The 10 Best Tours in Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, is a city where history, culture, and innovation meet. It offers something for everyone, whether you’re into history, food, adventure, or more. Here are the top 10 tours in Columbus that guarantee exciting and memorable experiences in this vibrant city.

The Escape Game Columbus: Epic 60-Minute Adventures

Step into a world where puzzles challenge your mind and clues guide your next step at The Escape Game Columbus. In this immersive adventure, you’re not just playing a game; you’re living a story. Each themed room invites you to lose yourself in a narrative filled with mystery and excitement, demanding creativity and cooperation to find your way out.

The clock ticking in the background adds a thrilling pressure that makes every discovery more rewarding. Ideal for bonding with family, friends, or coworkers, The Escape Game Columbus turns a simple outing into an unforgettable quest. It’s an engaging experience where each puzzle solved is a shared triumph, and every escape is a story to remember.

• Tour Fee: $41 per adult
• Schedule: Various slots available; 1–2 hours duration
• Inclusions: All game equipment, immersive experience

Columbus Food Adventures

Begin a delightful exploration of Columbus’ culinary landscape with Columbus Food Adventures. This tour isn’t just about eating; it’s a trip into the heart of the city’s food culture, showcasing a range of flavors from around the globe found right in Columbus. From street food to gourmet delights, each stop is a doorway to a new world of taste.

This culinary adventure serves up not just food but stories of the people and places behind the dishes. As you bite into a variety of cuisines, you’re tasting the essence of Columbus itself—diverse, vibrant, and endlessly delicious. Columbus Food Adventures is a feast for the senses that celebrates the city’s rich flavors.

• Tour Fee: Varies by tour
• Schedule: Various slots available; 2–4 hours duration
• Inclusions: Food tastings at multiple locations, guide

SegAway Tours of Columbus

Imagine cruising through the vibrant streets of Columbus, the wind in your hair as you effortlessly glide past historical landmarks and lush green parks. SegAway Tours of Columbus offers this unique experience, combining the fun of riding a Segway with the enriching experience of a guided city tour. It’s an innovative way to discover Columbus, covering more ground without missing the intimate details.

As you navigate with ease, you’ll gain insights into the architectural wonders and historical narratives that define the city. This tour is perfect for adventurers who seek a blend of excitement and education, offering a fresh perspective on sightseeing. With SegAway Tours of Columbus, every turn reveals a discovery, making it an unforgettable journey through the heart of Ohio.

• Tour Fee: Starts at $59 per person
• Schedule: Daily; 2 hours duration
• Inclusions: Segway rental, helmet, guided tour

Columbus City Adventures

Start a journey with Columbus City Adventures. This tour takes you through the winding streets and historic alleys of Columbus, where each building tells a story, and every neighborhood has its character. From the grandeur of its iconic landmarks to the hidden gems known only to locals, you’re invited to see Columbus from an insider’s perspective.

With Columbus City Adventures, you’re not just observing; you’re connecting with the city’s heritage and contemporary pulse. The knowledgeable guides offer narratives that weave together the past and present, offering a comprehensive understanding of Columbus. It’s an exploration that enriches your knowledge and leaves you with a lasting appreciation for the city’s diverse culture and history.

• Tour Fee: Varies by tour
• Schedule: Check availability; 2–3 hours duration
• Inclusions: Expert guide, exclusive access to certain sites

Olentangy Indian Caverns

Step into the cool, echoing chambers of the Olentangy Indian Caverns, where history and geology intertwine beneath the earth’s surface. This tour is a journey back in time, exploring caverns carved by ancient waters and used by Native Americans as a refuge and sanctuary.

Beneath the bustle of modern Columbus lies this tranquil underground world, offering a stark contrast to the city above. The Olentangy Indian Caverns are not just a tour but an adventure into the heart of nature and history. It’s an opportunity to connect with the earth and reflect on the generations that have stood in the same spot, making it a profound and moving experience.

• Tour Fee: Check for rates
• Schedule: Seasonal; 1–2 hours duration
• Inclusions: Guided cave tour, access to petting zoo and mini-golf

German Village Haus und Garten Tour

Take a leisurely walk down memory lane in German Village, a neighborhood where every brick and beam speaks volumes of Columbus’s German ancestry. With its cobblestone streets and historic homes, this effortlessly transports visitors to a bygone era, making it a must-visit for anyone with an inclination for history and architecture.

Beyond its picturesque facades, German Village is a living testament to the enduring spirit of its community. Delve into the heart of its heritage during the Haus und Garten Tour, where private homes open their doors, revealing lush gardens and interiors that blend historical authenticity with contemporary living. It’s a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtains and witness the preservation of tradition and camaraderie in one of Columbus’s most beloved districts.

• Tour Fee: Varies by event
• Schedule: Annually, last Sunday of June; Full day
• Inclusions: Access to private gardens and homes, guided walking tour

Columbus Blue Jackets Ice Hockey Game at Nationwide Arena

Feel the adrenaline rush and the ice beneath your feet as you join the electrifying atmosphere of a Columbus Blue Jackets game at the Nationwide Arena. The roar of the crowd, the clash of sticks, and the thrill of the puck sliding into the goal turn each game into a heart-pounding spectacle.

For newcomers and avid fans alike, a Blue Jackets game is an immersive introduction to the spirit of Columbus sports. It’s where loyalty runs deep, and the energy of the arena binds everyone in a shared passion for the game. Witnessing the action up close, cheering alongside locals, you’re becoming a part of Columbus’s vibrant sports culture.

• Tour Fee: Starts at $21 per adult
• Schedule: During hockey season; 3 hours duration
• Inclusions: Game ticket

Short North Trolley Co.

The Short North Trolley Co. is an experience that marries the old-world charm of trolley travel with the vibrant pulse of the city’s art district. As you glide through the Short North, each turn reveals a canvas of urban creativity, from sprawling murals to avant-garde sculptures.

This tour is an art lover’s dream, offering not just a view but an insight into the thriving heart of Columbus’s artistic community. The Short North is alive with color, culture, and cuisine. This makes the trolley ride a captivating adventure through a neighborhood that beats to its unique rhythm, promising inspiration at every stop.

• Tour Fee: Check for rates
• Schedule: Various; 2–3 hours duration
• Inclusions: Trolley ride, guide

Trolley Pub Columbus

Imagine pedaling through the bustling streets of Columbus with your friends filled with laughter and cold drinks. The Trolley Pub Columbus turns this delightful scenario into reality, offering a mobile pub experience that brings together sightseeing and socializing in a novel way.

This pedal-powered pub crawl is an unforgettable way to explore the city, offering not just a tour, but a celebration on wheels. Ideal for birthdays, bachelor(ette) parties, or simply a unique night out, the Trolley Pub lets you see Columbus through a different lens, one that’s filled with joy, camaraderie, and a touch of whimsy.

• Tour Fee: $35 per adult
• Schedule: Check availability; 2 hours duration
• Inclusions: BYOB, electrically assisted trolley

The American Whistle Corporation

Step into the world of craftsmanship at The American Whistle Corporation, where the humble whistle is elevated to an art form. This one-of-a-kind tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous process of creating metal whistles, from molten metal to the final polished product.

Not only will you learn about the fascinating history and manufacturing of whistles, but you’ll also gain a newfound respect for the skill and precision involved in making these essential tools. It’s a tour that appeals to curious minds of all ages. It provides a unique blend of education and entertainment, and of course, the chance to take home the perfect Columbus souvenir—a whistle made right before your eyes.

• Tour Fee: Check for rates
• Schedule: Monday–Friday; 1 hour duration
• Inclusions: Guided factory tour, whistle

Columbus is a city that truly has it all — history, culture, nature, sports, and art. These top 10 tours offer diverse and enriching ways to explore the city, each promising its own set of memorable moments and discoveries.

Whether you’re pedaling through downtown, savoring local flavors, or cheering at a hockey game, Columbus invites you to dive in and experience the wealth of adventures it has to offer.