Not too long ago we posted an article that shared beautiful drone video footage of Columbus. You folks seemed to really love it! So, if you'd like to ooh and aah at incredible aerial shots of our wonderful city some more, here are 16 gorgeous aerial photos. You will recognize certain landmarks, and notice how interesting it is to look at them from a bird's eye view. You will see downtown and the much-loved Leveque Tower, the gentle curve of the Scioto River around central Columbus and it's multiple bridges, and the Ohio State campus with "The Shoe" standing proudly in its center.
If you would like to see the video showing aerial drone footage of Columbus, you can check it out here.
1. To start off, some beautiful aerial shots of downtown, the river front, and the skyscrapers.
If you're tired of visiting the same places all of the time and need a break from the routine, you won't want to miss these Columbus, Ohio hidden gems. Between shops, museums, and unique music venues, there is bound to be something in Columbus that you didn't know about. Check out the best hidden gems in Columbus, Ohio.
If you're a book nerd - this will blow you away. The Book Loft is a city block-long independent bookstore, one of the largest in the nation. It occupies historic buildings, which used to be a general store, a saloon, and a nickelodeon cinema. The Book Loft has a whopping 32 rooms of books. Whether you're looking to purchase or just meander, visit this place and experience its unique old-fashioned German Village vibe. Come along and explore The Book Loft:
How exactly does one describe Bossy Grrls? Words that come to mind are burlesque, exotic, and rowdy. This place is a true wild gem. They offer burlesque shows every Monday at 10:00 pm, and on other nights they feature dancers, musicians, and comedians. Beers, whisky, coffee, and sandwiches are also available. What isn’t there to love?
On the corner of East Town Street and Washington Avenue in the middle of downtown Columbus sits the Topiary Garden, an incredible and very unique park. The park recreates Georges Seurat’s famous impressionist painting, "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." The pond represents the river Seine, and the topiary consists of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat. It is the only topiary interpretation of a painting in existence. Walk among the figures for the unique sensation of living inside a painting. This can be a fun way to introduce kids to art.
How cool is this: a museum of cartoons and comics? The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is the world's largest collection of all things that are cartoon or comic-related. This includes original artwork, magazines, newspaper clippings, and so much more. The museum is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Ohio State University. The museum's galleries are open to the public and admission is free.
Columbus has tons of fantastic live music establishments, but this one deserves a special mention. If you don't know about this place, chances are you would never even notice it. No worries, though, The Rambling House has lots of regulars who love coming out to this laid-back spot to enjoy some bluegrass jams. The establishment also makes its own soda. The best way to sample the soda is in their very own house cocktail, The Rambler.
The bison is an iconic American animal; did you know you could see free-roaming bison here in Columbus? Battelle Darby Creek, located just west of the city, has reintroduced Bison to the park where they roam in two enclosed pastures. Get a closer look at the bison in this lovely park:
Why walk when you can ride around town in style on a Pedal Wagon? Their motto says it all: "Pedal and Party!" You will need to book this tour in advance, and there are multiple routes that will take you to a selection of restaurants and bars around central Columbus. You are allowed to bring your own beers for the ride, but make sure you check out the policy first.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame aims to preserve America's rich history of motorcycles and the culture associated with it. The museum is open to the public and celebrates the inductees of the Hall of Fame, toys and collectibles, and the Indian Motorcycle brand, the oldest U.S. brand of motorcycles.
If you're interested in technology or history, or you just want to reminisce about early childhood memories with a very old-fashioned TV, this is a great place to visit. Dedicated to the preservation of early television technology, the Early Television Museum has a unique collection of very old machines. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
How many of these have you never heard of? Let us know about your favorite hidden gems in Columbus, Ohio in the comments. While you're in our lovely city, check out the most iconic places in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus is a beautiful city with the perfect mix of historic and modern styles, city and nature scenes, and busy and relaxing moods. The city has a special spot for every kind of adventure. Built around two rivers – the Scioto on the west and the Olentangy in the middle – Columbus offers breathtaking water scenes both downtown and in the many parks scattered throughout the city. Let’s explore a few of the top views in Columbus!
Perhaps the most iconic modern view of Columbus is that of the Main Street Bridge. The massive, yet delicate arch invites visitors to explore the city in its background. Opened in 2010, the Main Street Bridge became the first in North America and the fifth in the world to use an inclined single-rib-tied arch superstructure. The bridge has two lanes for vehicles, and a third wide lane for pedestrians. Walk a few minutes from Bicentennial Park down the Lower Scioto Greenway path to get the best view of the bridge and downtown Columbus.
Genoa Park is named after Columbus’ Italian sister city, Genoa, the birthplace of the city’s namesake Christopher Columbus. The park provides stunning views of the downtown skyline and frequently holds concerts and festivals. In the evening, people gather here to enjoy the view and the dynamic LED lighting feature of the steps. Genoa Park is home to two of the three "humanized" deer sculptures created by acclaimed artist Terry Allen (the third is located on the Rich Street Bridge, just north of the park). Both locals and visitors love to take selfies with the deer and the stunning backdrop.
Across from Genoa Park, on the opposite side of the Scioto River, lies the Scioto Mile Promenade. The Promenade is a beautiful place for an evening walk. Enjoy the city lights and river views as you sit in one of the shaded swings built into the stone colonnade. This is a wonderful activity for all ages!
The Olentangy River flows into the Scioto just north of downtown Columbus. At their confluence stands the Boat House Restaurant with a view that diners can’t get enough of. The Boat House is commonly rented for weddings and other receptions. If you’re not planning to eat at the restaurant, you can also enjoy the view from one of the bike paths that follow the banks of the rivers.
Probably the most popular neighborhood for locals and visitors alike is the Short North Arts District. This mile-long stretch of High Street features hundreds of shops, including galleries, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. One of the most recognizable parts of the Short North is its 17 steel arches, which pay homage to the wooden arches first built in 1888, when Columbus became known as "Arch City." Head to the Short North on any evening, and enjoy the view of the district embraced by the arches as you pop in and out of shops.
Just west of the Short North stretch sits the beautiful historic neighborhood known as Victorian Village. Victorian Village is a highly desirable area for homeowners and renters, and many homes are nationally registered historical landmarks. It is rated as the seventh most walkable neighborhood in Columbus, so take a stroll along Neil Avenue and enjoy the incredible Victorian homes. And don’t worry – the owners of these gorgeous houses put a lot of effort into maintaining them, so they will only be happy to see someone admiring their work!
On the corner of East Town Street and Washington Avenue in downtown Columbus sits the Topiary Garden, an incredible and very unique park. The grounds recreate Georges Seurat’s famous impressionist painting, "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." The pond represents the river Seine, and the topiaries consists of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat. It is the only topiary interpretation of a painting in existence. Walk among the figures for the unique sensation of living inside a masterpiece. This can be a fun way to introduce kids to art!
A historic, beautifully preserved, walkable neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus, German Village provides residents and visitors with a "life among the bricks." In the 19th century, the area was settled by German immigrants, who at one time comprised as much as a third of the city’s entire population! German Village is one of the world’s premier historic restorations. Famous for its brick homes, cobblestone roads, and places like The Book Loft and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, German Village provides beautiful views at every turn.
One of the biggest universities in the country, The Ohio State University has some breathtaking views of its own. For a 360° panoramic view of Columbus, head to the Reading Room on the 11th floor of the Thompson Library. Each window provides a beautiful view of different parts of the city, including the university’s famous "oval" and downtown Columbus. You don’t need to be a student to visit the library, so for the best experience, pick up a book at one of the lower levels of the library and enjoy it with the view of your choice!
In you’re ready to break away from the city center, head north to the quaint neighborhood of Clintonville, situated along the Olentangy River and High Street. Here you will find the famous Whetstone Park of Roses. Part of a larger park, this 13-acre plot showcases 11,000 roses consisting of more than 350 different species. Pack a picnic and take the time to smell the roses for an unforgettable experience.
Quite a few impressive views, aren’t there? With a city built on the convergence of two rivers, and residents keen on preserving historic neighborhoods, it’s not hard to understand why Columbus is so beautiful!
What are your favorite views of the city? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to share your photos for a chance to see them featured on the Only In Columbus Facebook page or on Instagram (@onlyincolumbus).
