COSI

Address:	333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Phone:	+1 614-228-2674
Site:	cosi.org
Rating:	4.3
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Shimul Shah

COSI is a great place to explore and learn new things (even for adults!) I think its an asset to our community as a place for field trips or family trips-- BUT, if youre thinking you want to host an event here and use their food service (which they force you to use) then DONT!!!! We attempted to have a 5 year olds birthday party there this weekend and they were less than prepared. We wanted to provide parking passes for the guests- they said it wasnt possible. Eventually, we were able to but it was a painstaking process that the staff didnt appreciate having to research. We ordered food (which wasnt even that good) and they completely forgot about it! Once we reminded them, an hour after the party started, that we had food they said it would be down in 10 minutes and it was almost an hour before we got it-- luckily, the room of 3-6 year olds didnt break down all at the same time from hunger... They were telling guests that the party was at 1 when in fact it was at 12??? They indicated that all guests needed to check in at guest services and would be lead to the party when, in fact, guest services had no idea what we were talking about. The kids events were to be handled in an orderly way with kids moving from 1 activity to another at the same time with guidance when in fact they were just let go to figure things out by themselves (until we said something, of course). I am in no way placing blame on the staff that was as clueless as us as to what was happening, but, the management and the food department were a complete mess! In the end they ended up giving us free parking vouchers and covered 1 pizza from our food order. I am extremely disappointed in the compensation for things that went wrong and in the execution of things that were supposed to happen (there was even a lengthy contract so there would be no confusion...) The cost is not cheap and you expect that there will be a level of service included that allows you to just enjoy the party and not feel compelled to keep an eye out to make sure things are happening the way previously discussed. It was disheartening to say the least and nobody at the party was ready to turn around and recommend perhaps hosting a party of their own there. Something needs to change.

Dietrich Duke

Its been almost 20 years since Ive been to COSI -- back when they were at their old location. Being that far in the past, and several college parties (thanks Ohio State) later, I barely remember what was in the old COSI, but I remember having a good time. So its no surprise that I finally got around to taking my kidlets, I got lost trying to find the new location. But, thanks to the handy Waze app, we found it and I dropped the kids off at the door with their mom while I went to find a parking spot. Now this should have been a precursor of whats to come, as anyone that charges $8 to park is going to have high admisson prices. So, I did what slightly overweight folk should do....found a spot on a side street. Entering the center, my kids went haywire at all the lights and gizmos up front and restraining them was becoming a challenge. We made our way through the ticket line and upon purchasing our tickets, my wallet felt like it was now empty as the prices are bloody high. I mean high to the point that the people that this museum SHOULD serve wont be able to visit due to the ticket prices. Anyway, moving on. The exhibits were nice, well spaced out and about 95% were in working order. Like a few other commentors mentioned, there really isnt a flow here -- its more organized chaos than anything, so getting from one to another is can be challenging on a busy day. After a few hours of exhibits, we decided we were hungry and since we didnt want to lug the kids and out of the car again, we decided to take our chances with the cafeteria. A few other visitors mentioned that its cafeteria food, but ok, so we went ahead and went to the cafe. $40 on a 2 sandwiches, a salad, and some chicken strips later, we were sorely disappointed in the food and the prices of it. I know its a museum and not a restaurant, but cmon folks.... All in all we had fun at COSI, but I doubt we will go back anytime soon as it is too expensive for what it is. If they ever lower the prices (doubtful) or have some super special event, we might come back, but until then....

Linda Frisby

We decided to take our kids yesterday to COSI thinking it would be a fun, summer thing to do. We hadnt been to COSI since they were in their old location and figured it would really be something now that they were in a much larger facility. What a let down it was. Starting with the ticket price, which wouldnt have been so bad had it included everything there in that one price, but no, we had to pay extra for everything. We payed extra for the Myth Busters exhibit as well as extra for the Ice Age movie (couldnt afford anything more). The Myth Busters exhibit was alright but nothing what the hype had led us to believe it would be. The Ice Age movie was one thing I did like. The layout of the place is so haphazard and there is no flow to the place. A lot of the things I remembered from the old place are no longer there and a lot of the new stuff was a big disappointment. A lot of the things were closed and I understand things being broken from time to time and needing maintenance but there was no one in sight working on anything. The prices are like we were going to an amusement park but only got to go to a grocery store parking lot carnival. There is no one around to supervise certain areas and people were letting their kids act like animals out of a cage for the first time. I figured the cafeteria would be high priced but I never thought we would be charged over $3 for a small bottle of Gatorade. Wow! For what we spent the whole day I could have taken my kids to Kings Island and they would have had a better time. We were really upset and I am sorry I "spoke" up the place so much to my kids. I doubt this is something we would ever go back to unfortunately because it was always such a fun learning place to go years ago and now its such a let down. Glitz and Glam does not always mean better. The simple place it used to be, in my opinion, was much better.

Kandra Johnson

I remember when I was younger and COSI was amazing! Id always have the absolute best time when I went there for a school field trip. Im twenty now and I figured that there would still be a lot of things there that would be awesome to look at; Im the type of person who is going to college and loves to learn. I guess my enthusiasm overrode everything else; I read "Fun for all ages" on their page and I assumed incorrectly that there would be a few exhibits that were not 100% geared for a 5-10 year old. For anyone over the age of 16 COSI would be potentially disappointing (unless you are a parent). The most advanced exhibit they had was on neurons (cells) and the second most advanced was an anatomy exhibit. For people who knew what they were looking at, everything made sense. For those who had no clue (like my boyfriend) the exhibits were just flashing light bulbs and random sound cues. Very little educational information was printed next to the exhibits - then again, what kid would sit still and read those things when there is something flashing right next to them that they can focus on? Overall for almost $50 for two tickets it was woefully disappointing for my boyfriend and I; however I could see that a lot of the children where having a blast. The hour long wait to purchase tickets has a lot to be deserved, and the exhibits could use some overhauling - the classic ones are, I guess like the name implies, the same exact ones I saw 10 years ago.