10 Fun Things to do in Columbus: A Perfect 2 Days in Columbus Ohio
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Columbus, the capital of Ohio, has been named one of the best cities for businesses, careers, and for traveling! There are so many things to do and activities in Columbus that your two days in Columbus will be packed full of fun! Keep reading to get started in planning your weekend getaway itinerary to Columbus Ohio!
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Pittsburgh, Columbus Ohio is perfect no matter what time of the year it is! Surprisingly, Columbus reminded us of Pittsburgh! Columbus has similar features to Pittsburgh such as museums, trendy neighborhoods, and popular sports teams.
Fun Things to Do in Columbus
Two Days in Columbus Ohio
16-Bit Arcade Bar and Pins Mechanical Co
If you’re looking for something unique to do in Columbus visit this pair of bars! 16-Bit Arcade Bar is a bar where if you buy a drink, you can play old school arcade games for free!
Pins Mechanical Co. also has arcade games but also has giant Jenga, duckpin bowling, and two food trucks at the patio. Both of these bars were a lot of fun! And the drinks were good!
Hours: Both Mon – Fri 4:00 PM – 2:30 AM, Sat-Sun 12:00 PM – 2:30 AM
Admission: Depends on what you drink!
Watch Some Columbus Sports
Columbus is a great city to visit if you’re a sports fan! Columbus is home to Ohio State Football, the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team, and minor league baseball team, the Columbus Clippers. During sporting events, Columbus comes alive with local pride!
View the Columbus Skyline at Genoa Park
If you’re looking to get a beautiful view of the skyline in Columbus, visit Genoa Park and walk along the river!
Center of Science and Industry and American Museum of Natural History
Along Genoa park is the COSI and American Museum of Natural History. These interactive science museums are great for adults and children alike! The Museums feature a range of exhibits from about dinosaurs to the deep ocean to the mechanics of your car. There is also a theater and planetarium with shows throughout the day!
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
Admission: Adults $25, Children $20
Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar
This piano bar was a blast! If you’ve never been to a “dueling piano bar” before, give the Big Bang a visit during your weekend to Columbus. This all-request piano bar will keep your night alive! The pianists were incredibly talented and you’re music selection for the night will be unique!
Hours: Thu 8:00 PM – 1:00 AA Fri – Sat 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is considered one of the best in the country! Here you can see animals from the jungle to the African savannah. During the wintertime, the zoo is transformed with thousands of Christmas lights for a light show!
The Columbus Zoo is an AZA accredited Zoo and participates in a variety of conservation efforts.
Hours: 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Tours Saturdays and Sundays at 12, 1, 2 , and 3 p.m.
Admission: $12-22 depending on country residency and age
German Village
German Village is a historic neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, south of downtown. It was settled in the early-to-mid-19th century by German immigrants. Today, German Village remains much of its charm with its breweries, local shops (including the Book Loft) It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1974
Ohio Statehouse
Since Columbus is the capital of Ohio, paying the Ohio Statehouse a visit is a must! Free guided tours are offered daily of this beautiful Greek Revival building!
Hours: 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Tours Saturdays and Sundays at 12, 1, 2 , and 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Throughout the year, Franklin Park has a variety of exhibits, events, and family friendly activities.
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Adults $18 Children $11
Where to Stay in Columbus Ohio
Drury Inn and Suites
During our stay in Columbus, we stayed at the Drury Inn and Suites at the Convention Center. The Drury Inn was perfect for our weekend getaway to Columbus. It was centrally located within walking distance to the North Market, Nationwide Arena, and downtown Columbus. The hotel staff was incredibly friendly and the amenities were everything we could ask for in a hotel. In the evenings, a complimentary dinner and three drinks were included. The breakfast in the morning was very good and had a lot of variety including eggs, sausage, cereal, bakery items, and biscuits and gravy! The hotel room was very comfortable and clean. We appreciated the covered parking as well.
Where to Eat in Columbus Ohio
Tip Top
For brunch (which was served until 3 PM), we visited Tip Top in the Uptown district. Here, they serve up their famed pot roast dishes along with local brews. The Sal’s Big Mess was our meal of choice and it was delicious! The portion sizes were great and the staff was welcoming!
North Market
If you’re looking for local food, visit the North Market. Here, you can get local produce, sandwiches, meats, and baked goods! Surrounding the market are plenty of restaurants.
Getting to Columbus
Columbus has an international airport if you’re interested in flying to Columbus. Like most states on the East Coast of the United States, driving is very easy and provides a beautiful view of local landscapes. Columbus is a 3-hour drive from Pittsburgh.
