Top Attractions in Columbus
Columbus blends big-city amenities with Midwestern friendliness, and its top attractions showcase a city that celebrates creativity, science, and community in equal measure.
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Ranked among the top science museums in the country, COSI on West Broad Street along the Scioto River offers hands-on exhibits exploring space, energy, and the human body. The planetarium, giant screen theater, and outdoor science park make it a must-visit for families. Adults-only COSI After Dark events on select evenings add cocktails and a DJ to the mix.
Columbus Museum of Art
Located on East Broad Street downtown, the Columbus Museum of Art features an impressive collection of American and European modern art, including major works by Elijah Pierce, George Bellows, and the Midwest-centric Pizzuti Collection of contemporary art in nearby Franklinton. The Wonder Room, designed for creative play, is a highlight for younger visitors.
German Village
Just south of downtown, German Village is the largest privately funded historic restoration district in the United States. Wander along brick-lined streets past beautifully preserved 19th-century homes, and be sure to stop at the Book Loft, a legendary 32-room bookstore housed in a series of interconnected pre-Civil War buildings on South Third Street.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
This stunning glass conservatory on East Broad Street houses tropical, desert, and Himalayan biomes alongside rotating art installations. The Franklin Park Conservatory's Dale Chihuly glass sculptures permanently installed throughout the gardens are particularly breathtaking when lit at night during seasonal events.
Food and Dining Scene
Columbus has quietly become one of the best food cities in the Midwest, driven by a young population and a willingness to experiment. The Short North Arts District on North High Street is the epicenter, with restaurants like The Pearl turning out inventive seafood and craft cocktails, and Marcella's delivering upscale Italian with a lively patio scene.
For a more local flavor, head to German Village, where Schmidt's Sausage Haus has been serving massive bratwurst platters and cream puffs the size of softballs since 1967. North Market Downtown on West Spruce Street is the city's public market, buzzing with vendors offering Somali food, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, artisan pierogies, and hand-rolled sushi.
The Clintonville and Old North neighborhoods along North High Street are packed with casual gems, from the Ethiopian platters at Lalibela to the legendary breakfast at Hangover Easy. And no Columbus food tour is complete without a stop at Thurman Cafe in German Village for a towering burger that has been featured on national TV multiple times.
Outdoor Activities
Columbus offers a surprising amount of green space and outdoor recreation for a major Midwestern city, with the Scioto Mile as its crown jewel.
Scioto Mile and Audubon Park
This landscaped promenade along the Scioto River connects Bicentennial Park downtown to Audubon Park, with fountains, public art, and some of the best skyline views in Ohio. In summer, the interactive fountains at Bicentennial Park become an impromptu splash pad for kids and adults alike.
Highbanks Metro Park
Located just north of the city on Columbus Pike in Lewis Center, Highbanks features miles of forested trails, ancient Adena Indian mounds, and stunning bluff overlooks above the Olentangy River. The nature center and birding areas make it a favorite for wildlife enthusiasts.
Scioto Audubon Metro Park
This former trash dump south of downtown has been transformed into one of the best urban parks in the region. It features a massive climbing wall, mountain bike trails, wetland boardwalks, and some of the best bird watching in central Ohio along the Scioto River.
Nightlife and Entertainment
With over 60,000 Ohio State students fueling the demand, Columbus has no shortage of nightlife. The Short North on North High Street is the main artery, where galleries host First Friday art walks and bars like Bodega stay packed into the early morning hours. The Axis nightclub on North High is a legendary LGBTQ venue and one of the largest dance clubs in the city.
The Arena District around Nationwide Arena offers a more polished scene with restaurants and bars like Brio and Nada that transition from dinner spots to late-night hangouts. For live music, Skully's Music-Diner on North High Street has been the city's home for indie rock, soul, and reggae since 1986, while the basement stage at Rumba Cafe on North High is a must for touring singer-songwriters.
Hidden Gems
Wexner Center for the Arts
On the OSU campus on North High Street, the Wexner Center designed by Peter Eisenman hosts boundary-pushing film, performance, and visual art exhibitions. It is one of the most architecturally daring buildings in the state, and its free film screenings draw cinephiles from across the region.
Topiary Park
Tucked in the Old Deaf School Park on East Town Street, this quirky park features a topiary recreation of Georges Seurat's famous painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Over 50 topiary figures of people, boats, and animals are set around a pond, making it one of the most unique public art installations in America.
Olentangy Trail
This 13-mile paved trail follows the Olentangy River from Worthington south through the Ohio State campus and into downtown, connecting parks, neighborhoods, and some of the city's best taco trucks along the way. It is the perfect way to see Columbus from a different angle.