Welcome to Columbus, Ohio – a vibrant city with a rich history and a thriving arts and culture scene. Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this dynamic city. From world-class museums to delicious local cuisine, there are endless opportunities to explore and enjoy in Columbus. Looking for outdoor adventures? Take a stroll through the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens or enjoy a scenic hike at one of the city’s many parks. If you’re looking for something more urban, the Short North Arts District is a must-visit destination, offering a variety of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. And with plenty of family-friendly activities, Columbus is the perfect place for a fun-filled weekend getaway. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of Ohio’s most exciting cities!
1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a world-famous zoo located in Powell, Ohio, United States, just outside of Columbus. The zoo is known for its extensive collection of animals and its commitment to conservation and education.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium features over 10,000 animals from over 600 species, making it one of the largest and most diverse zoos in the country. The zoo is divided into several different regions, each of which represents a different part of the world and the animals that live there.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also features several other attractions, including a water park, a golf course, and a botanical garden. The zoo also hosts several educational programs and events throughout the year, including animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and conservation initiatives.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is known for its innovative and immersive exhibits, which are designed to provide visitors with a unique and memorable experience. The zoo’s commitment to conservation and education has earned it several awards and accolades over the years, and it is considered to be one of the best zoos in the world.
2. Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is a large outdoor shopping complex located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The complex features a wide range of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, and it is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Easton Town Center is designed to resemble a small town, with a central town square, pedestrian walkways, and a variety of shops and restaurants. The complex features over 200 stores, ranging from high-end retailers to popular chain stores. It also has a variety of restaurants, ranging from fast-casual to fine dining.
Easton Town Center also offers a range of entertainment options, including a movie theater, an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter, and several events and concerts throughout the year.
Easton Town Center is known for its beautiful landscaping and architecture, and it is a popular spot for walking and people-watching. The complex has won several awards for its design and sustainability, and it is considered to be one of the best shopping destinations in the country.
3. Scioto Mile Fountain
The Scioto Mile Fountain is a large interactive fountain located in Bicentennial Park in downtown Columbus, Ohio, United States. The fountain is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike and is considered to be one of the most impressive fountains in the country.
The Scioto Mile Fountain features over 1,000 jets of water that shoot up to 75 feet in the air, creating a spectacular display of water and light. The fountain is designed to be interactive, with visitors encouraged to wade in the shallow pool and play in the water jets.
Bicentennial Park features several other attractions, including a performance pavilion, a riverfront promenade, and several public art installations. The park offers stunning views of the downtown skyline and the Scioto River, and it is a popular spot for picnics, concerts, and other outdoor activities.
The Scioto Mile Fountain is a must-visit destination for anyone who is looking for a fun and interactive way to cool off on a hot summer day. The fountain offers a unique and enjoyable experience that is sure to be appreciated by visitors of all ages.
4. German Village
German Village is a historic neighborhood located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The neighborhood is known for its beautiful architecture, charming streets, and rich history.
German Village was settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, and many of the original homes and buildings still stand today. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the unique culture and history of the area.
German Village features a variety of attractions, including beautiful parks, art galleries, and restaurants. The neighborhood is also home to several annual events, including the German Village Art Crawl, which showcases the work of local artists, and the German Village Oktoberfest, which celebrates the area’s German heritage with live music, food, and beer.
One of the highlights of German Village is its architecture. The neighborhood is known for its beautiful brick homes, many of which have been meticulously restored to their original condition. The streets of German Village are lined with trees, and the area has a charming, small-town feel that is unique in a big city like Columbus.
5. Otherworld
Otherworld is an immersive art installation located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The installation features a variety of interactive and immersive exhibits that are designed to transport visitors to different worlds and realities.
Otherworld is designed to be an immersive and sensory experience, with visitors encouraged to touch and interact with the exhibits. The installation features a variety of environments, including a neon forest, an enchanted garden, and a virtual reality experience.
The exhibits at Otherworld are designed by local and international artists, and they are constantly changing and evolving. The installation offers a unique and memorable experience that is sure to be appreciated by visitors of all ages.
Otherworld also features a variety of other attractions, including a cafe, a gift shop, and a lounge area. The installation is a popular destination for groups and parties, and it is a unique and memorable way to celebrate special occasions or just have fun with friends.
6. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden and conservatory located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The conservatory features a wide variety of plant species from around the world and is known for its stunning gardens and exhibits.
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is divided into several different sections, each of which represents a different type of ecosystem or plant species. The conservatory features a desert biome, a rainforest biome, and several other biomes that showcase different types of plant life.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens also features several outdoor gardens, including a Japanese garden, a herb garden, and a butterfly garden. The conservatory also hosts several special exhibits and events throughout the year, including holiday displays, art exhibits, and concerts.
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a must-visit destination for anyone who is interested in plants, nature, and horticulture. The conservatory offers a unique and educational experience that is sure to be appreciated by visitors of all ages.
7. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
For many decades, the Center of Science and Industry has brought Columbus residents of all ages a mix of inspiration and education in the world of science. Children learn about outer space, energy, cultural progress, and dinosaurs, along with the American Museum of Natural History, by wandering through hands-on exhibits in COSI. Even while there are regular live presentations and lab activities throughout the year, there are also rotating exhibitions that allow exhibits to change in different ways throughout time. The planetarium at COSI is one of the best experiences available in the city of Columbus. It feels like you are in a dark desert as you learn about the stars that you can see if you were standing beneath the 60-foot dome. COSI’s cafeteria is open to the public, making it easy to use the facilities for the full day.
8. North Market
A walk around the North Market of Columbus’ downtown is a fun opportunity to discover the city’s unique culture. The market has dozens of local food vendors that offer a variety of goods and services, including handmade bread and fresh flowers, as well as restaurants that specialize in all kinds of cuisines, including Italian, Indian, Vietnamese, Pizza, German, Sushi, BBQ, and Nepalese options, located on two floors. On Saturdays, specialty food market vendors set up in the neighboring neighborhood to sell locally produced honey and farm produce. Even if you park in the North Market lot, be sure to validate your parking ticket before going in to receive a lower rate.
9. Columbus Museum of Art
At the Columbus Museum of Art, visitors can experience the best in paintings, photography, glass, and sculpture while also discovering their own artistic side. Attending a community event in the museum or program using the galleries as a backdrop is one of the most entertaining ways to visit the Columbus Museum of Art. If you’re interested in the galleries and other facilities as well, be sure to discover the JP Morgan Chase Center for Creativity, which has a free creativity lounge with a wide variety of interactive hands-on products to help encourage your creative side. A stop at the Schokko Art Café is a great way to end your visit to the museum, where the food and artwork are both equally creative.
10. Huntington Park
You will feel like a local if you happen to visit Columbus on the dime-a-dog night in Huntington Park. Huntington Park is the home ballpark of the Columbus Clippers, a AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. It is located in the Arena District, a fun and exciting way to enjoy a well-known attraction in the city’s core. No matter what time of day or night you visit, it will be more exciting when Columbus’ downtown skyline is dominating the baseball field for an afternoon or evening game. While night games are often completed with pyrotechnics, they are usually followed by fireworks that light up the sky and illuminate the expanding city skyline. Depending on the type of game you’re attending, you may decide to dine before the game at one of the many different eateries located around the stadium.
11. Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is the official seat of government for the U.S. state of Ohio, located in Columbus, Ohio. Completed in 1861, the Ohio Statehouse houses the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the General Assembly, which consists of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives.
The building’s architecture is a mix of Greek Revival and Renaissance Revival styles, with a distinctive rotunda and a central cupola. The Statehouse also features a number of important works of art, including a statue of former Ohio governor and U.S. president William McKinley, as well as murals and other artworks.
The Ohio Statehouse is open to the public for tours, and visitors can learn about the history of the building, its art and architecture, and the workings of Ohio’s government. In addition, the Statehouse grounds host a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, rallies, and festivals.
13. Ohio History Center
Those visiting the Ohio History Connection don’t have to be history buffs to enjoy and appreciate the museum, library, and village on the premises. An impressive array of interactive and instructive exhibits about Ohio’s history can be found at the Ohio History Center, which ranges from traces of America’s first people to Civil War-era antiquities, cities through a gradual change, and other exhibits that document different phases of Ohio history. Ancestry fans should head straight to the third level of the history center, where archives that feature historical records are located, and then ask the researchers about the information about your family tree. The Ohio Village outside the center is a great place to take someone who loves the era in which they grew up. Discover what daily life was like in the 1800s as you stroll through the quaint village, observing period-dressed actors and structures, all set in the appropriate historic architecture.
13. The Topiary Park
For many local people, the Topiary Park is a forgotten jewel in Columbus. A copy of George Seurat’s famous impressionist painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte is featured in the park. The carved boats and figurines floating in the pond are all that remain of the creative topiary design. Reflection in the tranquil settings of the Old Ohio Deaf School Park and lunch on a seat go hand in hand in this beautiful setting. When the plants on the topiary sculptures are in full bloom and manicure, the greatest time to visit the park is in the summer.
14. Thurber House
Thurber House is a literary center and museum located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The house is named after James Thurber, a famous author and cartoonist who was born in Columbus in 1894. The house was originally built in 1873 and is located in the historic neighborhood of German Village.
Thurber House was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to promoting the literary arts by offering programs and events that celebrate the written word. The house features a museum that displays Thurber’s artwork, manuscripts, and personal belongings. Visitors can also take guided tours of the house and learn about Thurber’s life and work.
15. ZipZone Outdoor Adventures
Ziplining in the center of a busy metropolis like Columbus is quite difficult to conceive, but ZipZone Outdoor Adventures has proven that it can be done. You can zip yourself through the treetops to the north of downtown as part of a zipline tour. Tours offered include canopy excursions and moonlight tours, while other options include zip-rushing experiences that include a brief freefall and rappel. ZipZone offers pint-sized adventures in the Kid Park and complicated aerial courses in the Aerial Park for children.
16. National Veterans Memorial and Museum
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, which is expected to open in 2018, is an attractive destination in Columbus. The center will showcase personal accounts, photographs, and artifacts from veterans from every branch of the United States military. The museum is located on the banks of the Scioto River, with views of the city skyline, and provides a haven for introspection as well as exhibits covering every important military event in American history. While at the museum and memorial, take a stroll along the Scioto Mile to see the downtown development.
