Columbus is a family-oriented destination with over 250 attractions. You’ll be amazed at how many wonderful things there are to do in Columbus! A short weekend trip can easily turn into a week-long exploration of all things wild, cultural, and educational. Families can visit (or plan to relocate) for a weekend of discovery and fun!
Whether you’re just visiting Columbus or planning to relocate your family there, you’ll find great activities for all ages, so check out these top things to see and do in Columbus!
1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is a world-class zoo and aquarium in Central Ohio. The zoo is home to over 10,000 animals from 600 species and has been actively involved in wildlife education, conservation, and community outreach programs for over 95 years. It plays an important role in wildlife education by providing thousands of hours of programming each year to help grow the next generation of wildlife advocates.
The zoo has more than 34 endangered species and 11 threatened species (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services). Make time to visit when creating memories in Columbus.
Highlights of your visit include:
- Safari Exhibits
- Special Seasonal Events (Wildlights)
- Family-Friendly Walking Paths
- Conservation Learning Opportunities
With all it has to offer, the zoo will fill a full day of your travels and is one of the biggest attractions in the Columbus area that keeps families returning year after year.
2. Attend a Moonpreneur In-Person Workshop
Some great ways for families to enjoy their time in Columbus include attending a Moonpreneur workshop when traveling with some curious young minds.
Moonpreneur workshops are interactive, hands-on workshops for children ages 7-14. Children will learn about:
- Basics of Robotics
- Logic-Coded Programming
- Creative Problem Solving
- Think Like an Entrepreneur
Children and parents will enjoy hands-on experiences, confidence-building, and hands-on activity construction to gain experience using technology and entrepreneurship. This workshop is perfect for families looking for additional support for their children outside of the classroom and provides a real-life context to reinforce each child’s interest in STEM.
3. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a serene yet visually striking location set upon a 40-acre parcel of land in Franklin Park.
It has many features, including:
- Built in 1895, the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House stands as a prominent landmark.
- An 83,000-square-foot collection of glass houses.
- Seasonal horticultural exhibits.
- The conservatory boasts a variety of unique art installations.
The most stunning of these features is James Turrell’s Light Raiment II, which lights up the palm house every night from dusk until dawn.
Therefore, some great reasons to visit Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are
- Go for a romantic walk.
- Take your family (and kids) out to have fun.
- Capture travel memories with photography.
- Find time for quietness and to reflect on life.
4. National Veterans Memorial and Museum
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) is the only location in all of America that tells the story of every veteran who has served in their respective military branch throughout history, regardless of whether they served in the previous two hundred years of our history.
Located along the downtown riverfront since 2018, the museum building is also an architectural wonder and won recognition from Architectural Digest due to its use of curved lines and unique concrete finishes.
Additionally, there are many other ways to connect with the veteran community when you enter the museum, including:
- Access to veterans’ testimonies.
- Interactive exhibits.
- Compelling storytelling.
- The rooftop sanctuary offers breathtaking views of downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Each of these experiences offered visitors a deeply emotional journey that left a lasting impression.
5. COSI: Center of Science and Industry
COSI has been a source of fun and science since 1964, located on the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
The museum provides more than three hundred hands-on exhibits, the largest planetarium in Ohio, a giant screen theater, and many live demonstrations. COSI also operates a permanent dinosaur gallery, in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History, that includes such delights as a full-sized cast of a T. rex, a 100-million-year-old piece of fossilized amber, and an eight-foot cast of a titanosaur femur.
Families, science lovers, and anyone with a desire to learn will find the museum an attraction worth visiting.
6. Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) merges historical and contemporary art to create a unique artistic experience.
CMA houses collections of works by Columbus-born artists, including Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, George Bellows, and Elijah Pierce. The museum rotates its collection through the modern art wing, so visitors can see an ever-changing selection of art, as well as participate in interactive stations in which they can create their own art.
If you are seeking inspiration, cultural enrichment, or an afternoon to create, CMA is a must-see.
Things to Do for Free in Columbus, Ohio
You don’t have to pay anything to see Columbus. The city has a lot of wonderful free things to do that mix nature, culture, and creativity. These are ideal for a weekend on a budget, a family outing, or a quiet afternoon by yourself.
Families, science lovers, and anyone with a desire to learn will find the museum an attraction worth visiting.
Some of the best free things to do in Columbus are
1. Columbus Park of Roses
Park of Roses is one of the city’s most beautiful hidden gems, and it’s free to go there.
This beautiful garden is in Whetstone Park in Clintonville. It has:
- More than 12,000 roses
- Over 350 different kinds
- Lovely paths for walking
- Flowers that bloom at different times of the year (best in late spring and summer)
It’s great for:
- Walks with a romantic partner
- Picnics with the family
- Taking pictures
- Calm and relaxing
- The smell alone is worth the trip if you go between May and September.
2. The Columbus Metropolitan Library
The Columbus Metropolitan Library is more than just a place to check out books.
The Main Library downtown, which has won awards, has:
- Events open to the public for free
- Talks by the author
- Art shows
- Programs for kids
- Places to read in peace
The modern design and rooftop garden make it a wonderful place to spend a few hours, especially for families with young kids or students who want a creative place to study.
3. The Riffe Gallery
The Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts is home to the Riffe Gallery, which has rotating exhibits of work by Ohio artists.
There is no charge to get in, and visitors can enjoy:
- Exhibits of modern art
- Collections of photographs
- Cultural displays
- Programming for learning
If you’re in the city and want to see art without many people around, this is a great place to stop.
Why Columbus Is Perfect for Families
Columbus distinguishes itself through its blend of:
– Educational offerings
– Green Spaces
– Cultural & Arts Opportunities
– STEM Innovation
– Community-Focused Experiences
Families that are seeking a new area to relocate to start their experience typically looking for attractions by first checking out what Columbus has in terms of educational offerings available.
Parents that are searching for the best middle school in Columbus will find that the museums, science centers, and global enrichment programs in the area will often amaze them at the educational resources beyond the school classroom, such as.
Families searching for the best elementary school in Columbus can appreciate that many destinations in Columbus create real-life learning experiences that will complement the early stage of their children’s education; these destinations include COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, and many STEM workshops.
To Sum Up
More than merely being the capital of Ohio, Columbus has an abundance of energy, innovation, history, and heart.
Whether you want to:
- Take a short trip;
- Find places to do family activities;
- Participate in STEM workshops;
- Visit award-winning museums;
- Consider a new place to live;
This city has a bit of everything.
From seeing all kinds of animals at the Columbus Zoological Park to experiencing hands-on science and technology at COSI to enjoying the gorgeous beauty of Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus provides experiences that will inspire and surprise visitors each time they visit the city.
Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.
