It’s the nature of living in the Columbus, OH: come autumn, the weather takes a turn, sweaters and umbrellas come out, and it’s time to find fun things to do indoors. Whether you’re new to the city and this is your first autumn or you’re considering relocating and curious what happens when the clouds roll in, we’ve got six great suggestions to keep you entertained and protected from the elements. Oh, those Ohio elements.
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Franklin Park Conservatory
The Franklin Park Conservatory offers activities for multiple aspects all in one place: you can walk the grounds to take in the gardens during the warmer weather, and during cooler or rainier months, take advantage of the classes and events held in the museum. Interactive, hands-on programs are offered year-round for children of all ages, and adults can dig into classes like culinary and wellness workshops, fine art education, and garden design to get you prepared for the next summer.
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COSi
COSi stands for Center of Science and Industry, which sounds a bit misleading — let’s just say this place is a ton of fun for kids and adults — with exhibits like the Pink Floyd show in the Planetarium on Friday and Saturday night, Adventures in the Valley of the Unknown, and an ever-rotating roster of movies shown on the really, really big screen, there’s always something interesting and entertaining for all ages. Adults can also take advantage of COSI’s “Up All Night” program or have some beverages at Science On Tap… the science museum just got way cooler.
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Columbus Museum of Art
What better to do on a rainy day than get lost in some timeless works of art? Relocating to Columbus doesn’t necessarily mean no access to top-notch museums. The CMoA has a constantly rotating series of installations and exhibits, as well as the more interactive “Big Idea Gallery” and the hands-on Wonder Room. The Museum also hosts events regularly, like educational presentations on new exhibitions or events aimed more at socializing surrounded by lovely art. Master your “hmm…” head tilt and head to the museum.
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Wexner Center
At the Wexner Center, you can watch just about anything: music, film, theater, dance, lectures, and art. Rotating exhibits pay homage to various aspects of the arts, like the Fall 2016 exhibit featuring the artwork of the experimental Black Mountain College. The films are guaranteed to be independent and unique, and the lectures from visiting speakers as well as museum docents will give you a deeper look into the arts or invite you to consider, for example, comic books in an entirely different light. Have a look through the calendar and we’re pretty sure you’ll have plenty of activities to do in Columbus.
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Camelot Cellars
Have you ever fancied yourself a sommelier, impressing your friends with your in-depth knowledge of the bottles you pull out of your wine cellar? Then spend a day with the folks at Camelot Cellars and craft your very own, personalized vintage — all the way down to the details on the label. It’s a two-part process, of course, starting with a tasting to determine your preferred blend, then a few weeks later, returning to bottle your new wine. Then it can decorate the shelves of your wine cellar until it is perfectly aged and ready for a grand unveiling at your new home in Columbus.
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Ohio Roller Girls
You’ve never seen a roller derby bout? Well, it’s about time. It’s more than just a bunch of girls roller skating, that’s for sure — rough and wild and raucous, expect a vibe more along the lines of a hockey game. Pick your favorite team and get ready to cheer as loudly as you possibly can, because roller derby is about really getting into it. Really. And the folks in Columbus know how to do Derby right.
On the occasion that the weather gets nice? Here’s a blog post with some fantastic ways to take advantage of a break in the chill. And if you’re moving to Columbus during the winter, take a few precautionary steps to beat the post-relocation blues with this blog post.
