Maybe you just moved here. Maybe you’re in a rut going to the same places over and over again. Maybe you want to learn more about this amazing city we call home. Or maybe you’re just looking for a fun weekend adventure. Whichever reason you have, participating in one of these amazing {guided} tours is going to be a lot of fun and I guarantee you’ll learn few new things about Columbus along the way.

 CityWalks Columbus Guided Tours

What: CityWalks Columbus Guided Tours begin at the  corner of Broad & High Streets, Columbus’ most historic intersection. These walking tours cover the architecture and history of the area with fun and interesting stories shared by expert tour guides.

Our entertaining tour guides are expets in history and architecture and look forward to walking with you! Tour route is approximately 1.5 miles. Tour is outside and focuses on building exteriors, but we may pop in to one or two sites along the way. Key tour features may include Huntington Bank Building, Wyandotte Building, LeVeque Tower, Palace Theatre, City Hall,  Ohio Judicial Center, Riffe Center for Government & the Arts, Lazarus Building, Fifth Third Building, Ohio Theatre, Ohio Statehouse, Bricker & Eckler, Columbus Dispatch, Trinity Episcopal Church, Rhodes Tower, Pearl Alley, the Hayden Buildings, and 8 on the Square.

When: Tours are held on Saturdays from June through October at 10 a.m. and once monthly at 7:30 p.m. Tours begin on time – arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in. Tours are approximately 90 minutes long.

Where: Tours begin at Broad & High Streets at the Stephen Canneto Sculpture “Intersect” near 1 S. High

Cost: $15 Adults / $10 Members, Seniors, Children

Parking: Parking is available at metered spaces on Broad Street adjacent to the starting point or in the Statehouse Parking Garage and other area garages and lots. There is also a COGO Bike Share next to the starting point and the free COTA C-Bus stops nearby.

Check Facebook/Website for event dates.

Columbus Food Adventures

What: Columbus food tours satisfy the food lover. From their walking tour of the Short North Arts District, featuring artisan producers and the finest local cuisine to exploring the city’s colorful taco trucks, they offer something for everyone!

Bethia Woolf and Andy Dehus began Columbus Food Adventures, Columbus Ohio’s food tour company, with the belief that the quality and diversity of the Central Ohio food scene is a story worth sharing.  They have devoted untold hours through their many food websites to exploring and evaluating Columbus restaurants, from well-known gourmet eateries such as The Refectory or Pistacia Vera, to the city’s many lesser known hidden culinary treasures including its many taco trucks and mom & pop immigrant eateries.

Check out the different tours they offer here. 

When:

Short North – Saturdays year round. Fridays May-December
Old Worthington -Saturdays May-October
German Village – Saturdays & Sundays mid-March-November
Grandview Avenue – Saturdays year round
Taco Truck – April-October
Alt Eats – Fridays year round
Dessert – Two Saturdays a month February-December
Meat Lover’s – monthly
Coffee Tour – monthly
Breakfast – One/ Two Saturdays a month.
Brunch – One/ Two Sundays a month

Where: Location is based on the tour you choose.

Cost: Price varies based on the tour you choose. Included in your ticket prices is a guided tour, information sheet and enough tastings to replace a meal for most people. Purchase tickets here.

Segway Tours

What: Enjoy the thrill of riding on a Segway i2 while you discover the charm and history of Columbus. During this 2 hour tour you will explore miles of peaceful parkland along the Scioto River, the thriving Short North arts district, the vibrant Arena District and historic downtown. As you glide, your tour guide will entertain you with fascinating and humorous stories about Ohio’s Capital city.

When: Tours offered most days at 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm through December. Check here for availability.

Where:They are located in the “South Café & Marketplace” of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. 400 North High Street. Columbus, OH 43215

Cost: $59.00 per rider

Time: Approximately 2 hours

Parking: Metered parking surrounding the Convention Center (Free on Sundays) or in the parking garage.

Columbus Ghost Tour 

What: They offer three different types of tours: Booze & Boos Bus Tour, Creepy Columbus and Spirts Strolls. Check them out here.

Hear tales of ghosts, ghouls, murder and horror from Columbus’ 200 plus year history on a night out unlike any other! Whether you’re entertaining clients, looking for an unique date night, celebrating a life event or just really into spooky stuff, like we are, we offer several options as well as special events throughout the year to satisfy your dark side. The tours are led by paranormal historians with a passion for storytelling and sharing tales from Central Ohio’s grim past. 

When: Depends on the tour you choose.

Where: Because of their decades of experience within the Columbus hospitality industry, they’re often able to offer guests a view behind the scenes at many of the locations you visit.  Though they like to keep any given night’s itinerary a mystery, many of their stops are historic and iconic Columbus institutions. The starting venue is emailed a week in advance.

Time: Depends on the tour you choose.

Cost: Tours range from $20 – $35. Purchase tickets here.

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Columbus Brew Adventure

What: Columbus brew tours satisfy beer & spirits lovers.

Our tours take you on adventures all over Central Ohio. On our craft brewery tours we go behind the scenes to learn from owners and brewers. Our Craft and Draft Tour which features tastes from producers of some the finest craft beers, cider, meads and spirits.  We offer something for everyone even a tour pairing Ohio Craft Beers with Columbus style pizza and a tour about the history of the Brewery District.Our guides are here to educate and inform you with exclusive access to sites and samples you can’t find anywhere else.  Let us be your introduction to the best of craft beer or if you are already a fan, let’s get you past the taproom and into the brewery to learn the story of your favorite beer. We love the craft community in Columbus and want to show it off to you in a way no one else can.  We have guided over 700 tours since 2013 so go with the craft beer pros.

Check out the different tours here.

When: It depends on the tour.

Where: It depends on the tour.

Cost: $55 – $60

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Urban Adventure Quest

What: This is a self-guided scavenger hunt. My sister purchased this for my husband and I for Christmas one year and we had a blast doing it!

Your amazing scavenger hunt adventure in Columbus will begin at one of the city’s historic churches and take you through the expansive Capitol grounds and war memorials. Your Quest route will make its way to historic theaters, famous hotels and other locations with incrediible outdoor art to show you the hidden gems of this city. You will explore the scenic park grounds that follow the Scioto river discovering unique art as you have fun solving clues and completing challenges in Columbus!  

Where

When: On your own time via smart phone.

Cost: $49, purchase here

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Now get out there and be a tourist in your own city!