you bring some water of your own, at least for after the hike. Cell service at the park is spotty, although your GPS will get you there just fine. The map pin I've provided here is exactly where we'll be meeting and should be able to be used directly in Google Maps, although Chestnut Ridge isn't big and you're unlikely to get lost here. **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [BrewDog DogTap](https://drink.brewdog.com/usa/brewdog-dogtap-columbus) for [drinks](https://usa.brewdog.com/pages/brewdog-lineup) and [food](https://usa.brewdog.com/cdn/shop/files/DogTap_Menu_2025_65e1ff8b-97d4-4f26-80f1-68321d482025.pdf?v=17356939232910340498). They also have an outdoor area that's extremely popular. I've had their burgers and their pizza, and I think they're both very good. I also really like their [Cold Beer](https://usa.brewdog.com/products/cold-beer-2024) (that's its actual name), which is their American light lager. BrewDog's actual address is [96 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/96+Gender+Rd,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88387c06afa21a85:0x804c611d373d8c54?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and they have a large, free parking lot. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.