The short drive from Granville into the city of Columbus is rewarded with thriving art and cultural amenities, the Ohio State University, and the Ohio Historical Center, home of the Ohio Historical Society with its collections, exhibits, shops, and offices. Exhibits on ancient and early Ohio include some of the finest artifacts in existence such as the Newark Shaman, the Adena Pipe, the mica hand, many effigy pipes, and huge obsidian ceremonial blades.

In downtown Columbus, the State Capitol Building was built with bricks taken from a large mound on the site, then faced with its austere Greek Revival stonework. Nearby is the German Village Historic District, with its well-preserved brick streets, houses, restaurants, and taverns.