Columbus, Ohio celebrates its 200th birthday this year! We lived in the Columbus, Ohio area when our boys were young. While I appreciate the sunny days and proximity to the beach here in North Carolina, Columbus is filled with wonderful vacation-worthy treasures. Whether you visit for two days or ten, Columbus has much to offer.
Columbus, Ohio skyline |
Places to stay in Columbus
- The Westin Columbus. Built in 1897, this historic hotel (formerly the Great Southern Hotel), offers incredible charm in the perfect downtown location. Within walking distance of many great sites in the city, it’s the perfect place to start your family vacation.
- Doubletree Suites by Hilton. The only all-suite hotel downtown offers everything you could want and then some! The hotel is connected by covered walkway to the Huntington Center, Vern Riffe State Office Tower and the Capitol. The hotel offers great amenities, including an indoor water park.
- German Village Guest House. Looking for something unique? This guesthouse offers unique lodging in the historic German Village neighborhood downtown and is located close to shops, restaurants and parks. The guesthouse offers pet-friendly accommodations so your dog can join the family on vacation.
- The Blackwell Inn. Located on The Ohio State University campus, the Blackwell offers modern rooms and suites in a vibrant, campus setting. The Inn also offers special rates for access to the Recreation Center.
Things to do in Columbus
- COSI (Center of Science and Industry). Rated first among hands-on science museums in the United States by Parents Magazine, COSI offers hands-on exhibits in space exploration, physics, the ocean and more. The museum includes special areas designed just for younger children. Allow a full day to visit. Enjoy a “historical” lunch at the original Wendy’s located right across the street!
- Columbus Clippers. Cheer on the Cleveland Indians’ AAA team at Huntington Park. More than baseball, a visit to the park offers family entertainment and food. What says summer more than a baseball game under the stars?
- The Topiary Park. This unique park downtown is a “work of art and a work of nature.” Beautiful gardens to visit and explore.
- Franklin Park Conservatory. The conservatory offers a variety of exhibitions for one admission price. Fans of model railroads should consider a trip to the Conservatory to see the fairytale themed railroad designed and built by artist Paul Busse in the Himalayan Mountain Biome.
- The Columbus Zoo. Visit Jack Hanna’s zoo! When we lived in the area, we had annual memberships to the Columbus Zoo. It’s that good! The zoo is quite large offering a variety of animal habitats to explore, rides, playgrounds and food.
- Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. Adjacent to the Columbus Zoo, this waterpark offers something for every member of the family. To save money, buy a two-park pass at the zoo: spend the first day with the animals of the wild and the second letting the kids run wild!
Good eats!
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. Located in German Village, Schmidt’s has been our favorite restaurant for decades. We eat there every time we visit friends and family. In fact, their German cream puff is so good, it has been featured on Food Network’s “Best of Ohio.” It has also been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.” Honestly, it’s that good!
- Graeter’s Ice Cream. Seriously, I need to schedule another Columbus road trip. I’m drooling! Graeter’s makes the world’s best ice cream! I have eaten ice cream in Paris, France and I love a good gelato, but nothing — absolutely nothing — tastes as great as Graeter’s. We have been known to drive a few hours out of our way to buy six pints on dry ice and bring them home. Can’t wait to try it? You can order online and have it shipped directly to you. I recommend chocolate chip (should say ginormous chocolate chunk… chip is a modest description!), mocha chocolate chip or Elena’s blueberry pie! YUM!
- Skyline Chili. I’ve tried to duplicate it. I can’t. Skyline Chili, which originated nearby in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the most amazing chili there is. Period. Skylines fast food restaurants offer chili “three way,” “four way,” or “five way.” (you choose: beans, spaghetti, onions, and/or cheese). Or order some coney dogs. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
- Thai Orchid. This restaurant, located in the Columbus suburb of Powell, Ohio (near the zoo), offers excellent Asian cuisine and friendly staff. Their Thai dishes are superb, but you can’t go wrong ordering a Chinese dish either. The restaurant offers live entertainment weekend evenings as well.
Shopping in Columbus — something for everyone!
- The Short North. Situated just north of downtown, hence the name, the Short North arts district offers a variety of unique shops, including home decor, specialty food items, imports and “earth friendly.” Whether to window shop or purchase, you’ll enjoy a stroll through the area.
- Easton Town Center. Far more than a mall, Easton is an experience! Indulge in a day at the spa. Catch a movie. Grab something to eat. Whatever you want to do, you’ll find it at Easton.
- Greater Columbus Antiques Mall. Looking for something different? Located on South High Street, this mall offers five floors of antiques featuring more than 70 antiques dealers.
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Karen Dawkins says
Graeter's is in Denver??? Really??? Denver is now the top of my travel list. 🙂
Let me know what you think of Thai Orchid. We haven't found an equivalent anywhere else yet.
GJT says
Thanks, Karen, for coming by and leading me to this Columbus post! I remember most of these from grad school, and we hit a few of them during the past few months with relo visits. Hadn't heard of Thai Orchid though, have to try that out! Graeter's is by far my favorite ice cream on the planet, and I was ecstatic when they started selling it in Denver!
Adam Zettler says
Columbus is one of my favorite cities-really pretty skyline…and underrated. Thanks Karen.
OneMommy says
Now if I'd only read this before our trip, we might have stayed at the hotel with the water park! 🙂 Next time!
Familytravelsonabudget says
Columbus IS awesome!!! Antiquing with twins, I'll leave that up to you. They would LOVE COSI and the Zoo though!!!
Happy travels.
leigh says
I absolutely love going antiquing – 5 floors – sounds fantastic! I also didn't now how much they had to offer. Thanks for letting me know – might go there it's only a couple of hours from here.
Leigh
http://www.oneandoneequalstwinfun.com
Andrea @Twins happen says
Hi there! My husband and I grew up in Columbus. We lived there long before kids were even a twinkle in our eyes. I am heading back this summer for a couple of weeks. I am excited to experience it with the boys. Thanks 🙂
Jenn says
I was just talking to DH about how I want to start traveling to different parts of the US since there's so much I haven't seen. Perhaps we can take a trip this summer! Thanks for sharing all there is to do 🙂
Andrea L. says
I've never been to Columbus, but it looks like a great place for a family adventure! It's also within driving distance from Minnesota. Thanks for sharing!
Heather Lynne says
I haven't been to Columbus in years but you have down some of my favorite places to visit, including the shopping! I haven't tried any of those restaurants though so it looks like I'm going to have to make another trip out that way!
Erin says
Who knew there was so much to do in Columbus! The German Guest Home sounds wonderful and I would love to visit the Observatory! Thanks for sharing!
~Erin