By 1808Delaware
Columbus is suddenly finding itself in front of a national audience.
Season 10 of the Netflix series Love Is Blind was filmed in the city, and the show drew 4.8 million views in its second week while ranking among Netflix’s top five programs worldwide. For millions of viewers, the series offers an unexpected introduction to Ohio’s capital. But long before the cameras arrived, Columbus had already been building momentum.
This spring, Central Ohio is seeing a wave of new attractions, exhibitions, cultural events, and even a new professional football team. For residents of Delaware County and communities across the region, many of these experiences are just a short drive away.
New Experiences at COSI
One of the biggest draws is the continued expansion of the Center of Science and Industry, better known as COSI. The museum was recently named the nation’s top science museum by USA Today for the sixth time. Two new experiences debut this spring.
The exhibition Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids: Mythic Creatures explores the scientific roots of legendary animals, examining how fossils, mistaken observations, and human imagination helped shape stories that have lasted for centuries. COSI is also introducing Verse COSI, a holographic theater experience where visitors wear augmented reality glasses and step into immersive story worlds. The first experience, titled Everworld: The Unreal Garden, invites guests to solve riddles while transforming a magical environment around them.
The museum will also host the annual COSI Science Festival from April 29 through May 2, featuring free science activities and demonstrations at locations throughout the Columbus area. For more details on all of these visit the COSI website.
A Major Reopening at Ohio State
Another cultural highlight arrives with the reopening of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at The Ohio State University.
The museum’s new permanent exhibition, The Story of Comics, traces the development of comic art and storytelling. The exhibit includes a special display dedicated to Calvin and Hobbes, one of the most beloved comic strips ever created. Later in the spring, the museum will host the only American stop of Life Is Complicated, an exhibition by acclaimed cartoonist Chris Ware. The show opens May 22 and runs through November.
Downtown Stages Come Alive
Spring also brings a busy performance calendar to Downtown Columbus.
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio will present two productions at the Riffe Center Theatre Complex. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding runs March 5 through March 22, followed by Primary Trust from April 23 through May 10. Just a few blocks away, the historic Palace Theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Since opening in 1926, the theater has remained one of the city’s most recognizable performing arts venues.
Broadway in Columbus will also bring several touring productions to the Ohio Theatre this spring, including The Sound of Music, The Outsiders, and Shucked.
A New Football Team Takes the Field
Sports fans will also see the arrival of a new franchise this spring. The Columbus Aviators have joined the United Football League and will play their home games at Historic Crew Stadium. The team opens the season on the road March 29 against the Orlando Storm before hosting its first home game April 3 at 8:00 PM against the DC Defenders. The regular season concludes May 31 with a home game against the Louisville Kings.
Columbus’ Food Scene Gets National Attention
Columbus has also begun attracting attention for its restaurant scene. Food & Wine recently named the city one of America’s “Next Great Food Cities,” while Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked it among the country’s best food destinations.
One of the most recognized restaurants in the city is Veritas, located in Downtown Columbus. The restaurant was included on USA Today’s 2026 list of the top 39 restaurants in America.
Chef Josh Dalton is also preparing to open a new Mediterranean concept called Amara. The restaurant is expected to open Memorial Day weekend at 229 South Civic Center Drive.
Spring Brings Color Across the City
Of course, spring in Columbus also means the return of one of the region’s most photogenic seasonal traditions: cherry blossoms.
More than 5,000 cherry trees bloom across the city each year, with a particularly dense concentration in Franklin Park. Publications such as Midwest Living and The Points Guy have ranked Columbus among the best places in the United States to see cherry blossoms. The Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 24 through April 25, with the main celebration scheduled for April 4 in Franklin Park.
Another seasonal attraction is Blooms & Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The exhibition allows visitors to walk among hundreds of butterflies inside a tropical garden environment. It continues through July 5.
Later in the season, visitors can explore the Columbus Park of Roses. The 13-acre garden features more than 7,500 rose specimens and is considered one of the largest public rose gardens in the country.
A National Spotlight Close to Home
With national television exposure, new attractions, and growing recognition for its food and cultural scene, Columbus is experiencing a period of renewed attention.
For Delaware County residents, it also serves as a reminder that one of the country’s fastest-growing and most dynamic cities is only a short drive away.
