The state’s capital and largest metropolis, Columbus, Ohio has reasonably priced, entertaining sights that make household vacationers very joyful. My household ought to know, after so many visits that we stopped counting.
Carry your Tiny Vacationers to an incredible zoo, science middle, waterpark or amusement park. Then stroll the quaint, uneven brick streets of Columbus’ German Village or bask within the splendor of downtown’s mixture of riverfront skyscrapers, storefronts and strolling and bike trails.
House to Ohio State College’s Buckeyes, Columbus, Ohio boasts high quality schooling, museums, artwork, and pedestrian pleasant pockets. Park your automotive on the Brief North and peruse distinctive outlets, eateries, and galleries or be a part of the Gallery Hop the primary Friday of the month. When hungry, make your method to the historic German Village for genuine brawtwursts and sausage at Schmidt’s.
Enjoyable for Toddlers
(Toddler to Age 8)

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 West Powell Street
Powell, OH 43065
800/MONKEYS or 614/645-3550
The well-known Columbus Zoo is nestled within the northwest nook of town. Delight at over 660 species as they frolic, nap and wander of their naturalistic habitats. Areas of exploration embody Shores, African Forest, Voyage to Australia, Asia Quest and North America. Well-known residents embody three feminine Florida manatees at house onManatee Coast. Youngsters can journey ponies, take a practice, and a spin on a 1914 carousel. There may be additionally an incredible child’s playground.
COSI
333 West Broad Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
888/819-COSI or 614/228-COSI
COSI, the beautiful Heart of Science and Business, is ideal to your budding scientist. Totally immerse your senses within the cutting-edge reveals. The interactive exhibit worlds embody Ocean, House (this can be a NASA affiliate web site), Progress, Life, little kidspace, and Devices. The Gadget cafe lets youngsters “order” up their very own innovations, take on a regular basis issues aside, and see the way it all works. The Excessive Display screen Theater incorporates a seven-story display screen and a tilted hemispherical dome. Search for a visiting dinosaur from the American Museum of Pure Historical past. Subsequent, problem your self by driving on the one excessive wire unicyle on the earth! An 84-foot cable, 17 toes above the bottom, a counter steadiness weight makes it potential to perform this feat. There may be additionally a schedule of Household workshops on quite a lot of subjects to thrill all pursuits.
Enjoyable for Older Youngsters
(As much as Age 18)

Magic Mountain Enjoyable Facilities
5890 Scarborough Street (Brice RD & I-70)
Columbus, OH 43232
614/840-9600
This middle is sort of a mini amusement park, with arcades, KidsGym playgrounds, mini-golf, go-karts (together with Rookie Karts for youthful drivers), and different amusements. Your schoolage youngsters will love the laser tag, bumper automobiles, and bumper boats. Snack bar provides pizza, burgers and mushy drinks.
The Brief North
1126 1/2-A North Excessive Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
614/299-8050
Adjoining to the Area District, The Brief North district boasts quite a lot of buying, galleries, kid-friendly eating places and extra. It’s simply walkable. Park the automotive and let the youngsters go exploring or play at Goodale Park. For a particular deal with, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Lotions has a stunning array of unique creations. My youngsters love Buckeye State (peanut butter and chocolate chip.) My husband does for candy potato with torched marshmallow. I choose goat cheese with purple cherries as a extra adventurous eater.
Columbus Clippers – Minor League Baseball
Huntington Park
300 Huntington Park Lane
Columbus, OH 43215
614/462-2757
Play ball early April till September. The Columbus Clippers are a Triple A affiliate crew of the Cleveland Indians, now in Huntington Stadium. Tickets vary from $6 – $35. Go and luxuriate in scorching canine, cracker jacks and the ballgame. Heaven! And, considered one of Columbus Ohio’s prime household sights.
Zoombezi Bay
4850 West Powell Street
Powell, OH 43065
800/MONKEYS
Ohio’s largest waterpark started because the calm Wyandot Lake and is now referred to as Zoombezi Bay waterpark, a part of the Columbus Zoo. Seasonal sights embody waterslides, a wave pool, small youngsters space and an motion river. It’s a giant hit and must-do in summer season.
Enjoyable for the Entire Household

Columbus Museum of Artwork
480 East Broad Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
614/221-6801
The Columbus Museum of Artwork is an inviting and comfortable museum with particular youngsters and households packages. Go to The Marvel Room, filled with hands-on enjoyable for households, and The Household Gallery with themed exhibitions for household enjoyment. Youngsters will love the free gallery hunt designed for guests of all ages.
Wexner Heart for the Arts
Ohio State College
1871 North Excessive Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
614/292-3535
The Wexner Heart recurrently hosts interactive initiatives, movies, and workshops to maintain youngsters busy 12 months spherical. There are additionally particular teen packages only for youngsters ages 14-18 together with alternatives to work with artists. Faucet into youngsters’ inventive facet earlier than taking in a university soccer recreation.
German Village
Customer’s Heart: 588 South Third Avenue
Columbus, OH
614/221-8888
The internationally acknowledged German Village is a thriving historic space of Columbus. Listed below are my don’t miss outlets. The world-famous Katzinger’s Delicatessen boasts an limitless array of deli sandwiches. Schmidt’s Fudge Haus & Items and Pistacia Verde provide tantalizing treats. The very first Max and Erma’s is positioned within the coronary heart of the village. Search for the oldest craft retailer within the nation — Helen Winnemore’s Modern Craft Gallery which provides among the many regular choice, child’s clothes, animals and toys.
Ohio Village
800East seventeenth Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
614/297-2300
The Ohio Village is closed for a serious restoration. We liked when it recreated the every day lifetime of a typical countryside city in Ohio through the mid nineteenth century. Costumed interpreters pursued actions typical of 1860s townspeople, together with farming, cooking and enjoying video games. Name forward or examine the website online for a schedule of occasions and historic venues administered by The Ohio Historic Society.
Journey Planning Particulars for a Columbus, Ohio Household Go to
Go to the Expertise Columbus C & VB for extra info and a schedule of present sights and dwell leisure.
Additionally they present extra info on lodging — all the pieces from luxurious suites to reasonably priced rustic lodges. For a style of town at your fingertips, keep downtown. The Lofts, Crowne Plaza Lodge, Cross Nation Inn Continent, and Westin Nice Southern are only a few of the lodges handy to space sights.
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