Columbus, OH
Born and raised in Columbus, you can ask me anything about the city. It is the largest of the major cities in Ohio. Known to locals as Cbus or Cap City, it is located in the Midwest. The city has a lot to offer, from tons of neighborhood parks, great restaurants in vibrant areas like German Village or The Short North, to the college town that surrounds The Ohio State University campus.
Most people just come to Columbus to visit family or for work but the city has so more to offer. I would suggest coming in the summer to avoid the typical Midwest winter though.
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Red White and Boom, Memorial Golf Tournament, Columbus marathon, Wildlights, Arnold fest, Buckeye Country Superfest, Ohio State Fair, Dublin Irish Festival
Stay
Hyatt Regency Columbus
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If you are coming to Columbus and planning on attending a sporting event, this is the closest hotel to the stadiums.
350 N High St
Hotel | Downtown – Arena District | $$$
Graduate by Hilton Columbus
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Are you looking a place close to shops and restaurants, then the Snort North is the perfect place for you to stay.
750 N High St
Hotel | Short North | $$$
Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus OSU
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Located just north of the OSU Campus. If you want to be close to campus, then think about staying here.
3031 Olentangy River Rd
Hotel | Campus | $$
Vrbo/Airbnb Rental
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If you have family coming to town and want to spend time together, then a house is probably a better call then a hotel.
Address Varies
House Rental | $$$
Holiday Inn Express Columbus Downtown, an IHG Hotel
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German Village is a nice neighborhood located just south of the downtown area. Breakfast is included and there is on-site parking.
650 S High St
Hotel | German Village | $$$
Looking for something else?
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Trying to find something else, then click the link above for a map of all the places to stay
Address Varies
Hotel |
Food and Drink
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
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An upscale steakhouse who’s food all around is delicious. The steak of course is good and don’t get me started on the mashed potatoes. It can be pricey so maybe only for special occasions or if you are just boujee.
569 N High St
Steakhouse | $$$$
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
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Located in German Village, it is known for it’s giant cream puffs and german food.
240 E Kossuth St
German | $$
The Thurman Cafe
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Located in German Village, it is known for the Thurmanantor burger which has two 12 oz patties and lots of toppings. This restaurant was featured on Diner’s, Drive In’s, and Dines.
183 Thurman Ave
American | $$
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
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These restaurants are all owned by Cameron Mitchell who has running restaurants since 1993. They range from Italian, Fine Dining, Steakhouse, and American Diner. All of them have good service and good food.
Address varies
Italian | Fine Dining | $$$
Condado Tacos
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A build-your-own-taco place that does not disappoint. I would recommend getting the queso also.
132 S High St
Mexican | $$
Looking for something else?
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Columbus has a variety of different restaurants. Click the link above to find more places to eat.
Address Varies
Food |
Activities
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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One of the top-ranked zoos in the United States, its offers a wide variety of experiences. From over 600 species to learn about, animal encounters, a zoo train, a petting zoo, a carrousel, and on those hot days stop by Zoombezi Bay Water Park. If you are visiting November to January stay until dark and experience the Wildlights.
4850 W Powell Rd
Family Friendly | Animals |
Franklin Park Conservatory
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Stroll through the conservatory to see all the different types of plants, from desert cacti to cocoa trees of the rainforest. If you have some extra time stop over at the hot shop and watch a glass blowing demonstration by local professionals. From March-July immerse yourself in Blooms and Butterflies where hundreds of vibrant exotic butterflies fly freely around the Pacific Island Water Garden.
1777 E Broad St
Family Friendly | Nature |
Nationwide Arena
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Serves as the home to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League and hosts a wide variety of events, such as concerts, ice skating shows, and family shows.
200 W Nationwide Blvd
Sports | Family Friendly |
Huntington Park
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Home to the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A minor league baseball team for the Cleveland Guardians
330 Huntington Park Ln
Sports | Family Friendly |
Ohio State University
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THE Ohio State University Buckeyes is a staple of the Columbus atmosphere. Attend a football game at The Shoe (Ohio Stadium), or a basketball game at the Schott (Schottenstein Center), or take a walk at the Oval. Some famous alumni include Jesse Owens, Eddie George, and Les Wexner
411 Woody Hayes Dr
Sports | Family Friendly
German Village
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A historic and vibrant neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus known for its brick-houses and cobblestone streets. Talk a walk through Schiller park or stop for lunch at one of the popular restaurants throughout the neighborhood. The Thurman cafe is famous for its massive burgers or Schmidt’s Sausage Haus which has amazing giant cream puffs.
1069 Jaeger St.
Neighborhood |
Columbus MetroParks
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Want a chance to see grazing bison in Ohio, then take a trip to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Some other popular metroparks include Highbanks Metropark, Scioto Aubudon Metropark, or Quarry Trails Metropark and plenty more that have a wide range of trails and different events to get out and experience nature
1069 W Main St
Outdoorsy | Family Friendly |
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
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Who doesn’t like Leos to be honest. There is plenty of things for the kids to do and once a month there is an adults only event.
157 Easton Town Ctr
Entertainment | Family Friendly |
Cultural Arts Center
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The center offers variety of art classes, including painting, ceramics, and jewelry for all skill levels.
139 W. Main St
Artsy | Family Friendly |
Lower.com Field
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Home to the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer
96 Columbus Crew Way
Sports | Family Friendly |
North Market
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The North market is a great chance to immerse yourself into the the city’s food scene. From independent merchant’s, farmers, and makers, you can eat, drink, and shop just like the locals
59 Spruce St
Food |
Columbus Museum of Art
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Full of exceptional collections of American and European art, there’s something for art-lovers of all ages. Attend one of the After Hours events for a unique way to see the museum
480 E Broad St
Museums | Artsy |
Ohio Theatre
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The Ohio Theatre hosts broadway shows and is also the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The completely restored theater is a gorgeous Spanish-Baroque style pulled together with a stunning chandelier centerpiece.
39 E State St
Entertainment | Family Friendly |
Dublin
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Dublin has been named as the best suburb in the city for multiple years in a row. Dublin is super safe and is always growing. Go to downtown Dublin or Bridge park for a good time. Dublin is also home to the Muirfield Golf Course which is home to the Memorial Golf Tournament.
5750 Memorial Dr
Neighborhood |
South Drive In Theatre
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A drive-in is such a classic thing to do and one of my favorite things to do in the summer. You can look on their website to see what movies will be playing every week.
3050 S High St
Entertainment | Family Friendly |
COSI
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Officially the Center of Science and Industry, COSI is a science museum and research center. With many diverse exhibits from a planetarium, a dinosaur gallery, and a motion simulator. If you want a night without the kids attend COSI After Dark. A 21+ themed event with food and drinks
333 W Broad St
Science | Family Friendly |
Hollywood Casino
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Test your luck at the slot machines or head over to the entertainment lounge and watch a show. If you need a bite to eat stop by one of the various dining options.
200 Georgesville Rd
Entertainment |
Otherworld
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A different way to experience art. Otherworld is an immersive art museum with interactive art exhibits. Exhibits change fairly frequently so make sure to check the events calendar
5819 Chantry Dr
Museums | Artsy |
Short North
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A once run down area, this neighborhood is now a hip and trendy area full of restaurants, coffee-shops, stores, and bars.
862 N High St
Neighborhood |
Magic Mountain
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Family-fun with mini-golf, go-karts, a batting cage and an arcade.
5890 Scarborough Blvd
Entertainment | Family Friendly |
Travel Tips
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Weather
Columbus experiences all the seasons, and being in the Midwest it could be 60 degrees one day in February and 30 the next day.
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Events and Festivals
One of the biggest events in Columbus is the Memorial golf tournament located in Dublin, a suburb of Columbus.
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What to pack
When you come, will depend on what you will need. Just make sure to check the weather for when you plan to visit.
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Best Time to Visit
Summer is the warmest and also when most of the events in the city occur.
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Culture/Atmosphere
Some areas would be considered a college town around campus but there is also a vibrant downtown.
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Must get Souvenir
The best souvenir to represent the city is an Ohio buckeye.
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Trip Length
A day or two is all you’ll need when visiting Columbus but you would be able to fill a whole weekend.
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Accessibility
The city is dedicated to being accessible and ADA-compliant for parks and transportation.
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If you only have time for one thing
Attend an OSU sporting event. Ohio fans are known to be crazy and its a great atmopshere.
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Transportation
Most people use a car to get around the city or the public busing system (COTA).
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Traveling with Dogs?
There are plenty of dog friendly parks and a lot of restaurants have dog friendly patios spaces.
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Fun Facts
Columbus is named after the Spanish explorer, Christopher Columbus