Our Highlights in Columbus, OH

Ohio

April 2025

Memorial Grove, A Sacred Space in Columbus

We started our visit to Columbus, OH, by seeing the 2.5‑acre Memorial Grove, a memorial garden behind the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, both opened to the public in 2018. Its location is spectacular, overlooking the Scioto River and views of downtown Columbus!

Ohio’s National Veterans Memorial is the first to honor fallen veterans and recognize the service and sacrifice of all military branches. The limestone wall reflects strength, the water symbolizes life and healing, and the trees reflect cycles of renewal. All these elements created a serene and almost holy atmosphere and a memorable beginning to our time in Columbus.

Arena Energy and Market Charm

We continued our stroll through the friendly Arena District to visit Columbus’ North Market. This new urban neighborhood felt festive because many Bluejacket supporters walked to the Nationwide Arena to see an ice hockey game. Since 2000, the district has been transformed from a former Union Station Train Depot into Columbus’ sports and entertainment center. It is also a popular residential area with brick-paved pedestrian streets near the riverfront and North Market.

The North Market has a long history dating back to before 1876. Today, it’s Columbus’s only surviving public market. More than one million people annually visit this historic market to buy fresh meat, fish, bread, vegetables, fruits, or flowers.

The Ohio Statehouse

Next on our Columbus itinerary was the impressive Ohio Statehouse, which has served as the state’s capitol since its initial construction in the mid-19th century, following Columbus’ designation as the capital in 1812. It is a National Historic Landmark and an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture in America.

Exploring Franklin Park's Gems

Franklin Park in Columbus, Ohio, has deep roots in Ohio’s history. The park has deep roots in Ohio’s history. It hosted the first Franklin County Fair in 1852 and the first Ohio State Fair in 1874! In 1992, Franklin Park drew 5.5 million visitors when it hosted the Ameriflora, an international horticultural exposition.

The Cascades are a beautiful water feature that provides a natural habitat with clean water for Ohio’s native wetland plants and species. Many of these wetlands have been lost through urbanization and farming, although they have been proven to be essential for clean water and stormwater management. Here in the park, the cascades also nourish the positive feeling of being in the midst of nature in an urban area.

The “Reach Out” Sculpture is a powerful memorial created by Columbus artist Alfred Tibor for the Ameriflora exhibition. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the AIDS epidemic was at its peak in the USA, and this sculpture was and still is a tribute to those living with and those who have died of AIDS.