Experience · Columbus

Family Fun Afternoon at COSI Columbus

Dive into a world of discovery at COSI, where hands-on exhibits entertain and educate all ages. Recharge with a relaxed meal at a German Village staple, then cap off the day with a gentle stroll through a beautiful park.

A 4.5-hour Columbus afternoon plan for solo — Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant, Schiller Park.

Duration
4h 30m
Cost
$60–$120
Stops
3 stops
Area
Downtown + 1 more
Walking
Light walking · Total 1.6-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Solo · Families · Kids
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Family Fun Afternoon at COSI Columbus

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Center of Science and Industry (COSI)(2 hr 30 min)→
  2. 2Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant(1 hr)→
  3. 3Schiller Park(1 hr)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 1.6 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Columbus instead of crossing town between them. Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Schiller Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to solo, families, and families with kids who want a planned Columbus outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Dive into a world of discovery at COSI, where hands-on exhibits entertain and educate all ages. Recharge with a relaxed meal at a German Village staple, then cap off the day with a gentle stroll through a beautiful park.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)1
    2h 30m
    Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

    Arts & Culture · Downtown

    This large educational science center offers interactive exhibits, working labs & planetarium shows.

    What to do — Spend a few hours exploring the engaging exhibits at COSI, from dinosaurs to space and beyond. Don't miss a planetarium show if one fits your schedule.

    1.3 mi · 6 min drive

    Then Drive a short distance south to German Village for a delicious, family-friendly meal.

  2. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant2
    1 hr
    Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant

    Food & Drink · German Village

    Unpretentious, long-running German eatery in a historic livery stable with live oompah music.

    What to do — Enjoy unpretentious German fare, including sausages and cream puffs, in a historic setting at Schmidt's Sausage Haus.

    0.3 mi · 6 min walk or 4 min drive

    Then Walk a few blocks to Schiller Park for a relaxing end to the day.

  3. Schiller Park3
    Optional 1 hr
    Schiller Park

    Outdoors · German Village

    Longtime green space featuring a fishing pond, playground & tennis courts, plus a stage for shows.

    What to do — Optional, low-effort stop to wind down. Let the kids play at the playground, enjoy the fishing pond, or simply take a leisurely walk through the park's beautiful grounds before heading home.

The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Columbus itinerary for solo?
Yes. It's built for solo, families, and families with kids and runs about 4 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Center of Science and Industry (COSI).
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 4 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Columbus itinerary cost?
Roughly $60–$120 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 1.6 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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