Columbus has reopened following the COVID-19 crisis and is committed to doing so the right way to stop the spread of the virus. Many Columbus businesses have signed the Live Forward Pledge signaling an agreement to follow federal, state and local health and safety guidelines for proper reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic. Columbus is also the second destination in the country to coordinate a citywide effort in pursuit of the GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR Accreditation, the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.
When we get to the other side of the peak, “normal” may take on a new meaning. One thing is for sure though; we’ll all be looking for ways to ward off cabin fever and cure our stir-craziness come summer. Travelers looking for a respite in the coming months need look no further than Columbus.
One of Columbus’ most notable assets is its variety of major attractions. Get face-to-face with prehistoric giants at the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery at COSI or inspire your creativity at the Columbus Museum of Art. At Jungle Jack Hanna’s home zoo, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the new Adventure Cove exhibit is a state-of-the-art sea lion and seal habitat with a unique underwater viewing window and daily shows. Columbus is also the only place where you can visit a living tribute to all veterans, past and present, from all eras of conflict in a single facility at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
Downtown Columbus features a spectacular riverfront with a sprawling ribbon of parkland on the Scioto Mile. Snap a selfie with any of the three bronze deer statues or follow the bike path down to the Scioto Audubon Metro Park, home to the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country and among the best birding in the state. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers plenty of space to continue social distancing on its 90 acres of stunning green space. Visit for Harvest Blooms in the Fall or come to see the Paul Busse Garden Railway through January 2021, featuring model trail displays that weave through gardens, over visitors’ heads and alongside waterfalls as they travel from one whimsical scene to the next. For the little ones, the two-acre Scott’s Miracle-Gro Children’s Garden features 16 different interactive experiences celebrating the Ohio landscape and focuses on introducing and connecting children to the natural world.
When Food & Wine Magazine named Columbus one of the top destinations for foodies in 2019, it warned its readers: “Don’t sleep on this city. Good things are happening.” As we celebrate the re-opening of restaurants and ability to dine-in, there’s no better time to check out the diverse and distinguished dining scene of Columbus.
