Devon BrooksExploring Ohio’s capital means stumbling onto hidden gems, great food, and a lot of history.
Whether you’re a solo traveler chasing culture or a family looking for a fun day out, booking the best tours in Columbus can really change how you see the city.
You might already have a list of free things to do in Columbus or plans to ride the scenic Columbus bike trails. Still, a guided trip adds local know-how you just can’t get on your own.
To help you decide where to start, here are the top tours in Columbus worth your time.
How much does a tour cost in Columbus?
The cost of tours in Columbus range widely, depending on what you pick. You can grab a budget distillery walk-through for about $10, or splurge on a private helicopter flight that runs north of $300. Most travelers land somewhere in the middle.
| Tour Type | Estimated Cost |
| Distillery Tours | ~$10 per person |
| Self-Guided Tours | From $10 |
| Museum Tours | $18 per adult (free on Sundays) |
| Activity & City Tours | $25 to $30 for pedal wagons; about $75 for scavenger hunts |
| Food Tours | From $105 |
| Helicopter Tours | $259 to $319 for private downtown flights |
1. SegAway Tours of Columbus
Website: https://www.segawaytoursofcolumbus.com/
Address: 400 North High Street
Contact: (614) 222-3005
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Getting around downtown is genuinely fun with SegAway Tours of Columbus, and it’s an eco-friendly, low-impact way to see the place. Their local guides share real historical context while you glide past scenic routes and photo-worthy stops.
We tagged along on one of their downtown rides recently and were surprised by how fast beginners found their footing after the quick safety training. The small groups keep things personal, so it’s easy to chat with the guide along the way.
That said, standing and balancing for a long stretch can be tough if you have mobility limits, so it’s worth thinking about before you book.
Even so, it’s a great pick if you want to cover more ground than a walking tour.
Customer Reviews
You will NOT be disappointed!
We did the Downtown Christmas Lights tour on December 23, 2025, and it was fantastic. Ron Smith is very funny and cares about his guests. You will NOT be disappointed! He stops and takes photos of you at the best spots.
- Buckeye Traveler | Google Review
Incredibly fun way to see the city
This is an incredibly fun way to see the city. We have been on a city tour and the holiday lights tour. The guide, Ron, was incredible, he took some amazing pics, had a great holiday music playlist for us and was all around a great guy. Would HIGHLY recommend this company and these tours!
2. Columbus Food Adventures
Website: https://www.columbusfoodadventures.com/
Address: 201 W Hubbard Ave
Contact: (614) 440-3177
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Food lovers will feel right at home with Columbus Food Adventures, which builds its tours around the city’s dining scene.
Local guides walk you through the historical and cultural background while you taste your way through standout food and drink stops.
One of our researchers booked one of their craft brewery outings and couldn’t stop raving about the chats with local chefs and owners. The small groups also keep things interactive, which she loved.
On busy weekends, though, a few restaurant stops get crowded. This sometimes leads groups to eat their samples outside instead of in the dining room.
Even with that hiccup, the cultural context and the food make it an easy afternoon to recommend.
Customer Reviews
Knowledgeable, friendly and very personable
We loved this food tour! We had a group of 5 and we all live in the Columbus area but had no idea all of the cute, wonderful places in this city. Andy did a wonderful job touring us around in the cold! He was knowledgeable, friendly and very personable. We will definitely be referring this fun event and Andy to our friends and family! Thank you:)
- Kerry Kopelcheck | Google Review
We’ll be returning for other tours
An excellent and enjoyable afternoon! My wife and I spent this past Saturday tasting the culinary delights of Dublin, OH while learning about the history and culture of the town. The tour was led by Nicole, a very pleasant and knowledgeable guide. The group was certainly ‘full’ by the end of the tour. We highly recommend Columbus Food Adventures. We’ll be returning for other tours.
- John Mueller | Google Review
3. Pedal Wagon Columbus
Website: https://pedalwagon.com/columbus/
Address: 848 North Pearl Street
Contact: (614) 805-5497
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Celebrating something special is a blast with Pedal Wagon Columbus, known for its group-friendly mobile bar that lets you socialize while you sightsee.
These multi-passenger, pedal-powered wagons let groups customize their route and drink choices for a personalized outing. A trained driver handles navigation and safety, so your group is free to pedal and enjoy the ride.
It’s a favorite for birthdays and corporate events because it mixes a little exercise with neighborhood exploring.
Just know that pedaling a non-electric wagon takes real effort, and it can tire some folks out faster than they expect. So as long as your group is up for a little sweat, it’s a lively way to cruise the streets.
Customer Reviews
Amazing tour guides
For our team outing we went to Pedal Wagon Columbus and it couldn’t have been a better experience! Joey and Brandon were amazing tour guides. Everything went so smoothly and was well thought out from the music to the stops to the check-in process. It was such a unique way to experience Columbus and connect as a team! 10/10 recommend!!!
- Grace Morris | Google Review
Fantastic guide
We had an amazing time on our Southern Cap City tour! Eric was a fantastic guide, and was such a good sport with our bachelorette party! We followed his recommendations for where to stop along the tour, and the discounts at the bars were excellent (can’t beat half off all alcohol!!). We will definitely be doing this again!
- Elizabeth Reeves | Google Review
4. Columbus Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls
Website: https://usghostadventures.com/columbus-ghost-tour/
Address: 17 W Russell St
Contact: (614) 362-9985
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thrill-seekers will love Columbus Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls for the way they mix local history with paranormal storytelling. These guided evening walks take you into the city’s darker past, with trained storytellers keeping the entertainment high.
We joined one of their haunted pub crawls recently and got completely pulled into the chilling tales shared over a few local pints. The interactive vibe makes it great for team-building nights or a lively weekend with friends.
One catch is that navigating crowded outdoor spots sometimes causes audio issues, so people in the back can miss parts of the guide’s stories.
Even with that, the blend of spooky lore and real history makes for a fun night out.
Customer Reviews
I learned some interesting history about Columbus
Our guide was energetic and friendly. While the tour is about ghosts, I learned some interesting history about Columbus and discovered a new restaurant I’d like to try that I’d probably never have come across otherwise. Overall it’s a fun event for families or a date night!
- Sue Reynolds | Google Review
Got to know a ton of info on the city
I loved the tour, our tour guide Bea was awesome and enjoyed the experience with her. The only thing that was a bit sad was that she didnt have her ghost plushies in and said that they would be contact with management regarding getting the plushies to us or getting refund. So communication was on point. I loved the facts and got to know a ton of info on the city. If in could 10/10 stars
- Rosie TheAngel | Google Review
5. German Village Tours
Website: https://www.germanvillagetours.com/
Areas Served: Columbus, OH
Contact: (614) 642-8687
Hours: No available schedule information
History buffs should check out German Village Tours for a deep dive into one of the city’s most striking neighborhoods. Local guides lead walks that get into the heritage, daily life, and famous brick architecture of the area.
My neighbor took the tour and came back talking about how much she picked up about the community’s roots. You can pick between a guided group walk and a self-guided audio option depending on your schedule, which is handy.
Since it’s all outdoors, surprise rain or a brutal summer afternoon can really cut into your comfort, so check the forecast first.
Dress for the weather, and this neighborhood stroll turns into a genuinely informative outing.
Customer Reviews
Great person to chat with throughout the tour
Jan was a wonderful guide and a great person to chat with throughout the tour. She’s very knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. She thoroughly explained the rich history and had some really awesome stories of what it’s like to live in the neighborhood. Highly recommend to gain an appreciation for the area.
- Kelsey McCoy | Google Review
A wonderful tour of German village
This tour was absolutely fantastic. Jan took my Mother and I on a wonderful tour of German village. She mixed just enough past and present history to make it special. I would highly recommend this experience. Thank you so much!!
Tami Kaido | Google Review
