Tips for Relocating to Columbus, Ohio: Attractions and Entertainment

Herlihy Moving & Storage is here to assist you with every facet of your relocation to Columbus, Ohio. The vibrant state capital of Ohio boasts many things to do, including historical attractions, entertainment venues, parks and sporting events. Attractions around Columbus and the metro area make it easy to adjust to your new central Ohio home.

We’ve outlined a list of some of the most popular attractions in Columbus and surrounding areas, including many kid-friendly options. Of course, the beautiful state of Ohio is home to so many great things to do and see that this list is far from exhaustive! For more information about moving to Columbus, contact us today.

Notable Columbus Attractions

Columbus Museum of Art – This museum features an outstanding permanent collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American and European modern art, including spectacular examples of Impressionism, German Expressionism, and Cubism.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Voted the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide, this zoo features more than 9,000 animals in spacious natural surroundings.

COSI Columbus – This dynamic, hands-on science center offers fun for all ages. Check out the interactive exhibits, working labs, planetarium shows and National Geographic Giant Screen Theater.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Situated in the 88-acre Franklin Park just two miles east of downtown Columbus, the Conservatory features indoor gardens filled with exotic plant life and artwork, including a collection of glass works by artist Dale Chihuly.

German Village – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus features homes and shops built primarily by 19^th Century German immigrants to Columbus. With distinctive red-brick homes, wrought-iron fences and tree-lined, brick-paved streets, German Village offers a great place to stroll, dine and shop.

Ohio Statehouse – This stately Greek Revival structure occupies the corner of Broad and High in downtown Columbus. Free guided tours of the Capitol Square complex are offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 3 p.m.

Short North Arts District – This vibrant area just north of downtown Columbus features an eclectic mix of art galleries, shops, restaurants, bars and night clubs. The area extends a few blocks around North High Street. Gallery Hop, held the first Saturday of each month, offers a great opportunity for people watching and extended hours at the area’s many art galleries. Nearby Goodale Park hosts a series of summer festivals.

Parks and Recreation

Columbus Metro Parks – Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks (Metro Parks) features 17 outstanding natural area parks with more than 200 miles of trails and over 27,000 acres of land in seven Central Ohio counties. Several of the parks offer shelters and lodges that can be reserved for family and group outings.

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department – The City of Columbus maintains more than 215 parks on 10,000 acres as well as 30 community centers, 8 public swimming pools, 6 golf courses and 51 miles of trails. The Recreation and Parks Department also offers a wide range of recreational programs for toddlers to seniors, including summer camps for children.

Major Sporting and Entertainment Venues

Crew Stadium – The first professional soccer-specific stadium ever built in the United States, Crew Stadium seats up to 19,968 fans of the Columbus Crew Major League Soccer team.

Greater Columbus Convention Center – Located just north of downtown Columbus, this bold landmark offers more than 1.7 million square feet of space for meetings and events of all sizes. One notable event, the Arnold Sports Festival, takes over the entire facility in the spring of each year.

Huntington Park – The home of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, seats up to 10,000 fans.

The Memorial Tournament – This annual PGA golf tournament is held in the late spring at Muirfield Village Golf Club in the Columbus suburb of Dublin, Ohio. The tournament was founded in 1979 by Columbus native Jack Nicklaus, who designed the course at Muirfield Village.

Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds – Home of the Ohio State Fair, the Ohio Expo Center also hosts more than 150 events each year ranging from shopping for antiques to horse shows, rodeos and sporting events.

Ohio Stadium – Affectionately known as “The Shoe” for its double-horseshoe configuration, this 60,000-seat stadium is home to the Ohio State University Buckeyes, 2015 college football champions.

Nationwide Arena – Home to the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets ice hockey team, this multi-purpose facility is also a popular venue for concerts and other events.

The Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center – Home to Ohio State University Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams as well as Men’s Ice Hockey, this 770,000-square-foot multipurpose venue seats 17,500 for ice hockey, 19,500 for basketball and up to 20,000+ for concerts. It is the largest arena in the Big Ten.

Wexner Center for the Arts – The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art, the “Wex” features a variety of public art exhibitions, film screenings and performing arts presentations.

Looking for more things to do and see? Check out entertainment guides and listings at Columbus Alive, Columbus Underground and Experience Columbus.

Looking for professional and reliable Columbus movers? Contact us today to experience the Herlihy Moving & Storage difference. Since 1920, we have moved thousands of Ohio families and businesses around Ohio, across the United States, and around the world. As a locally owned and operated agent of Mayflower Moving, we have the resources to move you, no matter where you need to go.