Make a Fall Family Getaway to Columbus

At the time of this writing, we’re not sure what the future holds for back-to-school plans, but it’s almost a guarantee that this fall will be far from normal. If kids are still having school from home, even part time, it’s going to be more important than ever for families to get out of the house on weekends. 

Located less than two hours from anywhere in Ohio with plenty of fun activities for the whole family, Columbus is the perfect destination! 

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 
As seen on National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo,” the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 650 species from around the globe. Their signature fall event is the “merry-not-scary” Boo at the Zoo that promises fun for the whole family. The Zoo’s various regions get dressed up for the spooky-kooky Halloween event of heroic proportions. Taking place the weekends of Oct. 16-18, Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1, this tradition might look a bit different than in previous years, but families can still expect plenty of candy and superhero appearances to surprise and delight. Even better, there is no cost beyond regular admission fees.  

You will also have the opportunity to be among the first to experience the new Adventure Cove region that opened this summer. A state-of-the-art sea lion and seal habitat comes to life with a unique glass-encased underwater viewing tunnel as well as an amphitheater offering daily shows.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens   
The 90-acre Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is especially lovely in the fall, when their annual Harvest Blooms exhibit transforms the grounds into an otherworldly autumn landscape of hundreds of pumpkins, heirloom gourds, colorful mums and various foliage cascading throughout the gardens. This fall will be a special time to visit the Conservatory because in addition to the beautiful Harvest Blooms, the Paul Busse Garden Railway exhibit is on display through Jan. 6, 2021. Featuring 1,122 feet of miniature train tracks that weave through gardens, over visitors’ heads and alongside waterfalls as they travel from one whimsical scene to the next, this exhibit is unlike any others ever created as it features a giant enchanted tree inspired by California redwoods, inside of which guests can explore and discover a magical scene hidden within. The experience is accompanied by fantastical villages and thematically designed horticultural landscaping that help bring fairytale magic to life. 

National Veterans Memorial and Museum 
Columbus’ National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) is the only place in the country that honors all veterans, from all eras of conflict and branches of service, under one roof. Fall is an especially good time to visit as there is always ample Veterans Day programming. Plus, NVMM will be celebrating its two-year anniversary this October! 

To accompany its permanent exhibitions, this September NVMM will debut a new special exhibit: “We The People: Portraits of Veterans in America.” On display through January 2021, We The People will feature portraits from Mary White, a watercolor artist from Cleveland.  

Columbus has so much to offer, and its important to know that you can explore Ohio’s capital and feel safe doing so thanks to the Live Forward Pledge. Look for the orange window decal on more than 100 storefronts during your next visit for a quick and easy indicator of which businesses have made the health and safety of their patrons a priority upon reopening amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

You don’t have to travel far to feel far away, so consider Columbus, named one of Travel Channel’s top U.S. cities to visit in 2020, for a quick getaway this fall. Book these attractions and more with our curated experiences at experiencecolumbus.com/fun or visit experiencecolumbus.com for plenty of additional ideas for fun fall activities.