Museums and Historical Sites (See also grove city attractions)

Camp Chase
2900 Sullivant Ave., Columbus
Camp Chase was a Civil War camp established in May 1861. It served as a training camp for Ohio soldiers, a parole camp, a muster-out post, and a prisoner-of-war camp. As many as 150,000 Union soldiers and 25,000 Confederate prisoners passed through its gates from 1861-1865.
Click Here to download PDF.

Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning CenterCentral Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center
260 N. Fourth St., Columbus
The restored 1908 Station #16 Engine House has been turned into a unique museum featuring antique fire engines, ladders, hose reels and old desks. Children can climb into a working fire truck with sirens and lights. The museum also has a burned room display and the Fire Safety Way complete with several other displays on fire and fire safety.
(614) 464-4099
www.centralohiofiremuseum.com

Columbus Museum of Art
480 E. Broad St., Columbus
The museum features late 19th century and early 20th century art of American and European artists. Special exhibits throughout the year.
http://www.columbusmuseum.org


COSI Columbus
333 W. Broad St., Columbus
Learn about the past and future in one building. COSI has six exhibition areas, a highwire unicycle and you can see a movie in the center’s extreme screen theatre. (614) 228-2674
www.cosi.org

Early Television Museum
Rare television sets on display.
(614) 771-0510
www.earlytelevision.org

German Village 
A historic neighborhood settled by a large number of German immigrants in the mid 1800s, who at one time comprised as much as a third of the population of the entire city. 
(614) 221-8888
www.germanvillage.com

Grove City Welcome Center and Museum
3378 Park St., Grove City, OH
History of Southwest Franklin County includes 1912 Model T Ford, 1895 Anthony Wayne all wood 'high speed' washing machine, 1912 portable typewriter and more.
(614) 539-8747 or (800) 539-0405

 

Jack Nicklaus Museum
Located at The Ohio State University sports complex at 2355 Olentangy River Road.
(614) 247-5959
www.nicklausmuseum.org

Kelton House
586 E. Town St. in downtown Columbus
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is one Columbus link to the underground railroad that operated during the Civil War.
(614) 464-2022
www.keltonhouse.com

Mid-Ohio Historical Museum
Thousands of dolls, toys, trains, circus items on display. Open April-December.
(614) 837-5573
www.dollmuseumohio.org

Motorcycle Hall of Fame
If you enjoy motorcycles and the history of the sport you are sure to enjoy this museum. See the cycles, the apparel and technology that make this such a popular sport.
(614) 856-2222
www.motorcyclemuseum.org

Motts Military Museum
This facility brings military history into its proper perspective with the collection and preservation of personal stories and memorabilia from men and women who served in the military.
www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org

Ohio Craft Museum
1665 West Fifth Ave., Columbus
The Ohio Craft Museum is a program of Ohio Designer Craftsmen which presents five major exhibitions each year, as well as focus exhibits and a rotating display of the permanent collection. In addition, the museum houses the Craft Research Library and stages educational workshops and events for all ages and levels of experience. The gift shop features a beautiful selection of hand-made silk scarves, sterling silver and Swarovski crystal jewelry, glass flowers, perfume bottles, ceramic vases and more.
(614) 486-4402
www.ohiocraft.org/museum.html

Ohio Historical Center
Located off I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit north of downtown Columbus, the Center offers permanent and temporary exhibits covering a variety of topics from ancient settlements and natural history of the Ohio Valley to contemporary social and political history. Adjacent to the Ohio Historical Center is the re-created 19th Century Ohio Village that is open for special events and times throughout the year. Admission.
(800) 686-6124
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c09/index.shtml

Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square, Columbus
The Ohio Statehouse was completed in 1861 at the beginning of America’s Civil War.  Restored to its 1861 appearance, the Statehouse maintains its historic character as it continues to function as the center of state government in Ohio. The Museum includes interactive, hands-on exhibits that challenge visitors' knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government.
(888) OHIO-123
www.ohiostatehouse.org

Santa Maria
Five hundred years have passed since Christopher Columbus’ 98-foot wooden flagship arrived in the New World. Now you can see this historically accurate ship built from plans from ancient Spanish achieves. The ship presents an accurate portrayal of the conditions Columbus and his crew endured on their historic voyage. Open April-October Wednesday through Sunday. Fee to go onboard, no charge to view from outside. Moored on the Scioto River in downtown Columbus year around at 243 N. Fifth St. Look for Santa Maria directional signs in downtown Columbus.
(614) 645-8760
www.santamaria.org

Thurber House
Museum and literary center in the historic former home of James Thurber, author, humorist and cartoonist.
(614) 464-1032
www.thurberhouse.org

 

 

Casinos-Race Tracks

Beulah ParkBeulah Park
Thoroughbred racing fall and winter. Open all year.
www.beulahpark.com

Scioto DownsScioto Downs-Gaming
2124 VLT games, live harness racing, simulcast wagering. Open 24 hours.
(614) 491-2515
www.sciotodowns.com

Hollywood CasinoHollywood Casino
Over 2500 slots, over 70 big action table games, 36 live poker tables, live entertainment and dining options.
(614) 308-3333
www.hollywoodcolumbus.com

 

 

 

Parks and Gardens

Battelle-Darby Creek Park
From Grove City, take Grove City Road to Norton Road. Cross Norton and road changes name to Kropp Road.
http://www.metroparks.net/ParksBattelleDarbyCreek.aspx

Battelle Riverfront Park
25 Marconi Blvd., Columbus
(614) 645-3300
http://parks.columbus.gov/Facility.aspx?id=25470

Berliner Park
Lou Berliner Park, 1300 Deckenbach Rd., Columbus Berliner Sports Park, also known as Berliner Park, Berliner Sports Complex and Greenlawn Park is the largest softball complex in the US. Sitting on 209 acres, there is also an indoor athletic complex. (614) 645-3643 or 645-3300
Click Here for Berliner information
Click Here for Berliner map
http://parks.columbus.gov/Facility.aspx?id=25500&terms=berliner

Bicentennial Park
233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus
(614) 645-3300
http://parks.columbus.gov/Facility.aspx?id=25512

Columbus Park of Roses
3901 N. High St., Columbus
(614) 645-6640
www.clintonville.com/parkrec/rosegarden.html

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
420 W. Whittier St., Columbus
(614) 645-8426
http://recparks.columbus.gov

Frank Fetch Park
Located in historic German Village, this park, designed to resemble one of the social gardens of Munich, is located on East Breck Street. German Village is one of Columbus’ oldest and most interesting neighborhoods. As you ride through the village, you’ll enjoy the bounce of the cobblestone streets and unique homes.
(614) 221-8888
http://germanvillage.com/visitors-center/stroll/frank-fetch-park

Franklin Park Conservatory
1777E. Broad St., Columbus
(614) 645-8733
www.fpconservatory.org

Fryer Park
3899 Orders Road between Rt. 62 (Broadway) and Hoover Road, Grove City
Grove City Parks and Recreation
(614) 277-3050

Gardens at Gantz Farm
Located at 2255 Home Road in Grove City, the Gantz farmhouse is one of two sites in Grove City listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Adam Gantz built the house in 1832 as part of a 100-acre farm. Members of the Gantz family lived in the farmhouse until 1973 when the house and about 10 acres of ground were donated to Grove City as a park. Today it is home to 10 unique herb gardens including the gardens of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Other featured gardens are culinary, medicine, fragrance, dye, knot, taxonomic and cutting. Open daily, no admission.
http://parks.grovecityohio.gov/gantz/  

Metro Parks
1069 W. Main St., Columbus
(614) 891-0700
www.metroparks.net

North Bank Park
311 West Long St., Columbus
(614) 645-3300
www.parks.columbus.gov

Scioto Mile
Urban oasis of 145 acres of parkland in downtown Columbus.
www.sciotomile.com

The Topiary Park
Located at the Old Deaf School Park on East Town Street and Washington Avenue. Just five blocks from downtown Columbus. No admission. Park hours are 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. The park is located on the former grounds of the Ohio State School of the Deaf and Dumb founded in 1829. One of the original buildings still stands at the west side of the park. For more information go to www.topiarygarden.org

 

 

Sport Teams

Drag Racing - National Trail Raceway
2650 National Rd., S.W. Hebron
(740) 928-5706
www.nationaltrailraceway.com

Auto Racing - Columbus Motor Speedway
1841 Williams Rd., Columbus
(614) 491-1047
www.columbusspeedway.com

Baseball - Columbus Clippers - Huntington Park
1155 W. Mound St., Columbus
(614) 462-5250
http://columbus.clippers.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t445

Hockey - Columbus Blue Jackets - Nationwide Arena 
200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus
(614) 246-GOAL
www.bluejackets.com

OSU Sports - The Horseshoe, Schottenstein Center 
410 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus
(614) 292-9908
www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Soccer - Columbus Crew - Crew Stadium 
One Black and Gold Blvd., Columbus
(614) 447-CREW
www.thecrew.com

Women’s Pro Football - Columbus Comets
Huffaker Community Sports Complex, 4770 Hoover Rd., Grove City
(614) 578-0193
http://www.columbuscomets.com

 

 

Tours/Tour Companies

Guided Tours
American Whistle Corporation
6540 Huntley Rd., Columbus
(614) 846-2918
www.americanwhistle.com

Anthony-Thomas Candy Company
1777 Arlingate Ln., Columbus
(614) 272-9221
www.anthony-thomas.com

Capital City Tours
2554 Zollinger Rd., Columbus
(614) 326-0942
www.capcitytours.com 

Columbus Landmarks Foundation
61 Jefferson Ave., Columbus
(614) 221-0227
www.columbuslandmarks.org

German Village Society
588 S. Third St., Columbus
(614) 221-8888
www.germanvillage.com

Perkins ObservatoryPerkins Observatory
3199 Columbus Pike, Delaware
Built in 1931, the observatory is known for the 69 inch Perkins Telescope mirror on display. It was the world's third largest mirror at the time of production. The observatory offers public programs, an astronomy exhibit area, children's play area and gift shop.
(740) 363-1257
www.perkins-observatory.org

SegAway Tours of ColumbusSegAway Tours of Columbus
400 North High Street, Columbus
Enjoy Ohio's capital from your own Segway i2. You will follow your tour guide along the peaceful Scioto River, the Short North arts district, the Arena district and historic downtown for a two hour glide. No experience necessary.
(614) 222-3005
www.segawaytoursofcolumbus.com

 

 

Family Entertainment

Arena District
Front St. and Nationwide Blvd., Columbus
(614) 645-3550
www.arenadistrict.com

CAPA- Ohio Theatre- Palace Theatre - Lincoln Theatre - Southern Theatre
Ohio Theatre - 55 E State St., Columbus
Palace Theatre - 34 West Broad St., Columbus
Lincoln Theatre - 769 East Long St., Columbus
Southern Theatre - 21 East Main St., Columbus
Ticket Office: (614) 469-0939
www.capa.com

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
9990 Riverside Dr., Powell
(614) 645-3550
www.columbuszoo.org

COSI Columbus
333 W. Broad St., Columbus
Learn about the past and future in one building. COSI has six exhibition areas, a highwire unicycle and you can see a movie in the center’s extreme screen theatre. Special exhibits throughout the year. (614) 228-2674
www.cosi.org

Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 E. Broad St., Columbus
(614) 645-8733
www.fpconservatory.org

Laser KrazeLaser Kraze
459 Orange Point Drive, Lewis Center
Experience the next level in real time, interactive, high tech laser tag gaming. The family fun center also has a professionally themed multi level arena, zero gravity inflatable room, huge affordable arcade, xbox360 gaming, private party rooms and a snack bar.
(740) 548-7917
www.lazerkraze.com

Ohio Caverns
2210 East State Route 245, West Liberty
(937) 465-4017
www.ohiocaverns.com

Olentangy Indian CavernsOlentangy Indian Caverns
1779 Home Road, Delaware
Olentangy Indian Caverns afford a unique experience to the explorer interested in Indian lore and the beauties of a natural wonderland. The caverns are naturally air conditioned, with year-round temperature a constant 54 degrees. The property also offers a miniature golf course, museum, shelter house and walking trails.
(740) 548-7917
www.olentangyindiancaverns.com

Short North Arts DistrictShort North Arts District
674 North High St., Columbus
(614) 299-8050
www.shortnorth.org

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline ParkSky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
459 Orange Point Drive Suite E, Lewis Center
Imagine a seemingly endless sea of trampolines, all connected to form one massive trampoline surface. It's a playing court so original and unique, it was awarded a United States patent. Perfect for just about any age, shape or physical ability. The park offers open jump, 3-D Dodgeball and SkyRobics fitness classes, birthday packages, group events and corporate team building outings.
(740) 548-4004
www.columbus.skyzonesports.com