It’s time to start making plans for 2025, and there's never been a more perfect opportunity to explore Columbus. Named a top ten best big city in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler and on Afar's list of where to go in 2025, it's never been easier to say "yes" to a trip to Columbus.
In 2025, we welcome one-of-a-kind festivals, unparalleled dining experiences, top-of-the-line sporting events and more. So, let’s say “goodbye” to 2024 and welcome the new adventures the new year will bring.
Here are 25 reasons to visit Columbus in 2025.
1. Attend the first-ever NHL Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium
On March 1, 2025, the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™ at the iconic Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Columbus' own Twenty One Pilots will take the stage for a special performance—the perfect opportunity to see them live if you missed their three fall shows at Nationwide Arena.
Unofficial Galaxies opens at COSI on May 10, 2024.
2. Use "the Force" and schedule a trip to COSI for their new Unofficial Galaxies exhibit
Head to COSI, named the number one science museum in the country for four years in a row, for their newest exhibit, Unofficial Galaxies. Curated by World Touring Exhibitions, Unofficial Galaxies will showcase one of the largest private collections of Star Wars memorabilia, opening May 10.
3. Experience waterslides that are first-of-their-kind in the world at Zoombezi Bay
Opening in 2025, Conservation Tower will feature three new waterslides with twists and turns the world has never seen. As the only water park connected to a world-class zoo, each slide pays homage to the conservation efforts of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is located in the University District.
4. Celebrate 100 years of The New Yorker at Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum exhibition
The New Yorker turns 100 in 2025 and there's no better place to celebrate in Columbus than the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Offering free admission, the museum functions as a research library of American cartoons and comic art.
See Anyone You Know? The New Yorker Cartoons and Covers of Edward Koren is on exhibit from Nov. 20, 2024, through May 4, 2025. The retrospective of Koren’s New Yorker work spans his entire career, beginning with his very early cartoons and first contributions to the magazine in the 1960s.
5. Check out the city’s first-of-its-kind, supersensory ‘experimental museum’
From Roto, the design firm behind places like Smithsonian, Times Square and Universal Studios, comes a first-of-its-kind experiential museum in downtown Columbus. With new immersive techniques and cutting-edge technology at the forefront, Prototype will cater to the curiosity and creativity of adults and young adults, opening in the second half of 2025.
6. See baby elephants and Columbus Zoo’s renovated North America Trek region
As a twice-ranked best zoo in the country, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a beloved attraction for residents and visitors alike. The renovation of the North America Trek region will provide an immersive experience for guests to learn about and interact with some of the world's most precious species.
The project is set to open next year along with the arrival of two new elephant calves!
7. Have a laugh and take part in the year of comedy
2025 brings more reasons to laugh in Columbus than ever before, with headlining performances by your favorite comedians including, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan and the return of the Columbus Comedy Festival. Columbus also boasts an underrated local comedy scene with groups like Don't Tell Comedy bringing surprise pop-up shows to different neighborhoods each weekend.
8. Take flight with new routes to CMH
In 2025, there will be more ways to get to Columbus than ever before with airlines adding four new routes to John Glenn International Airport:
- Southwest to Miami (MIA) – January 2025
- Spirit to New Orleans (MSY) – February 2025 (seasonal)
- American Airlines to Los Angeles (LAX) – LAX March 2025
- Spirit to Atlanta (ATL) – April 2025
Columbus Pride Festival will be June 13-14, 2025.
9. Celebrate 10 years of marriage equality at the largest Pride celebration in the Midwest
June 26, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. Join Stonewall Columbus and over 700,000 guests at the annual Columbus Pride Festival & Resource Fair, June 13-14.
10. Discover Columbus’ buzzed-about culinary scene and dine at new restaurants
Take your tastebuds on a world tour all within the 614 with everything from Nepalese momos to African soul food in Columbus. Try the tasting menu at Agni, named among the top 20 best new restaurants by Bon Appétit with each dish taking inspiration from the person who made it. Sip on creative cocktails at Law Bird, rated a best bar in 2024 by USA TODAY. Wherever you dine, we're sure you will leave our top 10 best food city with a full stomach, and heart.
Stay tuned for some awesome openings in 2025, including Isla from Chef Andrew Smith, and a new Mexican concept from Chef Josh Dalton, Rosalita, which is expected to make its debut in the fall.
11. See why Afar, Thrillist and more say Columbus is a top family-friendly destination
It's no secret that Columbus makes for a great family getaway and the world is starting to take notice. From our world-class attractions like COSI and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to an array of family-friendly dining and top-of-the-line festivals, Columbus is for memory-making in 2025.
12. From food tours to farmers markets, try the best of the best
Join the winner's circle! Columbus Food Adventures and the Worthington Farmers Market took first place in their respective categories for the best food tour and best farmers market in the country by USA TODAY's 10Best. They are in good company with Columbus Oktoberfest making the list of top 'fests in the nation and The Ohio State University being named among the 10 best colleges for sports fans.
13. Get Goosebumps in Columbus, the Halloween Headquarters of the Midwest
Did you know R.L. Stein is from Columbus? Yes, Columbus! Join in the Halloween fun with a whole month's worth of spooky activities including Highball Halloween, also known as the nation's most elaborate costume party, taking place in the Short North Arts District.
Columbus Fashion Alliance is developing an Innovation Hub set to open in 2025.
14. Think fashion forward with a visit to Columbus' newest Innovation Hub
Did you know Columbus is one of the biggest fashion hubs in the country? National retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, DSW and Bath & Body Works call Columbus home. Columbus also has the highest concentration of professionals working in the apparel and fashion industry in the U.S.
Columbus Fashion Alliance has a new Innovation Hub in the works for 2025 downtown aimed at housing designers, labs and spaces to foster collaboration with the goal of transforming the area into a dynamic fashion district. Learn more.
More than 30 collegiate sports teams are represented at OSU, including Buckeye Football, which plays its home games at The 'Shoe.
15. Have the ultimate fan experience at Columbus' professional and college sporting venues
Columbus is a sports city with four professional teams, including the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, the MiLB's Columbus Clippers, the MLS's Columbus Crew and the NVF's Columbus Fury all playing on one street. In 2025, Nationwide Arena will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The top fan experiences don't end at the pros. Columbus is home to The Ohio State University, best known for its Big Ten football team, the Buckeyes, but OSU also has one of the largest collegiate athletic departments in the nation with more than 30 teams represented. Many teams offer free admission to their games, matches, etc.
Roosevelt Coffee House's s'mortado features roasted marshmallows, a chocolate drizzle and graham cracker crust.
16. Get the adventure buzzing in the self-proclaimed most caffeinated city in the U.S.
Columbus just celebrated the 10th anniversary of its legendary Coffee Trail and the coffee and tea industry boom isn't going anywhere. New shops are popping up all over the city each boasting its own unique flair.
Black Kahawa Coffee offers bold East African coffees, while places like Parable and Bada Bean Bada Booze start the day as coffee houses and transition into cocktail bars by the evening. Creativity comes to life on the menus of Roosevelt Coffee House its famous s'mortado, returning each fall season, and Bottom's Up Coffee with its rainy day coffee available year round. If tea is more your speed, try tea service at Asterisk Supper Club or the high tea experience at Cambridge Tea House.
17. Experience art in Columbus like never before
The arts scene is alive and well in Columbus. From nationally recognized exhibits on display at the Columbus Museum of Art to recurring events that locals love like Franklinton Fridays and Short North Gallery Hop, Columbus is definitely a city that embraces the arts.
Columbus shows new beauty in the fall.
18. Revel in a four-season city that shines in the fall
Come see why Columbus was named among the 10 best spots in the U.S. to visit in the fall by USA TODAY. From the return of Ohio State football and iconic events like Columbus Oktoberfest to the changing leaves at our local parks, you won't want to miss nature's most generous season in the 614.
19. Immerse yourself in a literary scene like no other
2025 marks the third year of the Columbus Book Festival returning to the grounds of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in July. This fest celebrates Columbus' rich literary ties to famed authors, like R.L. Stein, and James Thurber and award-winning poets, Hanif Adburraqib and Maggie Smith hailing from Columbus.
Columbus also has an impressive community of independently owned bookstores including The Book Loft, a 32-room store boasting an extensive selection nestled in the heart of German Village.
20. Attend the Forbes Under 30 Summit
Coming to Columbus Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit returns to Ohio for its third and biggest iteration yet. Join the world’s top young leaders, founders and creators for an immersive four-day experience that includes a private concert, A-list speakers, exclusive networking opportunities, industry-focused excursions, local culinary experiences, a legendary city crawl, a powerful day of community service and more.
21. Lift diverse voices and support local businesses
One of the first things you’ll notice in Columbus is our residents' thriving, progressive, welcoming spirit. No matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you here. Discover Black-owned, Latinx-owned, and Asian-owned businesses here in Columbus, and read all about our women-owned local businesses here.
In 2023, Experience Columbus with Columbus City Council launched the Minority Business Program, offering complimentary membership and marketing services to more than 300 local entrepreneurs. Discover them here.
The City Center DORA allows you to sip as you stroll.
22. Take your sips on a stroll
Columbus is home to many designated outdoor refreshment areas including the newest, City Center DORA open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with an expansive footprint allowing visitors to take their drinks to-go throughout most of downtown. See a complete list of Columbus DORAs.
23. Attend a marquee event during festival season in the city
In general, Columbus itself is an attraction, thanks to the abundance of festivals that take place here all year long. Marquee events in our city include the COSI Science Festival, Columbus Arts Festival, Columbus Pride, Red White and BOOM!, Jazz and Rib Fest and many more. Visit our Festivals and Events page to see what's happening year-round and plan your visit today.
24. Experience a top girls' trip destination in the world
It's no wonder Glamour named Columbus a top destination in the world for female solo travel. Our unique neighborhoods offer a variety of ways to explore the city either by yourself or with your crew. Book a spa day at PALOMA, take advantage of some of the best boutique shopping districts in town, or take your GNO to the next level with our top-rated nightlife.
25. See for Yourself How We're Accessible to All
Columbus was among the first cities in the country to launch an accessibility guide showcasing attractions, hotels, transportation and more, all of which are accessible and were curated by disability inclusion experts. Columbus is a great destination for all to enjoy.
Columbus is the fastest-growing metropolis in the U.S. and there are more reasons than ever to say, "yes" to a trip to the 614. Book your stay today.
