Stand on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus and the city's shape becomes clear: a grid of state buildings and museums on one side, and a ring of nineteenth-century neighbourhoods on the other. The Scioto River runs along the western edge of downtown, and the districts that grew up around the core each keep their own character.
Columbus suits travellers who like architecture, college sports and a downtown that is easy to walk in daylight. The historic districts reward a slow wander, while the museums and the riverfront give you something to do whatever the weather. This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources describe, with a one-day plan at the end.
Top things to do in Columbus
1. German Village
German Village is one of four historic districts on the outskirts of Downtown, and it is the kind of place where the walking itself is the point. Brick streets, small front gardens and old houses make it worth a couple of hours on foot rather than a quick drive-through.
Pair it with the Brewery District, which sits nearby and is another of the historic districts on the edge of Downtown.
2. Italian Village
Italian Village is another of the historic districts ringing Downtown, and it works well as a companion to German Village if you want to compare two very different old neighbourhoods in one day.
Do it on the same afternoon as Victorian Village, since the two are close enough to cover together.
3. Victorian Village
Victorian Village is the third of the historic districts on the outskirts of Downtown, and it is best seen slowly, looking at the houses rather than rushing to a single address.
Combine it with Italian Village and German Village if you are making a day of the historic districts.
4. Brewery District
The Brewery District is the fourth historic district on the edge of Downtown, and it is a natural stop on a walk that takes in the old neighbourhoods south of the core.
It sits close to German Village, so plan them as one outing rather than two separate trips.
5. Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is one of the buildings in the downtown core that serves as a distinct architectural landmark. Even if you are not going inside, it is the obvious anchor for a walk around downtown.
Build your downtown walk around it and the other downtown landmarks rather than treating it as a standalone stop.
6. Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art is the city's primary art museum, focusing on European and American art up to early modernism. It is the place to go if you want a single, substantial museum visit.
Most Columbus museums sit near Downtown or near Ohio State University, so it fits easily into a downtown day.
7. Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center for the Arts is a contemporary art gallery and research facility operated by Ohio State University, and it is the city's other prominent art museum.
It is in the University Area, so pair it with a look at the Ohio State University campus rather than trying to squeeze it into a downtown-only itinerary.
8. Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the country and one of the many events held in the city through the year. It is a full-day outing rather than a quick stop.
Check the districts articles for more information on events before you fix your dates.
9. Columbus Arts Festival
The Columbus Arts Festival takes place on the Downtown riverfront, which makes it easy to combine with a walk along the Scioto.
It shares its riverfront setting with the Jazz & Rib Fest, so check whether your visit overlaps with either.
10. Jazz & Rib Fest
The Jazz & Rib Fest also happens on the Downtown riverfront, and like the Arts Festival it is one of the city's regular events rather than a permanent attraction.
Plan an evening around it and the riverfront rather than adding it to an already full daytime schedule.
11. ComFest
ComFest is an immense three-day music festival held in Goodale Park during the last weekend of June, marketed as the largest non-commercial festival in the U.S.
Because it runs for three days, you can fit it around other plans rather than building your whole trip around it.
12. Red, White & Boom!
Around the Fourth of July, Columbus hosts Red, White & Boom! on the Scioto riverfront downtown, featuring the largest fireworks display in Ohio.
It is a riverfront event, so expect to spend the evening there rather than moving between districts.
13. Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena
The Columbus Blue Jackets play in the National Hockey League at the Nationwide Arena in Downtown Columbus, which makes a game one of the easiest big events to fit into a downtown stay.
Since the arena is downtown, you can walk to it from the core rather than arranging separate transport.
14. Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park
The Columbus Clippers play AAA Minor League Baseball at Huntington Park in Downtown Columbus. It is a good option if you want a game without committing a whole day to it.
Like the arena, Huntington Park is downtown, so it pairs naturally with an afternoon in the core.
15. Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the athletic teams representing Ohio State University, and the American football team plays before regular sellout crowds at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes play in venues in the University Area.
If you are already heading to the University Area for the Wexner Center for the Arts, check whether a game falls on the same day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start downtown at the Ohio Statehouse, then walk the historic districts on the edge of the core — German Village and the Brewery District first, then Italian Village and Victorian Village if you have the time.
Afternoon: Give the middle of the day to the Columbus Museum of Art, then head to the University Area for the Wexner Center for the Arts.
Evening: Finish on the Downtown riverfront, where the Columbus Arts Festival and the Jazz & Rib Fest are held, or take in a Columbus Blue Jackets game at the Nationwide Arena or a Columbus Clippers game at Huntington Park.
Frequently asked questions
Which historic districts are worth walking?
There are four historic districts on the outskirts of Downtown: German Village, Italian Village, Victorian Village and the Brewery District. All four are walkable, and German Village and the Brewery District sit close enough to combine.
Where are Columbus's museums?
Most Columbus museums are located near Downtown or near Ohio State University. The Columbus Museum of Art is the city's primary art museum, and the Wexner Center for the Arts is the other prominent one.
When do the main festivals and events happen?
ComFest runs over three days during the last weekend of June at Goodale Park. Red, White & Boom! takes place around the Fourth of July on the Scioto riverfront downtown. The Columbus Arts Festival and the Jazz & Rib Fest both occur on the Downtown riverfront, and the Ohio State Fair is also held in the city.
Can I see a sports game downtown?
Yes. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at the Nationwide Arena and the Columbus Clippers play at Huntington Park, both in Downtown Columbus. The Ohio State Buckeyes play in venues in the University Area.
Pick your dates around a festival or a home game, then build the rest of the trip from the districts and museums above.