Looking for a place to host your next event? Check out our list of the 2 best convention centers in Columbus OH. From spacious ballrooms to stunning outdoor spaces, these venues have everything you need to make your event a success. So read on and find the perfect convention center for your needs!
The Best Convention Center in Columbus OH
Ohio Expo Center & State Fair
- Address: 717 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (10216)
- Phone: +1 614-644-3247
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: Closed
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Top 2 Exhibition and Convention Center in Columbus OH
Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Address: 400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (6867)
- Phone: +1 614-827-2500
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
Building is modern, clean and well maintained. Convention center staff was polite and visible. Covid restrictions were unclear by both the center and the con and were not posted publicly till just hours before the con began. Convention center permanent markets and shops were also clean and well staffed!By Amy Burgess (BarefootBurgess) (3 months ago)Very clean and very spacious, very conveniently connected to Hyatt Regency Hotel so don’t have to leave the building and simply walk from the hotel directly to the convention center. Came for the Expo and Sports Festival, was pretty cold weather (34F-35F day time) but was comfortable temperature inside the convention center. It is located in Columbus downtown, few other hotels nearby as well and only approximately 15min drive to the airport.By Ruta P. (9 months ago)I was in Columbus OH for a very cool NGAUS show! the facility was fantastic, big beautiful and clean. Plenty of covered parking, fantastic staff and there even was food court! It was easy to find directly adjacent to freeway access. there were many shops and restaurants within walking distance right on Main Street.By John St Martin (2 months ago)This place is crazy. It’s absolutely huge and there is space for just about any activity you can imagine. I’ve been here multiple times for the Arnold Sports Festival and it’s always been clean and accommodating.
It’s kind of fun exploring around, as the building is connected to all sorts of peripheral buildings around the area.
Parking can be kind of a pain. The Goodale Parking Garage fills up fast, so I recommending the Vine Street Garage if you can grab a spot there.
By Greg Eakins (9 months ago)Went to the fire convention here. Met a lot of new people. Was really an awesome experience!! Overheard some of the staff talking and they pulled three shifts, amazing!! Without them it wouldn’t have been possible!!By Kimberley Rappoccio (2 months ago)
If you’re looking for a convention center in Columbus OH, these are the 2 best. Each of these centers offer something unique that could be perfect for your next event.
I haven’t been to the Fair Grounds in years. Home and garden show ladies night with Sunny 95 waa awesome. Small crowds. Great ideas. Would have loved more vendors. Sarah art will be at the Children’s Hospital cafe! ?
There are many familiar things to appreciate at a state fair, and all of them can be found at the Ohio State Fair: deep fried foods, grilled meats, fried sweets, ice cream, rides, games, exhibits, live music, petting zoo, judged competitions, local arts, retail vendors, and a glimpse into the agricultural lives that are lived from the shores of the great lakes in the north to the Ohio river in the south. The Ohio State Fair has many opportunities to delight and interest attendees. However the absolute worst things about the Ohio State Fair and Fairgrounds include grossly inadequate parking, poor signage and directions, and poor traffic control (pedestrian and vehicular). And, with such a strong focus on food at this fair, I was surprised to find very little space dedicated to seating to allow fair-goers to sit down and eat. Standing to eat can be difficult for adults but extremely difficult with small children. It was tough to eat on the ground because it was covered in dropped food and spilled drink. Driving, parking, walking, and navigating are much more difficult at this fair than necessary. They need to hire some good Experience Designers. Although we enjoyed the exhibits and food, finding parking was a nightmare. Locating what we wanted inside the grounds was difficult. Although the restroom inside the vendor hall was spotless, with the help of a bathroom attendant, the other restrooms were very old, broken down, and absolutely revoltingly filthy. If we ever go back I expect it will be a few years. The frustration from this experience far outweighed the fun.
I always have a good time at the State Fair lot’s to do and see . Spoke with the Governor and his wife had a good time working the archery range teaching people how to use archery equipment. Enjoyed watching youngsters fishing .some catching there first fish ever . The Division of Wildlife has a great area for family friendly fun at no cost lots to do on the midway lots of entertainment available for no additional cost always Fair food available just don’t tell your Doctor. Enjoy your day attending the Fair
The State Fair is a big big big to do and I understand why but to be honest it wasn’t that fun for me! The sights and the sounds are nostalgic when you first arrive and even after the first hour but then it starts to become exhausting and confusing. I got my caricature done and that was definitely the high point! We enjoyed the rubber chicken comedy show but the smaller kid had a hard time following it. Tried a stuffed turkey leg and that was only alright. The Ferris wheel (big white one) was actually BORING to me. It was cramped and too low to sit comfortably in and it didn’t provide that fear you get from the Ferris wheels that rock. Unless you’re riding it at night I don’t see that appeal. Unlimited wristbands for the kids were 30 dollars each but still didn’t pay for everything. Often the kiosks we’re not manned and the lines were very long (we expected this so I brought my rollator). Getting a drink? 7 dollars. Refilling it? 3 dollars. Getting ice? 50cents….I spent nearly 400 dollars on 3 kids for food and games and that was us being conservative and not doing everything available. Some of the rides were painful for the kids (ages 16,14 and 6). The two oldest got henna tattoos but they were over priced …30 dollars for a dragon that was 2 inches (literally just the outlined of one). Older kids said their favorite ride/feature was riding the bull. I had way more fun at the county fair. The animals, the rides, the environment was just much more fun Sorry.
It was nice to have tractors pulling wagons to take us from the parking lot to the fairgrounds. There were tons of food booths but we were disappointed in the lack of animals. Most of the cages were empty. We really enjoyed The Drifters concert as well as the roaming entertainers, the canine show, lumberjack show and of course the butter cow & friends!!