Top Things to Do in Columbus
12 must-see attractions and experiences
Columbus, Ohio, never shouts about itself. One minute you're sniffing fermenting kraut at North Market, the next a west-bound freight whistles through the night and humidity slaps you inside Franklin Park glasshouse. Market gardeners, bricklayers, and coders built this town. They still celebrate with citrusy IPA pumped from century-old warehouses. Pack layers. Morning fleece can turn to afternoon swamp, and the Short North's tidy grid stretches once you're three galleries deep and alley peaches start grilling. Neighborhoods behave like tiny republics. German Village keeps brick alleys swept for tourist boots. Italian Village leaks techno bass at 2 a.m. Olde Towne East lures you onto porches with rocker creaks and skillet-cornbread perfume. The city's true currency is talk; bartenders, biochemists, retired linebackers hand out directions, then ask what you ate. Answer honestly. Columbus food equals Midwestern abundance filtered through immigrant wit, and local intel saves both time and cash.
Don't Miss These
Our top picks for visitors to Columbus
The Escape Game at Easton Town Center in Columbus
OtherThe Escape Game at Easton Town Center locks your crew inside a movie-set room. Stroke leather-bound ledgers in the Heist, hear the vault tumblers click like cicadas, catch the faint gun-oil scent planted for realism; 60 minutes start the second the door seals. Actors double as game-masters, slipping hints through hidden speakers so smoothly you feel like a conspirator.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Admission Ticket
Skip LineLEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Admission Ticket opens onto a MINILAND where Ohio Stadium rises from 1.5 million bricks while recorded Buckeye crowds roar. Crawl through a laser maze, feel the Merlin ride spin you until your back sticks to the wall, sniff the sweet tang of bricks warming under exhibit lights.
Explore Columbus on The Trolley Pub
OtherExplore Columbus on The Trolley Pub bolts twelve pedal stools to a rolling bar. Coast through Short North while downtown neon flickers across your pint. You'll smell North Market kettle corn, hear the gas assist kick on High Street hill, feel breeze when the driver cranks 1980s pop.
Short North Walking Food Tour
FoodShort North Walking Food Tour threads seven tastings inside a mile. Bite a duck-fat pierogi straight off the griddle, sip cardamom cold brew under gallery spotlights, inhale Jeni's waffle-cone exhale before Brambleberry lands on your tongue.
An Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Discovering Columbus
OtherAn Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Discovering Columbus bounces your phone GPS from the Statehouse cupola to a neon-sign warehouse. Footsteps echo inside the empty Ohio Theatre lobby before security waves you onward.
Planning Your Visit
Practical tips for getting the most out of Columbus
Frequently Asked Questions
north market columbus ohio
North Market is a historic public market in the Short North district operating since 1876, featuring over 35 local vendors selling fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and international cuisine. It's open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) and is particularly popular for weekend brunch and lunch. The market is free to enter, and you'll find everything from Ohio-made products to diverse food stalls where you can grab a meal for around $10-15.
columbus museum of art columbus
The Columbus Museum of Art is located downtown at 480 E Broad Street and features American and European modern art, including works by Monet, Picasso, and O'Keeffe, plus a strong collection of early modernist paintings. General admission is typically around $18-20 for adults, with free admission on Sundays. The museum also has the Wonder Room, an interactive art space that's particularly engaging if you're visiting with kids.
wagner hagans auto museum
The Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum in Bellefontaine (about 60 miles northwest of Columbus) displays a private collection of classic and vintage automobiles in a restored historic building. The museum generally operates by appointment or during special events, so it's best to call ahead before making the drive. Admission prices are typically modest, usually under $10 per person.
columbus ga attractions
This search is for Columbus, Georgia, not Columbus, Ohio. If you're looking for attractions in Columbus, Ohio instead, popular options include the Franklin Park Conservatory, COSI science center, German Village historic district, and the Columbus Zoo. Columbus, Georgia's main attractions include the National Infantry Museum and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk.
haunted attractions in ohio
Columbus has several seasonal haunted attractions that typically operate in October, including Nightmare on 3rd Street in Whitehall and Dead Acres near Grove City. Year-round, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield (about 90 minutes north) offers ghost tours and is famous for its role in The Shawshank Redemption. Most seasonal haunts charge $20-35 per person and operate weekends in October, with some opening select nights in late September.
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Guided tours, tickets, and activities in Columbus
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