What Are the Best Places to Visit in Columbus, Ohio?

Most first-time visitors to Columbus hit four or five areas: the Short North, German Village, the Arena District, COSI, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — and that covers a solid two to three days without much backtracking.

The Short North runs along High Street between downtown and Ohio State University's campus and is walkable, with galleries, restaurants, and independent shops concentrated in about a mile. German Village, roughly a mile south of downtown, is a 19th-century brick neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places; the bookstore Branch of Wholly Craft and Schmidt's Sausage Haus are anchors worth targeting specifically. COSI (Center of Science and Industry), located on the west bank of the Scioto River across from downtown, charges around $29 for adult admission and around $24 for children; it runs large-scale traveling exhibits alongside permanent science and space galleries. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, about 20 miles north of downtown, is consistently ranked among the largest in the country by acreage and charges roughly $24–$28 for adult admission depending on the season — confirm current pricing at columbuszoo.org before you go.

The Arena District, just northwest of downtown, is the practical base for a Clippers minor league baseball game at Huntington Park or a Blue Jackets NHL game at Nationwide Arena on the same trip.