Columbus Introduction Walking Tour, Columbus

Columbus Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Columbus

The state capital of Ohio is the beautiful and historic city of Columbus. Located in the middle of the Buckeye State, Columbus is known as both the governmental and cultural center of Ohio.

Columbus was first inhabited by the indigenous Adema, Hopewell and Fort Ancient people. Nearby mounds and a large number of artifacts kept at the Ohio Statehouse show evidence of these early cultures.

Europeans began visiting the area in the mid-17th century. Due to its prime location, there were many skirmishes over who would eventually settle the land. The city of Columbus wasn't officially founded until 1812 when it was named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

Columbus was slow growing in its infancy but now is one of the largest state capitals in the country. Likewise, it is the second largest city in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Much of the industry in Columbus comes from automotive, steel and aerospace manufacturing. It is also known for agriculture, which has earned the city the nickname of Cowtown.

Ohio State University, located in Columbus, is one of the large public universities in the country. Its influence has helped museums, art galleries, libraries and sporting events become major parts of the city's culture.

Visitors to Columbus will find themselves enmeshed in the historical buildings, dazzling waterways and artistic atmosphere. Spots like the Ohio Statehouse in Capitol Square, the Scioto Mile Promenade and the Short North are popular choices. The city's German Village is always a great choice for authentic German cuisine, shopping and atmosphere.

Take this self-guided tour to see some of the great sights in Columbus, Ohio.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Rfgagel.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Columbus

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Columbus Introduction Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Columbus (See other walking tours in Columbus)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Columbus?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Columbus Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Columbus?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Columbus, Ohio

Create Your Own Walk in Columbus

Creating your own self-guided walk in Columbus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

German Village Walk

One of the oldest and most treasured historic areas in Columbus, Ohio, is the laid-back German Village. Many of its charming brick houses along Beck, Mohawk, and Deshler streets were built by German settlers in the early-to-mid-19th century. Boutiques and art galleries, pubs, restaurants, and coffee shops look exactly as they did 150 years ago thanks to the meticulous preservation effort.

Among... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio USA

Columbus, Ohio is home to the NHL Hockey team The Columbus Bluejackets and the famous Ohio State Buckeyes. Columbus isn't just the Buckeyes, snow, and farmland, though! There are year-round and seasonal attractions for families that are worth visiting. Mix some fun and educational activities...