Travel writer Jordan Simon listed Columbus, Indiana among his Top 10 Things to See in the U.S. Before You Die on Aol.com. Columbus (pop. 39,000) was listed alongside the likes of Charleston, S.C., the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park. Simon says, “For a small city, Columbus is a major repository of modern architecture, with works by luminaries like Eero Saarinen, Cesar Pelli, and Richard Meier. This destination says design from the get go...”

In honor of this acknowledgment, we’ve created our own Top 10 List...

ONE : See 5 National Historic Landmarks.

TWO : Take a tour of more than 60 modern marvels via a guided tour, or on your own, with your cell phone.

THREE : See two original works by Dale Chihuly - a dazzling, 900-piece yellow neon chandelier and a colorful quilt of plexiglas

FOUR : Check out the bridges of Bartholomew County – two sleek modern bridges, a covered bridge, and a trestle bridge.

FIVE : Take in some local flavor with culinary experiences ranging from beer-tastings and wine pairings to progressive dinners at multiple restaurants. 

SIX : Walk the People Trails. With the leaves off the trees, it’s easier to spot the blue herons on the Flatrock River.

SEVEN : Drink a Green River at Zaharakos, hear the Orchestrion, and, for a limited time, indulge in some homemade cherry ice cream!

EIGHT : Explore the city to find dozens of pieces of large-scale, public art.

NINE : Discover little surprises around every corner. One alleyway is filled with colorful neon sculptures.

TEN : Find a one-of-a-kind collectible at Indiana’s largest antique mall, which is huge and amazingly well-organized.

COLUMBUS RANKED AMONG BEST
HISTORIC DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD
National Geographic Traveler
calls city a "Jewel in the Region"

Columbus, Indiana can boast of another honor for its architectural excellence and stewardship of its historical assets. In the Nov/Dec 2008 edition of National Geographic Traveler, the city of 40,000 residents is ranked 11th out of 109 historic destinations worldwide by National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, higher than any other U.S. destination.

About Columbus, the magazine states, "Although it is surprising to see a Midwestern burg in the company of Dijon and Stockholm, this 'jewel in the region' boasts 'world-class mid-century modern architecture.'"

Visit the National Geographic web page with details on the listing, and visit the Preservation magazine web site.

See other publications featuring Columbus.

Read about other accolades the city has received.

New York Post names Columbus its must-see Indiana destination

The New York Post visited in December 2009 and wrote "no one suits up for Christmas quite like Columbus" as well as "It's a design mecca, with more than 60 important Modernist buildings...by a who's-who of architectural heavies..."

Read the article on the Post web site.

Why YOU will find Columbus unforgettable...

Columbus, Indiana is a surprising community that is known around the world for its collection of work by renowned architects and landscape architects.  Columbus is a great destination for a getaway.

Located within the Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati triangle, this would be just another forgettable small Midwestern city except for the vision of local leaders who wanted to make Columbus the best community they could create. The results speak for themselves.

Columbus is ranked sixth in the U.S. for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects. Come enjoy the architecture, public art, gardens and landscaping, and a first-rate park system.

Columbus Visitors Center Hours of Operation :

Monday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sundays, 12:00 to 4:00 pm

Tours
Monday to Friday, 10:00 am (Mar - Nov)
Saturday, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
Make a tour reservation

Dec. / Jan. / Feb. Hours of Operation
Monday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (closed Sundays)
Tours on Saturdays only at 10 am and 2 pm

Closed Easter Sunday, April 4.