TOUR OPTIONS FOR COLUMBUS ARCHITECTURE
Tours regularly fill to capacity – RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY – see tour FAQS
Architecture Highlights
Bus Tour
The architecture bus tour drives by over thirty significant structures and works of art and includes two interior stops, depending on availability. Discover how a small Midwestern city became a modern architecture “mecca,” boasting structures by names like Eero Saarinen, Harry Weese, Kevin Roche, and I.M. Pei.
Price : $25 Adults, $20 Students, fees included
Duration : 2 hours
Bus tour, minimal walking
Begins and ends at The Columbus Visitors Center
April – November: Tue – Thu at 10 am / Fri – Sat at 10 and 2 pm / Sun at 2:30 pm
December – March: Sat at 10 am
Learn more about the architecture tour
Learn about private, group, and special interest tour options
See tour FAQs
Miller House
and Garden Tour
Interior and exterior home tour
Begins and ends at The Columbus Visitors Center (there is no public access at the house)
The guided tour is oriented to adults and children 10 and older and all guests must purchase a ticket
Price : $25, fees included
Duration : 90 minutes
April – November: Tue – Sat at 12:45 and 2:45 pm / Sun at 12:45 pm
December & March: Fri – Sat at 12:45 and 2:45 pm
January and February: Closed
Learn more about the Miller House Tour
Learn about private, group, and special interest tour options
See tour FAQs
Tours at Miller House and Garden are made possible through the Columbus Area Visitors Center. Miller House and Garden is owned and cared for by Newfields.
Inn at Irwin Gardens
House Tour
This winter, get an insider’s look at the Irwin House, the Irwin family home, and childhood home of J. Irwin Miller, virtually unchanged since 1910. The 60-minute tour features an extensive look at the first floor and when available will include one of the upstairs private suites. The tour gives a unique glimpse into the history and lifestyle of the Edwardian-era family that sparked Columbus’ modern architecture development. Discover the early origins of Cummins Engine Company, when Clessie Cummins worked for the Irwin family as chauffeur and mechanic.
Price : $15
Durations : 60 minutes
Guided interior tour
Begins and ends at Inn at Irwin
October – March: Sun and Tue at 1 pm, check-in at 12:45
December: Sun, Tue and Sat at 1 pm, check-in at 12:45
Back to the Future
Homes Tour
Back to the Future: A Mid-Century Modern Home Tour
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019
1 to 6 p.m.
Columbus, Indiana
Indiana Landmarks brings their annual Back to the Future tour to Columbus this year, presenting five Mid-Century Modern homes in Columbus, dating from the 1950s and 1960s, with cars of the same vintage at each home. The houses exhibit signature mid-century features—use of natural materials and large expanses of glass to merge with the outdoors, massive stone fireplace walls, and built-in conveniences.
Photo by April Knox
Self-Guided
Smartphone Tours
Access supplemental information about and Google maps to the stops on the art and architecture guide with your smartphone.
Price : free
Duration : your own pace
NOTE: This tour is a supplement to the “Guide to Art and Architecture” map, available for $3 at the Visitors Center, Hotel Indigo, and Viewpoint Bookstore.
Go to the mobile tour for smartphone >
You may also download PDF maps of some suggested itineraries, or pick up FREE COPIES at the Visitors Center
Group Tour
Options
Group tours are always available for groups of ten or more – call 800-468-6564 for booking details.
SELF-GUIDED
BIKE TOURS
Duration : your own pace
The Columbus Area Visitors Center and the Parks and Recreation Foundation teamed up to create self-guided bike tours of Columbus, for a variety of biking levels. Start at the Visitors Center or the Parks and Recreation office to pick up the free maps, rent a bikeshare bike (or use your own), and explore Columbus at your own speed.
Find out more about these tours and the bikeshare program
Downtown Landmarks
Walking Tour (seasonal)
This walking tour of downtown offers a thoughtful overview of some of Columbus’ most lasting architecture. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of architectural styles from historic Victorian and iconic modernism to contemporary designed by some of the most enduring names in architecture. The tour features two interiors, which when available are, Eliel Saarinen’s First Christian Church and Alexander Girard’s 301 Washington Street office of J. Irwin Miller, community benefactor and champion of the arts.
Price : $12 Adults, fees included
Duration : 90 minutes
Guided walking tour
Begins and ends at The Columbus Visitors Center
April – October
Wed and Sat at 10:30 am
RELATED LINKS
Chaos I photo at top of this page by Tony Vasquez
