It can be hard for visitors to find interesting things to see and do in Columbus. Follow this tour for an overview of Columbus suburbs and suburban attractions.
Difficulty Level: easy Time Required: three hours to all day
Here's How:
- Begin the tour on US 33 (Dublin Rd.) headed west from downtown. For several miles the Scioto River will be to your left while the upper class suburbs of Grandview Heights, Marble Cliff, and Upper Arlington will be along the right.
- After approximately nine miles, US 33 will turn left and cross the Scioto River. Follow US 33 over the river, then immediately turn right onto State Route 745. You will pass through historic Dublin, then along the edge of Muirfield Village, one of Columbus' most affluent areas.
- In about three miles you will reach Glick Rd. and the village of Shawnee Hills. Turn right on Glick Rd.; after you cross the O'Shaughnessy Dam you will see the entrance to Wyandot Lake amusement park and the award-winning Columbus Zoo. Head north from the zoo to State Route 750 and turn right.
- Head east on 750 through historic Powell and lots of antique shops. When you reach State Route 315 turn left for a very scenic drive and then turn right when you reach US 23. Head south on US 23 about seven miles to New England-looking downtown Worthington.
- When you reach Old Worthington square, turn left on State Route 161. After about three-quarters of a mile turn left on Proprietors Rd. The Central Ohio Railway Museum will be on the right. When Proprietors Rd. ends into Schrock Rd. turn right.
- After you pass the Anheuser-Busch plant (they don't give tours any more) and Sharon Woods Metropark turn left on Cleveland Av. You will be in Westerville. Turn right in about half a mile on Main St. and pass through quaint, private Otterbein College.
- After Otterbein, turn right on State St. (State Route 3). Continue south to State Route 161 and turn east. After about four miles on 161, exit at US 62 and turn right. You will pass through the heart of New Albany, until recently a small farm town.
- Continue south on US 62 past the New Albany Country Club (Columbus' own millionaire Les Wexner is developing this area) and eventually turn left on Mill St. in downtown Gahanna. A New Orleans-style riverwalk with restaurants and shops is proposed for the river along the right.
- Turn right onto Granville St. and follow US 62. It will join I-670; take the next exit (Port Columbus) and follow International Gateway Dr. to the end to visit Port Columbus and watch airplanes. Follow International Gateway back to I-670 east.
- Follow I-670 east to I-270 east. After three exits, follow I-70 east and stay in the right lane. Take the Brice Rd. South exit; turn right at the first traffic light (Scarborough Blvd.) and follow it to the end to reach the J.C. Penney Outlet Store, an adventure in shopping so big tour buses come from neighboring states.
- Take Scarborough Blvd. back to Brice Rd. and turn right. Brice Rd. becomes Gender Rd.; follow it about five miles and you will cross US 33. Immediately after you cross US 33, turn left on Waterloo St. to pass through quaint Canal Winchester.
- When you reach downtown Canal Winchester turn right on High St., then right on Columbus St., then right on Washington St., then left on Groveport Rd. After a brief trip through farmland you will reach Groveport, another small-town suburb.
- After passing through Groveport, turn left on Hamilton Rd. (State Route 317). After about two miles Rickenbacker Airport (formerly Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base) will be along the left.
- Continue about two miles past Rickenbacker on Route 317. Turn right
when you reach US 23; immediately on the right will be Scioto Downs. If you love horse racing,
this is the place! The tour ends here. I-270 is just to the north on US 23.
- Be sure to take a map so you don't get lost if you leave the tour route; email your guide for a Franklin County map.
- To see more of Columbus, head north on US 23 about six miles to downtown
and take the downtown Columbus tour.
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