Columbus advice

[aamob]

We are planning a trip to Columbus in June for a few days and looking for ideas on things not to miss while there. DD is 9 so we plan on 1 day at the zoo and 1 day at the Wilds (I think) and checking out the new American Girl store opening that weekend. Any other fun things to do?

 

[kierston33]

Another fun thing to do is COSI. It's a hands on science center.

 

[HM]

I was going to say COSI too. We really liked it.

 

[Nanu57v]

COSI definitely!!! If you already hold a membership to your local science museum, you may even get in free!

 

[EagleScout]

Columbus Zoo is very nice - it is sort of on periphery of town. Also, in downtown Columbus is COSI - center of science and industry (a "hands on" science museum- very fun for kids of all ages, and particularly at the age you mentioned.) Those are really the two "must do" activities in my opinion. And here are a few other options. Taking a tour of Ohio State campus can be neat, although admittedly a bit slow in June, and also your child may not be so interested in that. It has been over a decade since I lived there, but I think they still have a very family-friendly "shakespeare in the park" down near "German Village" in the south end of core downtown area. Many couples and families would pick up sandwiches from Katzinger's Deli and then walk or drive the few blocks over to the park. There are tours of the state capital building, which are fairly interesting/educational. If you are up for a bit of driving (just about an hour east/southeast of Columbus in Chillicothe, with some traffic due to the event), there is Tecumseh, which is an outdoor play based on the life of the Indian Chief. They also have dinner there (or you can eat ahead of time.) IT is quite a spectacle, while you sit outside on a lawn/ampitheater at night, the actors are moving all around you, riding on horses, lots of fires, etc. The first show this year is June 7.

 

[JillMSH]

The American Girl store will be at Easton. It's a huge shoppping center with great restaurants, stores, and fountains it play in if it's hot. You could spend a whole day there, honestly. Check out their website, if you haven't already. eastontowncenter.com

 

[bweagle]

We are regulars at the zoo and COSI.

My kids are 7 & 9 and LOVE the Columbus Museum of Art. It's very kid oriented.....keeps them busy for hours.

Also, one of our metro parks has a historical live farm "Slate Run Metro Park" that the kids enjoy visiting. In fact, all of our metro parks are great. Any would be nice for a hike and picnic. There are currently Bald Eagles nesting at Highbanks.

If it's warm, check out Ballentrae Splash park off of Avery Rd in Dublin.

Columbus commons (downtown) is an open space that often has summer activities for families (google it, schedule is frequently updated)

While you are at Easton visiting the American Girl store....your kids may enjoy the Lego Store and Build-A-Bear Workshop as well.

 

[AndreaDM]

Just be prepared for the new AG store to be mobbed! I love that area though, lots of fun shopping, there's a Trader Joe's at Easton as well.

 

[Fire14]

Come vist me Just kidding. I say Cosi, the zoo, EASTON. there is another shopping mall north of Columbus ( Polaris) it has a Disney store.

 

[lisajl]

All great suggestions...just wanted to say Hello to all the OHIO peeps!

 

[letsgoreds]

COSI is the bomb! If you go, arrive at opening, get in line early to ride the unicycle across the tightrope (fun and free)! It is also great to sign up early in the top floor science lab area so your family can come back later during lab time to complete some experiments together (Fun, free and books up quickly). The best experiment is the one with alka seltzer that shoots a lid off. It goes REALLY high. The shows they put on (weather, explosion, rat basketball) are also a great time. Cafeteria area can get crazy, there is also seating outside.

Hello from a fellow buckeye...in Cincinnati (Mason). Kings Island is only 1.5 hours south, and great for thrill riders...and with a Great Wolf Lodge next door.

 

[ceecee]

We love COSI too, great for the kids.

 

[bobcat]

We are planning a trip to Columbus in June for a few days and looking for ideas on things not to miss while there. DD is 9 so we plan on 1 day at the zoo and 1 day at the Wilds (I think) and checking out the new American Girl store opening that weekend. Any other fun things to do?

The Wilds is bit of a drive from Columbus, at least an 1 1/2 hour drive. Second COSI we always had memberships when the kids were younger. The American Girl store will be nuts but Easton is a fun area and there's a new Jeni's ice cream going in, best ice cream ever!!!

 

[CarrieR]

The zoo is a bit of a complex - there is also a waterpark and small dry-ride park there as well. You can buy a two-day combo pass, I think - or if you don't want to hit the waterpark, be forewarned that it exists lol.

There are fun centers (climbing gym/mini golf etc) at Polaris (Magic Mountain) and on the west side off of 70 (Galaxy Games & Golf.)

COSI is awesome. Check out the Adventure Exhibit... small up charge but worth it!

Check out Graeter's and Jeni's ice cream too - very different and very delicious!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When is the AG store opening? We are going to Columbus in a few weeks and want to avoid Easton if it is the same weekend of our trip.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When is the AG store opening? We are going to Columbus in a few weeks and want to avoid Easton if it is the same weekend of our trip.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I never hear of people taking a trip to our city lol. The zoo is great! If you go to their website you will also see the Zoombezi Bay site and there's information about Jungle Jack's Landing which is the dry ride area. Easton Town Center is where the American Girl store will be. There lots of other shops there and a movie theatre. Do you know what side of town you will be staying on? That could determine what areas you see.

Downtown Columbus has COSI, Columbus Museum of Art and Columbus Commons. Columbus commons is a greenspace that has a carousel and there's also an area that has fountains for kids to play in. Franklin Park Conservatory is also right outside of downtown.

Depending on when you will be here you could see the Columbus Arts Festival, Upper Arlington Arts Festival, Jazz and Rib fest, Franklin County Fair, Ohio State Fair or the Asian Festival.

 

[aamob]

Loving all the responses!

Shelly F- The store is opening June 22nd

Disneyhayes-We were looking for somewhere close to drive to(we live between Erie and Pittsburgh) and with the AG store opening the weekend we start vacation, thought it would be a good place to go. As far as where we will be staying, I think we will be hotel hopping. Probably 1 night around Dublin and 1 night around Easton. Just not sure about the others yet.

 

[bobcat]

Loving all the responses!

Shelly F- The store is opening June 22nd

Disneyhayes-We were looking for somewhere close to drive to(we live between Erie and Pittsburgh) and with the AG store opening the weekend we start vacation, thought it would be a good place to go. As far as where we will be staying, I think we will be hotel hopping. Probably 1 night around Dublin and 1 night around Easton. Just not sure about the others yet.

I would recommend staying at the airport. It's an easy drive to anywhere in the city from there. Only stay in the Easton area if you can stay right at Easton. It's more expensive but the surrounding areas are a little rough. The airport is 10 min from Easton, 10-15 minutes from downtown, and 20 to the west side. Downtown is great if there aren't conventions that week. We have a great baseball stadium and you can get lawn seats for around $6. The arena district (convention center area) has a lot going on for families during the day but has an adult vibe at night.

 

[lpoeppelman]

I have a few suggestions:

**Definitely try to make it to German Village. It is such a cute area--hit the Book Loft--it is so fun and the only book shop I have ever been in that you can actually get lost in! A cute maze of books (literally). While you are in German Village, go to Schmidt's for lunch. Even if you just go for dessert after a sandwich at Katzinger's. Schmidt's is very famous for their German fare.

**Zoo is a great idea. Don't miss the Polar Bear exhibit. It is a very large zoo so you might consider some kind 2-day pass or combo pass with waterpark if you are going in the summer.

**I haven't been to the American Doll store yet--not sure when they are opening. They will not have a cafe'. FYI. There is a Lego store there too.

**I second the idea of Graeter's or Jenny's (never been to Jenny's yet and I heard I am missing out... I'm a Graeter's die hard fan). You can get a tour at Graeter's ice cream factory (I think you can still do this).

**COSI is great too! A must stop.

**Shopping... I LOVE Easton but Polaris is a nice mall too!

**Amuesement Parks: I would hit Kings Island if you have time. The waterpark is INCLUDED in your park ticket. You can bring in a cooler into the waterpark as well if you want to have a picnic.

**There are also many other things to see... Franklin Park Conservatory, Thurber House, tour OSU campus (beautiful old Campus) and you must see the Ohio Union. Here is a video of their flash mob they made not long after they opened, I think... pretty cool... especially if you are a Buckeye at heart!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDNOB6TnHSI

HAVE FUN! I LOVE Columbus!!!!