About Columbus

Columbus is the capital and largest city of Ohio and is the 15th largest city in the United States with a population of approximately 900,000 residents. Columbus is consistently ranked as one of the 50 best cities to live in the United States and is increasingly becoming a go to destination for millennials and start-up companies. The city has embraced its unique arts and culture scene and has added a new wing to its renown Museum of Art as well as its nationally acclaimed distilleries and coffee shops.

Things to do in Columbus

Columbus has an array of activities and neighborhoods for those looking for nightlife, relaxation, or the arts. The city is divided into six neighborhoods and each one has its distinct flavor.

Downtown/Franklinton is experiencing a decade’s long resurgence by locals and visitors and hotels/businesses are following suit. In this neighborhood you’ll find the incredible Columbus Museum of Art with its new wing, the Columbus College of Art and Design, its countless free art galleries, the Ohio Statehouse (historic Ohio Supreme Court), the Kelton House, and the beautiful Scioto Mile which is Columbus’ premier riverfront park system featuring interactive fountains and cultural arts centers. The neighborhood also has great establishments to eat and drink including One Line, Café Brioso, The Roosevelt Coffeehouse, Mileston 229, and Moonlight Market.

Short North is just north of Downtown is an artsy neighborhood known for its bicycle friendly streets. Its Arts District is famous across the city and is filled with numerous art galleries, theaters, shops, hotels, and restaurants. Other galleries include Hammond Harkins Gallery, Brandt-Roberts Galleries, and the Pizzuti Collection. Some of the popular restaurants in the neighborhood include Hubbard Guile, Nida’s Thai Condado Tacos, and The Guild House.

German Village/Brewery District is perhaps Columbus’ most lively neighborhood. Originally built by German settlers in the mid-1800s, the neighborhood is characterized by its restored brick houses and shops. The neighborhood is home to the Scioto Audubon Center which is a 120 acre respite with a stellar view of Columbus’ skyline. Brewery District is the alcohol and live entertainment capital of Columbus and is very walkable. Top restaurants of the neighborhood include Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Pistacia Vera, Barcelona, Skillet, and The Kitchen.

The Arena District is a vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, condos, and offices. The neighborhood is home to the very popular and family friendly Huntington Park (home of the Columbus Clippers.)

Campus is the home of Ohio State University so visitors will want to visit Ohio Stadium to witness the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes as well as Schottenstein Center, the home of the university’s hockey and basketball teams. Easton Town Center is the premier retail center in Ohio. The center includes a plethora of shops including Nordstrom’s, LL Bean, Tiffany’s, and Crate & Barrel.

Day Trips from Columbus

There are various day trip options from Columbus including Yellow Springs and Cleveland. Located about 50 minutes west of the city, Yellow Springs is a small liberal arts college town that is home to Antioch College. This small town has a lively downtown area and a beautiful Glen Helen Nature Preserve. Located about two hours from Columbus, Cleveland is a lively city located in the north of Ohio. The top things to do in Cleveland include The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accommodations in Columbus

Like any major city, Columbus has an array of accommodation options including hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. Each of the six neighborhoods have an array of hotel options, especially the Short North and German Village neighborhoods.

Transportation around Columbus

Getting around Columbus is very easy and it is not necessary for visitors to rent a personal vehicle. A good website to visit before moving around Columbus is www.GetAroundCbus.com. The city has a great bike share program with CoGo which is a bike network that spans over 300 bicycles and there are over 30 stations located throughout the city. In addition, visitors can opt for Central Ohio Transit Authority’s extensive bus system. In addition, CBUS is a free downtown Columbus bus that runs every 10-15 minutes from the Short North Arts District to the Brewery District.

Vacation Rentals in Columbus

Looking for a vacation rental in Columbus? Tripping.com has 812 vacation rental homes available in Columbus. You'll find 0 studios, 611 1-bedroom, 99 2-bedroom and 102 rentals with 3 or more bedrooms ranging from €27 a night. For extra convenience, many of these vacation homes can be booked directly online.

The average price of a nightly rental in Columbus is €107 while the average price of a weekly rental is €25. For those looking for more than a short term rental such as corporate rentals, extended stays or long term rentals, the average monthly price of a Columbus home is €25.

Wondering if you can bring your dog or cat along with you? There are 241 pet-friendly vacation rentals available in Columbus. In addition to accommodating pets, Columbus rentals offer a variety of amenities. In particular, 581 rentals have Internet and WiFi, 452 have TV and/or cable and 271 have a pool or hot tub.

Search properties from 7 vacation rental sites in Columbus where the top providers in that area are HRS Holidays, Booking.com, and HomeAway. There are 289 HRS Holidays rentals, 160 Booking.com short term rentals and 112 HomeAway vacation rentals.