
Public art has long been part of the fabric of Columbus, with an eclectic collection of sculptures, monuments, and memorials spread throughout some of the city's most popular public gathering places. You never know where you might stumble upon a unique sculpture as you tour the area, and the outstanding collection of parks in Columbus provide the perfect backdrop for many of the most iconic public sculptures in the city. Ready to start exploring? Start with our guide to eight great places for a sculpture walk around Columbus.
480 E. Town St., Columbus, OH 43215
Where else can you find a collection of living sculptures? There are very few places in the world quite like the Topiary Garden, and this Columbus landmark was created by two artists who called the city home. The Topiary Garden features a recreation of a post-Impressionist painting by artist George Seurat, sculpted from living trees, shrubs, and plants. This park is framed by a peaceful pond that represents the River Seine, and the park itself is one of the oldest public parks in Columbus. While the Topiary Garden is open all year long, it's an especially great place for a sculpture walk during the spring and summer when everything in the park is in full bloom.
2055 Millikin Rd., Columbus, OH 43210
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The Ohio State University campus is loaded with history, art, architecture, and beautiful views around every corner. There's so much to explore when you visit the campus for a tour, and the Garden of Constants, also known as The Numbers Garden, is one of the most popular attractions for visitors. The Garden of Constants is filled with large statues of numbers, scattered around beautiful gardens and scenic campus buildings. It was created in 2004 to honor the Dreese Lab where it's located, as a way to honor the academic disciplines of information science and electrical engineering that students at the lab learn about during their university years.
303 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
The Scioto Mile is home to some of the most widely visited parks in Columbus, and the next three parks on our list are all part of this outdoor oasis in the city. Public art is one of the big reasons that these parks are so popular, and Genoa Park is home to some of the city's most unique, unusual sculptures. Two of the Scioto Lounge deer sculptures, positioned like people overlooking the scenery of Columbus, are located at Genoa Park. The third is nearby on the Rich Street Bridge, and it's the perfect place to snap a selfie during your sculpture walk.
1069 Jaeger St., Columbus, OH 43206
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The second-oldest park in Columbus, Schiller Park was established in 1867 and has been one of the city's most popular parks ever since. In addition to a wide variety of athletic fields, gorgeous gardens, perfect picnic locations, and a scenic pond, Schiller Park is also home to some unique public art. The statue of Frederick Schiller, for whom the park was named, towers over a central location in the park. There's also the iconic Umbrella Girl statue, a beautiful bronze work that is part of a fountain in Schiller Park.
480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
It's no surprise that the Columbus Museum of Art is a great place to explore sculptures indoors, but you don't even need to enter the building to enjoy a sculpture walk. A walk around the building, which is an architectural, artistic marvel on its own, will allow you to take in six unique sculptures spread around the outside of the facility. The sculptures were created over the course of more than 50 years by both local and international artists. You can tour the outside of the facility anytime for free, and of course, it's more than worth going inside to see even more inspiring, amazing art.
25 Marconi Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215
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If you're interested in memorials that honor the many people who have shaped Columbus into the fantastic city that it is today, then you'll definitely want to visit Battelle Riverfront Park. This park is home to the City of Columbus Firefighters Memorial, the Freedom sculpture, the Spanish American War Memorial, and the Workers Memorial. The James W. Barney Pickaweekee Story Grove, also located at this park, is a great place to bring the kids for a whimsical sculpture walk with a unique collection of sculptures from renowned artist Jack Greaves.
218 West St., Columbus, OH 43215
While it may not technically be a sculpture, the historic arch at McFerson Commons definitely qualifies as a spectacular piece of public art. The arch was salvaged from the Columbus Union Train Station when it was demolished in 1979, but it looks like it could have been pulled straight from an ancient Roman city. The arch overlooks a beautiful green space where you will often find special events, festivals, and sporting events all year long.
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215
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The Ohio Statehouse is an excellent destination for learning more about the history of Ohio and Columbus. It's also home to eight unique public sculptures created over the course of more than 125 years. Attractions here include The Doughboy World War I memorial, the Peace sculpture, the Ohio Veterans Plaza, and the William McKinley Monument, to name a few. While you're there, head inside the Ohio Statehouse for a fascinating guided tour and stop by the gift shop to pick up a unique souvenir from your visit.
There are countless sculptures in the city that didn't quite make our list. Which one will you visit first?