While Columbus doesn’t always get the love it deserves, Ohio‘s bustling capital city has a lot going for it. With its incredible parks system, world-class museums, and year-round festivals, there’s always something exciting going on in Columbus!
When the weather is nice, Ohio’s residents flock to the Scioto Mile, an incredible 175-acre green space that flanks the Scioto River and offers hiking, biking, and picnicking opportunities. And you’ll love perusing art in the city’s impressive museums and galleries before stopping off for a craft brew or cider at one of the city’s 50 breweries.
With so many cool things to see, do, and eat, you might not know where to begin. So I’ve compiled our list of my absolute favorite things to do in Columbus for you. Stick to my fun and unique Columbus bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring Ohio’s capital city.
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The Top 15 Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio
1. Enjoy the Outdoors at the Scioto Mile
When the weather’s nice, spending some time exploring the Scioto Mile is one of the coolest things to do in Columbus, Ohio. Nestled along the Scioto River, the Scioto Mile stretches from the Arena District all the way to the Whittier Peninsula. This 175-acre promenade is made up of nine parks and offers an impressive system of hiking trails and tons of outdoor activities in the heart of town!
You’ll find some of the best Columbus activities in the Scioto Mile. Splash around in the 15,000-square-foot interactive fountain, climb the country’s largest outdoor climbing wall, and explore the galleries at the Cultural Arts Center. Or, simply hop on a CoGo bike and cruise around the scenic trails!
If you’re visiting Columbus in the summer months, be sure to attend the annual Jazz & Rib Fest, Rhythm on the River Music Festival, and more. The Scioto Mile is also home to the spectacular glass-enclosed Milestone 229 restaurant, which offers one of the best weekend brunches in the city. Or, if you prefer to keep things casual, pick up farm-fresh supplies from a local farmers’ market and enjoy a scenic picnic!
2. Eat Your Way Through North Market
Foodies will definitely want to include a visit to North Market on their Columbus bucket list. This sprawling local market dates all the way back to 1876. Fast-forward to today and North Market features 30 independently-owned businesses, as well as a seasonal farmers’ market and all sorts of fun pop-up events.
The event space doubles as a small business incubator for local restauranteurs and food makers and is open seven days a week – though check the website for exact times.
Come hungry, so you can sample some local seasonal cheeses at Black Radish Creamery, Bavarian glazed roasted almonds from American Nut Company, and freshly baked scones from Omega Artisan Baking, to name a few products on offer. From Mexican and Indian to Vietnamese and Thai, the restaurants at North Market have something to suit all tastes!
Visit on a Saturday or Sunday from June to October, and you can pick up farm-fresh fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, and more at the farmers’ market. Depending on when you’re in town, you might even be able to check out the Ohio Wine Festival, Farmer’s Festival, Mix & Shake cocktail night, or the monthly Night Market, which are all held here.
3. Be Transported to Europe in German Village
No trip to Ohio’s capital city is complete without paying a visit to German Village. One of the most unique things to do in Columbus, this historic neighborhood is tucked away just south of downtown. This area was settled by German immigrants in the early and mid-19th century and is so well-preserved it’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Take a walk around, and you’ll immediately be charmed by the cobblestone streets, red-brick buildings, and quaint shops. There really is no place in Columbus quite like it!
When the weather is nice, you can see plays performed in Schiller Park, meander around the Grace Highfield Memorial Gardens, or take a walking tour to soak up the area’s history. And if you happen to be visiting during December, you’ll find German Village all dressed up in holiday cheer.
No matter when you visit, though, you’ll love sampling the traditional chocolates at Winans Chocolates + Coffees, the addictive fudge at Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, and the iconic bratwurst and knockwurst at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, to name a few German delights found in this part of town!
4. Cheer On the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium
Sports fans will want to add a visit to Ohio Stadium to their Columbus bucket list. Located on The Ohio State University campus, this is the home of the Buckeyes, and it stands proud as one of the most famous stadiums in college athletics.
Known as “The Shoe,” Ohio Stadium was built in 1922, and with a capacity of 102,780, it’s the fourth-largest stadium in all of the US. If you’re planning a trip from August to December and you want to get into the local spirit, it’s well worth going to a Buckeyes football game at Ohio Stadium.
You’ll have the chance to tailgate with the locals before cheering on the Buckeyes at the big game. Getting swept up in the excitement of the massive crowd is easily one of the coolest things to do in Columbus. Be sure to don your scarlet and gray, so you fit in!
Even if you’re not in town during the college football season, it’s possible to take a fascinating tour of this landmark stadium year-round.
5. Learn Something New at the Center of Science and Industry
If you’re looking for things to do in Columbus with kids, you’ll definitely want to add a visit to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) to your itinerary. The entire place is designed to spark little ones’ interest in science through interactive, hands-on exhibits. But don’t worry – adults will be equally as entertained!
You can easily spend an entire day learning all about dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Gallery, seeing where energy comes from in the Energy Explorers exhibit, conducting experiments in Big Science Park, and taking a ride in the Space Capsule, among many other things.
COSI is also home to the largest planetarium in the state, where you can take a seat under the 60-foot dome and travel deep into the galaxy, explore the human body, or take a trip to faraway lands. From the popular Rat Basketball and The Electricity Show, there are always fun live shows on offer, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s on during your visit!
6. Sample all of Columbus’ Most Iconic Eats
If you know anything about Columbus, you’ll know that this is a town for foodies. From African to Asian, you can find it all here. But if it’s your first time in town, you’ll definitely want to try this city’s most iconic dishes.
Did you know there’s such a thing as a Columbus-style pizza? Well, there is, and it’s a delicious combination of an ultra-thin crust slathered in a semi-sweet tomato sauce, sprinkled with tons of cheese, loaded edge to edge with toppings, and cut into squares. If you want to try the city’s best, head over to Rubino’s or Massey’s.
Columbus’ biggest foodie claim to fame might just be The Thurmanator burger at The Thurman Cafe. Come hungry because this burger is made up of two 12-ounce patties, bacon, ham, and three kinds of cheese and loaded with all manner of fresh and sautéed veggies.
And then there are the iconic Bahama Mama sausages from Schmidt’s, the blue cheese potato chips (aka Ohio Nachos) from Cap City Fine Diner, the chocolate-and-peanut butter buckeye candies at Winans Chocolates + Coffee, and the Buckeye Donuts at the aptly-named Buckeye Donut.
7. Shop, Wine & Dine in the Short North Arts District
The Short North Arts District is easily one of the coolest Columbus attractions. Located a little over a mile from downtown, this hip part of town is brimming with trendy cafes, bustling art galleries, cool vintage shops, and some of the best restaurants in the city.
Short North is situated along High Street and flanked by Victorian Village to the left and Italian Village to the right. Just wander around the general area, and you’ll encounter all sorts of cool things. This is also where you’ll find some of the best boutique hotels in Columbus, making it a great place to base yourself!
This is the arts district, so you’ll come across colorful street art murals, public art installations, and cool galleries around every corner in Short North. Visit on the first Saturday of the month, and you can attend the Gallery Hop, which features street performances and wine-fueled gallery events.
If you’re hungry, be sure to sample farm-to-table Indian fare at Rooh or California coastal cuisine at Del Mar SoCal Kitchen before sipping cocktails with a view at Lincoln Social Rooftop. Or, if it’s shopping you’re after, you can find long-lost gems at Mary Catherine’s Antiques, pick up cool home goods at Happy Go Lucky Home & Her, or shop for new kicks at Sole Classics, to name a few shops in Short North.
8. Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of the top things to do in Columbus if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center. Set three miles east of downtown, this stunning building was built in 1895 and now holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the grounds, and you’ll find over 400 plant species and some seriously impressive special exhibitions and works of art. Some of the coolest things about this conservatory and botanical gardens are the themed climatized biomes, including the Himalayan Mountains, Tropical Rainforest, Desert, and Pacific Island Water Garden biomes.
Art enthusiasts will also appreciate the special exhibitions, including the incredible installations of Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork. And if you happen to be in town during the holidays, you’re sure to find impressive light shows, seasonal plants and flowers, spectacular displays, and family-friendly events and classes.
If that’s not enough, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is surrounded by Franklin Park, which offers 88 acres of outdoor fun!
9. Shop Till You Drop in Easton Town Center
Located 10 miles north of downtown, a trip to Easton Town Center is one of the best Columbus activities for shopaholics. This isn’t your average shopping complex, though. The entire place was designed to look like a mid-20th-century town, complete with quaint streets, red-brick town squares, and green parks.
As one of the top Columbus attractions, there’s a reason this place attracts 30 million visitors a year! If you want to do some shopping during your trip, you’ll find 150 stores to choose from, ranging from Nordstrom and Macy’s to Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
There’s also plenty of family-friendly entertainment. You can watch a movie at the 30-screen AMC Theater, catch a comedy show at the Columbus Funny Bone, or play games at Pins Mechanical Company, to name a few entertainment options.
You won’t go hungry here, either. You’ll find dozens of restaurants dotting the streets of Easton Town Center. From the family-friendly Shake Shack and The Cheesecake Factory to the refined Mitchell’s Ocean Club, there’s something for everyone.
10. Cheer on the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park
Catching a game at Huntington Park is easily one of the most fun things to do in Columbus for baseball fans. This is the home of the Columbus Clippers Triple-A baseball team, an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
If you’re in town during the summer months, it’s well worth attending a game if the team is in town. The stadium offers all sorts of promos, including their famous Dime-a-Dog Night and Dollar Days, which gives you a regular hot dog, small popcorn, soda, or chips for just $1 each.
Choose any one of the 10,100 seats, and you’re bound to get a great view of the city and ballpark. Better yet, snag one of the coveted patio seats at the bar in left field, and you can sip local brews while you cheer on the Clippers. There’s also a Picnic Terrace as well as a playground, perfect if you’re traveling with little ones.
11. Go Brewery Hopping Along the Columbus Ale Trail
Home to over 50 craft breweries, Columbus takes its craft beer scene very seriously. If you’re a beer enthusiast and you’re looking for fun things to do in Columbus, why not follow the Columbus Ale Trail?
You can pick up your Columbus Ale Trail passport at any one of the 34 participating breweries in Franklin County. At the end of your boozy journey, bring your stamped passport to The Ohio Taproom and get an Ale Trail coozie (10 stamps) or a limited edition t-shirt (all 34 stamps)!
You can sip award-winning ales at Barley’s Brewing Company before heading over to Derive Brewing Company for their barrel-fermented Saisons or Columbus Brewing Company for their award-winning IPAs.
If you’d prefer to sip while you eat, you’ll find rotating food trucks at Land-Grant Brewing Company, Seventh Son Brewing, and Parsons North Brewing Company.
12. Browse Art at the Columbus Museum of Art
If you’re wondering what to do in Columbus and you’re an art fan, you’ll love perusing art at the Columbus Museum of Art. You’ll find this impressive little museum just a couple blocks from Topiary Park in the heart of downtown Columbus.
Explore the Columbus Museum of Art, and you’ll find an excellent selection of artwork, folk art, glass art, and photography. From Monet, Renoir, and Matisse to Picasso, Renoir, and Cassatt, the collections are nothing short of spectacular.
There are always special exhibitions on offer that cater to everyone, from adults to kids. There’s even a Think Outside the Brick Lego exhibit where kids can participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt and make their own creations in the Bricks Building area.
If that’s not enough, the Columbus Museum of Art is totally free to visit on Sundays. So if you’re in town on a weekend and looking for free things to do in Columbus, this museum is a must!
13. Step Inside a Painting in Topiary Park
Just down the road from the Columbus Museum of Art, you’ll find Topiary Park, one of the coolest things to see in Columbus for kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s totally free to visit, which is always an added perk!
This unique attraction is an artistic interpretation of Georges Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, that’s made entirely of plants, of course. Visit the 9.2-acre Topiary Park, and you’ll find 54 impeccably manicured human figures walking on the lawn, rowing boats in the pond, and leaning against trees.
You’ll feel as if you’re walking around in Seurat’s painting! Take a look around, and see if you can find the dogs, monkey, and cat. From the flower-studded gardens to the duck-filled pond, this is a refreshingly relaxing place right in the heart of downtown.
14. Attend an Annual Festival
No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll always find fun things to do in Columbus, and that’s especially true when it comes to annual festivals and events. Visit in the summer, and you’ll have all manner of festivals – as well as free outdoor concerts and pop-up events – to choose from.
Foodies will love eating their way through the Jazz & Rib Fest in July, the Columbus Food and Wine Festival in July, and the Columbus Food Truck Festival in August, while everyone will love riding rides and eating fair food at the Ohio State Fair in July and August.
For a bit of culture, don’t miss out on the African American Heritage Festival in Spring, the Dublin Irish Festival in August, Columbus Oktoberfest in September, and the Columbus Italian Festival in October. And to delve into Columbus’ artsy side, there’s the Columbus Arts Festival in June! There are so many amazing festivals in this city – this is just the tip of the iceberg!
15. Be Transported to Another World at ‘Otherworld’
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Columbus, look no further than Otherworld. This 32,000-square-foot space was taken over by over 40 artists who transformed it into the city’s largest immersive and interactive art instillation. But sure to allot at least a few hours to explore Otherworld because there’s a lot going on here!
You’ll find 47 different rooms, each designed to be like a science-fiction fantasy world. Explore the rooms, and you’ll find hidden passages to go down, puzzles to solve, massive artworks and sets to interact with, and lightshows to marvel at.
While this place is totally family-friendly, they do serve alcohol in case you want to imbibe. They also offer cool adults-only after-hours events (usually featuring DJs), performance art, arts and crafts classes, and more. Just check the website to see what’s happening during your visit!
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Columbus, Ohio. What’s your favorite thing to do in Columbus?
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