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Sight Downtown & the Short North

Scioto Mile

A sight in Downtown & the Short North, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: After dark.

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Scioto Mile in Downtown & the Short North
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain

Why go

Riverfront parks and promenade along the Scioto River with the best ground-level view of the downtown skyline.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Downtown & the Short North, alongside 3 activities, 2 bars & cafés and 2 places to eat. 3 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with COSI Noon Year's Eve and Brass Eye.

Type
Sight · Cities
Neighborhood
Downtown
Price
Free
Time needed
1 hr
Best time
After dark

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Downtown & the Short North. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    COSI Noon Year's Eve

    The science museum's family countdown to noon in its atrium on Dec 31, held 10 am to noon in 2025.

    Activity · 0.1 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Brass Eye

    Rooftop bar on The Junto hotel across the river from downtown, facing the skyline; its NYE party ran in 2024 and 2025.

    Drinks · 0.2 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Hotel LeVeque

    Hotel inside the 1927 Art Deco LeVeque Tower, the city's landmark skyscraper, two blocks from the Scioto Mile.

    Stay · 0.2 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Nationwide Arena

    Home of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, who played a Dec 31 home game in 2025.

    Activity · 0.6 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Katzinger's Delicatessen

    New York-style deli open since 1984, with towering corned beef sandwiches and a free pickle barrel.

    Food · German Village · 0.7 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Stories on High

    Rooftop bar on the 28-story Hilton Columbus Downtown tower, which threw a ticketed NYE party in 2025.

    Drinks · 0.8 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Scioto Mile is a stop on our Columbus New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Downtown & the Short North

Scioto Mile is our only sight pick in Downtown & the Short North; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown & the Short North guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on German Village

Our climate figures for Downtown & the Short North come from nearby German Village. Average daily highs in German Village run from 35°F in January to 85°F in August; May is usually the wettest month. For Scioto Mile itself, we suggest: After dark.

Modelled monthly averages for German Village from NASA POWER, not a forecast. German Village weather by month (covers Downtown & the Short North).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Scioto Mile, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
39.96000, -83.00500
Destination
Downtown & the Short North, Ohio

Scioto Mile: quick answers

How much time do you need at Scioto Mile?

Plan on about an hour at Scioto Mile. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Scioto Mile?

Our pick: After dark. Insider tip: Stand on the Main Street Bridge for the classic skyline and river reflection after dark.

Is Scioto Mile free?

Yes, we list Scioto Mile as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Scioto Mile?

Scioto Mile appears on Columbus New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Scioto Mile to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown & the Short North.

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Lists & regions

Also in Downtown & the Short North

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.