As a college student, there are a lot of things to do before you graduate. But with so many options, it can be hard to decide what to do first.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 16 Columbus landmarks every Ohio State student should see before graduating:
1. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden located in the aptly named Franklin Park neighborhood. The conservatory is home to a wide variety of plant life, as well as a butterfly house, a bonsai collection, and an art gallery.
There’s also a food truck and café if you get hungry.
The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $22.
2. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a zoo located near Powell, just north of the city. The zoo is home to over 10,000 animals, as well as a water park, a safari park, and a zoo school. It frequently appears in lists for the best zoo in America.
Hours vary by season, so check the zoo’s website before making the trek.
Also, if you’re feeling a roadtrip, make sure to check out the Wilds, an offshoot of the zoo that ranks 14 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best zoos in America.
“The Wilds was founded in 1984 when the Central Ohio Coal Company gifted nearly 10,000 acres of surface-mined land to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Zookeeper and TV host Jack Hanna helped develop the plot of land roughly 75 miles southeast of downtown Columbus into a large educational preserve that complements the main zoo. For a thrilling twist to wildlife viewing, book a horseback or zip line safari. Adults can prolong their stays by reserving private yurts at the Nomad Ridge camp, where binoculars are available to watch passing animals like rhinos and red-tailed hawks. The adults-only camp is open seasonally from May through October.”
3. The Horseshoe
The Horseshoe is the football stadium at Ohio State University. While there’s a pretty high chance you’ve already been to a few games, it is definitely a must-see if you haven’t gone yet.
The stadium has hosted some of the most famous games and moments in college football history, plus a number of other historic concert performances.
4. Scioto Mile
Located smack in the middle of Downtown Columbus, the park is home to a riverfront promenade, a fountain, an amphitheater, and a variety of sculptures.
5. Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre is a theatre located in King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. The theatre has 582 seats, was opened in 1928 and hosts a variety of events – concerts, plays, and movies.
6. Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is the state capitol building of Ohio. The Statehouse is home to the Ohio General Assembly, the Governor of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of Ohio.
7. Nationwide Arena
Nationwide Arena is an arena located in the Arena District close to Downtown. The venue is most notably the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Other events happen here as well; the arena is the home court – or rink – to several other minor or semiprofessional sports teams. The venue also hosts concerts, having a capacity of roughly 20,000 people.
Located in the German Village, the park is home to a playground, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a variety of events.
8. Schiller Park
It opened over a century and a half ago in 1867 and is the second oldest in the city. Several landmarks can be found commemorating the area’s history and connection to the German immigrants and community that once lived there.
The park is named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a German playwright and philosopher that during the 18th century.
9. German Village
Speaking of Germany, the German Village – home of Schiller Park – is a historic neighborhood in Columbus. The neighborhood is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and events with plenty of traces of the past German community that once inhabited the area.
10. Lower.com Field
Lower.com Field is a recent addition to this list having just opened in July 2021. The soccer stadium located in the arena district and is home to the Columbus Crew – Columbus’ MLS team.
The stadium cost $314 million to build.
11. Short North Arts District
The Short North Arts District is a neighborhood running right through Ohio State’s campus – mainly along High Street. The neighborhood is home to a variety of art galleries, shops, restaurants, and events and is one of the hippest spots in town. Though you may have explored some of the area within close proximity to OSU, it may be nice to go a little north or south of campus to enjoy the more mature sections of the neighborhood.
12. Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art is an art museum located in the Park Street District just off of I-670. The museum is home to a variety of art collections, as well as a library, a cafe, and a gift shop. It opened in the late 1800s as thee Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts but eventually morphed into its modern day form in 1931, when the current building for the museum was constructed.
13. World’s largest Gavel
The World’s largest Gavel is located right in front of the Ohio State Supreme Court. An interesting sight to see, but not much more beyond that.
14. Field of Corn in Dublin
This is a weird one. But if you make the trek up to Dublin, you will be greeted by a field of statues of corn. Definitely a bucket list item if you enjoy eclectic architecture.
15. Topiary Park
Topiary Park is a park located right next to the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The park is home to a variety of topiary sculptures (plants grown to resemble geometric shapes or figures), as well as a playground, a picnic area, and a walking trail.
16. Thurber House
The Thurber House is a historic house located in the Jefferson Avenue Historic District. The house is home to a museum, a library and a variety of events. Its namesake – James Thurber – was a famous cartoonist during the first half of the 20th century.
Remember, these are just a few, not all, of the many landmarks in Columbus that Ohio State students should see before graduating. So, get out there and explore all that this city has to offer!