Columbus City Adventures Downtown Holiday Lights Tours

Not scheduled for 2023.

Get ready to go on an adventure to find the best sights, sites, tales, and lore – whether you’re a tourist, local, or newly relocated. Columbus City Adventures is the first full-service city tour provider, and they have some fun options coming up.

From exploring the landmarks and attractions of Columbus, to a stroll through the city’s historic neighborhoods, and holiday-themed tours – there’s something for everyone with Columbus City Adventures Tours.

Holiday Lights Tours

December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 2022

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with a drive through Central Ohio’s twinkling winter landscape with a Holiday Lights Tour.

Downtown will be alive with festive energy of hundreds of thousands of lights, including the Grand Illumination along the Scioto Mile, and the Lights at Columbus Commons, and more. 

This 2 hour tour will include the viewing of the many light displays and decorations laced through the downtown area. It will also recount stories of Central Ohio holiday traditions.

You’ll also enjoy the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s annual Huntington Holiday Train Display. A new stop will be at the The Museum of Catholic Art and History for a private tour of their beautiful Nativity Display with over 300 Nativities.

Tour details

All tours start at the Hotel LeVeque, 50 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Arrive early to explore the refurbished Columbus architecture icon, grab a drink at Starbucks, or dinner or drink at The Keep.

This tour is 2.5 hours long and starts at 5:30 pm. The cost is Adults $50, Children 12-17 $35, Seniors and Full Time Students and Military $45. 

See if reservations are available for the Holiday Lights Tour now!

About Columbus City Adventures

Central Ohio’s first full-service city tour provider – was born of a passion for telling the stories of the city, and a drive to reveal the best sights, sites, tales, and lore, to tourists, locals, and the newly relocated.

Fall Tours from 2022

Columbus Central City Tours

Fridays, September 23 – October 28 at 12:30 pm

From nationally ranked museums, historical sites, and picturesque neighborhoods to top ranked shopping districts, brewpubs, and barcades, this excursion provides an enjoyable introduction to the best the city has to offer.

At approximately 2.5 hours long, this bus or van tour is suitable both for the tourist looking to get their bearings in a new city as well as Central Ohioans seeking a better understanding of the places to see and be seen in Columbus.

Downtown Walking Tour, A Visit To Ohio’s Capitol

Saturdays, September 23- October 29 at 10:30 am
$25-$30. Reservations required.

Architecture and History abound on the walk downtown! Downtown is home to Ohio’s government and filled with a variety of architectural styles.

Explore this area with a visit to Columbus’s first skyscraper, see the most iconic building, stroll along the refurbished riverfront while learning its history. Stop by the Ohio Statehouse, home of Ohio’s government, and learn about Ohio’s most important building.

photo: Columbus City Adventures

Secrets of the Statehouse Square

October 15 and October 28, 2022 at 6:30pm

Columbus City Adventures and former television news anchor Anietra Hamper, author of the award-winning book “Secret Columbus: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” have teamed up again with a walking tour around Capital Square to uncover city secrets that most people never knew existed.

From the city’s first (and still existing) air raid bunker to local secrets about candy, join us for this unique walking tour in downtown Columbus.

Tales of the Ohio Penitentiary Walking Tour

October 20 and October 29, 2022 at 6:30pm

Secret Columbus -Spooky Columbus

November 1, 2022 at 6:30 pm

Spooky tour includes

• The Insane asylum cemetery
• One of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Ohio, and a soldier’s grave that was “lost” for over 90 years.
• A visit to the final resting place for over 2,000 Confederate Soldiers
• A “lost” highway
• Exclusive private tour of the showpiece of the Columbus Mausoleum Company and resting place for over 400, including world renown magician Howard Thurston

This tour is provided on air-conditioned bus transportation and lasts approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Guests will get on and off the bus during the tour to visit some of the sites. 

Fall Walking Tours with Columbus City Adventures

Not on schedule for 2022

Spooky, Secret, and Historic outdoor walking tours. Escape for an evening or two with Columbus City Adventures’ October Walking tour series. They’ve teamed up with a unique group of partners for 3 tours featuring the creepier and secret side of Columbus plus new times for our Downtown History tour.

History and Haunts of Fort Hayes

Not on schedule for 2022
Reservations required

For almost 150 years Fort. Hayes served as an arsenal, recruiting, induction, and training center for the military. Today Fort Hayes is owned by the Columbus City Schools and occupied by district offices, the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center and the WCBE radio station. Join us to as we learn the history and hear about the spooky side of this campus. A portion of the proceeds benefit WCBE. 

photo: Columbus City Adventures

Tales of the Arena District

Not on schedule for 2022
Tour- $35. Reservations required.

Today, the Arena District, home to Huntington Park, Nationwide Arena and the popular North Market, and is a destination for sports, concerts, and fun. However many who live and work in this vibrant area just north of downtown, are unaware of its long, dark history of crime, scandal, violence, and death. Come with us as we reveal these stories while strolling among the remnants of the Ohio Penitentiary, Union Station, and much more.

Check out the website for more information and to book your tours!

Find more Fall and Halloween Tours in Columbus here.

12+ Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus