Guide to Exploring Downtown Columbus, Ohio
September 8, 2021
September 8, 2021
If you are visiting Columbus for business, a convention, an event, or travel, there are numerous options to augment your plan to enjoy the best of the downtown region. Looking for the top attractions, events, shopping, or free things to do for a quick trip? Not an issue. They’re right outside your hotel’s front door.
There are numerous methods to get around, whether you wish to stroll, cycle, or explore on a Segway, scooter, or bus. And, if you’re looking for things to do for couples, families, or if you’re riding alone, this guide can help you find activities and attractions that meet your schedule and interests.
You might wish to start your time in Columbus by visiting some of the city’s top attractions. The Ohio Statehouse, located at Broad and High Streets, is the hub of the city, where you may take a free tour or simply explore the grounds of Capital Square.
Cross the street for a snack at the Peanut Shoppe, which has been a downtown fixture for over 83 years. Every day, the shop provides hot roasted nuts from an original peanut roaster to customers who exclaim “what’s hot?” when they walk in.
Make your way to the Scioto River Bridge and take in the city skyline as you make your way to the National Veterans Museum and Memorial, where you may spend a few hours learning about the firsthand experiences of armed service men and women.
Across the street is the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), a family-friendly attraction that provides children with hands-on science and technology education.
You may visit the Green Lawn Cemetery, one of Ohio’s oldest cemeteries, for something truly unique during your visit. It is a popular site for photographers, historians, and birders looking to catch a glimpse of rare species resting in the trees along a significant migration route.
Take a walk around the cemetery’s 27 miles of small roads to see the memorials for important Ohioans buried here, such as James Thurber, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Lucas Sullivant, the founder of Franklinton.
Many of the events and sights in the downtown area are walkable, but if you don’t want to put miles on your pedometer, Columbus has several interesting methods to get around. You can join a shuttle trip with Columbus City Adventures to see the highlights and learn about the city’s history and significant areas of interest.
You may travel anywhere in the city by using a COTA bus. If you wish to stay in the near downtown area, you can use COTA’s free CBUS Downtown Circulator, which operates every 10 to 15 minutes from the Short North through Downtown to the Brewery District and back, seven days a week.
If you want to get some extra exercise and have some fun with your transportation, you can rent a bicycle from one of the 46 CoGo Bike stations located around downtown and bike to your destinations. You may also take a Lime Scooter and zip about downtown. All you have to do is download the app, pay around $1 to unlock the scooter, and $0.15 per minute to use it.
Columbus is a city that thrives on and supports its artistic and cultural characteristics. It is worthwhile to visit one of the cultural institutions, such as the Kelton House, which was utilized in the Underground Railroad, or the Thurber House, which features one of literature’s most important cartoonists.
A day at the Ohio History Center is a hands-on approach to learn about Columbus and Ohio, from prehistoric periods to the present. The popular Ohio Village, which is a living history museum and model of an 1880s village, is located just outside the center. Catch a 19th-century baseball game or learn how to play a classic lawn sport like hop and stick when the Ohio Muffins are in town.
At the Kings Arts Complex, you may learn about Columbus’ African American culture from a historical perspective. The center honors significant African Americans in the Columbus community over the years, including local artists Elijah Pierce and Aminah Robinson.
Art lovers will like the Columbus Museum of Art, which is continuously hosting events, workshops, and immersive experiences. Plan your museum visit so that you may stay for an outdoor lunch at the Schokko Café, which serves creative wraps and entrées.
You may also get your taste of art at the Franklin Park Conservatory, which features plants and flowers from all around the world. Throughout the greenhouses, glass artwork by renowned artist Dale Chihuly is incorporated.