Acting as the capital of Ohio State, Columbus is a cheerful town blessed with gorgeous scenery and plenty of natural and historic attractions making it one of the most visited places in the United States. What makes this city even more appealing to tourists from all over the world is its wonderful mix of trendy fashion, art, thrilling sports, and vibrant nightlife. With huge shopping malls and lively trade centers, it also functions as a major trade center. Vacationers, honeymooners, and adventure-seekers come here to explore this beautiful land, staying in themed hotels or Airbnb vacation rentals. To enjoy an exciting exploration, check out, below, our list of the best weekend trips from Columbus, Ohio.
1. Indianapolis, IN
Situated roughly about 175.6 miles (282.6 km) east of the city of Columbus, Indianapolis, or sometimes referred to as Indy, is the capital of the state of Indiana. If you’re planning to travel east, this is a journey that may take you 2h 40 minutes or thereabouts, but for an adventure-seeker, it’s worth the trouble. To begin your adventure, you can take the kids to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and to Indianapolis Zoo thereafter. Enjoy a romantic stroll or a picnic at the beautiful White River State Park. Before the day is over, make sure to take a tour of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2. Pittsburgh, PA
Perched at the confluence of three rivers, Pittsburg is a beautiful, attractive city in the western part of Pennsylvania State, some 184.9 miles (297.57 km) to the west of Columbus city in Ohio. Traveling by car, this is a journey that is bound to consume about three hours before you arrive at your destination. You will find hiking enthusiasts and water activities lovers having fun at Point State Park. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a popular destination for love birds. Explore inspired works of art at the Andy Warhol Museum. Pittsburg Zoo and PPG Aquarium are some places you shouldn’t miss.
3. Dayton
Sitting in Montgomery County in the western part of the state of Ohio, Dayton is a charming city that acts as the home to the National Museum of the US Air Force and a plethora of mind-blowing and blood-twisting attractions. It’s also situated about 72.6 miles (116.84 km) from the city of Columbus, meaning it will take you about 1h 9min to complete that journey. If you’re looking to get a better insight into the history of the US, take a tour of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Carillon Historical Park. For art-lovers, the Dayton Art Institute is the place to be.
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4. Detroit, MI
Found on the United States-Canada border, in the state of Michigan in the Midwest, Detroit is a sublime city tucked away about 202.7 miles (326.21 km) north of Columbus city in Ohio State. That translates to about 3h 13 minutes by car. This is one of the major tourist destinations in the state and it’s also an active trade hub in the Midwest. Admire beautiful art designs from all over the world at Detroit Institute of Arts. Explore American history at the Henry Ford Museum and enjoy some romantic moments at Belle Isle. Treat your taste glands to sumptuous meals at Comerica Park.
5. Tecumseh, MI
Perfectly sitting at the junction between M-50 and the River Raisin, Tecumseh is an attractive and vibrant city in Lenawee County in Michigan State, approximately 179.7 miles (289.2 km) north of the beautiful capital of Ohio, Columbus city. This sightseeing trip may take you about 2h 53 minutes to make it safely to your destination. Enjoy a brief tour of the Tecumseh Area Museum before you step back in time at Samuel W Temple House. You can stop for a picnic at Cal Zom Recreation Center where the kids can enjoy some thrilling fun. Don’t forget to visit Pentamere Winery to taste the best local wine.
6. Hocking Hills State Park
Nestled in a romantic environment in the Hocking Hills region in Ohio State is a splendid, lush green park that acts as a hiker’s and thrill-seeker’s paradise – Hocking Hills State Park. Lying about 57.4 miles (92.38 km) southeast of Columbus City, this hidden gem features a whole heap of attractions waiting to be explored by you. For someone looking for some blood-twisting fun, this journey of about 1h and 2 minutes isn’t a big deal. The Old Man’s Cave Parking and Buckeye Trail are nice places to hike. Go for a picnic and nature-bonding at Cedar Falls or the mystical Ash Cave.
7. Buffalo, NY
Located about 326 miles (524.65 km) northeast of Columbus City in the state of Ohio, Buffalo is an elegant, gorgeous city bustling with beautiful culture, a romantic atmosphere, and a variety of exciting local cuisines. It’s a long trip that will take close to 5 hours, but the satisfaction you reap from this adventure is worthwhile. Being the second-largest city in the state of New York, the city boasts a wide range of eye-catching attractions. Spend some time at the Canalside waterfront relaxing. Discover some exotic wildlife at the Buffalo Zoo. Visit the Buffalo Naval and Military Park to view some military engines.
8. Cleveland
Apart from being the county seat of Cuyahoga County in the state of Ohio, Cleveland is also the second-largest city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire state. From pristine parks and zoos to enchanting art museums, the city has a lot to offer both adventure-seekers and nature-lovers. Start your adventure exploring beautiful works of art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Take the kids to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to marvel at the animal exhibits. You can enjoy a hike or picnic at Cleveland Metroparks Administration Offices. Enjoy some vibrant music at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
9. Louisville, KY
Sprawling on the Ohio River along the Indiana border is the splendid, spell-binding city of Louisville, which is famous for baseball. From Columbus City, it will take you about 3h and 5 minutes to cover that journey of 205.9 miles (331.36 km) in order to get to Kentucky’s largest city. Horse riders and baseball lovers trickle down here to have fun and experience thrilling moments. Find out about the iconic baseball bat at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Horse lovers can have fun at Churchill Downs while you can thrill kids at the Kentucky Kingdom. Louisville Mega Cavern is a bikers paradise.
10. Cincinnati
Renowned for its mind-bending and eye-popping 19th-century architecture, Cincinnati is a captivating city sitting on the beautiful Ohio River. Vacationers, thrill-seekers, and nature lovers from Columbus take almost 1h 36 minutes to cover that distance of about 106.6 miles (171.56 km). The city serves as a melting pot for different sumptuous cuisines, exciting cultures, history, science, and art, making it a popular tourist destination. Have a taste of the beautiful nature at both Krohn Conservatory and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Learn about aquatic life at the Newport Aquarium. Finally, explore different art collections from around the globe at Cincinnati Art Museum.
Explore the city of Columbus and beyond
Whether you’re looking to explore different cultural practices, art, fashion, and design or you’re just looking to try out different cuisines, being in Columbus city gives you the opportunity for that and much more. Be sure to check out the top theme parks and halal restaurants while in the city. To discover different hidden gems and mind-blowing attractions in the city and its surroundings, the above weekend trips will do the trick.
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