Visitors of all ages can enjoy a wealth of fun attractions in Columbus, Ohio.
By Ann Bush
July 2020
Initially, visiting Ohio was not on my bucket list. However, after seeing my bird-watching buddies eagerly plan trips to this Midwestern state every year, I reconsidered. Not only do they find great birds, but they reveal a distinctive side of the Buckeye State with talk of delicious food, scenic roads, unusual museums, and interesting urban entertainment. Eventually, I had an opportunity to visit Columbus, the capital city, where I discovered a kaleidoscope of interesting natural and man-made attractions.
Zoombezi Bay water park.
As an outdoors lover, I looked toward waterways such as the Olentangy and Scioto rivers, which intersect in downtown Columbus. I discovered top-rated campgrounds near the city, making this the perfect place to sit and stay for a while to see the sights on day trips.
I gave Columbus five days to wow me. It succeeded. Here are just a few of the really cool things it offers. Note: At press time, some attractions and campgrounds were temporarily closed because of COVID-19 restrictions; call or check a facility’s website before you visit.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Laughing out loud in a public place is expected in this library/museum that features cartoons from around the globe. Billy Ireland was a nationally known editorial cartoonist for the Columbus Dispatch newspaper starting at the tender age of 18, making people chuckle until his death 37 years later in 1935. Mr. Ireland donated his original cartoon manuscripts to create a museum, which is on the campus of The Ohio State University. Other well-known cartoon artists have since donated their artwork, making it one of the largest cartoon archive libraries in the world.
The library now owns more than 67,000 serials and comic books; 300,000 original cartoon drawings that date back to the late 1800s; books; magazines; journals; newspaper comics; manga (Japanese-inspired comics and graphic novels); and more. Exhibits change periodically, but no doubt whatever is featured will entertain onlookers.
https://cartoons.osu.edu/
Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
I couldn’t resist visiting after I read a brochure about this renowned facility. Most zoos are designed by type of animal, but the Columbus Zoo is organized around geographic sections — Africa, North America, Asia, Australia, shorelines, and the Congo. Each area is full of species found in the region it represents.
I visited the Heart of Africa and was not disappointed. The 43-acre area is wide open, with a long wooden deck running along one side. It feels as though you are standing in the middle of the continent. More than 20 species of animals roam freely — with lions mingling with giraffes mingling with ostriches. Near the chattering monkeys, I climbed a few stairs to a deck and carefully fed lettuce to one of the giraffes.
Animals roam at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Heart of Africa area.
A fun prop in this area is a 1956 Beechcraft Model 18 airplane, a type of aircraft used in military, commercial, and civilian aviation. Broken into pieces, this plane gives the appearance it has just crashed. The tail section rests inside the animals’ neighborhood, where I watched two lions yawning and snoozing beside boxes of dusty canned food and spilled medical supplies. The cockpit, on the visitors’ side, is separated from the animals by a tall glass wall. Children played in the pilot’s seat, having the time of their lives.
www.columbuszoo.org
Franklin Park Conservatory And Botanical Gardens
No matter the time of year, the natural beauty of more than 400 plant species can be seen inside the glass greenhouses at this lovely historical facility. Several biomes are represented, including a Pacific Island water garden and an Amazon rainforest. Its showcase: a grand Victorian-style glass greenhouse built in 1895. Each season is celebrated, such as spring bulbs in April and 5,000-plus pumpkins in October.
Changing and permanent collections illustrate how nature and beauty intertwine. One of the permanent exhibitions displays the glass creations of renowned artist Dale Chihuly.
Throughout the year, classes provide instruction on such topics as bonsai pruning, cooking with herbs, and preparing pizzas in an outdoor oven. I watched students in a glass-blowing class make Christmas ornaments; later, I mingled with children and adults on a school outing to release butterflies. Last year, the park added a children’s garden for youngsters to learn about and be inspired by the natural world.
The park’s creativity is immediately apparent. It begins with a star and moon archway for adults and, beside it, a 4-foot bamboo entrance for children only. It was easy for me to pretend to be a robin when I climbed into a bird’s nest the size of a car, covered in natural twigs. Smaller children could imagine what it feels like to be a just-hatched chick inside. But don’t think the park is just for children. Walk down the path beside a 10-foot-long rock caterpillar as an art enthusiast and enjoy the ingenious playground equipment designs.
www.fpconservatory.org
National Veterans Memorial And Museum
This extraordinary museum houses a collection of military memorabilia formerly owned by veterans, starting with the Civil War. The artfully designed facility is particularly moving, because it is the only place in the United States where visitors can learn the stories of individual veterans across all branches of military service and in all eras of conflict, under one roof.
The museum, which opened in 2018, was inspired by the late Sen. John Glenn, who retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel. It depicts the human side of war and artfully honors the sacrifices of the men and women serving the country. Individual stories and shared experiences are told in the veterans’ own words, illustrated by personal artifacts, letters, quotes, films, and more.
Permanent exhibits include 14 alcoves, each highlighting various themes of the veterans’ experiences; the Legacy of Service display, providing individuals’ contributions to and support from their communities; and the Remembrance Gallery, which honors the fallen. A temporary exhibit, So Ready For Laughter: The Legacy Of Bob Hope, features the contributions of the popular wartime entertainer and was scheduled to run through Labor Day.
https://nationalvmm.org
A deer sculpture at the Rich Street Bridge.
The Scioto Mile And Lounging Deer
Not far from the National Veterans Memorial, the Scioto River meanders through the city. In 2015 a major rehabilitation project turned the area into a multiuse park with trail space. It is by far the best place to view the skyline of Columbus and to safely walk around downtown between museums and restaurants. The city commissioned artist Terry Allen to create sculptures that would complement the goal of making the area a place to rest, relax, renew, and reflect.
After learning that “Scioto” means “hairy deer” in a local Native American language, the artist found his inspiration. The result: “Scioto Lounge,” a collection of three life-size deer in funky positions posing as humans along the Scioto Mile trail. Near the top of Genoa Park, a buck appears to sit casually on a bench watching bike riders and dog walkers pass by. A doe lounges on a grassy hill near the riverfront. The third one is my favorite: a strong buck with mighty antlers on the Rich Street Bridge; standing on two legs, he leans against the bridge railing, appearing to take in the view of downtown.
www.sciotomile.com
COSI — The Center Of Science And Industry
Since 1964, COSI has provided world-class experiences to engage visitors in all things related to science, technology, and engineering. And a 2020 USA Today readers’ poll named it the United States’ best science museum. Now located on the Scioto Peninsula as part of the downtown redevelopment project, COSI is within walking distance of my favorite deer.
When I visited, the Dinosaur Gallery was in full swing, made possible through a partnership with the American Museum of Natural History. Who wouldn’t love a 6-foot-long, walking T. rex? Getting up close to flying dinosaurs with feathers, and learning how birds have been around for a very long time, was a perfect pastime for a bird watcher like me.
The new COSI Planetarium features state-of-the-art digital technology to glimpse into space. And there are hands-on labs and a play-and-learn area called Little Kidspace.
Three floors of hands-on interactive exhibits are designed for all ages. Call ahead or check the website to learn about COSI’s live presentations; I attended a class that focused on using science to make ice cream.
www.cosi.org
Good Eats
Columbus offers so many restaurants, I don’t know where to begin. Near downtown is the North Market, full of bakeries, fishmongers, and butchers. A short Cbus ride will take you to German Village, the Brewery District, and the Short North Arts District, where tasty food is found on every corner. Navigating around downtown Columbus is easy with the free CBus round-trip system, whose buses arrive at stops every 15 minutes. Check www.cota.com to learn more about routes.
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in downtown Columbus.
Two of my favorite eateries were farm-to-table-inspired places — Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen, and The Table — the former offering a rustic, seasonal menu; the latter, locally sourced fare. I also discovered that Wolf’s Ridge Brewing was far more than just beer. After filling up a mug with their award-winning brew, made on the premises, order their famous Angus ribeye and save room for a sorbet or ice cream.
When away from downtown one day, I wolfed down a delicious Korean/Mexican taco from a food truck. Columbus is food truck heaven, where traveling vendor food safety laws are strictly supervised. Near the Scioto Mile trail, I enjoyed a spectacular view of the river at the Milestone 229 restaurant and enjoyed a pretzel bread appetizer for a taste of Ohio’s German history.
My last day was spent with a volunteer from the Columbus Audubon Society who took me bird watching. Along shady trails behind a historic neighborhood, we found wonderful avians and fellow bird watchers.
With binoculars in hand, we quietly stalked birds, laughed often, and, before the day was over, spied a new bird species for my lifetime bird list.
I’ll be back to Ohio someday. So much more exploration awaits in the Buckeye State.
The Scioto River reflects the Columbus skyline.
More Info
Experience Columbus
(866) 397-2657
(614) 221-6623
www.experiencecolumbus.com
Area Campgrounds
For additional listings, check your campground directory or the FMCA RV Marketplace on FMCA.com.
Alton RV Park
6552 W. Broad St.
Galloway, OH 43119
(614) 878-9127
www.altonrvpark.com
Buckeye Lake/Columbus East KOA, C6592*
4460 Walnut Road S.E.
Buckeye Lake, OH 43008
(800) 362-0792
(740) 928-0706
https://koa.com/campgrounds/buckeye-lake/
Cross Creek Camping Resort
3190 S. Old State Rd.
Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 549-2267
www.alumcreek.com/cccr
*FMCA Commercial Member