Columbus on the Scioto River

Columbus is the capital of the U.S. state of Ohio. There are things to do and see on both sides of the Scioto River.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the top attractions in the city. The zoo has six habitats such as Asia Quest, Congo Expedition, Heart of Africa, and Shore. You can see more than 10,000 animals and enjoy live performances and feeding. There are seasonal rides at Jungle Jack’s Landing. You can enjoy the wave pool and water slides at Zoombezi Bay right next door.

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens feature many species of plants from all over the globe in towering glass greenhouses. You can enjoy walking through the rainforest, desert, orchids, and the grand Palm House. There are walking paths through the Botanical Gardens and Garden Campus.

The Center of Science and Industry offers hands-on exhibits to educate visitors about outer space, energy, and cultural progress. There is an expansive dinosaur gallery. All year long there are also temporary exhibits, regular live shows, and lab experiments. A great experience is visiting the planetarium. You can relax at the COSI cafeteria.

The North Market in downtown Columbus is an exciting place to see. There are dozens of vendors selling practically everything under the sun. You can get delicious food in various small eateries. On Saturday goods are also sold outside.

The Columbus Museum of Art showcases the very best in paintings, photos, glass, and sculpture. The JP Morgan Chase Center for Creativity offers a free creativity lounge with hands-on products to awaken the creative side of you. Take a break at the Schokko Art Café.

Huntington Park is the home of the Columbus Clippers baseball team. You can enjoy an afternoon or evening game with the Columbus downtown skyline in the background. Games played at night end with fireworks.

The Ohio Statehouse sits on Capitol Square. You can get free guided tours or you can tour on your own. The grand rotunda is designed with thousands of pieces of marble. A unique experience is the Museum Education Center. There are interesting gifts at The Statehouse Gift Shop and artwork from Ohio artists. Outside you can see statues, memorials, and tributes of important dignitaries and historic moments in Ohio.

The Ohio History Center has several floors of interactive and educational exhibits on the history of Ohio. On the third floor are historical archives and people can uncover things about their family tree. Outside the Ohio Village can transport you back in time and you can see what life was like in the 1800s where you can see actors in period costumes.

The Topiary Park features 54 life-size topiary sculptures that have been designed as the Impressionist painting by George Seurat A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte. There are sculpted boats and figures on a pond. It is a great place to relax. The best time to visit is in the summer when the shrubs are in full bloom.

The historic Thurber House is for literary lovers. It is the former home of literary cartoonist and author James Thurber and has become a literary museum. You can take a tour of the house or attend one of the literary programs. During the summer you can enjoy a picnic dinner and presentation during the Summer Picnic Series.

ZipZone Outdoor Adventures lets the adventurous zip through the treetops. There are tours that range from canopy tours and moonlight tours to zip-rush tours that include a brief freefall. There is the Kid Park with kid-friendly outdoor adventures and an Aerial Park with challenging courses.

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum features stories, photos, and memorabilia from the nation’s veterans who served in every branch of the U.S. Military. The museum overlooks the Scioto River.

After your visit to the museum, you can enjoy the Scioto Mile. Here you’ll find 145 acres of lovely parkland for strolling or biking. You can enjoy the city’s 15,000 sq. ft. interactive fountain, the country’s biggest outdoor climbing wall, and the 120-acre Scioto Audubon, where you can see many shorebirds. During the summer there are free concerts and it is a great place for a picnic.

The Ohio Theater is an impressive 1928 historic theater. You can see musicals, ballet, and opera. In the summer there is the Movie and Broadway Series.

German Village was the place many German immigrants settled during the mid-19th century. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. There are many places of German descent and quaint cobblestone streets.

The Park of Roses displays more than 11,000 roses. The best time to visit is mid-June to mid-September when the roses are in full bloom. There are trails to walk and a wonderful playground for children. Throughout the park, there are benches that have been placed in honor of deceased loved ones.

Easton Town Center is an outdoor shopping complex where the main buildings and streets have been built to look like the early American cities and towns in the mid-20th century. There are lovely fountains, shops and a cinema complex. You can relax at any of the restaurants or cafes.

Kelton House Museum and Garden is an interesting place to visit. The lovely mansion can be toured. It was built by Fernando Cortez Kelton, who was a wholesaler of pharmaceuticals and dry goods. The basement has great information about the Underground Railroad. The gardens are beautiful with interesting plants.

Hayden Falls Park has an amazing 35 ft. waterfall. There are endangered and protected plants here, a boardwalk, and an overlook. Picnic tables are available.