Columbus Ohio Self-Guided Driving Tour: Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems
Places: 20 POIs
Distance: 15.6 mi
Duration: 1h:06m
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Tour #2535
About this English self-guided 1h:06m driving tour in Columbus
Alright folks, welcome to Columbus, Ohio! We’re about to take a self-guided driving adventure through the heart of the Buckeye State’s capital city. Columbus is a place where history and innovation sit side by side — from its roots as a frontier town to its rise as a modern hub for education, technology, and culture.
On this tour, we’ll explore everything that makes Columbus special. You’ll see the stately Ohio Statehouse, wander through neighborhoods like the charming German Village and the artsy Short North, and cruise past the vibrant Scioto Mile with its riverside parks and fountains. We’ll also swing by the Ohio State University campus — home of the Buckeyes — and stop at cultural gems like the Franklin Park Conservatory.
Columbus is full of surprises, and along the way you’ll get a taste of its history, its people, and its one-of-a-kind character. Best of all, you set the pace: stop when you like, linger where it feels right, and let this city reveal itself to you.
So buckle up, get ready to roll, and let’s dive into Columbus — a city that’s proud of where it’s been, and even more excited about where it’s going.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Park (Recommended selfie spot).
520 E Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Topiary Park
On your left, welcome to one of Columbus’s most whimsical treasures — Topiary Park. At first glance, it may look like just another peaceful green space, but take a closer look and you’ll realize you’re walking right into a painting brought to life.
This seven-acre park is famous for its topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Dozens of carefully sculpted yew bushes recreate the painting’s figures — men, women, children, even pets — all frozen in leafy green form. You’ll see boats on the water, a man with a top hat, and of course the iconic lady holding her parasol. It’s the only park of its kind in the world, where you can literally step into a three-dimensional version of a world-famous artwork.
Topiary Park is built on the historic grounds of the old Deaf School, and it’s more than just a photo stop. Stroll the paths, enjoy the gardens, or relax by the reflecting pond and watch the figures take shape in the water’s reflection — just like in Seurat’s original painting.
It’s playful, it’s artistic, and it’s uniquely Columbus — a place where creativity quite literally grows out of the ground.
This seven-acre park is famous for its topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Dozens of carefully sculpted yew bushes recreate the painting’s figures — men, women, children, even pets — all frozen in leafy green form. You’ll see boats on the water, a man with a top hat, and of course the iconic lady holding her parasol. It’s the only park of its kind in the world, where you can literally step into a three-dimensional version of a world-famous artwork.
Topiary Park is built on the historic grounds of the old Deaf School, and it’s more than just a photo stop. Stroll the paths, enjoy the gardens, or relax by the reflecting pond and watch the figures take shape in the water’s reflection — just like in Seurat’s original painting.
It’s playful, it’s artistic, and it’s uniquely Columbus — a place where creativity quite literally grows out of the ground.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.87mi
, Attraction : Historic Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
34 US-62, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Ohio Statehouse
Up ahead on your right, you’ll see the Ohio Statehouse, the seat of government for the Buckeye State and one of the most impressive buildings in downtown Columbus. Construction began way back in 1839, and it took more than 20 years to finish — partly because of funding issues, partly because the project was just that ambitious.
Unlike many state capitols with towering domes, the Ohio Statehouse features a distinctive Greek Revival design with a broad, low rotunda and stately columns that make it look more like a classical temple. Inside, it’s filled with history — from Civil War-era artifacts to grand legislative chambers where laws are still debated and passed today.
The grounds themselves are like an open-air museum. Scattered across the park are monuments honoring Abraham Lincoln, Civil War generals, and veterans from conflicts throughout American history. One of the most striking is the Ohio Veterans Plaza, where granite walls etched with letters from soldiers bring the stories of service and sacrifice to life.
Whether you admire it from the outside or step in for a tour, the Statehouse is more than just a government building — it’s a symbol of Ohio’s history, resilience, and pride. And right here in the middle of Columbus, it anchors the city both literally and figuratively.
Unlike many state capitols with towering domes, the Ohio Statehouse features a distinctive Greek Revival design with a broad, low rotunda and stately columns that make it look more like a classical temple. Inside, it’s filled with history — from Civil War-era artifacts to grand legislative chambers where laws are still debated and passed today.
The grounds themselves are like an open-air museum. Scattered across the park are monuments honoring Abraham Lincoln, Civil War generals, and veterans from conflicts throughout American history. One of the most striking is the Ohio Veterans Plaza, where granite walls etched with letters from soldiers bring the stories of service and sacrifice to life.
Whether you admire it from the outside or step in for a tour, the Statehouse is more than just a government building — it’s a symbol of Ohio’s history, resilience, and pride. And right here in the middle of Columbus, it anchors the city both literally and figuratively.
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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Topiary Park
Place 2
Ohio Statehouse
Place 3
Columbus Commons
Place 4
German Village
Place 5
The Book Loft
Place 6
Jaeger Street
Place 7
Schiller Park
Place 8
Scioto Mile
Place 9
COSI
Place 10
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Place 11
Nationwide Arena
Place 12
North Market Downtown
Place 13
Goodale Park
Place 14
Short North Archways
Place 15
The Oval (OSU) and the Wexner Center for the Arts
Place 16
Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe)
Place 17
Franklin Park
Place 18
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 20 stops, covering top attractions such as Topiary Park, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Commons, German Village, The Book Loft.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Topiary Park (Address: 520 E Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!