Sprawled across a big city block in the center of Downtown Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse is a shining beacon of history and culture. Explore the state's bygone glory within its hallowed halls by marveling at the well-furnished rooms. A jewel of the Capitol Square, this statehouse bears stunning semblances of Greek Revival style, its columnar facade giving way to opulent interiors, including an impressive rotunda. Said to be one of the oldest functioning statehouses in the country, the Ohio Statehouse is particularly known for sheltering a treasure trove of artworks including paintings and sculptures depicting the glory of those who have, in one way or another, helped shape the course of the state. The focal point of the state's legislative stride, the Ohio Statehouse is a stunning reminder of the state's political nuances and its long-standing social and cultural history. Doubling as a museum, the statehouse also harbors exhibits, artifacts specially-tailored tours, giving visitors stunning insights into the heritage it carries in its fabric.
These caverns were cut away from the surrounding limestone rock over the course of millions of years and, up to the early 19th Century, served as a strategic location for the Wyandotte Indians in evading their enemies. Besides touring these caverns, there are many other fun activities available at the site. Miniature golf, volleyball, and horseshoes are a few of the games one can play here. The site also hosts a climbing wall, an Indian goods store, and a petting zoo. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the opportunity to learn about gem mining and take home a bag of various unpolished semi-precious stones.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is that rare zoological institution whose most famous face is that of a human. Jungle Jack Hanna has ferried many a wild beast up to the most hallowed stages in late-night television. That said, the Columbus Zoo is where he's most at home, surrounded by lions, bison, tigers, elephants, eagles, bears, rhinos, prairie dogs, bobcats, sharks, bonobos, pythons, clownfish, koalas, cougars, frogs, pronghorn, timber wolves, manatees, wolverines and more.
Spread across 60 acres (24.28 hectares), Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens can be found on the Agricultural Campus of The Ohio State University. Its 17 beautiful gardens are full of hostas, roses, wildflowers, perennials, tropical plants, shrubs and trees. The wide range of flora includes non-native and native species. It is also an environment educational base for those interested in horticulture. Enjoy the Labyrinth walk inspired by the renowned Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth or check out the green roof at Howlett Hall.
The mission of Thurber House is to "celebrate the written word for the education and entertainment of the broadest possible audience and to continue Thurber's legacy of humor." The gentleman this mission refers to is James Thurber, the humorist and cartoonist famous for his genre-transcending witticisms. Thurber House, located in the college-age home of the writer, is both a non-profit center promoting literacy and a museum of the writer's life and materials. The first two floors of the home are open for daily tours and, in the spirit of truly knowing the Thurber legacy, guests are encouraged to touch many items in the home.
Historic Kelton House is an actual physical relic of a bygone era, restored to its original grandeur and open to all. The Kelton Family were Columbus society at its finest, and as such, they amassed an immaculate collection of period furniture and other items and cataloged via scrapbook and diary the details of daily life in the 1800s.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is that rare zoological institution whose most famous face is that of a human. Jungle Jack Hanna has ferried many a wild beast up to the most hallowed stages in late-night television. That said, the Columbus Zoo is where he's most at home, surrounded by lions, bison, tigers, elephants, eagles, bears, rhinos, prairie dogs, bobcats, sharks, bonobos, pythons, clownfish, koalas, cougars, frogs, pronghorn, timber wolves, manatees, wolverines and more.
Come and visit the Highbanks Metropolitan Park Mounds I and II and view the outstanding examples of the beach maple, wood forests, oaks, hikes, parks, trails, an an overview of the native American history. Along with the natural beauties, the park feature burial grounds and observational trails. The place is serene and tranquil and features activities like fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and also nature programs.
Spread across 60 acres (24.28 hectares), Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens can be found on the Agricultural Campus of The Ohio State University. Its 17 beautiful gardens are full of hostas, roses, wildflowers, perennials, tropical plants, shrubs and trees. The wide range of flora includes non-native and native species. It is also an environment educational base for those interested in horticulture. Enjoy the Labyrinth walk inspired by the renowned Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth or check out the green roof at Howlett Hall.
Orange Johnson House Museum is a historical landmark, located in Worthington, a city that reflects the rich culture and heritage of New England. Now a museum, this historic building has beautiful vintage architecture baring red bricks and white framed windows adorning the structure. Built in the early 19th Century, the property was bought by a hornsmith, Orange Johnson in 1816. The house had six rooms with the period architecture of low ceilings and steep staircases. Visit the property which is now a museum exhibiting the vintage furniture, costumes and some artifacts belonging to old native families in Worthington.
The historic neighborhood of German Village in Columbus was almost on the verge of decline but to the efforts of a group of like-minded individuals headed by Frank Fetch, who set-out on the task of preserving the heritage. This led to the creation of German Village Society on January 10, 1960, a not-for-profit civic organization. The efforts of this group of volunteers led to preservation of most of the building, private and public spaces, as well as it being inducted into the United States Government's National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The German Village Society, today, is supported by donations and almost a thousand preservationists aiming to further strengthen the neighborhood. The Society also conducts Haus und Garten Tour, a tour that would take you through some of the 1,600 restored structures in the past fifty years. Visit their website to know more about their preservation work and more information.
Sprawled across a big city block in the center of Downtown Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse is a shining beacon of history and culture. Explore the state's bygone glory within its hallowed halls by marveling at the well-furnished rooms. A jewel of the Capitol Square, this statehouse bears stunning semblances of Greek Revival style, its columnar facade giving way to opulent interiors, including an impressive rotunda. Said to be one of the oldest functioning statehouses in the country, the Ohio Statehouse is particularly known for sheltering a treasure trove of artworks including paintings and sculptures depicting the glory of those who have, in one way or another, helped shape the course of the state. The focal point of the state's legislative stride, the Ohio Statehouse is a stunning reminder of the state's political nuances and its long-standing social and cultural history. Doubling as a museum, the statehouse also harbors exhibits, artifacts specially-tailored tours, giving visitors stunning insights into the heritage it carries in its fabric.