StayAreas logoStayAreas

Where to stay in Columbus

Ohio's capital is a big, spread-out city, but its best areas for visitors line up along High Street. Stay in the Short North for galleries, restaurants and the city's liveliest street; Downtown and in the Arena District for the Statehouse, the Scioto Mile, Nationwide Arena and the convention centre; or by the airport for early flights and good value. The airport is about 15 minutes by taxi from downtown.

Find your area, then your hotel

Tap one of our picks, or any area, to see its hotels on the map, what it costs, where we'd book and how long it takes to get around.

In short: our pick for each kind of trip. Tap one to see why.

Should you stay in

Short North?

Galleries, restaurants & High Street arches

What a night costs

Budget
$200
Mid-range
$230
Luxury
$400

2nd cheapest of 3 areas, about $120 a night less than Downtown & Arena District.

Where we'd book

The verdict

The arts district along High Street north of downtown, with galleries, restaurants, bars and boutiques under lit-up arches, between the convention centre and Ohio State University.

  • Stay here if
  • Couples
  • Food lovers
  • Groups of friends
  • Look elsewhere if
  • You want quiet weekend nights
  • You want a cheap stay
  • You want big sights on the doorstep

Minutes to the sights

  • Short North Arts District2 minwalk
  • North Market14 minwalk
  • Greater Columbus Convention Center18 minwalk
  • Nationwide Arena27 minwalk
  • Huntington Park27 minwalk
  • Ohio Statehouse32 minwalk

Stations and airports

10 min to Ohio Statehouse. COTA buses run along High Street to downtown and Ohio State. Downtown and the Arena District are a 10 to 15 minute walk south.

  • From John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)Taxi or rideshare from the airport to the Short North15 min
Read the full Short North guide →

Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Minutes planned with the Transitous (MOTIS on published GTFS timetables and OpenStreetMap) for a weekday, including walking and waiting · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more

Columbus questions

What is the best area to stay in Columbus for first-timers?

Downtown & Arena District puts the big sights within easy reach and is 0 minutes from Ohio Statehouse. Short North are good alternatives.

Which area of Columbus has the cheapest hotels?

Airport and Short North, with budget hotels from around $150 and mid-range around $175–$230 a night.

Where is the best nightlife in Columbus?

Short North has the most bars, restaurants and late nights.