You have extra time, and you were able to pass by Columbus, Ohio. Now what is there to do in Columbus, Ohio USA? Continue reading and will tell you that might interest and let you stay a bit longer.
Ohio’s state capital may be popular as a college town but in reality, it’s much more than that. With its striking nature trails and magnificent parks along with its world-class museums, zoo, historic neighborhoods and markets, Columbus makes sure that visitors to this city have their hands full. From nature lovers and science nerds to the sports enthusiasts, culturally-inclined visitors, shopaholics and more, Columbus has something or the other to keep everyone engaged and happy. Though Ohio’s state capital has a lot to offer, here are the top picks when you have just two days to make the most of your visit to Columbus.
Day-1 In Columbus Ohio
Morning
- Columbus Museum of Art: A local architect designed this museum, which has a gallery space to display the museum’s permanent collection, while special exhibitions are held in a bright area marked for them. Begin your tour here to get inspired by the masterpieces. Together with an outdoor sculpture garden featuring a range of large sculptures as well as beautiful artworks, this museum is sure to keep art lovers hooked for quite some time. Don’t miss visiting the Center for Creativity on the first floor to inspire your creativity and ignite deeper thinking. If have skipped your breakfast or feel hungry while here, grab a quick bite or have your brunch at Schokko Art Cafe inside the museum.
- The Topiary Park: Walk through and into the topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s famous painting spread across a seven-acre park. Apart from the topiary attraction, this place in downtown Columbus also houses a Visitors’ Center, and beautifully landscaped benches, walks, and picnic tables.
Noon
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Make this your next stop, which is the world’s solitary botanical garden that hosts Dale Chihuly’s largest assortment of glass artwork. If you are traveling with children, make sure to take them to the new Scott’s Miracle-Gro Children’s Garden. You may even catch one of the seasonal exhibitions that happen round the year.At the Conservatory’s Garden Café, you can have your lunch. From fresh sandwiches and salads, to seasonal soups, daily specials, and homemade desserts as well as pastries, you will have a lot to choose from. You can pair your food with a variety of beverages such as wine and beer, iced tea, juice, coffee, milk, and soda. If you have children, who are fussy eaters, children’s’ items available here would ensure they have something of their preference to give their taste buds a delectable treat.
Afternoon
- COSI: Head to this hands-on science center that promises learning and fun for both the children and adults. From offering a wide range of exhibits displayed in the Dinosaur Gallery and the Power of Poison Gallery (open for a limited time), to racing with world-famous toy vehicles in the Hot Wheels Zone, and more, COSI will keep everyone enthralled. Don’t miss to get up close with the humongous Tyrannosaurus rex cast at COSI’s Dinosaur Gallery. Make sure to catch a show at COSI’s Planetarium too, whose 60-foot dome and Digistar 5 projection system can transport you to distant lands, undersea volcanoes, the galaxy’s farthest areas, and even inside the human body.
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum: This 7-acre historical landmark on Scioto Mile – Columbus’ downtown, is just across the street from COSI. This museum is only place in the country where living tribute is paid to more than 40 million Americans, who have served the nation since its beginning. Featuring a memorial grove and park together with an amphitheater, this museum honors and pays tribute to all US veterans and their families – across all eras of conflict and all branches of service.
Evening
Get ready to explore the great neighborhoods of Columbus as you enter the last leg of your day’s tour itinerary.
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- German Village: Located in Columbus’ downtown, this is one of the most treasured and oldest historic districts in the US. You can take a stroll in this 19th century historic neighborhood to enjoy the German cultural influences, read the house plaques that tell the story of some specific properties, understand the early preservation movement, or simply feel awed by how wonderful the community is. Make sure to visit the Book Loft. This bookstore, which is 40 years old, is a magical space for booklovers where they get 32 rooms of books to choose from, and that too at bargain prices. You can also pick up some posters, greeting cards, DVDs, music CDs and puzzles, among others, from the Book Loft.
- Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus: You can wrap up your day here by ordering the famous German-style wurst accompanied by cream puffs and kraut for dinner. Five generations of the Schmidt family has been serving delectable, hand-crafted, award-winning food since 1886 here, which makes it a must-visit place when you come to the historic German Village.
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- Grand Prix Karting: After dinner, if you are still itching to have one last fun-filled activity before retiring for the day, visit this indoor entertainment zone to enjoy a game of tactical laser tag, or race karts to test your driving skills.
- Short North Arts District: Called the city’s ‘art and soul,’ it’s a vibrant business and cultural community. Various art forms – from performing, and visual, to music or more can be enjoyed here. Be it catching some interesting exhibitions at Wexner Center for the Arts, buying some vintage clothes, streetwear, or records at the shops, or grabbing a bite at the casual eateries and washing it down with beer at a craft-beer bar or with a cup of coffee at one of the coffeehouses, you are sure to soak up the sights and sounds of this place.
- In case the Short North Arts District is your last stop of the day, you can have dinner at The Pearl that serves upscale and creative traditional tavern fare along with wine, beer and house-infused drinks. If you love Asian fare, Lemongrass Fusion Bistro boasting of a great vibe and buzz, and offering Chinese, Thai, and Japanese cuisine, is the place you should head straight to.
Day-2 In Columbus Ohio
Morning
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- LEGOLAND Discovery Center: If you have children aged 3 to 10, this indoor LEGO playground must feature on your travel itinerary. With 10 LEGO build and play zones, 2 rides, a 4D cinema and much more, this place promises family fun.
- The Kelton House Museum and Garden: Enjoy the living history experience at this restored Underground Railroad stop that once hid fugitive slaves. See the Kelton family’s Victorian treasures dating back to the 1800s and get a glimpse of 19th century life during a tour of this place.
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: You can enjoy a blend of recreation and education at this place that plays host to 10,000 animals divided in six separate regions. From enjoying the polar exhibit with arctic foxes and polar bears, watching a cheetah sprint around and feeding the giraffes when you stop by the Heart of Africa exhibit, or enjoying the millions of lights at Wildlights during the holiday season, you won’t have a dull moment when you are here.
Noon
- North Market: Visit this historic public market established in 1876, where you will get local, fresh, authentic food along with global cuisine. If you plan to have a family-style Italian lunch, head to Buca di Beppo. After lunch, roam around the market to find several stands selling everything from flowers to cookware. Don’t miss visiting the Farmer’s Market, which is the largest and oldest in Central Ohio.
Afternoon
- Camp Chase Cemetery: Set up in 1861 after the Civil War began, Camp Chase was a military training and staging camp. Now, what remains here is a Confederate cemetery containing 2,260 graves.
Evening
- The Boat House Restaurant: This restaurant at Confluence Park gives you a magnificent view of the waterfront and downtown Columbus skyline. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes, delicious appetizers, gourmet burgers, and more for dinner here.
Accommodation options
Though you won’t have any dearth of hotels, B&Bs, as well as resorts and campgrounds in Columbus, here are some of the best accommodation options for you to try:
- German Village Guest House: Located in the city’s celebrated historic neighborhood and close to Port Columbus Airport (just 15 minutes away), this hotel offers clean, cozy rooms and exclusive private apartments.
- Crowne Plaza Columbus Downtown: Voted as the top city center hotel on TripAdvisor, it’s perfectly located to help you reach anywhere in Columbus easily.
- Hawthorne Park Bed and Breakfast: Located three miles from downtown Columbus, this place offers you delectable home-cooked breakfast every morning and even gives you free passes to YMCA, which is nearby.
Tips for International Travelers
Canadian, Australian, British, and travelers from other EU countries need a passport valid for their duration of stay here. However, they won’t need a visa for stay up to 90 days as they fall under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers entering the USA under the VWP must have an e-passport with an embedded electronic chip. If you don’t posses it, you’ll need a valid USA entry visa. For Filipinos, here is a walkthrough on How to Get a US Visa in Manila.
Travelers under the VWP should apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). However, granting of ESTA doesn’t guarantee your entry into the USA. For instance, you aren’t eligible to enter the USA under the VWP and must apply for a visa if you’ve been present in or traveled to Iraq, Iran, Syria, or Sudan on or after March 1, 2011. Here You can check ESTA status!
Ensure to know whether you need U.S. VISA or ESTA before planning your Columbus travel.
Here is a MAP to Guide you on your trip:
