Sightseeing in Columbus - what to see. Complete travel guide

The history of Columbus started soon after the United States had finally got their long-awaited independence. A small village appeared on the site of modern Columbus. A settler from Virginia, Lucas Sullivant, was the founder of that village. The new settlement was called Franklinton. In 1812, it was decided to make the village area the capital of a new state. The new city was named Columbus after great explorer Christopher Columbus. Since that time, the region has been developing as the capital of the state. That being said, a disaster happened in Columbus in 1833. A cholera epidemic claimed the lives of many locals.
Do you prefer to see natural attractions first? In this case, don’t forget to visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park is located close to Cleveland, and the distance to Columbus is a bit more than 200 kilometers. The national park covers an area of almost 132 square kilometers. Cuyahoga Valley is the only national park in the State of Ohio. Tourists started visiting this place roughly a hundred years ago. The park offers scenic views of the area near the Cuyahoga River and preserves its natural landscape. American businessman Hayward Kendall was one of the people who helped to open the park. In 1929, he donated 1.7 square kilometers near the Ritchie Ledges to the state of Ohio “for park purposes”. That area was named Virginia Kendall Park to honor Hayward Kendall’s mother. Later, it became a part of the national park.

Parents with small children may find it interesting to visit a zoo in Columbus. This is quite a large animal park that impresses visitors with its look and planning. There is one thing that differs the zoo in Columbus from similar venues in other countries. The Columbus Zoo is divided into several zones, each of which has its own name. The first zone is North American, the second – Asian, the third is coastal, the fourth is African forest, and the fifth zone is dedicated to animals from Australia. Children are usually very excited to see that the distance to animals is small. In this zoo, cute red pandas, charming koalas, adult kangaroos, Amur tigers, and Humboldt penguins peacefully coexist in one area.

Columbus hosts many interesting festivals every year. For example, there is a festival dedicated to Asia in May, The event takes place in Franklin Park. Many people attend the festival to try Asian food and various products that are typical in different countries of this region. June is the time for the art festival that is impossible without various exhibitions, loud music, and interesting performances.

This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Columbus is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Columbus and surroundings
Reference information
Shopping streets in Columbus
♥ Shopping area ' Lane Ave' Columbus, 6.4 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Easton Town Center' Columbus, 12.2 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Shopping area ' New Bond Street' Columbus, 12.4 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Lane Ave' Columbus, 6.4 km from the center. On the map


♥ Shopping area ' Easton Town Center' Columbus, 12.2 km from the center. On the map


♥ Shopping area ' New Bond Street' Columbus, 12.4 km from the center. On the map


National and city parks around Columbus
♥ County Park 'Livingston' , 2.2 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ State Park 'Big Run' , 10 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Local Park 'Alum S' , 17.7 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ State Park 'Pattison' , 136 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ State Park 'Tu-Endie-Wei' , 144.9 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ County Park 'Livingston' , 2.2 km from the center. On the map


♥ State Park 'Big Run' , 10 km from the center. On the map


♥ Local Park 'Alum S' , 17.7 km from the center. On the map


♥ State Park 'Pattison' , 136 km from the center. On the map


♥ State Park 'Tu-Endie-Wei' , 144.9 km from the center. On the map


Art galleries in Columbus and around
♥ Art museum 'Columbus Museum of Art' Columbus, 1 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'Wexner Center' Columbus, 4.5 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'Columbus Museum of Art' Columbus, 1 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Wexner Center' Columbus, 4.5 km from the center. On the map


Sights around Columbus from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
The Basket Building
From the series “Top 16 Most Amazing Buildings of the Planet”
Check on the map:
Distance from Columbus center - 56.7 km.
The interior of the office center is just as original as its exterior design. The interior of the building is decorated with metal and glass structures. The building is covered by the dome-shaped glass roof. The giant handles, which have not only a decorative purpose, are crowned by the basket building. In cold weather, they are warmed up and protect the glass roof from icing. It must be noted that the strange office is open for ordinary tourists. Every day, the exciting excursions are conducted through the building, during which you can learn a lot of interesting things about all its peculiarities. …
Read further 

Search touristic sites on the map of Columbus

