Have a blast at Columbus' attractions. Shop at the North Market's more than 30 merchants and the Short North Arts District's galleries and boutiques. Tour the beautifully restored Ohio Statehouse and explore the shops in historic German Village. See two of the nation's top-rated attractions at COSI and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, then hit Easton Town Center, the Midwest's premier shopping destination.
Columbus Museum of Art
480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-6801
The newly renovated and expanded Columbus Museum of Art opened on Oct. 24. Great experiences with great art for everyone! We believe that art speaks to each and every one of us in different ways. Art inspires. Art challenges. Art thinks. Visit our website for current exhibition schedule. Cell phone tours available. Schedule "experiential tours" by appointment at 614-221-6801.
COSI
333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 228-2674
Located in Columbus, COSI (the Center of Science and Industry) is one of the most respected science centers in the nation, serving more than 30 million visitors since 1964. Parents Magazine recently named COSI the #1 Science Center for Families in the country. At COSI you will find endless opportunities to explore real science and discover real possibilities for yourself and the world around you. COSI brings science to life with more than 300 interactive exhibits throughout our discovery-based and themed exhibition areas, which include: Ocean, Space, Gadgets, Life, little kidspace®, WOSU@COSI, Progress, Big Science Park and our brand new Innovation Showcase. The exhibition areas provide experiences for all age levels to creatively combine science facts and learning through play. Beyond the exhibits, you'll find COSI's hair-raising Electrostatic Generator Show, the only High-Wire Unicycle in the country, a seven-story Extreme Screen theater, a Science 2Go! retail store and the Atomicafe' restaurant. COSI also hosts world-class traveling exhibitions from other museums throughout the year. COSI's groundbreaking, award-winning education programs have reached millions of teachers and students. These innovative outreach education programs are tailored to support national and statewide science curriculum and standards. Unique programs such as Electronic Education and COSI on Wheels bring science learning to students throughout Ohio and across the country. One million campers have now experienced Camp-In®, an overnight program created for Girl Scouts that began in 1972. It's now open to boys and girls and duplicated nationwide.
German Village
588 S. Third St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-8888
Herzlich Willkommen! A hearty welcome to German Village, Columbus' premier downtown neighborhood and one of the preeminent historic districts in the United States. German Village is a 233-acre historic residential district. The Visitor Center offers a brief introductory video about the settlement of the area, maps of the neighborhood and a gift shop.
Short North Arts District
21 E Fifth Avenue, Suite 103, Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 299-8050
As the "art and soul" of Columbus, the Short North is a vibrant cultural and business community. The nationally acclaimed Gallery Hop is held on the first Saturday of the month. "Artistic hub of Columbus" - Huffington Post "Best art event in Ohio"- Ohio Magazine "Columbus Cool" - New York Times Style Magazine.
Wexner Center for the Arts, The
1871 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-3535
The Wexner Center for the Arts is one of the nation's premiere cultural gems--an internationally known contemporary arts center at The Ohio State University. The Center offers exhibitions, performances, films, artistic residencies and educational programs. The building, a landmark of postmodern architecture, houses galleries, performance spaces, a film video theater, a store and a cafe. From the intimate, cabaret-style concerts in our black box theater to large-scale events in or 2,500 seat Mershon Auditorium, the Wexner Center offers a wide variety of performances – dance, theater, jazz, world music, electronica and more. In the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, you can watch rarely screened movies from near and far, the latest independent features and classics from Hollywood and abroad. The galleries are open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM. The galleries are closed on Mondays and between exhibitions. Admission to the galleries is just $5 for the general public, and free for Wexner Center members, college students with ID, and anyone under 18. All visitors are admitted to the exhibitions for free on Thursdays after 4 PM and on the first Sunday of each month.
Arena District
375 N. Front St., Ste. 200, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 857-2336
As the premier entertainment district in downtown Columbus, the Arena District offers an experience unlike any other. The Arena District has a fantastic nightlife scene. There are many restaurants and bars, and the Lifestyles Community Pavilion often features concerts with nationally renowned bands. An Experience Columbus Visitor Center is located in the Arena District.
Gateway Film Center
1550 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 247-4433
Nobody loves movies like Gateway Film Center. Discovering them, presenting them, celebrating them and most of all, bringing the best of them to Central Ohio. Every week we invite you to be a part of our maverick mix of movies: a unique lineup of the world's best blockbusters, indies, docs and locally-grown films, presented together in one modern, thriving film center. Catch up with friends and meet new ones at a craft beer tasting in The Torpedo Room, our undersea bar and galley. See a film festival-style series. Join a conversation with an up-and-coming filmmaker.
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 W. Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
(614) 645-3400
View the Columbus Zoo in a new light during Wildlights, a spectacular celebration of winter. Brighten your holiday season with more than three million twinkling lights, activities for children, Santa Claus and a variety of festive activities for the family. Wildlights runs Nov. 20, 2015 - Jan. 3, 2016. Closed 11/26, 12/24 and 12/25.
Easton Town Center
160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 337-2200
Easton Town Center is the Midwest's premier destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. With its unique village setting, large public spaces, plazas and abundant free parking, Easton is home to an eclectic assortment of restaurants, entertainment venues, exclusive retailers and a 30-screen movie theater. We also offer car2go parking spaces. Hours: Mon.-Thur., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. Guests traveling 50 miles or further receive an Experience Easton discount card redeemable for an Easton coupon book. Free motorcoach parking on-site. For a map visit: http://eastonway.com/about-local-community/visit-easton/.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 715-8000
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, just two miles east of downtown Columbus, offers beautiful indoor and outdoor gardens, dynamic exhibitions, and world-renowned artwork. Exhibitions include Scary Plants, Sept. 27–Nov. 9, 2014; Merry & Bright, Nov. 15, 2014–Jan. 4, 2015. Orchids! Jan 10-April 5, 2015. Blooms and Butterflies, in it's 22nd season in 2015 opens March 7 and continues through September 27. Beginning May 16, 2015, David Rogers' Big Bugs will be on view. Ten enormous carved wooden sculptures include an 18-foot praying mantis, a spider's web that's four yards wide, and a butterfly with a wingspan broader than average human height. Fall 2015 features large pumpkin carvings by Villafane Studios. Glass artwork by Dale Chihuly from the Conservatory's collection are on long-term view, placed within the plant collections under natural light and illuminated in the evenings. Learn more about the art of glass making during a demonstration in the Conservatory's seasonal Hot Shop. Family activities and crafts are offered every weekend, as well as special events and entertainment throughout the year. Classes and workshops for children and adults are available in the areas of gardening, cooking, art and wellness. Enjoy the beauty of the natural world no matter the weather or time of year. Glass-enclosed gardens are filled with exotic plant life from around the world, water features, seasonal floral displays and special exhibitions. Collections include tropical and hardy bonsai, cactus and succulents, and over 40 species of palms displayed in a Victorian-era glasshouse. Outdoors explore display gardens include the Grand Mallway, conifer and ornamental grass collection, a daylily heritage garden, and the edible gardens and landscapes of the ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Campus just a short walk from the main Conservatory. Visitors seeking an evening visit can enjoy the Conservatory during extended hours on select evenings Nov 2014 - Feb 2015. Additional evenings hours in 2015 can be found on the Conservatory's website. Amenities include the Conservatory Garden Cafe open daily from 11 am - 3 pm and Bortanica Gift Shop and Greenhouse featuring unique gifts with a botanical flair for all ages, plants, handblown glass and exhibition related items. Guided tours and groups experiences are available with advance reservation. Group admission discounts, bus dropoff area and and free ample parking.
Angela Meleca Gallery
144 E State St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 340-6997
The Angela Meleca Gallery is committed to bringing important, thought-provoking and innovative contemporary art to collectors in the greater Columbus area. The gallery is dedicated to exhibiting and promoting work by artists who are active regionally, nationally and internationally.
American Whistle Corporation
6540 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 846-2918
Ever wonder how the ball gets inside a whistle? We invite you to take a personally guided tour of our factory. American Whistle Corporation is the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the United States. For approximately 45 minutes, we will show you a thriving, small, American manufacturing plant and entertain you with interesting information about whistles. You will see some fascinating machinery – some state-of-the-art, some dating back to the beginning of the company. Best of all – everyone leaves with a shiny new whistle! All ages are welcome on the tour, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. On the tour you will: * See the factors of production, beginning with the process of manufacturing a whistle from raw material to shipping packaged products to our customers. * See mechanical engineering at work in one-of-a-kind machines designed and built specifically for our exact manufacturing needs. * Learn who buys whistles and why, and how an obscure, yet fundamental product is successfully marketed. Tours are by appointment only, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tours last approximately 45 minutes. The cost is $4 per person. We require a minimum of 15 people or $60 to schedule your own tour. Smaller groups will happily be added to larger, already scheduled groups. Our gift shop is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Items such as whistles, lanyards, rubber safe-t-tips, award whistles, t-shirts, mugs, magnets and more can be purchased for prices ranging from $1 to $20. Some items are also available for purchase on our website, www.americanwhistle.com. To make an appointment for a tour, please call 800-876-2918 FREE ext. 4. American Whistle is located at the north end of Columbus, about 12 miles north of downtown. From I-71 exit at Route 161 and head west towards Worthington. Travel about half a mile down 161, then turn right on Huntley Road.
Greek Orthodox Cathedral's Greek Festival
555 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 224-9020
Experience the culture and ancestry of Greece and the Orthodox Christian faith through many foods and activities, held Labor Day weekend each year. The cathedral tours will inspire you, the Orthodox Christian Bookstore will educate you, the food and drink will entice you, and the hospitality will overwhelm you. Stop by the shops, enjoy the music and dancing, visit the exhibits and enjoy the wonderful Greek pastries.
Asian Festival
1777 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 402-3384
Cultural exhibitions, food, entertainment, children's activities, health, marketplace, job fair and sports activities.
Aveda Institute Columbus
South Campus Gateway
1581 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 291-2421
With one location in the South Campus Gateway and another on Neil Avenue across from the Wexner Medical Center at OSU, the Aveda Institute Columbus is a cosmetology school and fully-functioning salon. We offer a full range of Aveda services at affordable prices, all of which come with a hand and arm massage, back and neck massage or mini facial. Our student stylists will help to relax and rejuvenate your senses with beauty on a budget. Aveda Institute Columbus students go through unparalleled training and receive the highest caliber education at our school. Along with cosmetology basics that they learn during their first 10 weeks in the classroom, students are educated in chemistry, trichology and anatomy to ensure their education is well-rounded and all encompassing. Students continue to master techniques in cutting, coloring, perms, styling and develop their professionalism until the day they graduate. Giving back to the community and environment is an important aspect of what we do at the Aveda Institute Columbus. Each month we work with a different charity and donate all of our tips to their cause. Last year we raised almost $31,000 for the Central Ohio Sierra Club through three months of fundraising, a free service day and a hair fashion show. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to get news on our upcoming specials, event announcements and inspiration for your next service. Schedule an appointment with us and indulge with Aveda for less!
Bexley Women's Club House & Garden Tour
P.O. Box 9023, Bexley, OH 43209
Enjoy 9 unique homes with inspiring garden settings and interior designs enhanced by homeowner personality and professional input. The Bexley House & Garden Tour is June 5, 2016 and provides free shuttle service between sites. Street parking is available, and biking is encouraged. Leisurely visit the sites and take a break by stopping at one of the many eating establishments available in the area. Hours of the tour are 10 AM - 4 PM. Proceeds benefit the Club's scholarship program for college-bound high school seniors. Tickets will be available beginning in May.
Buckeye Raceway
4050 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228
(614) 272-7888
Capital City Tours
2554 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, OH 43221
(614) 326-0942
Columbus Commons
150 S. Front St. , Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 545-4700
Columbus Commons is a six-acre park in downtown Columbus with more than 240 programs and events each year. From large scale concerts and local bands to free fitness classes to family activities, Columbus Commons is a gathering place for the community.
Scioto Mile
150 S. Front St. , Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 545-4700
CoGo Bike Share
610 Oak St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 352-2649
CoGo Bike Share is a public transportation network of 365 bicycles and 41 stations located throughout downtown Columbus. The system is available for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. CoGo is a fun and easy way to see all the attractions in Columbus. See Columbus on two-wheels! Check out where all the stations are located at http://www.cogobikeshare.com/stations. For more information, visit our website and follow us on social media.
Columbus Arts Festival
100 E. Broad St.
Ste. 2250
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 224-8569
Discover the art of hundreds of artists and craftspeople, hands-on art activities for all ages, live music and great food at the annual Columbus Arts Festival. Welcome to summer event pairing the finest arts with continuous entertainment, area restaurants and so much more. Produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Visit gcac.org for more information or columbusartsfestival.org.
Columbus Food Adventures
201 W Hubbard Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 440-3177
www.columbusfoodadventures.com
Columbus Historical Society
333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 224-0822
The Columbus Italian Festival
720 Hamlet Street, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 294-8259
www.columbusitalianfestival.com
Columbus Landmarks Foundation
61 Jefferson Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-0227
Columbus Oktoberfest
240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 444-5908
Columbus Park of Roses
3901 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 645-6640
www.clintonville.com/parkrec/rosegarden.html
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 W. Powell Rd.
P.O. Box 400
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 645-3400
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a world of adventure that does a world of good. The Zoo is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 650 species from around the globe. Watch a polar bear swim above your head, meet the world famous gorilla family, say "G-Day" to the koalas, ponder the giant pachyderms and be amazed by the manatees. The Zoo provides more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A recreation and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was named the number one zoo in America by USA Travel Guide.
Cultural Arts Center
139 W. Main St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 645-7047
www.culturalartscenteronline.org
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