Places to visit in Columbus Ohio | Columbus attractions and sightseeing

Columbus is the capital city of the state of Ohio and located at the center of the state. There are many places to visit within the city and around it.

I will start with downtown. Columbus downtown is a very relaxing place on any given day unlike downtown of other bustling big cities. 

1. The Ohio Statehouse 
1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, Ohio-43215
You can go inside and take a tour yourself or guided tour, buy Columbus souvenirs from the State gift shop inside the building. Entry is free and airport style checking.You can park your car in State house parking lot  or COSI  parking lot or street parking.

2.Columbus Zoo and Aquaruim

Click here to visit the official zoo website. It is fine zoo with Polar bears and other fun activities mostly for kids. Columbus kids are lucky.
3. Scioto Mile and Bicentennial Park
Scioto Mile is the place to see the Columbus skyline reflecting on the Scioto river. Walk along it or sit on the swing benches at the Bicentennial Park. There are fountains and restaurants, all ingredients for lovely evening. Parking is tricky here. You can park your car in the COSI  parking lot or street parking.

4. German Village
It is a historic neighborhood in Columbus consisting of German style streets and little homes and good restaurants serving scrumptious German food like Schmidts and Barcelona. Schiller Park located in the heart of the neighborhood is a beautiful peaceful place where you can even park your car for free and stroll around the place. 
Click here to visit the German village community website.

5. Topiary Park
This is a beautiful park where trees have been trimmed to create Seurat's painting "A Sunday afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte" but I personally feel this is an overrated place. It is a good place to visit ones . click here The park is not maintained well. You can park your car in the Orange Garage for $10 near it or if you are visiting Columbus Museum of Arts nearby, you should park your car there for $5.

6.  Columbus Museum of Arts 
Good place for a one time visit according to me. Free entry on Sunday. The sculpture garden at the entrance is good to sit and enjoy the sun.

Now, lets focus around the hidden gems around Columbus.

7. Alum Creek Dam
This is a Sate park and a huge area consisting of a dam, Below the dam recreation area, a beach, parks, camping and boating. Select where you want to go. I suggest you visit Alum creek below dam area in Lewis Center. Click here to know more.Free parking.

8. Inniswood Botanical Gardens and Metro park
Best time to visit is the spring when this place looks like a fairy tale filled with tulips and so many other flowers. Beautiful and very well maintained park.Click here to know more about this park. Free parking.

9. Hoover Dam
Columbus has its own Hoover Dam, which is quite impressive. Full of activities all around, nice and energetic place for a jog or a game. Free parking. 

10.Polaris Fashion Place
This is shopping mall in Westerville, 20 minutes from downtown,which is beautiful and has all the big names like Macys, JCPenny,Disney and more under one roof and an amazing food court and many good restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza and so on.

With this list of places I hope you have an amazing time whenever you are in Columbus and looking forward to tour the city.
Thank you.