Visiting Columbus and Central Ohio

In no time at all, winter turns to spring in central Ohio, the vibrant city of Columbus fills with activity for visitors. Dubbed Discovery City for a reason, Columbus grants visitors access to adventurous attractions like the Columbus Museum of Art and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. During your time in town, be sure to stop by the Franklin Park Conservatory for a look at Orchids! Vibrant Victoriana – a toasty escape from Ohio's winter chill until April brings spring days. Spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one under Chihuly glass artwork at the Franklin Park Conservatory, and spend a warm and comfortable night at a Best Western hotel in Columbus, Grove City, or Pickerington.

Speaking of Grove City, this little town is home to many historic sites, beautiful parks, and the nearby attractions of Columbus, like Capitol Square. During your early spring in central Ohio, check out the Arnold Sports Festival happening in early March throughout the Columbus metropolitan area. Make your way to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Ohio State University, and Nationwide Arena for a glimpse of athletic competitions, including 12 Olympic events. Browse through nearly 700 vendors at the Arnold Fitness EXPO – featuring the latest in exercise equipment and apparel. Stick to your 2012 resolutions at the Arnold Sports Festival, and rest easy at the Best Western hotel in Grove City.

Less than two hours northwest of Columbus is the city of Wapakoneta – hometown to famed astronaut Neil Armstrong. Your first stop in Wapakoneta: the Ohio Historical Society’s Armstrong Air & Space Museum. Closed on Mondays until April, the museum features exhibits on the Space Race and Neil Armstrong, and even houses the Gemini VIII spacecraft and an actual Apollo 11 moon rock. Don’t miss the short documentary shown in the Astro Theater, or let the kids have a crack at one of seven interactive exhibits in the museum. The Best Western hotel in Wapakoneta puts you within walking distance of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum; so enjoy a brisk stroll to yet another fascinating attraction in central Ohio.

Just an hour east of Columbus, the city of Zanesville features even more museums, historic sites, and unforgettable attractions. Take a trip across the famous Y Bridge, stroll through the 18 galleries of the Zanesville Museum of Art, or let the kids loose at the Dresden Junction Toy Train Museum. Bundle up and hit the historic streets of downtown Zanesville – a throwback district of central Ohio taking visitors to the early 1800s when downtown was first being established. Shop through boutiques, sit down to lunch at a quaint café, or grab a free Discover Downtown Zanesville map and enjoy a self-guided walking tour. Although you can’t walk all the way back to the Best Western hotel in Zanesville, its a great place to rest-up for another adventurous day in central Ohio.

Columbus and Central Ohio Hotel Map