The Top 5 Museums in Columbus, OH

The Ohio Village at the Ohio History Connection is assuredly the liveliest museum in Columbus. This 19th century replica of an Ohioan village takes visitors back to a simpler time, and allows customers to engage with its on-site actors in many ways. The 18 buildings to visit on the campus include the school house, the town hall, the general store and the village green, where it’s possible to catch a game of “baseball” as it was played in the 19th century, by the Ohio Village Muffins. Be careful when approaching one of the actors, especially around the Market House – visitors have been known to have been put to work! Ohio History Connection, 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus OH, USA, +1 614-297-2300

Visiting the Columbus Museum of Art is one of the best ways to begin a visit to the city. Their collection of late 19th and early 20th century American modern and European art is spectacular, especially their impressionist, expressionist, and cubist pieces. Be sure to check out their extensive collection of paintings and lithographs by George Bellows – one of the finest American painters of his generation, who happened to have been born in Columbus to boot! Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, Columbus OH, USA,

Located on the campus of Ohio State University, the Wexner Center for the Arts boasts a unique variety of art exhibitions, film and video showings, and performances for the greater Columbus community. From its seasonal art exhibits, to its film festival showings and live music gigs, the Wexner Center for the Arts is an exciting place to experience a wide-variety of community-centered works.

The Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum operates by appointment with the owner, an Ohioan named Steve Wagner. His little museum usually goes overlooked to most passersby, however it is well worth the visit. Few other museums give such an intimate portrait of a man and his passion, which happens to be highly polished works of mechanical art. Steve’s knowledge of each and every detail is astounding, and surely will impress all visitors, no matter their interests.

If its Ohioan history the traveler would like to learn about first, the best decision is to stop at the Ohio History Center Museum. With 10 vastly different exhibits, from the “Following in Ancient Footsteps” exhibit, one that documents the 15,000 year history of Native-Americans in Ohio, to the more recent “White Castle: The History You Crave” exhibit, detailing the history of the iconic Columbus-based company, this museum will prove a real must! Ohio History Center, 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus OH, USA, +1 800-686-6124 By Benjamin Smith