19 Unique Indoor Activities In Columbus, Ohio To Try Next Time It Rain

When the weather turns moody it’s a good time to head indoors. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to come to an end! The indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio are some of the best in the state, with Michelin-star dining, indoor parks, movie theaters, and museums to enjoy. You can also create your own indoor special event through Peerspace thanks to our collection of hundreds of local event spaces for rent. Whether you’re interested in a dance class, a costume party, or a holiday dinner, rainy days will never ruin the festivities!

1. Play games & drink at an arcade bar

Rainy days are the perfect day to dust off the controller and get your favorite game going. If you want to enjoy a game with friends and a drink or three, check out some of Columbus’s amazing arcade bars! 16-Bit Bar & Arcade is one of our favorites thanks to their collection of over 40 vintage arcade games! 

2. Book a private yoga class

Yoga lessons are the best way to improve your form and balance but getting the attention of the teacher in a large group can be challenging. Why not reserve a private space for a 1-on-1 lesson instead? As the leading online marketplace for event spaces, Peerspace has hundreds of suitable venues for a private yoga class, like this centrally located dance studio with second-story views! The mirrored walls, Bluetooth-connected sound system, and portable ballet barres make this an ideal spot for a yoga or dance class!

3. Catch a show at the Ohio Theatre

The Ohio Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings in Columbus. Saved from being demolished in the 60s by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, the Theater hosts performances, festivals, award ceremonies, and private events year-round. It’s worth visiting the space just to take in the elegant interior. From a 21-foot chandelier to classic Spanish-Baroque architecture, visiting the Ohio Theatre is an unforgettable experience. 

4. Visit the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

Museums dedicated to specialty topics provide a deep look into their chosen topic. That’s what makes the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum so much fun! The space is dedicated to American cartoons and comic lore, with a collection of hundreds of thousands of strips, books, and other manuscripts. The Cartoon Library & Museum has regular exhibits to explore that outline how comics are made, how many have affected national history, and other topics!

5. Buy tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center

For kid-friendly indoor activities in Columbus, check out LEGOLAND Discovery Center! The venue boasts 36,000 square feet of interactive play areas, exhibits, games, and more! LEGO sculptures of the city and historic figures provide educational opportunities for young children. And of course, there are ample opportunities for them to try building their own LEGO masterpieces!

6. Find a new favorite restaurant

Columbus punches well above its weight as a food city; you’ll find food trucks parked on High Street, fusion cuisine, traditional sit-down American joints, and more! The city is also home to multiple Michelin-star restaurants, one of the highest honors a food establishment can receive! When the weather turns sour, check out Refectory Restaurant & Bistro, a refined French dining experience with an extensive wine selection!  

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7. Tour the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

You can still enjoy natural beauty without getting rained on in Columbus. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful indoor activities in Columbus. You’ll find seasonal installations, educational displays, and events like cooking classes or art exhibitions to enjoy.

8. Find your way out of an escape room

Escape rooms are a chance to solve puzzles, find clues, and figure out how to escape a venue in a set amount of time! They are a great rainy day activity for small groups and individuals. The Escape Game is one of Columbus’s most exciting escape rooms. There are six different escape rooms to choose from, each with varying skill levels to master!

9. Break things in a smash room

Smash rooms and rage rooms are the ultimate stress-relief indoor activity in Columbus! Rage rooms give you the chance to let loose and use a bat, golf club, or other heavy object of your choice to smash plates, electronics, and other things! Some are standalone venues while others are pop-up events that come and go. So be sure to book your tickets the moment you find one!

10. Explore Columbus coffee houses

Head to a local coffee house when the weather is looking too drizzly for outdoor fun. The city has many locally-owned outlets to enjoy a good cup of coffee, tea, or baked goods. True coffee aficionados should check out the Columbus Coffee Trail, an app-based experience that will take you along nearly two dozen local venues. You can explore the Columbus Coffee Trail through the Columbus tourism website!

11. Book a party hall for a dinner event

One good way to plan a memorable indoor activity in Columbus is to arrange a dinner event for family or friends. Dinner parties can be held for a special event or they can be an excuse to get your favorite people together for fun! As the nation’s leading online marketplace for venues, Peerspace has hundreds of dining spaces and banquet halls to consider. Have you seen this event-friendly mansion in Gahanna? A fully stocked chef’s kitchen provides the perfect place to serve an unforgettable dinner amidst 6 private acres of forested property!

12. Visit the Otherworld Immersive Art Installation

Immersive art installations take away the spectator feeling of a traditional art show and place you square in the middle of things! Otherworld includes over 50 immersive scenes to explore in a 32,000-square-foot space. It’s the work of over 100 artists collaborating to create a unique indoor activity like few others!

13. Take a tour of the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory

Who isn’t a fan of gourmet chocolates? If you’ve ever wondered how they’re made, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory. You’ll get to see each step of the process and the massive equipment involved. Plus everyone gets free chocolate samples at the end of the tour!

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14. Spend the day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are one of the city’s star attractions. Over 2 million people visit each year but that doesn’t mean locals can’t enjoy the sights on a rainy day! The zoo hosts special educational events year-round, not to mention modern facilities for animals from around the world. If you’re craving something unique, check out The Wilds, located an hour outside of Columbus, for an open-air safari tour amidst free-ranging animals!

15. Challenge friends at the Game Show Battle Rooms

If you’ve ever watched classic game shows and wanted to spin the wheel or answer trivia questions now is your chance! Columbus’s Game Show Battle Rooms let you experience the fun of classic TV game shows in a group setting!

16. Explore classic cars at the Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum

Fans of classic cars will find no better collection of vintage automobiles than the Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum. Steve Wagner’s collection includes limited license plates, classic cars from the 1950s, signs, and other memorabilia. Just make sure you call ahead to make an appointment for this unique indoor activity in Columbus! 

17. Go shopping at North Market

Downtown Columbus’s North Market is one of the premiere shopping destinations the city has to offer. It’s over 148 years old and includes artisans, farmers, clothing outlets, and more! The North Market hosts special events year-round as well, including trivia nights and night markets. In 2000 a second location was established in Bridge Park, giving you even more indoor options to explore on a rainy day!

18. Go spelunking at Ohio Caverns

The Ohio Caverns in nearby West Liberty are the largest in the state, with over 1 mile of explored passageways. You can take guided tours underground to see rock formations, explore geology, and take photos. The Ohio Caverns remain at 54F year-round and are open year-round!

19. Catch a film at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse

If you’re into movie theaters and want more than popcorn and soda, check out Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse! This two-screen theater has been a Columbus fixture for nearly a century. You’ll find beer, pizza, and salads on the menu, along with blockbuster films and indie flicks. Studio 35 also hosts beer tastings, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and other events regularly! 

Indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio: conclusion

As you can see, Columbus has no shortage of fun indoor activities to try! Even lifelong locals will find something new and unique to experience here! If we’ve inspired you to plan something special, consider searching for a Columbus event venue through Peerspace, the nation’s leading online marketplace for space rentals!

Find unique event venues in Columbus on Peerspace