Central Ohio Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

National Veterans Memorial and Museum featuring a memorial, a garden and heritage elements
National Veterans Memorial and Museum featuring a memorial, a garden and heritage elements
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens featuring interior views and a park as well as a couple
COSI featuring signage as well as a large group of people
Veterans Memorial featuring signage and a memorial

Where to stay in Central Ohio

Santa Maria featuring heritage elements and a bay or harbour

Downtown Columbus

The ample dining options and great live music are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Columbus. A stop by Nationwide Arena or North Market might round out your trip.

Downtown Columbus
Bibibop Asian Grill is the Asian equivalent of the Chipotle style of dining. A bowl filled with wild purple rice, bean sprouts, sauteed potatoes, chicken, cucumber, lettuce, carrot, daikon, cheese, corn and egg topped with yum yum sauce.

Polaris

Polaris is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Polaris Fashion Place and Topgolf while you're in town.

Polaris
The Short North Arches taken near the Cap.

Short North

Short North is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by North Market and Jazz Arts Group while in the area.

Short North
An old wooden sign warning about the lowhead dam just down stream. There are newer looking metal signs. The lichen encrusted sign reads "Danger, Dam Ahead. Portage at Marker". This can be found east of Antrim lake on the western shore of the river, along the trails that snake through the wooded area of the park. #urbanjungle

Worthington

Unique features of Worthington include the restaurants and shopping. Make a stop by McConnell Arts Center or The Candle Lab while you're exploring the area.

Worthington
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

University District

University District is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Wexner Center for the Arts and Newport Music Hall while you're in town.

University District
Schiller Park showing a pond, autumn leaves and a park

German Village

You'll enjoy the restaurants and churches in German Village. You might want to make time for a stop at Schwartz Castle or Muse Gallery.

German Village
Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin

Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin

3.5 out of 5
5100 Upper Metro Pl Dublin OH
The price is AU$208 per night from 30 Jan to 31 Jan
AU$208
30 Jan - 31 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Dublin. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
great front desk, nice bar, nice room, omelet bar at breakfast was delicious, would definitely stay here again

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin
The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center

The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center

4 out of 5
2110 Tuttle Park Pl Columbus OH
Stay at this luxury hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,337 reviews)
I enjoyed my stay. Very clean establishment!!! Great customer service.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

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The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center
The Junto

The Junto

4 out of 5
77 Belle St Columbus OH
The price is AU$341 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
AU$341
7 Feb - 8 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (800 reviews)
Clean room Excellent customer service’ Friendly and accommodating Loved the ambiance

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

The Junto
See all 2,498 properties in Central Ohio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Jungle House Luxury Stays - Downtown Columbus & Short North

Jungle House Luxury Stays - Downtown Columbus & Short North

5 out of 5
254-256 West Poplar Avenue Columbus OH
Stay at this luxury holiday home in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Popular attractions Nationwide Arena and COSI are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Yes, everything was clean. The house was beautiful such an amazing location. Thanks for the great stay!

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2026

Jungle House Luxury Stays - Downtown Columbus & Short North
Jungle House Modern Lofts – Arena District & Short North

Jungle House Modern Lofts – Arena District & Short North

5 out of 5
605 Dennison Avenue Columbus OH
Stay at this luxury holiday home in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Popular attractions Nationwide Arena and COSI are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
The location was increidble--my boyfriend and I were able to walk to all of the Short North main areas. It was our first time visiting Columbus, so this was a great place for us to stay. The place itself was very comfortable and cozy and had all of the amentiites of a hotel, but in a much cuter space. ...

Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025

Jungle House Modern Lofts – Arena District & Short North
Jungle House Urban Lofts - Short North & Convention Center

Jungle House Urban Lofts - Short North & Convention Center

5 out of 5
96-98 Brickel Street Columbus OH
Stay at this luxury holiday home in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Popular attractions Nationwide Arena and COSI are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Very easy street parking right across from the house and lots of instructions on where to park and not to park

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Jungle House Urban Lofts - Short North & Convention Center
See all properties in Central Ohio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

The second oldest building remaining on The Ohio State University campus, Orton Hall was opened in 1893. It is named after Dr Edward Orton, Sr. who served as Ohio State's first president, OSU Professor of Geology from 1873 to 1899, and Ohio's State Geologist from 1882 until his death in 1899. Orton Hall is built of 40 different Ohio building stones. In the outside walls, these stones are laid in stratigraphic order according to their relative positions in Ohio's bedrock. The only non-indigenous to Ohio stone used is Indiana Limestone to build the front steps. It was chosen because of its high concentration of embedded fossils. The bell tower was dedicated in 1915 and contains 25,000 pounds of bells that can be heard regularly tolling across campus. Encircling the top of the tower are 24 columns with gargoyle-like figures which are restorations of fossil animals.

Ohio State University

Explore the campus of Ohio State University, a top university in Columbus. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.

Ohio State University
A view of the new pedestrian skywalk connecting the convention center to the new downtown Hilton.

Greater Columbus Convention Center

During your trip, find out what's happening in Greater Columbus Convention Center, a top convention centre in Columbus. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium featuring zoo animals, land animals and dangerous animals

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Have the African jungle, the Australian outback and the wildlife of the world at your fingertips at this acclaimed city zoo.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium

Catch an event at Ohio Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.

Ohio Stadium
Historic Crew Stadium

Historic Crew Stadium

Catch an event at Historic Crew Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Historic Crew Stadium
Nationwide Arena

Nationwide Arena

Catch an event at Nationwide Arena during your trip to Columbus. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Nationwide Arena

Activities

Cleveland: Eerie Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour

Phantom's Parade on Prospect: Cleveland Ghost Tours

AU$48
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Phantom's Parade on Prospect: Cleveland Ghost Tours
The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures at Crocker Park

The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures at Crocker Park

AU$63
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures at Crocker Park
Group in vintage clothes at escape room game

The Clockwork Caper Escape Room (Victorian/Steampunk theme)

AU$58
per traveller
96% of travellers recommend
The Clockwork Caper Escape Room (Victorian/Steampunk theme)
Hear Haunted Histories on Our cleveland Ghost Tour.

Phantom's Parade on Prospect: Cleveland Ghost Tours

AU$48
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Phantom's Parade on Prospect: Cleveland Ghost Tours
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

AU$25
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cleveland Sights & Stories

Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cleveland Sights & Stories

AU$41
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cleveland Sights & Stories
See all activities in Central Ohio

Cities near Central Ohio

A dinosaur sculpture with a metal body and a fin made from painted chunks of clay.

Pickerington

The boardwalk crossing the ravine inside Hogback Ridge Nature Preserve, a 41 acre nature preserve. One of the Preservation Parks of Delaware County, OH. A collection of smallish preserves around the county protecting various natural features and providing a quick escape from urban sprawl.

Sunbury

Welcome to Zucchini-Fest! The crowning achievement of the village of Obetz, OH. Come celebrate all the culinary delights of Cucurbita pepo! Clockwise we have deep fried zucchini chips with ranch dressing, zucchini bread batter ice cream with lemon curd and finally, a zucchini funnel cake with cinnamon and cream cheese icing!

Obetz

The vernal pool at Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve. Since there are no fish in a vernal pool, salamanders can breed without the concern of their eggs being devoured by predators.

Blacklick

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