Scioto Mile Fountain — Attraction in Columbus

Refreshing Ride by the River – Scioto Fountain, Columbus OH

We recently spent a breezy afternoon exploring the Scioto Mile in Columbus, and the Scioto Fountain was a highlight of our quick urban adventure. Located in the heart of the city’s riverfront plaza, the fountain offers a playful splash zone surrounded by scenic views and wide open spaces—perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to unwind.

To make the most of our visit, we rented scooters right from the plaza: a sit-down scooter from Veo for my wife, and stand-up models from Spin for my son and me. The rentals were easy to access and added a fun, flexible way to explore both sides of the river. We cruised along the well-maintained paths, soaking in views of the downtown skyline, bridges, and green spaces. The ride was smooth, safe, and surprisingly relaxing.

We spent about 30 minutes on our excursion, and at $15 per person, it felt like a great value for the experience. The fountain itself is a lively centerpiece—kids were running through the jets, and the atmosphere was cheerful without being chaotic. It’s a great spot to cool off, people-watch, or just take a break from the city buzz.

Tips for future visitors: Scooter rentals are plentiful, but check app availability and battery levels before heading out. Early evening offers cooler temps and golden hour views along the river. The fountain plaza has seating and shade nearby, making it a comfortable stop even on warmer days.

Whether you're a local or just passing through, the Scioto Fountain and surrounding riverwalk make for a refreshing, low-stress outing. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking to mix a little movement with some mellow...

I brought my kids here to play in the fountain/splash park, have a picnic and walk along the river trail. First it is a beautiful place amazing for families, but if you have smaller children as I do I wouldn't go. There is no one policing how the kids act in the water park. Both my 3yo and 1 yo were taken off of their feet and landed on their backs due to being ran down by the older kids running full speed thru the water. Even with them visibly being hurt nothing was said or done besides an automated message set to play every 30 mins about no running. I loved this place but we can't come back for a few years until the kids get bigger if even then. Which is a complete shame because the beauty of this park...

This is a fantastic place to take small children in the summer! It’s busy and you have to park at a meter or in a garage but where else can your kids play for 2 hours for $1.50? (Two hours meter rate) There are many places to sit and have a picnic. There are infants sitting in less than an inch of water splashing and giggling as well as older kids cheering when the larger water fountains rain down on them. The bathrooms aren’t perfect but they aren’t terrible. Staff members watch out for unsafe behavior like running but overall parents should be watching their children. After leaving the fountains take a walk or enjoy the swings overlooking the river. Beautiful downtown oasis. We look forward to...