Columbus Art Rides: The Near North Route

Take a self-guided tour at your own pace of some of the best parks and architecture in the city.

Developed by Columbus Public Health, Columbus Art Rides is a self-guided expedition that uses a cycling map and an audio tour to educate both visitors and locals alike about Columbus architecture, art and history.

If you'd like to reference the map, download the MyColumbus Mobile App or check it out at the Columbus Art Rides website. To hear the audio for each destination over the phone, dial (614) 645-2646 and enter the 3-digit extension number specified.

Our recommended ride will follow the Near North Route and include all nearby CoGo stations, so you can stop and go and enjoy these 8 attractions at your leisure. To start the ride, grab a bike from the High St and Lincoln St station:

  1. Head south on High St, then take a sharp right onto W Lincoln St. This will bring you to Goodale Park, your 1st destination. To hear the audio, call (614) 645-2646 and enter extension 248.

  2. When you’re ready for your 2nd destination, head north on Park Street along the park. When you reach the top of the park, take a left onto Buttles Ave and ride to the west corner of the park. Here is your 2nd stop: Sells Circus House at 755 Dennison Ave (extension 247). If you wish to explore this area on foot, just drop off your bike at the nearby CoGo station Neil Ave and Buttles Ave. When you're ready to continue, grab another bike from that station.

  3. Next, continue west on Buttles Ave to Harrison Ave, where you will find St. Francis Church, the 3rd stop (extension 243).

  4. Then ride north up Harrison Ave four blocks to Wilber Ave, where you will make a right and ride east until you hit Neil Ave. Here is the 4th attraction: Neil Avenue Architecture (extension 244).

  5. To see the 5th stop, ride south on Neil Ave about one mile, until you hit Spring Street, where you will find the Flowing Kiss Sculpture (extension 145). The CoGo station Neil Ave and Nationwide Blvd is on the way, if you wish to stop and explore the area. You can drop off your bike and pick up another one when you're ready to continue.

  6. Next, carefully take the bike path between Spring St and Long St, which brings you to John McConnell Blvd. As you ride north, you will pass Arch Park – your 6th stop (extension 142).

  7. At the top of the park, take a right to go east onto Nationwide Blvd and then turn north onto Front Street. Ride north until you hit Spruce St, where you will arrive at North Market, 59 Spruce St (extension 140). The North Market CoGo station is right there, if you wish to stop and enjoy lunch or a snack.

  8. From the North Market, continue east on Spruce St, then head north up High St past the Convention Center, where you will arrive at your 8th stop: the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (extension 249). Now, you can continue your city exploration on two wheels, or simply return your bike to the closest CoGo Station, which is at the North Market.

The total distance is four miles. It should take 30 to 50 minutes, depending on how long you stop to enjoy each attraction. Remember, the first 30 minutes of each ride are included in the Day Pass price, and if you want to keep your bike out for longer, it's just an extra $2 for each additional 30 minutes. Or to reset your ride timer and avoid extra fees, just dock your bike every 30 minutes at any CoGo station along the way and pick up a new bike when you're ready to continue.