26 Ways to Explore Columbus This Spring and Summer

Our capital city is packed with destinations for all tastes, ages and interests. From the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and COSI along the riverfront to the imagination-capturing Columbus Museum of Art, the city is filled with world-class attractions. Foodies will love the wealth of restaurants and bakeries found in the city and surrounding suburbs, ranging from casual fare like Bears Bagels in Hilliard to the Italian flavors of Flour at Polaris Market Place. Finally, competition abounds as spring takes hold with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Clippers and Columbus Fury (the state’s only professional women’s sports team). 

Museums

Located along the scenic Scioto Mile walking path, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum tells an engaging story of the U.S. military without being branch, era or conflict specific, instead focusing on the human stories behind service to our nation. 

“What’s different about us is that we are really talking about service members themselves,” interim museum director Marie Zahn says. “It is about their time in the service but also about what it means to be a veteran.”

The emphasis on personal connection is apparent throughout the museum’s displays and interactive exhibits, which follow the journey of service members from the time they are inspired to join the military to life after returning home. Zahn’s favorite item in the collection is an ice cream container from 1944, in which an Army Air Forces navigator from Cleveland enclosed a letter. 

“[He] put the address on this ice cream container, and while he was flying overhead, … he launched it out of the airplane and it somehow made it to his family,” she explains. 

Until May 11, visitors can also see “Syd Solomon: Concealed and Revealed,” which showcases the art of Solomon, an abstract artist whose bold paintings are influenced by his time as an Army camouflage artist during World War II. The museum is also planning to hold its annual Vietnam War Veterans Day Welcome Home Ceremony on March 29.

Down the street, COSI hosts “Sharks,” an exhibit presented in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History from April 12 to Sept. 1. Explore the evolution of sharks through life-size models (including a massive Megalodon) and even “transform” into a hammerhead shark to learn how they hunt in this expansive exhibit. Star Wars fans will want to make sure they stop by the center this spring for “Unofficial Galaxies” (opening May 10), an immersive exhibit that includes a showcase of props and costumes from one of the largest fan collections of Star Wars memorabilia in the world.

The Columbus Museum of Art opens two new exhibitions this spring, both of which premiere March 7. The first, titled “Wild Earth: JB Blunk and Toshiko Takaezu,” is organized by Daniel Marcus, the museum’s curator of collections and exhibitions. It explores the parallels between two 20th-century artists whose work blurs the line between craft and fine art.

Blunk, known for his woodworking, and Takaezu, who is well known as a ceramicist, both created pieces that pushed boundaries and communicated an awareness of the natural environment. 

The second exhibition, “Louise Nevelson: Dawn to Dusk,” spans Nevelson’s career from early paintings and jewelry to the sculpture work for which she is most known. The exhibition features several pieces from the museum’s permanent collection and explores the artist’s connection to Columbus.

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Foodie Finds

Charis and Lo Yost began selling Bears Bagels (above left) through farmers markets and cafes in 2022. The success of their bagels — which are hand rolled, rested for 24 hours, then boiled and baked — prompted the couple to open a permanent location in 2024. Now, they operate a scratch kitchen out of Hilliard with an extensive menu of sandwiches, flavored cream cheeses and bialys. Charis recommends the Por Que No El Puerco, a Southwest-inspired breakfast sandwich, but compares choosing a favorite dish to choosing a favorite child. 

“My wife and I cultivated this menu over five, six months last year,” he says. “So we’re proud of every single offering.” 

Charis and Lo also donate all credit-card tips to local nonprofits, serving up breakfast with a side of community spirit. 

“We feel eternally grateful that not only do we have the platform to be able to live out Lo and I’s dream,” Charis says, “but we also have the opportunity to really make a difference and an impact in our local community.”

New to Columbus is Flour (above right), a pasta bar at Polaris Fashion Place where diners choose from a selection of fresh breads, salads and pastas on a fixed-price menu. Owner, general manager and executive chef Yash Kishinchand channels his love of pasta into seasonal menus of handmade dishes that combine flavors from diverse cuisines with familiar Midwest favorites, such as the Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese. The passion for pasta continues at the bar, where you can order a Pasta Water Martini.

Can’t commit to one cuisine? Head to East Market in Olde Town East’s Historic Trolley District for a diverse array of locally owned food stalls. Among the 14 stalls, many can find a favorite at Just Chicken, while the hungriest visitors can enjoy the massive deli sandwiches at Buck City Sammies. The market is also home to Saba Middle Eastern Grill, the city’s only kosher fast-food restaurant. 

After ordering, make your way to the seating area on the second floor, which also hosts events such as Switch Social, a unique food-and-cocktail pairing experience.

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s no better way to explore the capital of the Buckeye State than the Columbus Buckeye Treat Trail, which features 17 stops showcasing the iconic peanut-butter-and-chocolate treat. Don’t miss the hand-rolled buckeyes and fudge at Schmidt’s Fudge Haus in German Village or The Buckeye Lady’s stuffed buckeyes in Clintonville. Download the free trail pass to earn prizes as you go.

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Sporting Events

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Columbus’ Arena District. While there are set to be several events to highlight the anniversary of this vibrant downtown Columbus neighborhood, you can celebrate all season long by showing your support for one of the four professional sports teams that call this pocket of the capital city home. The newest addition to the roster is the Columbus Fury, an inaugural member of the Pro Volleyball Federation and Ohio’s only professional women’s sports team. 

Before last season, playing volleyball professionally meant athletes had to move abroad, and that’s just what Megan Lush, a Dayton native and Fury team captain who played overseas for eight years, did before joining the Columbus team. 

“[It was] a full-circle moment for me, experiencing volleyball in the state that I grew up in,” she says. 

The Fury play their home matches at Nationwide Arena, where fans can expect exciting theme nights throughout the spring. The team also encourages families, and especially young girls, to attend matches. 

“To be able to provide another avenue, another sport, in which young girls can thrive and feel love and support in is super important,” Lush says. “Having a daughter makes me want to show her that this [is] possible.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets are also playing at Nationwide Arena (with one NHL Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1), where fans can expect a variety of promotions during home games this season. Learn about the Science of Hockey with COSI (March 20) as the team faces the Florida Panthers, jam with the Columbus School of Rock Band during Kids Takeover (March 28) against the Vancouver Canucks and collect a free team poster during the final regular-season game against the New York Islanders (April 17).

Just down the street at Lower.com Field, score a ticket to see the Columbus Crew fight for another spot in the MLS Cup playoffs this year. Keep an eye on the team’s website for information about giveaways and theme nights throughout the spring and summer.

Finally, make your way to Huntington Park to catch the Cleveland Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, play against the St. Paul Saints on opening day (April 1). The evening is sure to be nothing short of a home run with the return of Tansky Dime-a-Dog Night, where attendees can purchase classic ballpark hot dogs for just 10 cents.  

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SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendar for these concerts, events and shows happening throughout our capital city this season.  

Blooms & Butterflies | Through July 6
Immerse yourself in an enchanting world of butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens during this exhibition that features hundreds of the vibrantly colored creatures. Watch as they land on tropical, nectar flowers in the Pacific Island Water Garden, and visit the Metamorphosis Lab to see new butterflies emerge every day. fpconservatory.org

A Chorus Line | March 20–April 19 
See this dazzling show on the Short North Stage. The musical tells the story of life as a Broadway performer through songs like “What I Did For Love” and “I Can Do That.” In addition to standard performances there are also audio-described and American Sign Language performances on select days. shortnorthstage.org/acl

Mary J. Blige | April 2
Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Mary J. Blige makes a tour stop at Nationwide Arena to perform hits from throughout her career, which includes eight multiplatinum albums. The night begins with opening acts Ne-Yo and Mario before Blige takes the stage with her unique blend of hip-hop and soul. nationwidearena.com

Monster Jam | April 4–6
Start your engines and head to the Schottenstein Center on the Ohio State University campus for Monster Jam. This three-day event features pit parties (separate ticket required) with the drivers and an up-close look at the competing trucks with names like Grave Digger, Earth Shaker and Jurassic Attack. monsterjam.com

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert | April 11–12
See the stunning finale to the Harry Potter series in a new way at the Ohio Theatre. Watch the adventures of Harry and his friends unfold on a screen above the stage as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra plays the accompanying score by Alexandre Desplat in real time. capa.com

Earth Day Celebration | April 26–27 
Though the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrates Earth Day every day, enjoy a special slate of events that celebrate our world and wildlife. Throughout the weekend, hear from local, environmentally focused organizations at conservation activity stations, dance around at Party for the Planet, enjoy Keeper Talks and much more. columbuszoo.org

Sleeping Beauty | May 2–4
See this classic fairy tale come to life through dance during BalletMet’s production of “Sleeping Beauty.” Attend one of the five shows to watch Princess Aurora fall under a spell from the wicked Maleficent only to be saved by true love’s kiss. This ballet features stunning dance, gorgeous costuming and beautiful music. balletmet.org

Ohioana Book Festival | May 3 
Calling all bookworms: This annual festival celebrates Ohio authors and literature. Hosted at the State Library of Ohio, the event invites festivalgoers to tour the Ohioana Library collection, hear from Ohio authors and illustrators, grab a bite from the on-site food trucks and enjoy family-friendly activities. ohioana.org

Columbus Asian Festival | May 24–25
Celebrate heritage and tradition over two days in downtown Columbus during the 30th annual Columbus Asian Festival. Enjoy events, live shows, food and vendors. Leading up to the festival, catch the Table Tennis Tournament at the Columbus Table Tennis Club (May 10) and the Dragon Boat Race on the Scioto River (May 18). asian-festival.org

Columbus Taco Fest | May 24–25
You can never have too many options when it comes to tacos. You’ll find what you’re looking for during this two-day festival at Columbus’ Goodale Park. Sample tacos from throughout the city while enjoying drinks, live music and fun activities during this free annual event. columbustacofest.com

The Memorial Tournament | May 26–June 1 
Venture north of Columbus to Dublin to see pro golfers play at this Ohio stop along the PGA Tour. Founded by Jack Nicklaus, the tournament is hosted each year at the Muirfield Village Golf Club and benefits several local charities and organizations such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital. thememorialtournament.com

Columbus Arts Festival | June 6–8 
Since 1962, the Columbus Arts Festival has been connecting art lovers with both local artists and those from other parts of the country who work in a variety of mediums. Now a three-day festival held along the downtown riverfront, the annual event draws visitors to shop for art and enjoy a variety of live performances. columbusartsfestival.org

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival & Resource Fair | June 13–14 
Be part of the city’s annual Pride celebration hosted by Stonewall Columbus. This festival at Goodale Park features vendors, community resources and two performance stages hosting entertainment. On Saturday, take part in the Stonewall Columbus Pride March. stonewallcolumbus.org/pride

Buckeye Country Superfest | June 21
One of the biggest days of Country Music in Columbus is back at Ohio Stadium for the 2025 Buckeye Country Superfest. This year’s headliners are “Need a Favor” singer Jelly Roll and Kane Brown. They are joined by rising country star Megan Moroney, as well as special guests Treaty Oak Revival, Dasha and Conner Smith. buckeyecountrysuperfest.com

Juneteenth Ohio Festival | June 21-22
Celebrate Juneteenth — commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. — during this free festival at Genoa Park that focuses on community. Enjoy soul food, concerts, a classic car show, flag-raising ceremony, a marketplace, college and career fair, gospel music performances and much more. juneteenthohio.com

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