Columbus Staycation Ideas for Families

Katie G. said:  As one of the oldest railroad museums in the United States, the Ohio Railway Museum educates visitors on how important train cars were to people and businesses in the past and how trains worked. Train-loving kids will enjoy riding in a real train car and visiting the exhibits of historic railroad equipment and artifacts from locomotives, streetcars and interurbans.

Open May - December

Kelly R. said:  In addition to tours of the impressive underground historical caverns, your family outing to Olentangy Indian Caverns can also include a petting zoo, mini golf, and gem mining. Interact with friendly animals in a 50,000 square foot area. Kids can get up close to deer, pygmy goats, mini Zebu pigs and more.

Katie G. said:  Introduce the kids to the fun game of duckpin bowling at Pins Mechanical Co. This fun, fast-paced game is a variation of traditional bowling, but uses shorter lanes, smaller balls and pins that are attached to strings. Once you've finished bowling, enjoy the other activities including foosball, ping pong, shuffle board, giant jenga and pinball. Although food is not served at Pins, there are rotating food trucks outside to enjoy or guests are welcome to bring in their own food. Open to all ages before 8pm.

Contact for pricing

Hannah Scott said:  Families who visit the Columbus Commons during open play hours can take advantage of art supplies, bocce ball, an outdoor reading room, and a unique electronic playground -- all completely FREE! With all that money saved, take a spin on the carousel for just $1 per ride. The Columbus Commons is also home to frequent events like concerts, movie nights, and Family Fundays. Check out the Event Calendar to see what's happening during your visit.

On-site garage parking is available, so you can spend less time circling the block and more time enjoying the Commons!

Katie G. said:  ZipZone Outdoor Adventures offers excitement among the treetops of Camp Mary Orton. The canopy tours offer the most thrill with 5 zip lines and 4 sky bridges on this two-hour guided tour. The Aerial Park offers 5 trails varying in difficulty for you to climb and explore in a two-hour session. For younger, adventurous kids there is a Kids Park which offers tightropes, rope climbs and moving platforms.

Ages: 7+ ( Canopy Tour and Aerial Park), 4-7 (Kids Park)

Cost: $66-$71/person (Canopy Tour), $38-$46/person (Aerial Park), $18/person (Kids Park)

March -November, weather permitting

Katie G. said:  Have popcorn lovers in the family? You won't want to miss out on a popcorn tour at Al's Delicious Popcorn. During the tour you will watch a short, entertaining and informative video showing how gourmet popcorn is made at Al's. Then you will be able to sample some of the delicious and unique flavors available at Al's, including Cookies N Cream, Pizza, Bubblegum, Jelly Bean and more. There will be a question and answer session and a chance to purchase a yummy sample to take home at the end.

Ages: all ages

Cost: Free (appointments must be made online)

Tours are given January 15th through September 15th

Hannah Scott said:  Some of my fondest childhood memories are of tent camping with my family, and that immersion in nature (even just for a night) is something I'm committed to passing on to my own kids as well! Alum Creek State Park is a great place for a one-on-one camping trip with on of your children. It features modern amenities like restrooms, showers, and electricity hookups -- but it also has miles of hiking trails, fishing, and wildlife, making this a great introduction for a first-time camper.

Cost: call for pricing

Katie G. said:  Named for the shale rock found in the park’s stream bed and cliff walls, Shale Hollow brings a little bit of Hocking Hills feel to central Ohio. Kids love looking for the unique round rock formations called “concretions" and searching for salamanders in the creek. The park has two kid-friendly hikes, a natural play area, plus a rare off-trail exploration area (creek wading!) -- all easily accessible via State Route 23 in Lewis Center.

Hannah Scott said:  Designed with kids in mind, this hands-on museum features interactive exhibits on all sorts of science and technology subjects: dinosaurs, space, the ocean, energy, farming, big machines, digital media, and so much more! There's even a special area for the youngest kids to safely run around and explore. Throw in the live shows and demonstrations, and your family will be talking about COSI for years to come.

Katie G. said:  The Columbus Clippers are the AAA affiliate for the Cleveland Indians. Games are played at the beautiful Huntington Park in downtown Columbus. There are a variety of inflatables for the kids to play on, delicious and healthy kids meal options and lots of entertainment from mascots Krash and Lou Seal.

Brittany Kozielski said:  Dave & Busters is a "fun for all ages" arcade and restaurant. Perfect place to play games, watch games and visit with friends and family. Load a card with money, swipe on the arcade games and have fun playing. Everything is tracked on your card, no more long chains of tickets spewing out of the machines. Interested in a birthday party or group outing? They have plenty of options available.

Yoli B said:  Magic Mountain Polaris in Columbus is the place for family entertainment! One of the main attractions is the 2 challenging 18 hole putt putt courses. The courses are beautifully landscaped with hills, waterfalls and many obstacles. You can spend the entire day playing a few rounds of mini golf, racing go-karts, and blasting friends during laser tag. The center also has bumper boats, and a video arcade center and many more surprises!

Hannah Scott said:  What's the best way to make a child feel like they've won the lottery? Take them to a candy store, of course! I'm not recommending you do this all the time, but a visit to Rocket Fizz has to happen at least once. Parents will appreciate all of the throwback offerings from their childhood, and kids will get a big kick out of all the wacky soda flavors -- peanut butter and jelly, buttered popcorn, bacon, etc. Take your time exploring the store and pick out a few treats to savor together.

Cost: free to browse; prices vary per item

Kelly R. said:  The Blueberry Patch grows over 27 varieties of blueberries with different ripening times in order to offer the longest season possible. Buckets are provided, and the berries are weighed and sold by the pound. You can also buy pre-picked berries by the pint or the bucket. Extend your visit with a trip to their gift shop, greenhouse, cafe, and winery.

Blueberry & raspberry picking

Katie G. said:  Take a tour of the state capital building at the Ohio Statehouse. During the tour, you will learn all about Ohio's history and the important people from Ohio. Plus see the beautiful structure and design of the Statehouse. Tour guests will be able to see the House and Senate Chambers (when not in session), which are only accessible by tour. Tour guides are knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions.

Ages: all ages

Cost: Free

Tours are Mon - Fri between 9am - 3pm and Sat & Sun at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm