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Columbus Itineraries
- Celebrate the Arts in Columbus
- Columbus Hotspots
- Columbus in Bloom
Ohio’s capital city is known for its variety of attractions and entertainment options. You’ll explore many of the area’s hotspots during this action-packed three-day tour.
Day 1
See works by glass artist Dale Chihuly year-round at Franklin Park Conservatory, the world’s only public botanical garden with a permanent Chihuly collection. Lush foliage from a wide variety of climates also is on display, along with orchid and bonsai collections.
Become an herbal magician while mixing fresh herbs to create a pesto lunch in Gahanna, known as the Herb Capital of Ohio. Shop for herbal teas and soaps at the Ohio Herb Education Center and stroll its herb gardens. Explore Easton Town Center, one of the Midwest’s top shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. You’ll find hundreds of specialty stores, Macy’s and Nordstrom. Enjoy a performance by the acclaimed Columbus Symphony, which performs most weekends September through May at the opulent Ohio Theatre. Or opt to go behind the curtain to meet the cast and crew of Broadway's biggest hits.
Day 2
Get hands-on with science at COSI Columbus, the ultimate playground for your brain. With more than 300 interactive exhibits, COSI is one of the United States’ most respected science centers. You can even experience the science behind broadcasting by touring WOSU@COSI, a working TV and radio studio.
Choose from dozens of ethnic eateries at the North Market, the city’s historic public market. For dessert, try Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, acclaimed for artisan flavors like salty caramel and sweet basil with honey.
Learn about the history, art and architecture of the Ohio Statehouse on a guided tour. The Statehouse is one of the country’s finest examples of Greek Revival civic architecture and one of the oldest working statehouses in the United States. Even the Statehouse’s expansive lawn has a history, as Civil War Union soldiers frequently camped there.
Cheer on the Thoroughbreds at Beulah Park, Ohio’s first racetrack. Or spend the afternoon riding go-karts and playing miniature golf at Magic Mountain Fun Center. Help solve whodunit at “Dickens of a Mystery,” an original dinner theater production at Ohio Village, the re-creation of a typical county-seat Ohio town at the time of the Civil War.
Day 3
Get up close to hundreds of rare animals including manatees, Siberian tigers and exotic sun bears at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Opening in Summer 2010 is Polar Frontier, featuring polar bears, Arctic foxes and more. Time your visit with Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest in September, when you can meet the zoo’s director emeritus and television star.
Stroll the brick-lined sidewalks of nearby Historic Dublin, where you’ll find specialty stores, charming teahouses and an authentic Irish pub.
Enjoy lunch at one of many restaurants in Uptown Westerville, a historic area filled with specialty and antique shops. On your way out of Columbus, shop for bargains at Prime Outlets Jeffersonville, which features a large food court and major brands such as Coach, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn.
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