Ever wish you could fit all of Columbus’s must-see spots into one perfect day?
Growing up in Dayton, I made plenty of quick trips to Ohio’s capital and over time, I’ve nailed the itinerary that makes a single day feel like a full getaway.
This Columbus day trip itinerary takes you from feeding giraffes at the Columbus Zoo, to a hearty German meal at Hofbräuhaus, and an immersive art adventure at Otherworld.
I’ll even show you where to stay if you decide to turn it into a mini escape, the quirky Romantic Adventure Getaways, a one-of-a-kind escape-room hotel in Mount Vernon.
And if you’d rather swap in your own favorites, I’ve included plenty of optional stops so you can tailor the day to your travel style.
Whether you’re an Ohio local looking for a fun Saturday plan or visiting for the weekend, this itinerary gives you everything you need for an unforgettable Columbus adventure.
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Columbus Day Trip Itinerary
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity.
To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Columbus.
Morning: The World Famous Columbus Zoo
We were here in January when the weather wasn’t particularly great.
It was in the low 40s, but it was mostly sunny and there wasn’t any wind inside the zoo.
We dressed for the weather and didn’t have any issues.
If it gets too cold though, there are plenty of indoor exhibits to hang out in and warm up.
The zoo is a great activity whether you’re going just as a couple or a group.
When we went it was me, JP, my brother, my sister, and her 3 kids who are all 4 and younger.
I like visiting zoos when we travel because they are all different.
They all have different animals, exhibit set ups, shows, etc.
Since the animals are all free to do as they please, it’s a unique experience every time.
You never know what they’ll do next.
This time in particular was fun because JP had never been to this zoo and we got to see how much the babies loved it.
Fun fact about the Columbus Zoo is that Jack Hanna essentially used to run it.
I assumed that everyone knows who Jack Hanna because he’s been all over tv like late night shows, Good Morning America, and even Maury!
BUT JP had never heard of him, so I’m not sure if he is as famous as I think he is.
JP also has no idea who Bill Nye The Science Guy is either, but that’s a whole other story.
For more highlights of our day, including the animals playing around, check out our video on our YouTube Channel.
Lunch: Authentic German Meal At Hofbrauhaus
Hofbrauhaus is a German Biergarten restaurant originating in Munich, with locations all over the world now.
In the US they are in Newport (Cincinnati), Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland, and Columbus.
There are also Hofbrau Beer Gardens in Miami, Panama City Beach, New York, and Milwaukee.
These locations are similar, they just don’t brew their own beer.
They have a traditional menu like Pretzels and Bier Cheese, Potato Pancakes, and Sauerkraut Balls for appetizers.
For entrees they offer dishes like Jagerschnitzel, Bierwurst, Bratwurst, Mettwurst, Jager Spatzle, and plenty more.
My favorite sides are Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, and Buttered Spatzle.
They have the best dessert selection too with Apfel Strudel, Bavarian Cream Puffs, and Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwalder Kirsch Torte).
Obviously the beers are popular here, but I don’t drink beer, so I can’t speak to what the best ones are.
They have tons of seasonal selections available, as well as monthly beers, so each visit you’ll probably have different options.
Check out our experience on our YouTube Channel.
Evening: OtherWorld
This exhibit is amazing.
It’s actually perfect for date night and for the whole family.
It is like Meow Wolf in Santa Fe and Omega Mart in Vegas if you’ve ever been.
It’s a unique experience for sure.
Once inside you can stay for as long as you’d like.
Everything is interactive.
There are secret doors and passageways all throughout.
Many of them you have to crawl through.
It’s just a giant maze.
The babies had the best time running around in there and playing with anything they could get their hands on.
You’ll want to see our full experience on our YouTube Channel.
At one point we found a control room where you could mess with people.
One of the stations let you blast air on people going through a narrow hallway at the entrance.
It had a camera so you could hear and see everyone freak out each time.
We also came across a couple mirror maze rooms.
We only had a minor incident in there with the kids. Lol.
Where To Stay Near Columbus
If you’re looking to turn your Columbus day trip into an unforgettable overnight experience, Romantic Adventure Getaways in Mount Vernon, Ohio is the perfect place to stay.
Located just about an hour north of Columbus, this one-of-a-kind escape room hotel blends romance, adventure, and creativity into one immersive experience.
Each themed suite features its own storyline and puzzles to solve together, with hidden tunnels, secret staircases, and surprise rooms to discover throughout your stay.
During our visit, we stayed in the Genie Romance Suite, which had a hanging flying carpet bed, a luxurious jetted tub, and secret rooms like a karaoke room, a massage room, and even a body painting experience.
It’s an incredible option for couples looking for a romantic getaway near Columbus or anyone wanting a stay that’s so much more than a typical hotel night.
With locations in Mount Vernon and Hillsboro, Ohio, as well as Morrison, Illinois, each offers its own unique themed suites, making it easy to plan a surprise your partner will never forget.
More Fun Things To Do In Columbus
If you’re staying a little longer or want to swap out some of these activities, here are some other fun things to do in Columbus.
✅ The Escape Game Columbus 60 Minute Adventure
This set of escape rooms in Columbus has themes like Prison Break, Gold Rush, Special Ops: Mysterious Market, The Heist, and more.
The Escape Game is actually a national chain of escape rooms in about a dozen cities across the country.
Click Here To Book Your Escape Room Adventure Today!
✅ LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Check out the only Ultimate LEGO Experience in Columbus, plus a 1.5 million LEGO brick replica of Columbus.
Create and race your own LEGO car and experience exclusive rides and attractions.
Click Here To Book Your LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tickets Today!
More Fun Things To Do In Ohio
While Columbus is the capital of Ohio, it’s not the only place to go for a fun day trip.
Cincinnati
A Cincinnati day trip is also an easy distance for those from the Dayton area.
We visited some unique places like the American Sign Museum, which is full of old neon signs (in working conditions) and the William Howard Taft house, which is part of the National Park Service.
For someone that has visited Cincinnati hundreds of times, this off the beaten path itinerary was really fun.
Dayton
Being from Dayton, I have a lot of posts about things to do in the area.
There’s also some places in-between Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus that make for great day trips away from the city.
If you’re not familiar with the area, Dayton is actually home to some amazing restaurants, some of which are still my favorite after traveling the entire country for several year.
Check out all the best restaurants in Dayton, Ohio when you plan your visit.
Take A Road Trip To California
Seriously!
JP and I have made this drive multiple times, changing up the route a little each time to see new places.
I highly recommend doing this at least once to see the Historic Route 66, some wildly popular National Parks, and to just enjoy a good old fashioned road trip.
Check out our itinerary and tips for planning your trip.
Conclusion: Columbus Day Trip Itinerary
As you can see, this Columbus day trip itinerary is perfect for any time of year and with any type of group, or even solo.
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