Things to Do in Columbus

While you'll find old buildings mixed in with the new in most revitalized cities, Columbus, takes things one step further. Pieces of old bridges and buildings are turning into artwork, keeping local history fresh in the modern mind. Walk along the Scioto River or head inland to take in some of the city's most memorable attractions—after all, nothing beats being there in person.

Walk the Green Mile

Cool off on a hot summer day by playing in a 15,000-square foot interactive fountain in Bicentennial Park with more than 1,000 jets of jumping water and a drenching 75-foot geyser. The fun continues after dark when the fountain lights up and fog effects help put on a mystical show. The water feature is a seasonal crowd pleaser that only splashes down April through October. The fountain is just one feature in the Scioto Mile, a series of parks in downtown along the Scioto River. You can relax under shaded colonnades with swings and tables for playing chess or cards. Hungry? Stop for lunch at Milestone 229, a glass-enclosed restaurant with some of the best views in the city.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Those with a green thumb will love examining the more than 400 species of plants from around the world housed in the vast greenhouse at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Different sections of the greenhouse are climate-controlled to mimic various environments throughout the world. In the Pacific Water Garden, you'll find plants hailing from volcano-birthed islands, like ferns dating genetically to 350 million years ago. Head to the Himalayan desert and rain forest biomes to see more exotic foliage. Outside, the botanical gardens brim with seasonal displays. Visit in early spring to see colorful bulbs burst into bloom. Winter brings dramatic snowscapes and evergreen foliage that sparkle with holiday lights.

North Market Farmer's Market

North Market is the lone survivor of public markets in Columbus. It’s a potpourri of global cuisine if you and your crew can’t decide on a place to eat. North Market houses 35 merchants with a wide range of cool stuff to chow down on from the flavors of India to brats and gourmet popcorn. Satisfy the kids with some artisan ice cream or a fresh donut while you enjoy a cup of locally roasted coffee. On Saturdays during the summer, the outdoor market plaza comes alive with the city's oldest and largest farmer's market. Market Flea is open Sundays where you can pick up souvenirs like antiques, jewelry and crafts. You'll find North Market downtown just across the street from the Convention Center.

The Short North

Welcome to the “art and soul” of Columbus—the Short North Arts District. As the cultural center of the city, more than 300 shops, special events and kitschy things to do line the streets of this neighborhood. Want to learn the art of wine making or how to make candles? You can do both in the Short North thanks to endless DIY workshops where you can even rival Picasso as you imbibe during Cocktails and Canvases. No experience required! Stop by the neighborhood on the first Saturday of each month for Gallery Hop, when you can stroll to the tune of street performers, grab some eats and view art in both galleries and non-traditional spaces.

Visit Downtown Museums

Squeeze in a little culture by checking out a handful of museums centrally located in the downtown area. Sundays are free days at the Columbus Art Museum, where you can stroll through exhibitions showcasing modern art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with styles that include cubism, impressionism and German expressionism. The museum also hosts scavenger hunts, imagination games and storytelling during Saturday Family Adventures. Learn about Columbus’ early days by visiting historic homes and buildings such as the Kelton House Museum, Thurber House and Central Ohio Fire Museum. COSI—the Center of Science and Industry—lets your imagination run wild in its exhibits.

Get Out in Nature

You'll be one with nature in the heart of the city at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center on the Whittier Peninsula—it’s just a 10-minute walk from downtown. This expansive 120-acre wildlife preserve is ideal for bird watching and testing your fitness skills. Tackle the obstacle course’s balance beams, monkey bars, cargo climb and more before facing your fear of heights on the center’s rock climbing wall. The 35-foot wall is the largest of its kind in the country where you can boulder or try out two types of climbing. Looking for something more low key? Peddle or hike along the Scioto Greenway Trail that runs along the banks of the river or take in the preserve’s beauty from the water on a kayak.

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