Location: Columbus
Top Things to do in Columbus
10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Columbus That You Shouldn't Miss
Ohio’s capital city is full of beautiful neighborhoods, a critically acclaimed food scene and top-ranked attractions. This creative-minded destination offers something for everyone. Families will enjoy COSI, the nationally known science center, as well as the Columbus zoo and its neighboring water park. Art lovers will savor the collections at the Columbus Museum of Art and revel in Gallery Hop, a monthly celebration in the Short North Art District. Columbus is a city that invites exploration.
Restaurants in Columbus
1. Ohio Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 504 reviews
Broadway shows are performed in this historic theater.
Reviewed By rs49ss47 - Germantown, United States
Do you like seeing great performances? Do you enjoy visiting older, historic buildings? You can satisfy both desires by coming to this beautiful building in downtown Columbus. My family and I have attended many great events at this theatre over many years. Seating capacity is in excess of 2,500 but for particularly popular events the tickets go quickly. I remember as a child being particularly excited to see the wonderful organ which is still in use today. So many big name stars have performed here that it would be impossible to name them all. Much of the beautiful interior is close to its' original grandeur. Among the big draws are the Columbus Symphony, ( really worth seeing ) and BalletMet. One of our favorites was The Nutcracker when our children were young. No matter what the event is a trip here is one you will not regret. Underground parking is available across the street.
2. Columbus Ghost Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Hear tales of ghosts, ghouls, murder and horror from Columbus' 200 plus year history on a night out unlike any other! Whether you're entertaining clients, looking for an unique date night, celebrating a life event or just really into spooky stuff, we offer several open-air, socially distanced options as well as special events throughout the year to satisfy your dark side.
3. The Jubilee Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 124 reviews
A preservation of Catholic Church art and traditions salvaged from individuals and churches and schools that have closed. as well as a large collection of Bibles from 1558 and on, oil paintings, four working pipe organs, statuary, historic vestments from the Holy Land and many other treasures of the Catholic mind and memory.
4. Columbus Food Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,388 reviews
Columbus Food Adventures offers a variety of exciting and diverse itineraries for our exclusively small group tours (max 15 people). Some tours are conducted via our air-conditioned van, others are led on foot. Columbus Food Adventures currently offers 12 unique and delectable itineraries including a Short North walking tour, a German Village walking tour, a van tour of Columbus’s standout ethnic eateries, a van tour of the city’s famous taco truck scene and a dessert tour featuring some of the sweetest places in town. All tours visit 5 to 7 distinct locations, and every tour includes tastings at each stop (enough to replace one meal). We also offer private tours for 8+ people.
5. Supreme Court of Ohio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
This historic 1930s building has been home to the Supreme Court of Ohio since reopening in 2004 after a meticulous four-year renovation. The doors are open to all and the public is encouraged to visit and admire firsthand the beautiful Art Deco building and its array of murals, bronze sculptures, mosaics, and symbols that adorn the interior.
Reviewed By alwaysmoretosee2015 - Dublin, United States
Anyone can arrange a free tour of the Ohio Supreme Court building thrugh their Civic Education department and my friends and I highly recommend doing so. It is full of amazing art works- murals, mosaics, sculptures, carvings and even a Chihuly! Our guide Mason was very knowledgeable and friendly. He told us stories about the building and explained how the court works in addition to pointing our amazing details in the ceilings, hallways and library.
6. ZipZone Outdoor Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 822 reviews
CALL NOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION!! ZipZone Outdoor Adventures is the best outdoor destination in Central Ohio. Located just inside Camp Mary Orton, ZipZone has personal guided zip line Canopy Tours, a self guided treetop Adventure Park, and a ground level Kids Park for ages 4-7. With several zip line tour options, you can choose from our two-hour Canopy Tour, our Zip Rush Tour or our Night Flight Tours. All of our zip line tours are fully guided by our well trained staff. If you are looking for a different outdoor excursion, our Adventure Park is something you don't want to miss! The Adventure Park is a self-guided aerial park where our guides will teach you to use the safety equipment and off you go! The park has 5 trails and 60 different challenges for you to choose from. Our Kids Park is a ground level obstacle course for the littlest adventurers ages 4-7. This is an experience you will not believe exists in Columbus, Ohio!!
7. Pedal Wagon Columbus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 257 reviews
The Pedal Wagon is a multi-passenger, pedal-powered, rolling celebration. Operating 7 days a week, you can reserve the entire Pedal Wagon or just part of it. Choose from a variety of cruises, on which you will share a memorable experience with friends, co-workers, or complete strangers while enjoying Columbus' great restaurants, bars, and “best-kept secret” local establishments. Perfect for corporate outings, birthdays, bachelorette/bachelor parties progressive dinners or just because!
8. The Escape Room USA - Columbus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 901 reviews
The Escape Room USA – Columbus offers a NEW, fun, and interactive adventure game designed for everyone. The concept: You and your team are locked in a themed room where you have 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles, and discover keys and combinations to escape the room before your time is up! The Escape Room USA is fun with your family, friends, and co-workers!
Reviewed By 621griffinm - Canton, United States
Great place, Eden was excellent and did a fantastic job supervising and helping us steal the Mona Lisa
9. Ohio Statehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Capitol building of Ohio.
Reviewed By Gerry963 - Schroon Lake, United States
We like to visit state capitols in our travels—they are always visitor-friendly and reveal a great deal about a state’s history, economy and culture in a short time. The Ohio Statehouse is no exception. Somewhat understated for a capitol on the outside, it is beautiful and grand on the inside. Our knowledgeable guide, Elaine, brought Ohio and the Statehouse to life in her ~45 minute tour (a crash course in all things Ohio that is well worth the time). It was an enjoyable and informative time. A suggestion to visitors: take careful notes about your path from your vehicle to the start of the tour—or leave a trail of bread crumbs—as the building and connected subterranean parking garage are rather confusing to navigate and not terribly well signed. The friendly Ohioans who work in the capitol know the place is a labyrinth and are approachable and helpful in getting you redirected.
10. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,427 reviews
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI), located in Columbus, Ohio, is a dynamic, hands-on science center with more than 55 years of award-winning expertise in providing engaging, inspiring, and transforming learning experiences. From hands-on interactive exhibits in themed exhibition areas, and state-of-the-art planetarium, to traveling and education outreach programs, COSI delivers science and science educational experiences both in its building and far beyond its walls. With unprecedented and one-of-a-kind partnerships, including with the New York City-based American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), COSI has positioned itself as a national powerhouse museum with content and experiences for people of all ages. Located in Central Ohio, COSI stands as a leading cultural institution and destination attraction for regional, national, and international audiences. For more information on COSI's reopening and COVID-19 policies, please visit cosi.org.
Reviewed By JackieM125 - Toronto, Canada
COSI is definitely a place you have to visit, we were so impressed with how much there is to do and we could have easily spent a few days there. I loved how well laid out the center is so that you can easily go from exhibit to exhibit without getting lost in a maze. We loved the Dinosaur Gallery with awesome replicas, real and cast fossils. We entered Lost Egypt with its stunning artifacts including a real mummy and sarcophagus! The Oceans area is visually stunning, one side was like being on board an interactive submarine and the other side was a totally hands on Neptune themed water play area. It has to be seen to believed with all the watery, cavernous detail that kids and adults will love. A really cool area was Progress which depicted a life like reconstruction of a typical street corner during the turn of the 20th century. Then you turn the corner and the exact same street corner is updated to the 1950s. It was so interesting to experience how transportation, communication and technology have changed over the past century. Gadgets is a terrific hands on area with tonnes of experiments and simple machines. There are experiment labs that are first come first serve which book up quickly, so I recommend checking that out earlier in the visit. There is also Planetarium on the upper level showing spectacular films inside the 60 foot dome. It is a great place to take a mid visit break and check out any of the eye-catching, cinematic gems. There are some great outdoor areas to see too like the courtyard with any larger kid-friendly experiments and a beautiful, new playground just outside the main entrance. The amenities like the Atomic Cafe had tasty, healthy food options for all ages that were very reasonably priced and the huge gift shop had fun and educational mementos. Needless to say COSI does not disappoint and would definitely consider the annual membership as it is a great visit anytime of the year, rain or shine. Thanks COSI
