Columbus is the stunning capital city of the state of Ohio in the US and is attracting more and more newcomers every year, and it's easy to see why, too. With the shimmering Scioto River and its tributaries filtering in through the city, the Arch City is an urban paradise and anyone moving to Columbus is sure to enjoy a wonderful lifestyle here. 

Ravines and creeks dot the landscape as skyscrapers jostle for space in the city centre. Just beyond the Downtown area, the 19th-century brick houses of the German District and the ornate historical homes in the Victorian district add a unique flavour to the city.

Living in Columbus as an expat

Columbus has a robust and diverse economy, with the tech industry being the largest contributor. There’s a thriving start-up culture, and innovation is the name of the game. There are also job opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, insurance, retail, and construction.

The city provides excellent healthcare services, and expats with an extensive health insurance policy will receive world-class medical treatment in Columbus. One downside of living in the city, though, is the limited public transport. With just a bus system and no form of rail transport, new arrivals will find it tough to get by without a car.

Cost of living in Columbus

The cost of living in Columbus is reasonable and well below the national average. New arrivals will soon find their dollars stretching further here than in many other American cities. Accommodation is well priced, offering value for money, and public schooling can be accessed free of charge. That said, the necessity of owning a car in Columbus is an extra expense that can absorb a fair chunk of one’s budget.

Families and children in Columbus 

Columbus has numerous exceptional schools. Expat parents who want their children to go to a public school should consider their neighbourhood, as this will determine which schools are available to them. Although there are no international schools, there are many fantastic private schools in the city, some of which offer the International Baccalaureate. 

Those needing a break from the rat race need not go far to find some serenity – the city’s various green spaces offer respite amid the bustle and provide a great place for playing sports, picnicking, and enjoying the sunshine. There are also plenty of attractions and events throughout the year for the whole family to enjoy. 

Climate in Columbus

Columbus has a typical continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Temperatures in the summer months hover around 86°F (30°C), while winter temperatures drop to 22°F (-5°C). Spring and autumn are mild and are generally the most pleasant times of the year in Columbus. 

Some overlook Columbus in favour of Cincinnati or Cleveland, but this thriving metropolis has something for everyone and is well worth exploring. The lifestyle, with plenty of options for nightlife, entertainment and dining out, is the cherry on top.

If you are sizing up a move, the weather in Columbus is textbook humid continental. It has cold winters, hot summers, and gentle springs and autumns. The city is a long way inland, so there’s no large lake or sea close enough to moderate the air, and the latitude is fairly far north, so the seasonal variation is wider than in much of the country. Most residents rate autumn the finest season of the year, when the air turns crisp and the summer humidity finally breaks.

Summer afternoons are warm and have highs of around 86°F (30°C). Humidity is the part that newcomers underestimate. Warm, wet air from the Gulf of Mexico makes Columbus summers feel heavier and stickier than the thermometer alone would suggest.

Winter is cold and grey. Daytime highs are rarely above 41°F (5°C), and nights are usually below freezing. Grey is the operative word here: Columbus is one of the cloudiest big cities in the United States, and in December, the sky is overcast roughly seven out of ten days. Snow falls every winter, although Columbus is spared the heaviest of it. The city is too far south and west of Lake Erie to catch much lake effect snow, and seasonal totals are around 22 to 28 inches (56 to 71cm), well short of snowier neighbours like Cleveland.

Columbus weather is a quick-change artist. A mild afternoon and a hard freeze can arrive within the same 24 hours, most often in spring, so seasoned residents dress in layers and keep half an eye on the forecast. Follow the local forecast and act on any watch or warning rather than waiting it out. From spring onwards, plenty of residents keep a weather app or a NOAA weather radio within reach.

The cost of living in Columbus is one of the city’s biggest drawcards, and new arrivals will be glad to know that they can get more bang for their buck here than in many other major US cities. Housing, healthcare, and transport all come in below the national average, and groceries and utilities are close to the US norm.

The biggest chunk of your salary will likely go toward accommodation and utilities, and you should budget for transport too, since a car is all but essential here. One cost newcomers often miss is local tax: on top of federal and Ohio state income tax, Columbus levies a city income tax of its own, currently around 2.5 percent of earnings, so your take-home pay is lighter than the headline salary.

Cost of accommodation in Columbus

People moving to Columbus find no shortage of good accommodation at prices well below the US average. The neighbourhood you choose matters, though: central favourites like the Short North and German Village are among the priciest, while in suburbs such as Hilliard, Westerville, Dublin, and Worthington, you get more space for your money.

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, and residents and employers continue to arrive, so housing demand is strong. Many buyers see the local market as a sound long-term hold, although prices can go up as well as down, as anywhere. Utilities are kinder to the wallet too: bills are close to the US average for most of the year. Winter is the exception, as you will pay more to keep your home warm through Ohio’s long, cold season.

Finding Accommodation in Columbus
Best Neighbourhoods in Columbus

Cost of transport in Columbus

Transport in Columbus is still built around the car: if you live outside the city centre, you will almost definitely need a vehicle to get around. A car will be one of the bigger lines in your budget once you add up the purchase price, insurance, upkeep, and fuel.

That said, the city’s transit system is in the middle of a major overhaul. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has expanded service past midnight on its busier lines and, through the LinkUS initiative, is developing the region’s first bus rapid transit corridors.

Getting Around in Columbus

Cost of groceries in Columbus

Grocery prices in Columbus are roughly in line with the national average. Savvy shoppers who compare prices across shops can stretch their budget further. Discount grocers and warehouse clubs are particularly popular with residents looking to trim their weekly spend. Notable among these are Save-A-Lot, Aldi, Meijer, Dollar General, and Walmart, which offer some of the most competitive prices in the city. Seasonal farmers’ markets are also popular and can offer savings on fresh produce.

Columbus is one of the more internationally minded food cities in the Midwest. It is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States, and to many other immigrant communities besides, so grocers like Saraga and a run of neighbourhood markets are easy to find and fairly priced.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Columbus

Entertainment and eating out in Columbus can cost as much or as little as you let it. You can find plenty to do for nothing: more than 20 metro parks and their hundreds of miles of trails, the riverside paths of the Scioto Mile downtown, free admission days at the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Short North gallery hop on the first Saturday of each month. At the other end, an evening at one of the city’s pricier restaurants or cocktail bars will cost you a fair bit more.

Lifestyle in Columbus

Cost of education in Columbus

Apart from minor expenses such as stationery and school lunches, public education in Columbus is free to US and legal international residents alike. As in most US cities, quality is uneven across the city: some schools are excellent, and others are weak.

Attendance is set by zoning, so you need to live in the right area to get a place at a strong public school. In general, the pricier areas tend to have better-rated schools. Even the costlier catchments in Columbus are relatively affordable, so a good school district is within reach for most budgets.

Private schools are another option, and because they are not tied to catchment areas, you have a free hand to live where you like. Fees and the obligatory extras are usually steep, so make sure you can cover them before you commit.

There is also a third route. Ohio runs one of the country’s larger charter school sectors, and these tuition-free public schools admit pupils from across district lines, so they are worth a look if you feel that your neighbourhood school falls short of the mark.

Education and Schools in Columbus

Cost of healthcare in Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus is high in quality and, helpfully, relatively low in price: care here costs nearly 20 percent below the national average, and the city has no shortage of qualified practitioners or well-equipped facilities. OhioHealth and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center both run large, nationally well-regarded hospital networks across the metro.

Costs can still add up quickly, which often surprises arrivals from countries with publicly funded systems such as the UK’s NHS. A comprehensive health insurance policy is the way to get the full benefit of that care, so build the premiums into your budget. If you work for a Columbus employer, that coverage usually comes through your job, as employer-sponsored insurance is the norm in the USA.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Columbus

Cost of living in Columbus chart

Prices are listed in US dollars (USD) and may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Columbus in June 2026.

Accommodation in Columbus is varied, and you’ll find options to suit just about every taste and budget. More and more people from elsewhere in the US and abroad have decided to put down roots in Ohio’s lively capital. Housing demand is higher as a result, but supply has kept pace.

Rental costs are still well below the US average, which is good news for newcomers. Most people rent before they buy; this gives you time to get to know the city’s neighbourhoods and suburbs before you commit to anything long term.

Neighbourhoods in Columbus

Neighbourhoods in Columbus range from busy urban districts downtown to quiet, leafy suburbs further out.

Downtown Columbus is the walkable centre of the city. Many residents here live within a short walk of their office, and restaurants, shops, theatres, and music venues are all close at hand. It suits people who would rather skip the daily commute.

Italian Village is one of Columbus’s older neighbourhoods, although newer flats and restaurants have gone up alongside the original housing. It draws plenty of young professionals. The neighbourhood is known for its quaint brick streets and a lively bar and restaurant scene. It takes its name from the Italian immigrants who settled here over a century ago.

For suburban quiet, look at Dublin or Bexley. Dublin is popular with families for its spacious homes, strong public schools, parks, and sports facilities. Bexley is a small, leafy suburb with a close-knit community. It is only a few minutes from downtown.

Best (and Worst) Neighbourhoods in Columbus

Types of accommodation in Columbus

The types of accommodation in Columbus suit everyone, from young singles to large families.

Standalone houses

The most common type of accommodation in Columbus is the standalone house. You’ll mostly find these in the suburbs. They are usually spacious and have front and back yards, which suit families.

Apartments

Apartments in Columbus are concentrated in and around the city centre, although you can find them across the metro area. Some are in purpose-built blocks; others are larger houses split into separate units.

Rowhouses and townhouses

Rowhouses in Columbus are multi-storey homes that share one or more walls with the houses on either side and form a line. These are common in Columbus’s historic neighbourhoods, such as Italian Village, German Village, Olde Towne East, and University District.

Some people use ‘townhouse’ and ‘rowhouse’ interchangeably. A townhouse is usually more spacious and may share a wall with just one neighbour. Agents and landlords use the label loosely in listings, so if you specifically want the extra room of a true townhouse, check the details: an ad for a ‘townhouse’ might really be for a rowhouse.

Residential complexes

A residential complex in Columbus usually has units of several types and sizes. Tenants often have access to on-site facilities such as pools, fitness centres, clubhouses, and shared work or media rooms.

Finding accommodation in Columbus

Most people searching for accommodation in Columbus start online. Browse one of the big property portals well before the move to get a feel for the options and price ranges. Never agree to rent a place without seeing it in person, or sending someone you trust to view it for you.

Social media is the other big channel. Local Facebook groups, some of them aimed at people new to the city, often list rooms and rentals before they reach the portals, and they’re a good place to ask current residents for advice.

You can also work with a real estate agent (locally, they’re usually called realtors). A good agent knows the Columbus market and the trade-offs between different areas. For rentals, the landlord typically pays the agent’s commission, so using one rarely costs the tenant anything; confirm this before you sign.

Some people moving to Columbus will have a relocation company working on their behalf. They’ll assess your preferences and shortlist properties for you to view, which takes a lot of the legwork out of the search.

Useful links

• Zillow
• Realtor.com
• Apartments.com
• Columbus REALTORS

Renting accommodation in Columbus

If you’re renting accommodation in Columbus, the process is much the same as elsewhere in the US. The steps below cover the essentials.

Making an application

Once you’ve found a place you like, the next step is the rental application. You’ll usually need to pass a credit check and show proof of income, so the landlord can see you can cover the rent. Expats with no rental or credit history in the US may be able to get around these requirements by having their employer act as a guarantor instead.

Leases

Most leases in Columbus are 12 months long. Some landlords will offer shorter or longer terms if you ask, so it’s worth raising this early.

Deposits and fees

Before you move in, the landlord will ask for a deposit, usually equal to one or two months’ rent. Some landlords also charge a non-refundable application or admin fee when you apply.

Pet policies

Most complexes and landlords in Columbus allow pets, but they often limit the size and number of pets you can have. Expect to pay a monthly ‘pet rent’ on top of your normal rent, plus a pet deposit and a non-refundable pet fee when you move in.

Terminating the lease

When the lease ends, the landlord can make reasonable deductions from your deposit for unpaid rent, cleaning costs, unpaid utilities, and any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Under Ohio law, the landlord must return the rest to you within 30 days.

Renting Accommodation in the USA

Utilities in Columbus

Utilities in Columbus are usually the tenant’s responsibility: water, electricity, gas, sewerage, and rubbish removal. Landlords often quote rent without utilities, so ask what’s included before you sign. Most providers let you pay online, by automatic bank draft, by mail, or in person.

Electricity

Although AEP Ohio owns the poles and wires and delivers the power, residents buying electricity in Columbus will need to choose an electricity company from Ohio’s deregulated market. You can compare certified suppliers such as AEP Energy, Constellation, IGS Energy, and Public Power, then pick a plan based on price, contract length, fixed or variable rates, and whether you want renewable energy.

The City of Columbus also runs a community aggregation programme that buys power in bulk for residents: you’re enrolled by default unless you opt out, and you can still choose your own supplier instead. You can compare offers side by side on the state’s Energy Choice Ohio (Apples to Apples) website.

Gas

Gas in Columbus is supplied by Columbia Gas of Ohio, the main provider, through a piped network. Most households here use gas for heating and hot water, so set up your account before you move in to avoid a cold first night.

Water

Water in Columbus is supplied by the City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities. The city draws it from the Griggs, O’Shaughnessy, and Hoover Reservoirs, adds groundwater from nearby wells, and tests it to ensure that it is compliant with federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards.

Bins and recycling

Bins and recycling in Columbus are handled by the city for residents of single-family homes and small buildings of up to four units. When you join the programme, the city gives you a blue roll-out cart that holds 64 gallons (242L). You can put out paper, cardboard, aluminium and steel cans, and plastic containers, all mixed together in the one cart.

The city now collects recycling weekly. Put your filled cart at the kerb on your collection day, and the city takes care of the sorting from there.

If your building isn’t eligible for kerbside service, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) runs dozens of free recycling drop-off sites across Franklin County. SWACO’s website has a map to find your nearest one.

Useful links

• Energy Choice Ohio: Apples to Apples Electricity Comparison
• AEP Ohio: Start or Transfer Service
• Columbia Gas of Ohio: Start Service
• City of Columbus: Trash, Recycling and Bulk Collection
• SWACO Recycling Drop-Off Program

The best places to live in Columbus

The areas and suburbs in Columbus are varied: quiet, tree-lined streets in some places, busy downtown blocks in others. Ohio’s capital is big and spread out, so where you settle shapes your daily life more than it might in a denser city.

A few things are worth weighing up first: how close you want to be to work and good schools, what your budget is, what kind of day-to-day lifestyle you want, and how car-dependent you are willing to be. Downtown and the inner neighbourhoods are genuinely walkable, but Columbus is the largest US city with no passenger rail, so for most of the metro, you will need a car.

To get your search going, start with the areas and suburbs below.

City living in Columbus

Downtown

Downtown is the heart of Columbus. Make it your home, and you will never be short of things to see and do, whether you fancy cocktails with a view or a night at one of the district’s many theatres.

In most of Columbus, you need a car, but Downtown is the exception. Every amenity you could need is within walking or cycling distance. If you work Downtown too, you get the rare luxury of skipping the weekday commute.

Italian Village

Italian Village is named after the Italian immigrants who settled here from the 1890s. Today, it is a revitalised neighbourhood rather than an ethnic enclave. The narrow brick streets and preserved old homes are still here, and the housing is mostly historic single-family homes, doubles, row houses, and a growing number of new build condos.

The bars and restaurants are a big draw, and the Fourth Street strip is a neighbourhood institution. Young professionals still make up most of the population, although empty-nesters and retirees are increasingly moving in. One thing to watch: residents report the odd car break-in, so park sensibly.

Short North

Short North is the arts district along High Street, between Downtown and the university, and it is the area locals most often steer newcomers towards. You can walk to galleries, restaurants, bars, and independent shops, and the monthly Gallery Hop has pulled crowds for decades. Young professionals snap up the lofts and flats here, so rents are at the higher end.

German Village

German Village is the historic brick-street neighbourhood just south of Downtown, and it is one of the largest privately funded historic districts in the country. You get 19th-century homes, cobbled streets, Schiller Park, and a strip of independent shops, all within walking distance. The neighbourhood is popular with everyone from young professionals to retirees, and a favourite among buyers who care about long-term property value.

Family-friendly areas in Columbus

Dublin

Dublin is a great choice for families with school-age children. The suburb is calm and well-kept, and Dublin City Schools are among the best in Ohio. Parents have more than 60 parks to choose from, plus over 100 miles (160km) of bike paths and sports pitches for football, cricket, baseball, and tennis.

Property in Dublin can be pricey, but houses and apartments are roomier here than in central Columbus. Crime is low; in fact, Dublin is safer than both the Ohio and national averages, and most residents reckon the perks are well worth the price.

Bexley

Bexley is a small town set inside the city, minutes east of Downtown. The sense of community is strong, and you will meet the neighbours soon enough at the parades, festivals, summer concerts, and holiday tree lighting held each year. The Drexel, an independent cinema on Main Street, has been a local fixture for decades.

Like Dublin, Bexley is known for its exceptional public schools. The district is small, so students tend to get more individual attention from teachers.

Clintonville

Clintonville is the family favourite for people who would rather stay close to the city than decamp to the suburbs. You get tree-lined streets, local shops, the Park of Roses, and easy access to the Olentangy Trail. Schools are well regarded, and you are only about 10 minutes from Downtown.

When you weigh up education and schools in Columbus, start with one fact: public schools are free, and districts assign each child to a school by home address. The neighbourhood you pick matters as much as the school itself. Beyond the public system, your choices include charter and magnet schools, private and religious schools, the International Baccalaureate, and homeschooling.

Public schools in Columbus

Public schools in Columbus are free to residents, but quality varies sharply from one district and even one building to the next. Because the district assigns each child to a school by home address, the neighbourhood you choose is, in effect, the school you choose. Columbus City Schools, the district for much of the city proper, has historically scored below the Ohio average, and this is one reason many relocating families look to the suburbs. The strongest public districts are the suburban ones around the city, among them Dublin, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Worthington, Bexley, and Olentangy. Do your homework on individual schools before you settle on an area.

Within the public system, you will find both traditional neighbourhood schools and the charter and magnet schools covered below. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce grades every public school in the state each year, and its Report Cards are the best free yardstick for comparing schools before you move.

Charter and magnet schools are public and tuition free, but they take pupils from across the city rather than by zone. Charter schools (Ohio calls them community schools) are independent of the district and set their own focus, and their quality is all over the map, so vet each one on its own record. Magnet schools are run by Columbus City Schools and built around a speciality such as the performing arts or STEM. Charters usually admit by lottery when there are more applicants than places; magnets may ask for an audition or a test in the subject.

Charter schools

Charter schools in Columbus are a mixed bunch: college prep academies, career tech schools, dropout recovery programmes, and online e-schools. They answer to sponsors rather than the school district, which gives it room to teach its own way. That freedom cuts both ways, so check a school’s Report Card and its track record before you apply.

Any family in the city can apply, regardless of where you live. Places are limited, so popular schools hold a lottery. Go to an open house before you commit; it is the quickest way to gauge whether a school is a good fit for your child.

Magnet schools

Magnet schools in Columbus are public schools built around a single strength, and Columbus City Schools runs them to draw pupils with a particular talent or interest. The specialisms include the performing arts, STEM, language immersion, and early college programmes that allow teenagers to earn university credit. Some magnets ask for an audition or a placement test in their subject, so get your child ready well ahead of the deadline.

Columbus City Schools runs a school choice lottery each year for its magnet and other choice programmes, and tens of thousands of families apply. Use the district’s school finder to see which magnets your child is eligible for and when applications open.

Useful links

• Columbus City Schools Official Website
• Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
• Ohio School Report Cards

Moving to Columbus 
Areas and Suburbs in Columbus

Private schools in Columbus

Parents choose private schools in Columbus for smaller classes and a clear ethos. Some are academic prep schools; many are religious; a handful are secular independents; and a few follow alternative methods such as Montessori. Ohio also runs state-funded scholarship programmes that can help with the fees.

Catholic schools make up the biggest slice of the private sector here. The Diocese of Columbus runs the largest network by a wide margin and operates dozens of elementary and high schools across the region; it is the obvious first stop for Catholic parents who want a faith-based education for their kids. Protestant Christian schools are common too, and you will also find Jewish and Islamic schools in smaller numbers.

The best private schools have long waiting lists, so apply early. Expect interviews and entrance tests, and check each school’s ethos and admissions rules before you start, because they differ widely. Visit in person and talk to staff and parents; you can learn more in an hour’s visit than from any prospectus.

Useful links

• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
• The Montessori Foundation
• Diocese of Columbus: Office of Catholic Schools

International schools in Columbus

International schools in Columbus are not what expats know from Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Geneva. The city has no cluster of fee-paying schools that teach a foreign national curriculum; the international option here is the public system and, above all, the International Baccalaureate. If you want your child to earn a globally recognised diploma, the IB is the one to look for.

Columbus Alternative High School, part of Columbus City Schools, teaches the full IB Diploma Programme, and the district covers the exam fees. Several suburban districts are IB World Schools, including Upper Arlington, Worthington, Westerville, and Dublin, so families often choose a suburb for its IB school. For younger children who want a second language, Columbus City Schools runs a Spanish immersion school, and weekend heritage language schools in German, Japanese, Mandarin, and other languages help families keep their mother tongues alive.

Useful links

• International Baccalaureate Organization
• Ohio Association of IB World Schools
• Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy

Special educational needs in Columbus

If your child has special educational needs, Columbus schools are required by federal law to provide support, and Columbus City Schools has an Office of Special Education to coordinate it. The office works to help pupils with disabilities reach academic goals and build independent living skills.

Some schools are dedicated to special education, but most mainstream schools also take pupils with additional needs. There is provision for a wide range of conditions, from hearing and visual impairment to autism and traumatic brain injury. The district supports children at every stage. It provides early intervention for preschoolers and helps older teenagers plan the move to work or further study.

One word of advice from parents who have been through it: visit any proposed placement and judge it for yourself. Columbus City Schools has at times been stretched on special-education staffing, so see the classroom, meet the staff, ask how many pupils and aides share the room, and find out what therapy is provided on site before you accept a place.

Useful links

• Columbus City Schools: Office of Special Education

Tutors in Columbus

Tutors in Columbus are easy to find and will work with you for a one-off session or a whole school year. You can hire an independent tutor directly, or go through a national agency such as Varsity Tutors or Superprof, which matches you with someone for your child’s subject and level.

For an expat child, a tutor can smooth the move in two practical ways. First, they can sharpen their English where it is a second language. Second, they can ease the jump from a foreign syllabus to the American one. Get a few sessions in before term starts, and there will be far less to catch up on later.

Useful links

• Varsity Tutors
• Superprof

New arrivals in the Arch City have plenty to look forward to regarding the type of lifestyle in Columbus. With bounteous opportunities for shopping, dining out, painting the town red or getting some fresh air, there’s always something to do.

Shopping in Columbus

Columbus is considered a fashion capital, home to the headquarters of major retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret. There’s no shortage of places for you to shop till you drop. Polaris Fashion Place and Easton Center are two local favourites, each with more than 200 stores to explore.

Eating out in Columbus

Touted as the USA’s ‘next big food city’, Columbus is packed with restaurants to try out and is rapidly expanding, giving nearby Cincinnati a run for its money when it comes to top-notch eats. With an ever-growing immigrant population, authentic cuisines from around the world can be found in Columbus, with restaurants offering exotic dishes from all corners of the globe, including countries as far afield as Somalia, Yemen, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Nightlife in Columbus

There’s a thriving live-music scene in Columbus made up of numerous smaller venues as well as larger musical halls and arenas, making it easy to find a performance to attend just about any night of the week.

If you enjoy craft beer, you will be right at home in Columbus, with more than 30 microbreweries dotted around the city. There are also a few great cocktail spots.

Outdoor activities in Columbus

There are plenty of green spaces to enjoy in and around Columbus. Places such as Inniswood Metro Gardens, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens all offer expansive vistas, greenery and fresh air.

To truly stop and smell the roses, head to the Park of Roses, which covers 13 acres and is home to 11,000 roses of 350 varieties. Another unique outdoor attraction is Topiary Park, which consists of yew trees carefully placed and shaped to resemble Georges Seurat’s painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of LaGrande Jatte.

See and do in Columbus

Thanks to the city’s natural beauty and thriving arts-and-culture scene, there’s plenty to see and do in Columbus. With so many options available, you're sure to find something to pique your interest.

Center of Science and Industry

Considered one of the USA’s best science museums, the Center of Science and Industry, or COSI, is a must-see, especially for families with kids. Children will adore the themed areas and the hands-on, interactive exhibits. Get up close and personal with a full-body cast of a T. rex skeleton, ride in a space capsule, and enjoy whacky live shows such as Rat Basketball and The Electrostatic Energy Show.

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum

This fascinating centre is dedicated to the history of comic art and cartoons. From Sunday comic strips and classic comic books to graphic novels and editorial cartoons, the library, and museum showcase this often-overlooked area of art.

Scioto Mile

A great way to take advantage of the city’s iconic river, the Scioto Mile is a long trail that connects nine parks along the bank. Highlights include the Scioto Mile Fountain, where interactive jet streams create a child-friendly play area, and the Cultural Arts Centre, which hosts exhibits, lectures, and workshops for those keen to dip a toe into the city’s art scene.

Annual events in Columbus

If you're looking to experience the best of entertainment in Columbus, you'll surely enjoy these annual festivals and celebrations held in and around the city. With such a jam-packed calendar, the hardest part is often deciding which exciting event to attend.

Here are our picks for the top yearly events in Columbus.

Ohio State Fair (July/August)

With nearly a million people attending over the 12 days of this iconic festival, make sure not to miss out on the fun. Concerts are played, food stalls abound, and numerous contests take place.

Red, White & BOOM! (July)

This Independence Day fireworks display is the largest of its kind in Ohio and throughout the Midwest region. Fourth of July celebrations are the perfect opportunity for expats to experience American culture at its best.

Jazz and Rib Fest (July)

Hosted on the banks of the Scioto River, this free event combines jazz music’s finest acts with mouthwatering delicious ribs and other grilled meats like chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket. Prizes are awarded to the best grillers at the festival, and you can participate by voting in the People’s Choice Award.

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (November/December)

For those looking to kick off the festive season with a bit of Christmas magic, the dazzling displays of Wildlights are a perfect pick. The festival has more than 30 years of history behind it, and the displays around the zoo are made up of more than three million LED lights.