Explore Columbus on The Trolley Pub
A guided rolling-bar tour of Columbus on The Trolley Pub: a shared, open-air trolley, a driver-guide, and stops in the neighborhoods that make the city fun after dark. Easy for groups and first-timers.
Ohio
Columbus
Columbus is the Ohio capital that quietly grew into one of the Midwest's most likable cities: a riverfront downtown, a Short North arts district of galleries, murals and late-night patios, the brick streets of German Village, a world-famous zoo, a hands-on science museum and the enormous gravity of Ohio State football.
This guide books the city properly, with rolling Trolley Pub tours, three guided food tours, COSI and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Franklin Park Conservatory and an easy day trip to the waterfalls of Hocking Hills. Then it matches you to the right hotel, from a landmark Art Deco tower downtown to suite-style stays near campus, because in a spread-out city the neighborhood you sleep in shapes the whole trip.
Don't miss
Explore Columbus on The Trolley Pub
A guided rolling-bar tour of Columbus on The Trolley Pub: a shared, open-air trolley, a driver-guide, and stops in the neighborhoods that make the city fun after dark. Easy for groups and first-timers.
COSI Center of Science and Industry
The riverfront science center that anchors family days in Columbus, with hands-on exhibits for toddlers to teens, live science demonstrations and a location right beside the Scioto Mile.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
One of the best-known zoos in the country, in Powell just north of the city: big animal habitats, a gentle pace for families and special seasonal events through the year.
German Village
A tidy historic neighborhood of brick streets, restored cottages, a big park and old-world bakeries just south of downtown. The best place in Columbus to simply wander.
Things to do in Columbus
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Yoga and Coffee on The Trolley Pub
A gentler take on the Trolley Pub: a shared yoga and coffee experience on board, a calm start to the day in Columbus and a different way to meet fellow travelers.
COSI Center of Science and Industry
The riverfront science center that anchors family days in Columbus, with hands-on exhibits for toddlers to teens, live science demonstrations and a location right beside the Scioto Mile.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
One of the best-known zoos in the country, in Powell just north of the city: big animal habitats, a gentle pace for families and special seasonal events through the year.
German Village
A tidy historic neighborhood of brick streets, restored cottages, a big park and old-world bakeries just south of downtown. The best place in Columbus to simply wander.
2 to 3 hoursDetails →
German Village Walking Food Tour in Columbus
A guided walking tour that tastes its way through German Village, with stops at local favorites and the stories behind the brick streets. A fine way to learn the neighborhood and eat well in one outing.
Short North Arts District
Columbus's best-known strip of galleries, boutiques, murals, restaurants and nightlife, running along High Street north of downtown. The place to eat, shop and stay out late.
2 to 4 hoursDetails →
Short North Walking Food Tour
A guided walk and tasting tour through the Short North's restaurants and shops, with a local guide who knows the kitchens and the neighborhood's gallery history.
Alt Eats Tour: Discover International Flavors in Columbus
A food tour for people who want Columbus beyond the usual: international flavors, neighborhood kitchens and the cultural mix that shapes the city's eating.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
A Victorian glasshouse from 1895, a famous glass-art collection, themed indoor biomes and outdoor gardens a short drive east of downtown. A calm, beautiful stop in any weather.
Columbus Museum of Art
A downtown art museum with strong American and European collections, a standout set of works by hometown painter George Bellows and a family-friendly creativity center.
Ohio Statehouse
A Greek Revival capitol with no dome, free guided tours and a museum, set in a leafy square in the middle of downtown. A quick and rewarding history stop.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Moxy Columbus Short North
Short North
A playful, social hotel in the Short North, built for travelers who want to be near the galleries, restaurants and bars. Compact rooms, a lively lobby and prices that stay reasonable.
Check rates →Canopy by Hilton Columbus Downtown Short North
Short North / Downtown
A lifestyle hotel at the edge of the Short North and downtown, with locally inspired design and an easy walk to galleries, dining and the convention center.
Check rates →Hyatt House Columbus OSU Short North
Short North / University District
Suite-style rooms with kitchens, a short walk from the Short North and near Ohio State. A practical choice for families, longer stays and game weekends.
Check rates →Hilton Columbus Downtown
Downtown / Convention Center
A large full-service hotel beside the convention center, with a pool, restaurants and easy access to downtown, the Arena District and the Short North.
Check rates →Home2 Suites by Hilton Columbus Downtown
Downtown
Practical suites with kitchenettes and breakfast at a friendly price, close to downtown. A smart value pick for families and longer stays.
Check rates →Le Meridien Columbus The Joseph
Short North / Downtown
A stylish, design-forward hotel near the Short North and downtown, with a restaurant and bar scene and a more polished feel than most of the neighborhood.
Check rates →Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel
Downtown
An upscale downtown hotel with a polished feel, convenient for the Statehouse, the riverfront and the convention district. Suits business trips and city breaks alike.
Check rates →Hotel LeVeque Autograph Collection
Downtown / Riverfront
A historic Art Deco skyscraper turned boutique luxury hotel, with ornate interiors and a downtown location near the river. The city's most atmospheric place to stay.
Check rates →Columbus guides
Columbus in Three Days: Neighborhoods, Museums and the Best of the Capital
A practical three-day Columbus itinerary that sequences German Village, the Short North, the riverfront and the big family sights so you spend your time eating and exploring instead of driving.
Where to Stay in Columbus: Neighborhoods and Hotels Compared
Choosing a base in Columbus is mostly about picking a neighborhood. Compare the Short North, downtown, the University District and the suburbs, with hotel ideas for each.
Eating and Drinking in Columbus: Markets, Food Tours and Neighborhood Favorites
A guide to eating well in Columbus: where to graze, which neighborhoods to explore with a guide and how to build a food-focused weekend.
Columbus with Kids: Zoo, Science and Family-Friendly Days Out
A family guide to Columbus: the zoo, COSI, the conservatory, parks and easy rainy-day options, with tips on pacing and where to stay.
Best Time to Visit Columbus: Seasons, Events and What to Expect
When to visit Columbus: how each season changes the city, what is open, how football and hockey affect crowds and rates, and what to pack.
Day Trips from Columbus: Hocking Hills, the Zoo and Beyond
The best escapes within reach of Columbus: Hocking Hills for waterfalls and caves, the zoo in Powell, Easton for an easy afternoon, and tips for making each day trip work.
