About Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a historic, architecturally stunning venue (inspired by Palais de Versailles) that provides an immersive, elegant backdrop for family-friendly live performances, offering an unforgettable and memorable experience for both children and parents.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a unique and memorable entertainment experience during a visit to Columbus.Creating lasting family memories during school breaks or special occasions.Children who enjoy interactive, educational live performances.Families or individuals looking for a gift experience centered around live theater.Ideal for elementary school-aged children (approximately 4-10 years old) who can actively participate in interactive educational shows like Wild Kratts Live.
Why families love it
- Stunning historic architecture and elegant design, reminiscent of Palais de Versailles, with intricate details from the grand entrance to ornate ceilings.
- Excellent sightlines and fantastic views of the stage from all seats within its 2,695 capacity, with no 'bad seat in the house'.
- Engaging and lively family-friendly shows (e.g., Wild Kratts Live 2.0) that blend live-action with animation on big screens, offering educational yet fun content.
- Interactive moments during shows that actively engage the audience (e.g., shouting answers, making animal noises), particularly appealing to children.
- Friendly and helpful staff contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
- Availability of family-friendly amenities, specifically booster seats and sensory bags (requiring a valid ID for check-out).
Insider tips
- Arrive early for shows to secure convenient parking, as lots can fill up, especially for popular events.
- If planning to use a sensory bag, remember to bring a valid ID for check-out.
- Be prepared for a lively and 'electric' atmosphere during family shows, with audience participation.
- If seeking unique food options, be aware that the venue offers meal choices beyond typical theater snacks, such as chili and sandwiches.
Good to know before you go
- No specific times or situations were explicitly advised to avoid by reviewers, beyond the general tip to avoid arriving late for parking.
- No specific problems or negative experiences were reported by parents in the provided reviews regarding the theater experience itself.
- Crowds
- The atmosphere for family shows can be 'electric', suggesting lively and well-attended events.
- Value
- While no specific ticket prices are mentioned, the reviews consistently describe the experience as highly valuable and an 'unforgettable treat', implying a strong return on investment for the quality of the venue, performance, and family memories created. It's also suggested as a 'great gift', highlighting its perceived worth.
- Food
- Reviewers mentioned having a variety of 'meal and dessert options' that are more akin to restaurant food (e.g., '4-way bean chili', 'many sandwich offerings') rather than typical theater concessions, suggesting unique food choices might be available on-site.
- Accessibility
- Sensory bags are available for use with a valid ID.
- Safety
- No specific safety features were explicitly mentioned by reviewers.
What parents say
"The Palace Theatre in Columbus is a historic gem and was a highlight of our family’s spring break trip, and it’s a venue that left us in awe! Stepping into this historic theater felt like stepping back in time—the architecture is simply stunning, with its elegant design inspired by the Palais de Versailles. The intricate details, from the grand entrance to the ornate ceilings, made us feel like we were in a palace ourselves. It’s no wonder this place has such an amazing history as a restored movie palace—it’s a true gem in the heart of Columbus. We were there to see Wild Kratts Live 2.0: Activ"
3 weeks ago
"We have been several times and the atmosphere and architecture of the theatre is amazing. Like being transported back to a time when the details really mattered. It is a great venue. If you know someone who enjoys live performance tickets would be a great gift, or simply yeah yourself. The staff are very helpful and friendly. There is plenty of parking... Just don't wait until the last minute."
a year ago
"A lot more meal and dessert options than I expected. Had a 4-way bean which was good. Different from the Gold Star and Skyline chilli's I've had before, but in my opinion, if you're comparing, leaned more toward a Gold Star. Will go back and get one of the many sandwich offerings. Plenty of parking in a plaza lot."
8 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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