5 Unique Places to Visit Around Columbus Ohio

Columbus offers something for everyone with its vibrant arts scene, top attractions and affordable luxury living. Discover lively neighborhoods such as the historic German Village or Short North Arts District to see for yourself. Engage your inner child at COSI and witness how art, science and industry intersect.

In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore 5 must-visit places around Columbus, Ohio. Let’s dive in right!

1. The Scioto Mile Promenade

The Scioto Mile Promenade is an idyllic wide paved walking trail that connects Battelle Riverfront Park to Bicentennial Park. It featuring with canals, swings, canal benches, tables for chess or board games and beautiful flower gardens. Perfect for strolling through on a hot summer day for strolling, talking and playing games under its cool river breeze!

You can find plenty of shady spots and places for family picnics. Further, art enthusiasts will delight in discovering the artwork that is scattered around in public areas.

What to Explore:

Scioto Mile Fountain is one of the most recognisable aspects of this breathtaking urban park. At night time, fascinating and interactive water is illuminated with lights making fountains a must-visit attraction for locals and outsiders.

2. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Columbus, Ohio is an educational horticultural institution. It offers exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, Dale Chihuly artworks and biomes representing global climate zones such as the Himalayan Mountains, Tropical Rainforest, Desert and Pacific Island Water Garden.

Other features include Bonsai Courtyards and Showhouses offering seasonal displays featuring orchids or tropical bonsai collections. At Palm House, visitors can discover over 40 species of palms.

As hosting world-class horticultural and art exhibitions, the Conservatory also hosts numerous programs and events throughout the year. These events include seasonal celebrations such as Pumpkin Aglow and Conservatory Aglow. Plus, special engagements combine science with nature through music, dance, performance arts, or other cultural activities and educational classes for both children and adults.

What to Explore:

The Conservatory is one of Columbus, Ohio's premier destinations during winter and spring. It’s an ideal time when thousands of flowers signify spring's arrival during Columbus Blooms, while cocktail-inspired events like Cocktails at the Conservatory take place throughout the season.

3. Easton Town Center

Easton is one of the Pretty travel places for shopping and dining in Columbus. Easton town center offers both indoor and outdoor entertainment throughout the year. From free summer concerts and movie screenings to fitness classes during warmer months and kids' events are included. Easton stands out as a favorite shopping center.

Columbus Square boasts 200+ top-tier retailers, over 30 dining options and Ohio's largest movie theater - not to mention Ohio's premier comedy club! Additionally, open-air town squares and fountains create a sense of place that draws over 30 million annual visitors to this dynamic property.

Steiner + Associates designed their shopping center with authenticity. Its central theme serves as an antidote to suburban sprawl by drawing inspiration from vernacular themes found in early midwestern American towns.

 As a result, this unique development stands as an exemplar of mixed-use development. It combines shopping, leisure, entertainment, office and residential uses into one mixed destination that stands as a model for industry development in terms of customer loyalty and brand recognition. Many other shopping centers have followed in their footsteps in adapting themselves to changing consumer trends.

4. The North Market

The North Market opened its doors for business in 1948. It happened nearly one year after the fire had destroyed its predecessor, East Market. Today it's an active public market filled with restaurants and vendors selling specialty goods as well as offering ready-to-eat foods from around the globe.

What to Explore:

Columbus Zoo features thousands of animals in natural settings. You can stroll down Scioto Mile to experience the biggest free climbing wall in the country. Plus, offbeat sculptures and much more waiting to be discovered by visitors. Interactive Science and Children's Museum are considered one of Parents Magazine’s Top 10 Science Centers for Families adventure.

Attractions near Franklinton include arts collectives and eclectic boutiques. Franklinton is also home to many arts collectives that regularly host performances. And don't miss Franklinton either - Franklinton boasts arts collectives that host performances year-round! Plus the Columbus Ale Trail allows you to sample 46 top bars while collecting stamps to unlock rewards each time!

5. The Ohio State University

This 250,000-square-foot campus serves as a city within a city, complete with its own hospital complex, museum(s), hotel and big-time sports facilities. Additionally, the campus serves as a living, learning and social center for both students and alumni - featuring features such as its bell tower with 24 Ohio stone gargoyles and grotesques on top of 24 bells as well as the Orton Geological Museum.

Take either a self-guided tour or join one of the university tours available to view our main buildings, such as the Ohio Union, Thompson Library (go up to 11th floor for spectacular views of Oval and city skyline), RPAC (our large rec center), Wexner Center for the Arts.

What to Explore:

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens feature an exciting Children's Garden for young visitors; Columbus Museum of Art boasts an acclaimed sculpture garden; shopping is an attraction with high-end retailers at Easton Town Center (known as Rodeo Drive of the Midwest) to boutique stores downtown; in addition to parks such as Columbus Zoo which was ranked #1 by Parents magazine in 2009.

Final Words:

There are many wonderful sites in Columbus, Ohio which will interest almost everybody. Recommended places are the Franklin Park Conservatory, which has beautiful plant collections and interactions with the visitors, as well as the German Village with impressive buildings and culture. And also, at Otherworld, an immersive art experience, one can lose oneself in the creativity and imagination at a level unheard of in the hidden gem of Ohio.