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Weekend Getaways to Columbus

Columbus
For a small city, Columbus has a lot to offer. Once somewhat hidden in the shadows of Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio's capital city has emerged to offer visitors world-class culture, sports, entertainment and a vibe all its own. Enjoy a day at the zoo, aquarium or the nationally-known science center. Art lovers will relish the collections at the Columbus Museum of Art and gardeners will revel in the magnificent roses at Whetstone Park. The Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Garden also boasts beautiful flora and fauna. And the city is chock-full of government landmarks, both historic and modern. Spend the weekend savoring celebrated attractions and exploring unique neighborhoods, all served-up in the welcoming, friendly Columbus style.
 
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Don't-Miss Attractions
Where to Stay
Recommended Reading
Where to stay
Hilton Columbus
The Lofts Hotel & Suites
The Blackwell
Sheraton Columbus Suites
Crowne Plaza Columbus North
Comfort Suites Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport



Don't-Miss Attractions
TripAdvisor's editorial team reviewed our attractions database and selected the best local attractions to highlight in this itinerary. Some are popular, some are off the beaten path, but all are worth a visit.
Garden delightsGarden delights
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Garden: Experience different climates around the world at this 90-acre park and conservatory. A stroll through various greenhouses immerses you in the coolness of the Himalayan Mountains, the dry heat of an arid desert and the steaminess of a tropical rain forest.
Address: 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-645-8733
Admission fee
Whetstone Park: One of the largest municipal rose gardens in the U.S., this 13-acre park features more than 11,000 gorgeous rose bushes and specialized gardens for herbs, daffodils and perennials.
Address: 3923 N High St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-645-3217
Free
Family funFamily fun
GameWorks: This popular game center features over 200 video and virtual reality games, including action-packed motion simulation games. The center is divided into five different game zones for kids of all ages: Adventure, Racing, Sports, Carnival and Classics.
Address: 165 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614 428 7529
Columbus Zoo: This world-famous 400-acre zoo is among the city's top attractions, featuring 600 wildlife species housed in spacious natural habitats. Director Emeritus Jack Hanna brings the zoo's most unusual inhabitants to millions of viewers through his numerous TV appearances.
Address: 9990 Riverside Drive, Powell, Ohio
Phone: 614-645-3550
Admission fee
Nifty neighborhoodsNifty neighborhoods
German Village: A visit to this historic area is like a trip back in time. The restored community, originally settled by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, is filled with antique shops, Queen Anne style houses, brick-laden sidewalks and fine cuisine.
Address: 588 S Third St., Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-221-8888
Short North Arts District: Columbus's version of New York's artsy Soho district, this historic urban neighborhood is filled with boutiques, art galleries, coffee houses, restaurants and theaters.
Address: 120 W Goodale St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-228-8050
Easton Town Center: In stark contrast to the old-country aura of German Village, Easton is the most modern neighborhood in the city, its architecturally contemporary town center drawing shoppers and tourists to an array of nationally and regionally known stores, plentiful restaurants and varied entertainment.
Address: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio
Museum highlightsMuseum highlights
Center of Science and Industry (COSI): Known as "COSI," this enormously popular attraction offers all sorts of hands-on exhibits, from conducting your own water experiments to creating a newscast to watching yourself age. Three movie theaters provide enough entertainment variety for the whole family.
Address: 333 W Broad St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-228-2674
Admission fee
Ohio Historical Center: The history of Ohio from the Ice Age to the present is chronicled inside this architecturally interesting concrete and glass structure, housing a vast collection of artifacts, exhibits on everything from ancient Indian cultures to industrial progress and archives documenting early settlers' daily lives.
Address: 1982 Velma Ave, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614-297-2300
Admission fee
RestaurantsRestaurants
Handke's Cuisine: For a special occasion or romantic evening, dine on gourmet dishes created by an award-winning chef.
Address: 520 S Front St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: (614) 621-2500
Flying Pizza: New York style pizza sold whole or by the slice is a favorite of the local college students.
Address: 1812 N High St, Columbus, Ohio
Phone: (614) 294-1011
Things to doMore attractions
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Columbus Traveler Lists

Traveler Lists — Created by real travelers to give you ideas
on where to go and what to do on your next trip.
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Where to Stay
Our editorial team selected local hotels and resorts that have good reputations and good deals. Because we know travelers' budgets differ vastly, we chose hotels at different price points rather than listing the city's top five hotels, which might all be in the same price range.
Luxury hotelsLuxury hotels
Hilton Columbus
Popularity index: #5 in Columbus
Hilton.com For our best rates guaranteed, book on Hilton.com
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
ORBITZ.com Hotel Fee Cuts + Price Assurance = Lower Total Price on Hotels!
View all travel offers for this hotel
The Lofts Hotel & Suites
Popularity index: #8 in Columbus
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
ORBITZ.com Hotel Fee Cuts + Price Assurance = Lower Total Price on Hotels!
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed! Click or Call an Expert at 1-800-43-HOTEL
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Moderate hotelsModerate hotels
The Blackwell
Popularity index: #10 in Columbus
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed! Click or Call an Expert at 1-800-43-HOTEL
Priceline.com More Ways to Save on Hotels. Save up to 50% on Top Brands.
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Sheraton Columbus Suites
Popularity index: #18 in Columbus
Sheraton.com The Best Rates. Guaranteed. Click now for exclusive offers.
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed! Click or Call an Expert at 1-800-43-HOTEL
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Crowne Plaza Columbus North
Popularity index: #25 in Columbus
CrownePlaza.com Upscale business-friendly hotel. Book online or call 800-980-6424
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
ORBITZ.com Hotel Fee Cuts + Price Assurance = Lower Total Price on Hotels!
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Budget hotelsBudget hotels
Comfort Suites Airport
Popularity index: #13 in Columbus
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
ORBITZ.com Hotel Fee Cuts + Price Assurance = Lower Total Price on Hotels!
ComfortSuites.com Oversized rooms, Free Internet & Breakfast. Best Web Rate Guaranteed!
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Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport
Popularity index: #41 in Columbus
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
ORBITZ.com Hotel Fee Cuts + Price Assurance = Lower Total Price on Hotels!
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed! Click or Call an Expert at 1-800-43-HOTEL
View all travel offers for this hotel

Recommended Reading
"Discover Columbus – One Neighborhood at a Time"  TravelLady, May 1, 2007
Discover the many historic and cultural treasures Ohio's capital has to offer.
"Hello, Columbus"  Washington Post (free registration required), Oct 3, 2007
There's much more to see in Ohio's capital city than you might think.
"Lodging in a Nutshell"  Lodging.com
German Village and the Columbus Zoo are just two of the many arts and recreational attractions in Columbus, Ohio.
"The Midwest: The heart of America"  Independent.co.uk, Dec 2, 2006
Could Columbus be representative of American culture? Take a look and see.
 View all articles, guidebooks and user reviews about Columbus