Top Things to do in Columbus, OH, USA
Columbus, Ohio, is a city on the rise. The diverse economy, vibrant arts scene, and unique architecture make this Midwestern gem one of America’s most affordable and underrated cities. There’s no shortage of things to do and see in Columbus, Ohio; America’s 15th-largest city truly offers something for everyone.
The best places to visit in Columbus, Ohio, are like a buffet of fun. You can feast on the city’s ethnic diversity at the North Market and German Village or its all-American food at Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus. You can overeat world-class art and architecture at the Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens.
Gourmets will love exploring the Short North Arts District, where you can find James Beard Award-winning chefs alongside quirky food trucks, trendy bakeries, and locally-owned coffee shops.
Shopaholics will enjoy spending an afternoon browsing the Easton Town Center, an open-air mall featuring luxury retailers like Tiffany & Co., Crate & Barrel, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton, and more affordable favorites such as Urban Outfitters, J Crew, and Apple.
There are more than 200 miles of metro parks and bikeways within a half-hour drive from the downtown area for nature lovers. History buffs can marvel at the restored Union Station or visit one of the many museums throughout the city.
The 20 best tourist attractions in Columbus, Ohio
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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in nearby Powell, Ohio, is one of the finest zoos in the world. It has been ranked as the number-one zoo for a quarter-century. Unlike most zoos, it is not arranged by geographical area but by biomes (Arctic Tundra, Temperate Forest, Tropical Rainforest).
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is also home to Zoombezi Bay water park and Jungle Jack’s Landing family amusement park. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Therefore, the hours vary by season.
The Columbus Zoo is a place where you can see animals and fish and do many other things. You can ride on the sky ride that takes you to the zoo and watch the animals from above. You can also swim with dolphins. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus, Ohio, is a great place to visit. It has a lot of different animals. There is a lot of cool stuff for kids. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus, Ohio, is a great place to have fun.
Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is a 1.5 billion dollar mixed-use development located at I-270 and Route 161 in Columbus, Ohio. The project is situated on over 400 acres. It includes retail, restaurants, office buildings, a hotel and convention center, residential apartments and condominiums, parks and plazas, an 18-screen cinema complex, a bowling alley, and a miniature golf course.
Easton Town Center is one of the most famous shopping malls in Ohio. It has many well-known brands, like Gap, Banana Republic, Apple, Microsoft, etc. Besides, there are a lot of restaurants and bars around. So you can have a good time here with your friends and family.
Easton is a trendsetting place for shoppers to find the latest styles, including numerous national retailers and exclusive brands and lines. Our dynamic mix of shops offers everything from everyday essentials to unique gifts.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio, is a world-class botanical garden and Conservatory that features exotic plants, art glass, and seasonal shows. The gardens are open year-round, with the most significant tropical plant collection in the midwest.
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a Columbus treasure. It is home to some of the most beautiful plants from all over the world. While there are many beautiful flowers and plants within each greenhouse, one exhibit you must see is the Orchids in Bloom which takes place this year from February 7th through March 15th. During this time, you can view some of the most impressive specimens of orchids from all over the world.
There are always things to do at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio. The Conservatory is a place of year-round beauty, with permanent collections of exotic plants, seasonal flower shows, and special exhibits.
North Market Downtown
The North Market Downtown is a public market in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It is managed by the North Market Development Authority, an independent non-profit organization that works the market on behalf of the City of Columbus.
North Market Downtown Columbus, Ohio, is fun, especially if you enjoy shopping. You will find many wonderful and unique gift ideas for any occasion and necessities that you may need. North Market Downtown Columbus, Ohio, offers a variety of products for purchase.
North Market is a must-see destination when visiting Columbus, Ohio. Since 1876, the market has been a community gathering place where people have come to shop, eat and meet. Today, the market has merchants offering an international array of groceries and gifts, produce, meats and seafood, cheeses, flowers, and bakery items. In addition, more than a dozen restaurants serve everything from tacos to barbecue to sushi.
Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park, a downtown urban space located on the western bank of the Scioto River, is Columbus’s newest attraction. The park features an interactive water fountain and a brand-new amphitheater that hosts concerts, movies, and other events. The park is also home to the Ohio Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Scioto Mile Fountain, named one of the nation’s top five public fountains.
Bicentennial Park Columbus, Ohio, offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. With the Scioto River running through it, there are many opportunities to enjoy being outdoors with friends or family.
Bicentennial Park in Columbus, Ohio, has many walking paths for relaxing and outdoor activities. In addition, the park has three playgrounds, a one-of-a-kind fountain, and a splash pad that is great for children of all ages. Bicentennial Park Columbus, Ohio, has a picnic area with benches and tables to enjoy your lunch while watching others play in the water.
Otherworld
Otherworld is a new immersive entertainment space filled with dozens of unique, highly detailed environments and puzzle experiences. You’ll climb through the ruins of an ancient temple, get sucked into a computer mainframe, jump around on the Moon, and more in this exciting world of mystery and adventure.
The story of Otherworld Columbus begins with a group of artists and creative thinkers who imagined a new kind of place to bring the latest in immersive technology and entertainment to town.
Inside Otherworld are dozens of rooms to explore and discover, each with its theme, storyline, and puzzles to solve. In addition, the rooms are filled with interactive installations in light, sound, touch, and motion.
Otherworld is an experience for all ages. Installations range from old-time arcade games to giant adult ball pits. It’s an unforgettable experience that you shouldn’t miss!
Highbanks Metro Park
Highbanks Metro Park is a great place to visit. It is located in Columbus, Ohio. It has many different activities and special events that are fun for all ages. There are many activities during the summer months, including fishing, biking, hiking, and camping. There are also many special events, including a reptile show, a petting zoo, and a Halloween party.
Highbanks Metro Park is one of central Ohio’s few remaining tracts of unbroken forest. This massive sandstone outcropping is part of the 100-mile-long Blackhand sandstone formation that stretches from Licking County to Logan County. It has been called the “Grand Canyon” of Central Ohio due to its 100-foot-high shale bluff overlooking the Olentangy River. Native Americans used this formation as a canvas for their “rock art.” Looking past the more modern carvings, you may see some of their more miniature etchings.
The best way to enjoy Highbanks Metro Park is by taking some time out of your day. You can hike on the trails through beautiful woods or sit beside one of their picnic tables and have lunch while watching the wildlife around you. The park also offers several programs, such as bird-watching tours or guided hikes through its protected lands, where you can see various animals up close without disturbing them too much.
Goodale Park
Goodale Park has been a centerpiece of the Short North since it was founded in 1851 by Lincoln Goodale, a prominent physician and philanthropist who helped found Children’s Hospital, Columbus Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and Starling Medical College. He was also responsible for creating Grandview Avenue and Lincoln Road, two of Columbus’ most scenic roads.
Goodale Park offers a variety of activities. The park hosts outdoor concerts during the summer months and an annual art festival called “ComFest” (short for Community Festival) that attracts thousands of visitors yearly.
Goodale Park features many Victorian structures, including two pavilions, an octagonal gazebo, and rustic arbors that create nostalgia while you enjoy your visit. Throughout the year, Goodale Park hosts various special events that attract thousands of visitors each year to this historic location.
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art has been a mainstay of its cultural life since founded in 1878 as the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts. Its art collection, which includes works by European masters, American artists, and contemporary luminaries, contains more than 30,000 works.
Visitors will find plenty to do at the Columbus Museum of Art. The museum’s website offers a self-guided tour that helps visitors explore some of the best pieces in each collection. Visitors will also enjoy learning about the history of the museum and the city of Columbus at large through several permanent exhibits on display at the museum.
The Columbus Museum of Art has a wide variety of exhibitions for visitors to enjoy. These include paintings from all over the world, such as in Africa, China, India, and Europe. Some of these paintings are from ancient times, while others are from modern times, such as those from Australia or Canada. The collections at this museum range from contemporary art exhibits to historical displays that feature famous artists like Van Gogh or Monet.
Sharon Woods Metro Park
The Sharon Woods Metro Park is one of the best parks in Columbus, Ohio. The park offers many facilities for visitors, including a golf course, fishing ponds, and walking trails. In addition, the park has a variety of programs and regular events. Some areas are specifically designed for children’s activity and play. If you want to visit the park, it is located in Westerville, Ohio.
The first thing you should know about this park is that it has Schrock Lake’s fantastic lake. This lake is home to ducks and geese, and walking trails go all around the lake. Visitors enjoy feeding the ducks at the lake because they will follow you for food. Be sure to bring a bread bag with you to have some fun feeding the ducks.
There are many things to do in the Sharon Woods Metro Park for children and adults. The park provides fishing poles for those who want to fish at the lake. In addition, there are many hiking trails where you can trek the woods and see a lot of wildlife.
Summary
Columbus is not a very big place, but it is interesting. It is the largest city in Ohio and the state capital, with a population of about 920,000. But its size is deceptive: when people from other parts of the country hear that you’re from Columbus, they seem to think you must live on a farm, even though there are now more people living within ten miles of downtown Columbus than there are in San Francisco.
Columbus has many things that a small town would not have. Many restaurants, an art museum, a symphony orchestra, nightclubs, etc. But it doesn’t feel like a big city. It is probably because Columbus was established as a planned city, not as a port, railroad junction, or trading post. It was initially laid out by land speculators rather than the inevitable logic of commerce or geography.
They named it after Christopher Columbus partly to flatter him (since he had never even been there) and partly because they had heard that he owned some of the lands they were hoping to sell, though it later turned out he didn’t own any of it after all. The streets are laid out in orderly grids centered on two diagonal avenues intersecting at the State Capitol building.
