Overview
Greater Columbus is the metropolitan area centered on the city of Columbus, in the center of Ohio. Its population was about 2.1 million in 2017, of which almost 900,000 lived in Columbus. Visitors are drawn by its museums, state and local parks, hiking trails and festivals.
5 sights · 1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Greater Columbus
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
COSI
Franklin Park Conservatory
Ohio Craft Museum
Hocking Valley Canoe Livery
Logan - Off U.S. 33 Rockbridge. Canoeing, kayaking, rafting, mini-golf, Go-Kart rental, cottage rental.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus — 11 mi away. Directions
The easiest way into rural areas is by car. I 71 and I 70 intersect in Franklin County. SR-23 runs north and south through Delaware County and through Delaware.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Dublin — Early Television Museum, Field of Corn, Dublin Link.
- Day 2: Mount Vernon — Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Knox County Courthouse, The Cougars.
- Day 3: Delaware — Olentangy Indian Caverns, Ohio Wesleyan University, Sulphur Spring.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Photos
Places in Greater Columbus
Dublin
City / town · 52 listings
Mount Vernon
City / town · 32 listings
Delaware
City / town · 23 listings
Gambier
City / town · 21 listings
Lancaster
City / town · 14 listings
Marysville
City / town · 14 listings
Newark
City / town · 13 listings
Powell
City / town · 13 listings
Worthington
City / town · 13 listings
Granville
City / town · 12 listings
Heath
City / town · 11 listings
Columbus
City / town · 10 listings
Fredericktown
City / town · 10 listings
London
City / town · 9 listings
Canal Winchester
City / town · 8 listings
Sunbury
City / town · 8 listings
Reynoldsburg
City / town · 7 listings
Hebron
City / town · 6 listings
Understand
Columbus has spawned tremendous investment in Franklin County and north into Delaware County At times they all appear to be one area, but they have different government entities providing different services.
Fairfield County is in Southeast Ohio. The county seat is Lancaster. It is at the edge of the Hocking Hills, one of the most scenic, natural areas in Ohio. There are more authentic covered bridges (18) in Fairfield County than any other Ohio county. At one time there were over 40 glass companies manufacturing beautiful art glass that is still appreciated and exhibited in the many museums and art galleries. Years ago there were many canals dissecting the counties terrain, which supported Ohio's early economy.
Regions
It consists of the following counties, Franklin County, Delaware County, Madison County, Union County, Knox County, Licking County, Fairfield County.
Cities
- Columbus
- Mount Vernon
- Gambier, a tiny town home to Kenyon College
- Granville
- Heath
- Hebron
- Newark
- Reynoldsburg
- London
- Canal Winchester
- Dublin
- Worthington
- Lancaster
- Pickerington
- Delaware
- Powell
- Sunbury
- Marysville
- Fredericktown
Other destinations
- Battelle Darby Creek, Southwestern Franklin County. 6,600 acre park along the Big and Little Darby creeks. Cross-country skiing, Hiking trails, Pet trail, Picnicking, Canoeing, Fishing, Hunting, Ice-skating, Nature programs.
- Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Open daily, no admission charge, Wild Places and Open Spaces, one of Central Ohio’s largest landowners with fifteen parks, conveniently located throughout the area. Miles of trails through beautiful prairies, forests or wetlands. 2,200 species of plants and animals.
- Buckeye Lake
- Hocking Hills
- Alum Creek State Park, Delaware County, 3615 S. Old State Road, Delaware, 289 family campsites acres of water, 289 campsites, volleyball courts, beach, basketball, horseshoe courts, and playground equipment. Four acre dog park with water access, forty miles of horse/hiking trails along the lakeshore, primitive camping for horsepeople, two mountain bike trails, 3,387 acre lake with unlimited horsepower, hunting, fishing, picnic areas, tables, grills, restrooms, 3,000-foot beach, changing area and concession stand.
- Delaware State Park, Delaware County, 5202 U.S. 23 North, Delaware, PH:740-369-2761. 211 electric sites suitable for tents or trailers. Flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station. Boat launch, beach, fishing. About 20 miles North of Columbus of SR 23.
Get in
By car
The easiest way into rural areas is by car. I 71 and I 70 intersect in Franklin County. SR-23 runs north and south through Delaware County and through Delaware.
By plane
Get around
By bus
By bicycle
By e-scooter
See
- Cross Mound, one mile south of the Village of Tarlton on 16th road. 17 acre park with Native American cross-shaped mound. Each arm is in equal length and are aligned north, south, east, west. There are also several conacal mounds, a stone mound, picnic area and shelter. Hard to find.
- Lockville Park, One mile west of Carroll and two miles south of U.S. Rte. 33 on Pickeriton Road. Six acre park along the original Ohio & Erie Canal with three sets of intact stone locks built in 1832 and was in use until 1913.
- Museum at Buckeye Lake, Hebron (Ohio)
- Ohio Glass Museum Lancaster (Ohio)
- Olentangy Indian Caverns in Delaware. One hundred five feet deep, excellent exhibits of Indian artifacts.
Museums
See Columbus Museum of Art
See The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
See COSI
See Franklin Park Conservatory
See Ohio Craft Museum
- Ohio Statehouse, downtown intersection of Broad/High St.
Do
Go next
Nearby
Pickerington
City / town · 11 listings · 14 mi away
Circleville
City / town · 22 listings · 25 mi away
Urbana
City / town · 12 listings · 41 mi away
Mount Gilead
City / town · 14 listings · 42 mi away
Springfield
City / town · 12 listings · 43 mi away
Chillicothe
City / town · 43 listings · 43 mi away
Marion
City / town · 31 listings · 44 mi away
Hocking Hills State Park
Park · 19 listings · 44 mi away
My experience
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