Top tourist attractions in Columbus, OH.
Columbus, Ohio, has many great places to visit. Whether you want to explore the city’s historical side or go for a more active adventure, there is something for everyone.
If you want a more active experience, try one of the Columbus City Adventures tours. For example, you can take a bike ride or go kayaking. The aquarium is another popular attraction, with a variety of animals.
Another good activity is visiting the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Not only will you see military memorabilia, but you will also be able to learn about the personal stories of American veterans.
One of the most incredible things to do in Columbus is visit the Center of Science and Industry. This is one of the most famous attractions in the city and has been for decades. It has 300 interactive exhibits, including a life-size T. rex display.
Columbus is also a great place to eat. There are dozens of restaurants. A great diner-style restaurant is Jack and Benny’s. For a more elegant meal, you can check out Alana’s.
If you have children in tow, there is plenty to do at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In addition to the standard zoo animals, you can also check out elephants, gorillas, and Komodo dragons. Other attractions include a water park and an 18-hole golf course.
The Kelton House and Garden is a fantastic piece of Columbus’s history. It was the home of an abolitionist family during the Civil War. The house is a unique piece of architecture, with Victorian-era furnishings and a lovely garden.
Top 15 things to do in Columbus, Ohio
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Easton Town Center
- North Market Downtown
- Otherworld
- Bicentennial Park
- Schiller Park
- Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
- Highbanks Metro Park
- Blacklick Woods Metro Park
- Goodale Park
- Sharon Woods Metro Park
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Hoover Reservoir Park
- Alum Creek State Park Beach
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
A non-profit organization, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offer visitors exciting activities and animal experiences. There are over 10,000 animals from around the world to see.
The zoo is a great place to bring the whole family. It is open 363 days a year. So whether you are visiting during the summer or winter, there are many fun activities and events.
In addition to the animals and animal exhibits, there are several educational programs. The zoo is also famous for its conservation efforts. With the help of visitors, they can impact the environment and help preserve species worldwide.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio, is a beautiful botanical garden in the city’s historic park. It is located just east of downtown.
You can visit the conservatory to enjoy a variety of plant collections, including the tropical rainforest biome. This place is excellent for family activities, weddings, and special events.
In addition to the beautiful landscape, you can also participate in educational programs. For example, you can attend classes about gardening and cooking. A Children’s Garden also focuses on helping children reconnect with nature.
You can also learn about the history of the conservatory and the surrounding park. For example, you can find out about the first Ohio State Fair held at the park in 1874.
Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is one of the most prominent shopping destinations in the Midwest. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Columbus, it is home to some of the area’s most exciting dining and entertainment options. It has over 240 retailers, including Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Coach, and more.
There is also a world-class comedy club, a large movie theatre, and a diverse selection of restaurants. Additionally, Easton offers a leading health and fitness facility. The center has more than 8,000 parking spaces and four free parking garages.
The center has received national awards for being one of the country’s best shopping and dining experiences. It also hosts a variety of charitable events and activities throughout the year.
North Market Downtown
North Market Downtown Columbus is a great place to visit if you’re looking for an authentic and vibrant public market. Located downtown, this market is filled with Ohio’s best food makers and merchants. You can find everything you need here, from fresh groceries to high-quality meats and prepared foods.
A great place to start your visit is the Farmers’ Market, a stall that offers a variety of food and unique gifts. In addition, to produce, you can find flowers, handicrafts, and more.
You can also find coffee, snacks, and a bar with local spirits and craft beer. So whether you’re in the mood for a light breakfast or a late lunch, there is something for everyone at the North Market.
Otherworld
The Otherworld in Columbus is an interactive art experience that should be on your list if you want something different. It’s located at 5819 Chantry Drive, near other attractions such as the Ohio State University, Ohio Stadium, and The Franklin Park Zoo.
Otherworld is a 32,000-square-foot warehouse converted into an immersive art experience. Some of its features include secret tunnels, neon lights, and other fun interactive components.
Among the most exciting aspects of the Otherworld is the enchanted forest. In this room, visitors will see ethereal beauty and real Easter eggs.
Another is the phantom, an active, meditative, and awe-inspiring interactive artwork. While it’s not the only awe-inspiring piece in the Otherworld, it’s one of the best.
Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park is one of the most popular spots to visit in Columbus. It is located near the Scioto River, making it a great picnic spot. There is also a variety of events that take place at the park.
The park features a rose garden and a performance pavilion. In addition, it has a riverfront fountain, which is a beautiful sight to see.
The park also boasts a restaurant. However, it isn’t the cheapest meal you can get in Columbus. So you may want to bring a little cash with you.
One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Scioto Mile. This scenic walkway stretches across the Scioto River in downtown Columbus.
The promenade is a mile long and connects several parks in the area. You can sit on comfortable benches or relax on a swing. As you enjoy the view, you’ll also notice some exciting artwork.
Schiller Park
Schiller Park is located in the German Village neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. It is a beautiful urban park. The park is named after the famous German poet, historian, and philosopher Friedrich von Schiller.
The park has an amphitheater, basketball courts, tennis courts, and playgrounds. There are also gardens and walking paths. A gazebo and performance stage is also included.
Schiller Park is a large, beautiful urban park. It features some sculptures. These include a headless Winged Victory of Samothrace and an acrobat flying through the air.
Schiller Park was formerly known as City Park, but the name was changed in 1891 to honor the famous German poet, historian, and philosopher. Residents demanded that the park be renamed after the city purchased the land.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is a great place to spend a day exploring the outdoors. The park has a great nature center, a bison enclosure, and numerous trails. In addition, there are plenty of things to do in the area, including fishing, canoeing, hiking, and birdwatching.
Visitors can enjoy a scenic hike along Ohio to Erie Trail. This five-mile flat trail with a scenic deck overlooking Big Darby Creek. You can also hike through prairies on the Teal and Harrier Trails.
Battelle Darby Creek has more than seven thousand acres of land and several trails. These include the Big Darby Creek and Cobshell Creek trails. In addition, there are 10 miles of primitive backpacking trails.
Highbanks Metro Park
Highbanks Metro Park is one of the most popular parks in Columbus, Ohio. It is located in Franklin County. The park has several hiking trails and picnic areas. The park offers many fun spring and summer activities, such as hiking, fishing, and sledding.
The park offers guided bird walks, including bald eagles, raptors, waterfowl, and bison. For more information, visit the park’s Nature Center.
Highbanks Metro Park has 10 miles of hiking trails. They lead you past Indian burial mounds, shale ravines, and meadows. Some of the trails are paved, while others are unimproved. One trail, the Overlook Trail, leads to an observation deck on a 100-foot bluff.
There is a nature center at Highbanks Metro Park, as well. The nature center has several exhibits, including a library, terrariums, and a sledding hill. The area also features picnic tables and grills.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is a 643-acre park. The park has hiking trails, a golf course, and a nature center. It is home to various birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park opened in 1948 and is considered a National Natural Landmark. It has a paved bike trail, a walking trail, and a jogging trail. Some of the trails are flat dirt paths.
The Metro Parks Board of Commissioners has budgeted $4.5 million to construct a new nature center at Blacklick Woods. This project was initially scheduled to finish in 2021. However, it has been postponed.
The Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail is a 1.2-mile paved greenway trail that passes through the park. This trail will eventually connect to the Alum Creek North and South Trails. When completed, cyclists can ride from Blacklick Woods to Three Creeks Park.
Goodale Park
Goodale Park is one of the oldest parks in Columbus. This 32-acre oasis is near the Short North Arts District and Victorian Village. The park offers many recreational and cultural activities.
The park’s most prominent features are a small pond, a fountain, and a gazebo. In addition, there are several hundred trees of all varieties.
Goodale Park also has a menagerie of black bears, rabbits, foxes, and other creatures. It was designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted, credited with creating some of the most famous parks in the world.
The most prominent feature of Goodale Park is its view of the Columbus skyline. The park is easy to navigate and contains a large playground, a picnic shelter, and a baseball diamond.
Sharon Woods Metro Park
Sharon Woods Metro Park is a great place to go hiking and fishing. It has many natural attractions and a reservable lodge.
The park is a 761-acre area that includes a large lake. This park is a part of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. You can visit the park year-round, with nature programs. There are trails to explore and a large variety of trees.
You can hike along the 3.8-mile paved trail that loops through the woods. There are also 3.5 miles of nature trails.
Sharon Woods Metro Park is one of the most popular parks in the metro system. It is located just off Interstate 270 in Westerville, Ohio, USA. Its numerous outdoor recreation options make it a perfect destination for families.
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art is an excellent option if you’re looking for an art museum. It’s located in the heart of downtown Columbus and offers an impressive selection of modern art, photography, and folk art. In addition, you can find works by Picasso, Monet, and Renoir as local and regional artists.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded the Columbus Museum of Art a National Medal. The award recognizes institutions that “have made a difference” in their community.
The museum also holds the most extensive collection of works by Columbus native George Bellows. It also has the most comprehensive public collection of woodcarvings by Elijah Pierce.
The museum hosts various activities, including live music and dancing. There’s also an outdoor sculpture garden. In addition, the Columbus Museum of Art recently renovated its event space.
Hoover Reservoir Park
Hoover Reservoir Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. It provides visitors with more than 4,700 acres of pristine landscape. In addition to the park’s many recreation facilities, it’s home to an impressive bird sanctuary and marina. The park’s many amenities make it a popular location for families and individuals.
With ample natural space, Hoover offers plenty of boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities. You can even see bald eagles in their natural habitat.
Hoover Reservoir offers a wide variety of fish species. They include bluegill, white crappie, channel catfish, and saugeye. In addition, there are numerous access points for fishing from the bank.
You can also find numerous boat ramps for launching your vessel. Hoover is a safe and enjoyable spot for kayaking. For kayak rentals, you can contact Paddle & Roll.
Alum Creek State Park Beach
The beach at Alum Creek State Park is the largest in the state park system. It is 3,000 feet long and features a sand volleyball court, concession stand, changing area, and bathhouses.
This beach is a great place to spend a day, and the facilities are well-maintained. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a website with more information on the park. They also maintain social media sites that give updates on the park.
In addition to the beach, Alum Creek State Park has a lake that is perfect for fishing. Several boat ramps are located throughout the park. There is also a marina at the lake. You can rent a boat or kayak at the marina.
Alum Creek Lake is also an ideal place to go camping. There are 297 campsites available for you to enjoy the outdoors. Some campsites overlook the lake, while others are in shaded forested areas. Moreover, all camps are equipped with electrical hookups.