Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Columbus?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Columbus?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Columbus during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, take advantage of the local nightlife, and find the best deals at the shops.

Columbus is is the capital of Ohio. It has a number of museums and nice parks around town. There are also interesting neighborhodos such as the German Village, which dates back to the 1800s. While many travelers overlook the city, it actually offers some fun and interesting activities.

Do you have one or two days to visit Columbus? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Columbus?

Columbus isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Columbus such as the famous sights and museums, the nightlife scene, and the many shops. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to two days to fully experience the welcoming city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Columbus

Perhaps the most famous spot in Columbus is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Columbus?

A weekend is the perfect amount of time in the welcoming city of Columbus, as many visitors prefer to spend around one to two days here. Since it's not a huge city, over two days or on a weekend trip you'll be able to spend time at the museums, take advantage of the local nightlife, and find the best deals at the shops. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your weekend adventure below.

Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio

How to spend 2 days in Columbus

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Columbus, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Columbus, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.