Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
For a breath of fresh air and vibrant scenery any time of year, set your group’s sights on Columbus’ iconic Franklin Park Conservatory. Located just east of downtown, these lush indoor and outdoor gardens span nearly 90 acres and feature over 400 species of plants from around the globe.
Your group will be wowed from the moment you enter the Pacific Island Water Garden pavilion, home to tropical flora, trickling water features, and colorful birds of paradise. Don’t miss The Bonofiglioli Nature Center’s seasonal displays – from eye-catching tulips in the spring to a dazzling array of poinsettias around the holidays.
And be sure to wander through the park’s Edible Garden too! Showcasing over 3,000 types of fruits, veggies, and herbs, this educational exhibit offers insight into sustainable agriculture and local food systems. With themed areas including the Cocktail Garden, the Salad Bowl, and the Pizza Garden, your group may just find inspiration for your next culinary adventure!
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
(614) 715-8000
Otherworld
Brace yourselves, fellow funky art fans and adventure seekers – a very weird, very wonderful realm awaits at Otherworld. Nestled in Columbus’ Franklinton Arts District, this wildly imaginative art installation invites visitors to escape their ordinary lives and explore over 40 rooms filled with mind-bending multimedia art, illusions, and interactive experiences.
Step through the vibrant entryway, and you’ll find yourself in a surreal, Alice in Wonderland-like environment where cheshire grins appear out of walls, disorienting patterns dazzle your senses, and secret passageways may just lead to Alice’s kitchen or the lair of Rapunsaur (part Rapunzel, part dinosaur!).
You’ll have to leave all expectations behind when entering Otherworld’s kaleidoscopic realm. But open your eyes, ears and imagination, and you’re sure to be transported to new heights of creativity and curiosity. Just try not to get lost down any rabbit holes on your way out!
Otherworld
5819 Chantry Dr, Columbus, OH 43232
(614) 696-9535
Thurman Café
In the heart of Columbus’ charming German Village neighborhood, you’ll find the truly one-of-a-kind Thurman Café. This funky burger joint may look like an unsuspecting hole-in-the-wall from the outside. But step through its veggie-adorned entryway, and you’ll be greeted by a dazzling and downright whimsical universe of art, found objects, and decor that must be seen to be believed.
Every square inch of the Thurman’s interior is covered in vibrant murals, mismatched retro furnishings, hanging planters, knickknacks, and pure unrestrained creativity. Even the plates, cups, and tables are hand-painted originals you won’t find anywhere else!
While the artistic ambiance will surely be the highlight, Thurman’s all-vegan burgers, hotdogs, and malts pair deliciously with the funky surroundings. You’ll leave wondering whether you just dined in an art gallery that happens to serve food… or vice versa!
Thurman Café
183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 443-1570
Schiller Park
Looking for a little slice of European charm and culture in the heart of Columbus? Hidden away in German Village, gorgeous Schiller Park has got you covered. Modeled after the gardens in Munich, Germany, this lushly landscaped refuge boasts old-world fountains, manicured flowerbeds, and wide walking paths perfect for an afternoon stroll with your crew.
But the real showstopper has to be Schiller’s spring-fed Ämtitz pond, complete with a picturesque bridge that makes for the perfect photo-op backdrop. Relax at the water’s edge and search for turtles, fish, and waterfowl that call this peaceful pond home.
When it’s time for a break and a bite, the park’s biergartens and cafés like Hausfrau Haven will surround you in gemütlich vibes with their authentic German fare and brews. Just be sure to work off those pretzels and schnitzels with a jaunt around the Schiller Trails, a 2-mile paved path circling the park!
Schiller Park
1069 Jaeger St, Columbus, OH 43206
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
For an experience that’s as enlightening as it is powerful, pay a visit to Columbus’ National Veterans Memorial and Museum. This stunning architectural landmark honors the service of all U.S. veterans through a series of immersive exhibits, multimedia displays, and personal stories that will leave a profound impact on your group.
From the moment you approach the striking concrete-and-glass exterior, you’ll be struck by its symbolic design of reinforced arches meant to evoke a memorial grotto. Once inside, plan to explore the museum’s exhibitions at your own pace. Learn about the realities of active military service and warfare through video testimonials, re-created scenes of field hospitals and battlefields, and interactive stations where you can try on gear and rations.
Be sure to also wander the outdoor memorial grove filled with sculpted glassDNA™ strands representing those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. No matter when you visit, this museum is sure to inspire profound respect and gratitude for all who served.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
300 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
(888) 909-6887
Shadowbox Live
Looking for a quintessentially Columbus night of music, comedy, and imaginative entertainment? Then you need to get Shadowbox Live on your radar! This innovative performance troupe combines sketch comedy, rock and comedy improv, and live music into raucously original shows that blur the lines between genres.
What kind of shenanigans can you expect to witness at a Shadowbox performance, you ask? Think Broadway-level choreography and vocals one minute, political satire or a sitcom-style spoof the next. And their musicality will keep you on your toes too—the ultra-talented ensemble can slip from belting out an 80’s rock ballad to busting rap rhymes in a heartbeat.
Housed in a cozy 250-seat cabaret, Shadowbox Live creates a uniquely intimate experience where the fourth wall is constantly being shattered. Your crew will surely leave wide-eyed and in stitches after two hours of this wild, no-holds-barred Columbus entertainment.
Shadowbox Live
503 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 416-7625
Book Licker
In an age of eReaders and online shopping, the unassuming Book Licker stands as a delightfully old-school reminder that the experience of cracking open a physical book still has its charms. Tucked away in Columbus’ Italian Village, this beloved indie book store specializes in used, rare, and out-of-print editions spanning every genre imaginable—from dog-eared pulp fiction paperbacks to leather-bound antiquarian tomes.
But the real magic of Book Licker lies in its eclectic, floor-to-ceiling book maze of a layout. Picture precarious stacks climbing up stairwells, books shelved by size rather than subject, and hidden nooks just waiting to be explored with a curious browse. With over 30,000 titles housed within these slightly “organized chaos” confines, your bibliophile crew is bound to unearth some unexpected literary treasures.
Book Licker is the perfect spot to slow down for a bit and rediscover the simple joys of paging through printed words in a quiet, off-the-grid oasis.
Book Licker
3162 Ferris Park Dr S, Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 262-3657
Kawfee Version: Lab
In Columbus’ trendy Short North Arts District, Kawfee Version:Lab reinvents what a coffee shop experience can be. Part modern art gallery, part specialty coffee bar, this cutting-edge cafe immerses visitors in avante garde sights, sounds, and aromas that will transport you to an artfully hip and sublimely caffeinated world.
Sip your masterfully brewed yerba mate or cortado while gazing at V:Lab’s ever-changing collection of multimedia and video art installations. Surrounded by moody colors, imaginative lighting, and an ambient soundtrack scored by area DJs and musicians, you’ll understand why this place calls itself an “immersive coffee experience.”
Part of the cafe’s allure also lies in its frequent rotation of collaborations and pop-up experiences with local fashionistas, painters, poets, and other creatives. So keep an eye on V:Lab’s calendar – who knows what kind of artistic happening your crew may encounter on any given visit?
Kawfee Version: Lab
60 W Church St, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 864-3157
Plan Your Trip
Ready to treat your crew to a little taste of Columbus’ best-kept secrets? Whether you’re planning an art-themed weekend getaway, a corporate team-building adventure, or just a unique way to show out-of-towners the offbeat side of Ohio’s capital city, let the experts at Party Bus Columbus handle all the transportation logistics.
Our team specializes in lining up the perfect charter bus rental to accommodate groups of all sizes. From compact minibuses to luxurious motor coaches, your private ride will come stocked with all the amenities to keep your crew comfortable and energized for a full day of urban exploring. Think plush seating, panoramic windows, on-board restrooms, TVs/WiFi, and more – just let us know what will check all your boxes!
With a professional driver handling all the navigation between hidden gem stops, you can sit back, relax, and soak in the unforgettable sights and experiences that have made Columbus buzzworthy. Call (614) 591-0565 today, and let’s get this uniquely Columbus adventure on the road!