Where to Stay in Columbus (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Columbus

The heart of downtown Columbus, Ohio is located along the Scioto River with neighborhoods spread all around. When choosing where to stay in Columbus, I recommend the areas located around downtown Columbus and north of Columbus. Each of these Columbus neighborhoods offers something different and caters to different activities and attractions.

Downtown Columbus (Central Business District)

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Columbus Hotels: Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center • Hilton Columbus Downtown • Hotel Leveque, Autograph Collection

Downtown Columbus is the heart and soul of the city. Tourist attractions, shopping, and restaurants are all within walking distance, which makes downtown Columbus an ideal area to stay for first-time visitors. 

I especially recommend Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center for staying in downtown Columbus because of its central location, reasonable prices, and great reviews.

You’ll find many fun things to do in downtown Columbus. Popular downtown Columbus museums include the Columbus Museum of Art and COSI. The Columbus Commons and Bicentennial Park Performing Arts Pavilion are great places to catch live performances. Downtown Columbus is also home to many breweries, which are part of the Columbus Ale Trail.

As for nature and parks, pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy riverside views from the Scioto Mile River Promenade. And don’t miss the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens if you’re a nature lover.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Columbus:

• Very close to many tourist attractions
• Very walkable area
• Best hotels in the city
• Diverse restaurants, bars, and breweries
• Only 10 minutes from Port Columbus International Airport
• Ideal spot for business travelers
• Close to Greater Columbus Convention Center and other business centers

Cons of Staying in Downtown Columbus:

• Restaurants and hotels can be pricey
• Parking can be a challenge
• Can be crowded and noisy, particularly during times of peak activity

Italian Village

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Italian Village Hotels: 50 Lincoln Short North Bed & Breakfast • Cozy Italian Village House • Italian Village Studio Apartment

Italian Village is north of downtown Columbus and is a great spot for foodies. Many great restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops can be found here. There’s a fantastic multicultural atmosphere in Italian Village as well. Prominent African-American and Irish communities call this area home, in addition to Italian immigrants.

Italian Village has one main bed and breakfast, but the hotel options are limited. However, there are a variety of vacation rentals worth checking out. You should also know that Italian Village is very walkable, so you can visit local eateries and enjoy the neighborhood’s charming architecture on foot. 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a notable site in Italian Village, with a uniquely Italian interior and exterior. Italian Village Park is another popular spot, with a playground and picnic area for families to enjoy. 

Pros of Staying in Italian Village:

• Close to the downtown Columbus area
• Very walkable area
• Many vacation rental properties 
• A rich mix of cultures
• Great selection of restaurants and coffee places
• A very family-friendly area, with attractions like Italian Village Park

Cons of Staying in Italian Village:

• Restaurants can be pricey
• Limited hotel options
• Traffic can be a problem going downtown

Short North Arts District

👉 Best Area For Arts & Culture | ✨ Best Short North District Hotels: Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph • Graduate Columbus • Moxy Columbus Short North

Short North District is a hip, trendy neighborhood full of students, young professionals, and tourists. Distinctive lighted arches can be seen over the streets, marking the entrance to this cool, buzzing neighborhood. The Short North District is adjacent to Italian Village and north of downtown Columbus.

People of all backgrounds are welcome in Short North Arts District. The art scene here is rich, with many amazing local art galleries and exhibitions. You’ll also find an eclectic collection of shops for things like books, records, and vintage clothing. 

There are many restaurants, craft beer bars, and coffee shops in the Short North District. There are bars and clubs specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community as well. Overall, Short North has a friendly, bohemian vibe and is one of the best places to stay in Columbus.

Pros of Staying in Short North District:

• Many great art galleries, specialty stores, and coffee shops
• A friendly, welcoming atmosphere
• Close to the attractions of downtown
• Very walkable area
• Many public works of art to enjoy

Cons of Staying in Short North District:

• Finding a parking spot can be challenging
• Can be noisy and crowded at times
• The crime rate is higher than in other Columbus neighborhoods

University District

👉 Best Area For Sports and Nightlife | ✨ Best University District Hotels: The Urban • Marriott Columbus OSU • Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus OSU

The University District is north of downtown Columbus and home to Ohio State University. University District is bustling, lively, and the main hub in Columbus for sports and nightlife. This is due to the local college and sports culture. 

High Street is a buzzing area for nightlife. Here, there are many bars and parties are frequent. Ohio Stadium is also located in the University District, which is where you can catch an Ohio State Buckeyes game. After all, the Buckeyes are one of the biggest college football teams in the country.

Overall, the University District is a great place to stay for sports fans and people interested in nightlife. 

Pros of Staying in the University District:

• Short distance to downtown Columbus
• A great sports town culture
• Well-connected to other neighborhoods via public transit
• Lively, vibrant atmosphere with a great nightlife
• Home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team
• Very walkable area, with iconic landmarks to see

Cons of Staying in the University District:

• Parking rules are somewhat inconsistent and can be challenging
• Can be very noisy
• Often crowded 

Polaris

👉 Best Area For Shopping | ✨ Best Polaris Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris • Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris • Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Polaris

Polaris is a great area to stay in Columbus for shopping and family-friendly activities. Polaris is located north of Downtown Columbus. The main attraction in Polaris is Polaris Fashion Place, which is an enormous shopping mall full of trendy brand names and department stores. 

Families in particular will enjoy attractions like the Magic Mountain Fun Center in Polaris. This is a family-friendly amusement park with activities like laser tag, bumper boats, and an arcade full of games. Nearby is the Polaris Founder’s Park, home to a lovely gazebo and beautiful Japanese gardens.

Pros of Staying in Polaris:

• Great shopping
• Hotel options for every budget
• Many dining options
• Family-friendly 
• Safe area

Cons of Staying in Polaris:

• Farther from downtown Columbus than other neighborhoods
• Activities and attractions are more limited

Dublin

👉 Best Area For Nature and Recreation | ✨ Best Dublin Hotels: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Columbus Dublin • Home2Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin • Holiday Inn Express – Dublin, an IHG Hotel

Dublin, Ohio is a northwestern suburb of Columbus. Dublin is named after Dublin, Ireland, and is a great place to stay for visitors who want to be closer to nature and recreational activities.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is very close to Dublin and is one of the most popular zoos in America. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium features an 18-hole safari golf club, Zoombezi Bay Water Park, and 6,000 species of animals. 

Dublin is home to 60 parks and over 100 miles of trails. Golf is another popular attraction in Dublin. The Memorial Tournament, part of the PGA Tour, is located here.

Overall, Dublin is a nice suburb with a downtown area and many food and entertainment venues. Downtown Dublin even links to Bridge Park, which is another outdoor recreation attraction. 

Pros of Staying in Dublin:

• Family-friendly suburban atmosphere
• Many outdoor recreation attractions, including parks, trails, and proximity to the zoo
• Unique culture based on the Irish history of the town
• Relatively peaceful and quiet
• Away from the bustle of downtown Columbus

Cons of Staying in Dublin:

• Fewer activities than in other Columbus areas
• Further from downtown Columbus
• Further from other Columbus neighborhoods

Easton

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Easton Hotels: Aloft Columbus Easton • Residence Inn Columbus Easton • Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus – Easton Area

Easton is about 15 minutes east of downtown Columbus. Easton is a safe suburban area and is a great place to stay for families. This area is primarily known for the Easton Town Center, which contains over 300 stores and restaurants. These businesses are indoors and outdoors, creating a fun and unique shopping experience.

There are great entertainment options at Easton Town Center as well. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a favorite attraction among children. I recommend checking out Columbus Funny Bone if you love comedy clubs. There are also dine-in theaters in Easton where you can sit and relax after a long day of shopping.

Pros of Staying in Easton:

• Safe suburban area
• Family-friendly
• Close to other popular areas like Gahanna 

Cons of Staying in Easton:

• Fewer activities than in other Columbus areas
• Further from downtown Columbus
• Further from other Columbus neighborhoods

Tips for Staying in Columbus

Make Sure to Visit at the Right Time of Year

Try to visit Columbus between May and October if you’re planning on doing outdoor activities. However, there are things to do in Columbus year-round. You should also know that winters in Columbus tend to be less severe than in other Midwestern cities. 

Try to Stay in Downtown Columbus

It’s easiest to stay in downtown Columbus if you’re visiting for the first time. The central location makes it easy to find landmarks, and this is where public transit is most efficient. Downtown Columbus is home to many great eateries and breweries in addition to North Market, which is a popular Columbus attraction.

Be Familiar with the Public Transit System

I recommend looking into what COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) has to offer before renting a car. Buses run frequently and are extensive throughout Columbus. COTA also has a free bus system known as CBUS, which runs through popular downtown areas. Bikeshare and rideshare programs are available as well.

Plan Out Your Itinerary Before Your Visit

Figure out which Columbus attractions interest you the most before your trip and create an itinerary around them. Especially if these attractions include popular museums, sports games, or other ticketed events. Planning these activities ahead of time can help you make the most of your trip.

Planning to visit more of Ohio besides Columbus? Check out my list of the best places to visit in Ohio.

Be Aware of Flight, Hotel, and Attraction Deals

You are more likely to get deals on flights and hotels if you visit Columbus during January or February. Additionally, there are many Columbus museums that you can enjoy for free. These include the Orton Geological Museum and Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum. The Columbus Museum of Art offers free admission on Sundays.

Get Your Shopping Done Here!

Surprisingly, Columbus, Ohio ranks third for the highest number of fashion designers in America after New York City and Los Angeles. This is because Columbus is home to many large retail brands’ headquarters. This means that you can shop at many designer brands in Columbus.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Columbus

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Thanks for reading my guide on where to stay in Columbus! The neighborhoods in Columbus all have unique things to offer. For more information on Columbus, check out my article on Columbus facts!

(Featured Image Credit: Marianne Campolongo / Shutterstock)