What Are the Best Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio?

The strongest options span free outdoor neighborhoods, major museums, a top-tier zoo, and live sports within a compact downtown core.

Short North Arts District runs along High Street north of downtown and is free to walk. It's the city's densest stretch of galleries, restaurants, and independent shops, and the monthly Gallery Hop on the first Saturday draws large crowds to participating spaces.

COSI (Center of Science and Industry) sits on the west bank of the Scioto River at 333 W. Broad St. Admission is around $27 for adults and $22 for children, though prices are worth confirming on their site before visiting.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, roughly 20 miles north of downtown, is consistently ranked among the top zoos in the country. General admission runs approximately $22–$28 depending on season.

German Village, about a mile south of downtown, is a 233-acre neighborhood of 19th-century brick homes. It's free to walk and anchored by Schiller Park and the Book Loft, a 32-room independent bookstore.

Nationwide Arena and Lower.com Field put NHL hockey (Blue Jackets) and MLS soccer (Crew) within walking distance of each other in the Arena District, making a sports weekend logistically easy.

For visitors flying in, John Glenn Columbus International Airport is roughly 10 miles east of downtown, about a 20-minute drive without traffic.