Looking for a hidden gem with world-class architecture and small-town charm? Head to Columbus, Indiana! Known for its striking modern architecture, vibrant arts scene, and beautiful parks, Columbus is one of the Midwest’s most surprising and delightful destinations. Whether you're an architecture buff or a casual explorer, Columbus offers creativity around every corner.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Columbus is from spring through fall (April through October). Mild weather is perfect for walking tours, exploring public art installations, and attending lively festivals.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Columbus is located off I-65, about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis and 1 hour north of Louisville.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND), about 45–50 minutes away by car.
- By Train/Bus: Bus service is available to nearby Indianapolis, with rental cars needed to reach Columbus.
Where to Stay
- Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center – Stylish boutique hotel surrounded by public art, steps from downtown attractions.
- Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Tipton Lakes – Comfortable, family-friendly hotel with a pool, just a short drive from downtown.
- Inn at Irwin Gardens – Elegant historic mansion offering luxurious accommodations and stunning gardens in the heart of the city.
Best Things to Do
1. Step Into Modern Mastery at The Miller House and Garden
Rating: ★★★★★
The Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana showcases the incredible work of several leading designers and architects of the twentieth century, which include Dan Kiley, Alexander Girard, Kevin Roche, and Eero Saarinen. Owned and maintained by Newfield’s the Miller House is one of the city’s architectural icons, as well as one of the country’s most significant mid-century modern residences, often noted alongside The Farnsworth House, The Glass House, and Fallingwater as the best residential modernism examples in the United States. Tours of the building are available for a fee from the Columbus Visitors Center and last around ninety minutes.
506 5th St, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: 800-468-6564
2. Relax Where Design Meets Nature at Mill Race Park
Mill Race Park is located where the Driftwood River and the Flat Rock River converge in the downtown area of Columbus. This city-owned and operated park encompasses more than eighty acres and features an observation tower that’s eighty-four feet tall and a playground for children. The park also includes two small lakes with a wooden bridge, a perimeter loop road, a circular lake with surrounding walkway, the People Trail, basketball courts, an earthen amphitheater, and opportunities for fishing. The interpretive boardwalk connects the park wetland to the community’s path system. Mill Race Park also hosts several festivals and events throughout the year.
50 Carl Miske Drive, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: 812-376-2680
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. Play Where Creativity Lives at The Commons
The Commons in Columbus is an indoor event venue and community space, featuring a stage area and modern event spaces, a number of casual dining establishments, and a 5,000-square-foot indoor playground, which includes the “Luckey Climber” measuring 35 feet tall. The Commons also displays public art, such as the Chaos I, a one-of-a-kind sculpture created by Jean Tinguley and the centerpiece for the space. Upstairs provides an event venue for exhibitions, gala events, lectures, and live performances. The Commons was designed by Koetter Kim to to be not only a “community center,” but a resource for the community as well.
300 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: 812-376-2681
4. Explore, Imagine, and Learn at Kidscommons
Kidscommons in the architecturally famed city of Columbus, Indiana provides toddlers up through early teens and their families with a safe and vibrant environment where everyone can explore the three floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits together. Children can delight in sliding down the ExploraHouse’s world-famous giant toilet and learning about houses, learning about other cultures in the Our House Japan exhibit, designing their own “city of the future” in the City by Design exhibit, along with creating their own masterpieces within the Kids at Art Studio, climbing the seventeen-foot wall designed to replicate a building, and much more.
309 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: 812-378-3046
5. Honor Aviation Heritage at Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum of Columbus, Indiana dedicates itself to the memory of all civilian and military personnel who served during the conflicts and wars from between the years of 1942 and 1970 in any capacity, serving to recall the various events of World War II, along with the Vietnam, Cuban, and Korean conflicts, which affected many lives. The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum has no admission fee, and aims to inspire and educate guests through the personal stories, photos, and history of the men and women who served.
4742 Ray Boll Blvd, Columbus, IN 47203, Phone: 812-372-4356
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
6. Catch a Performance at The Crump Theater
The Crump Theater is situated less than one block away from the downtown historic district’s Bartholomew County Courthouse and is one of the city’s sentimental favorites. The history of the theater dates back to the year 1889, when an opera house was built by J.S. Crump at the rear of an already existing building. No expense was spared to bring national theater firms in to design the theater’s scenic backdrops and lavish interior. The Crump Theater has hosted an array of acts and a number of famous performers over the years, such as John Mellencamp and John Philip Sousa.
425 3rd St, Columbus, IN 47201
7. Dig Into Local Roots at the Bartholomew County Historical Society
The Bartholomew County Historical Society has a mission of collecting and preserving artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the history of Bartholomew County in Indiana. The historical society teaches about the region’s heritage to both current and future generations through interpretive displays and programs. Among the various displays in the Bartholomew County Historical Society’s museum, visitors can see a large number of radios from the largest Arvin radio collection in the world, as well as learn how the company helped with manufacturing items used during World War II. Other collection items include product posters, display cases, and original marketing materials.
524 3rd St, Columbus, IN 47203, Phone: 812-372-3541
Plan Your Trip