Top 10 Places to See While You're Here

1. German Village

German Village, located just south of downtown Columbus, has been called "233 acres of living history where the old meets the new and the result is a vibrant and charming community." This immigrant community built in the 1830s and 40s became an historic district in the 1970s and is filled with restored homes, quaint shops, restaurants, and more. The nearby Brewery District got its' name from small family-owned breweries but now features restaurants and redevelopment.

3. Statehouse

The Ohio Statehouse (known by many states as the capitol building, or capital) was built between the years 1839 and 1861 in the Greek Revival style consisting largely of brick and Columbus limestone designed to emulate an understated elegance. A 22-year restoration project completed in 1996 restored America's 8th oldest working capitol building to original glory.

4. Ohio Theater

The Ohio Theatre, opened in 1928, was designed to be "a palace for the average man." The 2,779-seat Spanish-Baroque masterpiece, complete with its own orchestra and theatre organ, originally showed movies and live stage shows touring on the Loews circuit. Barely escaping the wrecking ball in the 1960s, today the Ohio is beautifully restored and features various live performances and the Summer Classic Movie Series.

5. Granville

If you visit Granville on a snowy day you might just see Jimmy Stewart running down the boulevard! This incredibly charming town nestled atop one of the largest hills in Licking County is filled with restored 1800s homes, quaint shops, and the affluent but picturesque Denison University.

6. Hocking Hills

The region just south of Columbus known as Hocking Hills is filled with picturesque terrain and beautiful fauna, hills and valleys, and rocky gorges and sandstone cliffs more than 300 million years old. There are several state parks and lots of out-of-the way cabins and cozy places to stay and enjoy. Just an hour drive from Greater Columbus, Hocking Hills is an outdoor wonder like no other in Ohio.

7. Southern Hotel and Theater

Originally I thought the Southern Theater was even more magnificent than the Ohio! It would be more fair to say the Southern and the Ohio are equally magnificent in their own ways. The word for the Southern Theater is: GOLD! What I believe architects call gold foil is everywhere: on the ceiling, on trim, on pillars. The attached Westin Southern Hotel has a classic southern grandeur with a plantation feel.

8. Refectory

Whizzing down Bethel Rd. on the north end you must might miss this unique 19th century church building and adjacent schoolhouse known as the Refectory. But it's well worth stopping for: white tablecloths and candlelight are part of the intimate ambiance you will find inside, along with exquisite menu items and service you just won't believe.

9. Ohio Stadium

Yes, it's the "Shoe", where the notorious OSU/Michigan game happens every now and then! Ohio Stadium is the second largest stadium in the Big Ten and the third largest college stadium in America. Its' fame and design make it a must-see when you visit Columbus.

10. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, COSI is a great "living museum" where kids (and adult kids) can play and explore and take stuff apart and see how it works. Some Central Ohioans say they liked the old COSI better (before it moved into the renovated Central High School) but it's still a cool place to spend an afternoon.