German Village
Established in the early 1800s, German Village is Columbus’ oldest neighborhood. The district still retains its German heritage through architecture, festivals, and food. With red brick streets and the largest privately-funded historic restoration project in America, German Village is a lovely place to stroll around and take in the historic homes and buildings. Admire the beautiful brick streets lined with Victorian brick houses and stop to appreciate the German Village Meeting Haus built in 1888. Many of the homes have been restored to their original splendor and feature lovely architectural details. Make sure to stop for a treat at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, an authentic German restaurant serving up hearty fare like bratwurst, schnitzel, and sausage plates. Or pop into Pistacia Vera for a slice of mouthwatering French silk pie or cheesecake. Don’t miss the Germania Park with its traditional German Maifest celebration held every May complete with music, food, and cultural performances. The park is a popular gathering spot year round. German Village is located just south of Downtown Columbus. Free two-hour parking is available on the streets, and the brick sidewalks make exploring the Village on foot a joy. Columbus Party Bus Company can provide transportation for larger groups wanting to experience this historic neighborhood. Our shuttle buses and charter buses allow your group to avoid the headache of finding parking. Plus, you can relax and enjoy the sights while leaving the driving to us! Call us at 614-448-0069 to book your Columbus party bus or charter bus to German Village.
Whetstone Park
Whetstone Park is the largest of Columbus’ 235 neighborhood parks, spanning over 900 acres on the city’s North Side. With its expansive size, this park has many hidden natural gems to discover within its bounds. Spend an afternoon strolling or jogging through Whetstone’s many wooded trails that wind through lush forests and meadows along the Olentangy River. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like birds and squirrels along your peaceful walk. There are several access points to the river, perfect for fishing or just dipping your toes in the water on a hot day. Sports lovers will enjoy the park’s athletic fields for soccer, baseball, and football. Challenge a fellow traveler to a game of tennis on one of the public courts or take your four-legged friend to the dog park to play fetch. Gardening enthusiasts will delight in the park’s community garden, one of the city’s largest. Green thumbs can rent their own plot to grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Don’t miss the historic Whetstone Park of Roses when the roses are in bloom from May to October. The park contains nearly 200 types of roses elegantly arranged around trellises, arbors, and fountains. It’s a spectacular spot for photos and makes the perfect backdrop for special occasions. Whetstone Park is located at 3923 N. High St. in the Clintonville neighborhood. Large groups can be conveniently dropped off right at the park by one of our charter buses or shuttle buses. Contact Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to schedule your transportation to explore this sprawling urban greenspace.
Inniswood Metro Gardens
Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city at Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville. This 12-acre public garden has paved paths that wind through unique theme gardens. Marvel at nearly 2,000 rose bushes adorning the Rose Garden with blooms of stunning colors and fragrances. Let your stress melt away as you find your zen in the tranquil Japanese Garden featuring water features, bonsai trees, and 10 varieties of bamboo. The delightful Herb Garden contains over 600 varieties of herbs with signs to identify each one. Listen for the soothing sounds of flowing water in the Rock and Stream garden replicating the ripples, pools, and waterfalls found along a woodland brook. See waterlilies thrive and frogs hop among the lily pads in the serene pond garden. Special events are often held at Inniswood Metro Gardens throughout the year. Enjoy live music during the summer concert series, celebrate the fall harvest with craft vendors, or bundle up for the holiday light displays in December. The annual plant sale in May is the perfect time to pick up rare and unique plants for your own garden. Inniswood Metro Gardens is located at 940 S Hempstead Rd in Westerville just north of Columbus. Call Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to arrange transportation for your group to this hidden oasis. We can comfortably transport your garden club, youth group, or event guests to Inniswood aboard our charter buses equipped with reclining seats and WiFi.
Highbanks Metro Park
One of Central Ohio’s most scenic parks is Highbanks Metro Park located minutes north of Columbus proper in Lewis Center. The park sits on over 1,100 acres along the Olentangy River. Eight miles of hiking trails wind through sandstone cliffs, shady forests filled with towering oaks and hickories, and sunny wildflower meadows exploding with color. Tour the nature center to learn about the park’s wildlife and ecosystems. Sign up for a guided canoe trip down the Olentangy River to fully immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty firsthand. Outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty to do with volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and picnic shelters perfect for a family reunion or company outing. Let your competitive side loose with a game of volleyball on one of the sand courts. Test your aim playing a round of horseshoes or simply enjoy a hearty picnic lunch in one of the covered shelters after working up an appetite on the trails. Highbanks Metro Park is located at 9466 US Route 23 North in Lewis Center just north of the Columbus city limits. Contact Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to book group transportation to this scenic nature retreat. We can accommodate groups of all sizes coming for a day of hiking or an afternoon picnic.
Franklin Park Conservatory
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a beloved Columbus institution housing beautifully cultivated gardens and fascinating biomes and exhibits indoors and out. Step into the historic 1895 John F. Wolfe Palm House, the oldest remaining part of the conservatory, and marvel at towering palm trees, colorful bromeliads, and exotic orchids. Wind your way through the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse with seasonal horticultural shows like the spring Orchid Show displaying thousands of stunning orchids. See over 140 species of colorful butterflies from around the world flit through the Pacific Island Water Garden biome. Art and nature intersect with captivating art installations like the blown glass Chihuly Collection and plant-based artwork from famed artist Jeff Koons. Don’t miss special seasonal exhibits like Holiday Blooms with poinsettias, model trains, and lighting displays spreading holiday cheer during the winter months. The Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 E Broad St. Call Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to arrange transportation for your group’s visit to this one-of-a-kind oasis in Columbus. We can accommodate everything from small tour groups to large company parties or weddings.
Kelton House Museum
Step back in time to the Victorian era at the Kelton House Museum located in Columbus’ charming and historic Victorian Village. This immaculately restored home originally belonged to prominent Columbus citizens Fernando and Sophia Kelton in the mid-1800s. Costumed guides provide informative tours of the Italianate home filled with authentic period furnishings that provide a glimpse into what life was like for an upper middle-class Victorian family. See the formal parlor where the Keltons entertained guests and the dining room where elegant meals were enjoyed. Marvel at Sophia Kelton’s elaborate dresses, hats, and accessories giving you serious fashion envy. Gaze at the beautiful original frescoes adorning the music room walls and picture the family gathered around the melodeon singing the evening away. Walking through each faithfully restored room feels like traveling back in time. The Kelton House Museum also features special events like high tea experiences, murder mystery dinners, and seasonal programs. The museum grounds contain heritage gardens planted with popular Victorian varieties of plants and flowers. The Kelton House Museum is located at 586 E Town St. Contact Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to book group transportation to this history museum. We can arrange pickups and dropoffs for your book club, senior group, or even as part of a progressive dinner or local history tour.
Ohio History Center
Discover Ohio’s rich heritage at the expansive Ohio History Center operated by the Ohio Historical Society. This enormous center contains both the Ohio History Museum and State Archives Library, making it a treasure trove for history buffs. Interactive exhibits take visitors through Ohio’s natural wonders, innovations, cultures, and stories spanning centuries. See recreations of a Native American earthwork, an 1880s town street, and even a 1950s diner complete with neon lights, jukebox, and classic cars. Learn how Ohio natives like the Wright Brothers, Annie Oakley, and John Glenn helped shape the nation. Discover stories of immigration to Ohio through interactive displays where you can listen to oral histories describing immigrant experiences. Don’t miss seeing Ohio native Annie Oakley’s famous rifle on display along with other artifacts celebrating her superstar sharpshooting status. Aviation pioneers can view a Wright Flyer airplane replica honoring the aviation innovations of Dayton’s own Wright Brothers. Motorsports fans will love the heritage of speed exhibit covering Ohio’s rich racing history showcasing tricked out vintage hot rods and motorcycles. The State Archives library contains a vast collection of manuscripts, photos, books, and records documenting Ohio’s past. Researchers can dig into millions of historical documents tracking events, people, and places across Ohio’s timeline. The Ohio History Center is located at 800 E 17th Ave. Call Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to arrange group transportation to this expansive tribute to Ohio’s heritage. We can accommodate classes on field trips, tourism groups, senior groups, and more.
Highball Halloween
Get your fright on and have a scream at HighBall Halloween, Columbus’ huge Halloween block party held annually in the Short North Arts District. The event spans multiple blocks with costume contests, live bands, street performers, food trucks, a costume parade, karaoke, movie screenings, and so much more. Bars and restaurants also get into the act with special spooky craft cocktails and themed decor. Strut your stuff in the costume contests with categories for individuals, couples, groups, and even pets. Or put on your dancing shoes for the Thriller dance mob featuring hundreds of zombies dancing in sync to Michael Jackson’s iconic tune. Grab some ghoulishly good eats from the array of food trucks and restaurants. end the night on a high note at the costume parade with floats, bands, dancers, and flamboyant costumes. HighBall Halloween takes place annually in late October in the Short North Arts District along High Street. Call Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to book transportation to this spirited street festival. We can accommodate groups large and small coming for a night of Halloween fun.
Columbus Food Adventures
Experience Columbus’ eclectic food scene on a walking food tour with Columbus Food Adventures. These 3-hour tours take you to 5-7 of the city’s top eateries in different neighborhoods including Short North, Downtown, Brewery District, and German Village. Guides share fun bits of food history and local lore while you sample chef creations at each stop everything from pizza to tacos, coffee to cupcakes, and more. Upcoming public tours are listed on the Columbus Food Adventures website, or private group tours can be arranged for 8 or more people. We suggest booking private transportation with us to easily move your hungry crew from tasty location to the next. Contact Columbus Party Bus Company at 614-448-0069 to arrange the perfect meal on wheels!
Plan Your Trip With Columbus Party Bus Company
Make the most of your time exploring Columbus’ hidden gems and attractions with convenient transportation provided by Columbus Party Bus Company. Our charter buses and party buses allow groups to travel together in comfort and ease. Reclining seats, WiFi, restrooms, and entertainment systems will make even longer trips across the city fly by. Let us handle the driving and logistics while you sit back and enjoy the journey with family, friends, or co-workers. Contact us at 614-448-0069 to learn more or to receive a quote tailored to your group’s specific transportation needs. We look forward to helping your group discover the real Columbus!