My Columbus favorites, from the Short North's arches and North Market to German Village brick streets, Scioto Mile walks, and Saturdays at the Horseshoe. These are the spots I send every friend visiting Ohio's capital.
Map
Â
North Market is my first stop in Columbus, a historic food hall where I graze from stall to stall.
North Market Downtown
Â
Jeni's started right here in Columbus, and I always get a scoop of Brown Butter Almond Brittle in the Short North.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Â
Goodale Park is my favorite shady picnic spot, ringed by gorgeous Victorian Village homes.
Goodale Park
Â
Seventh Son is my go-to Italian Village brewery, with a big patio and a rotating food truck out front.
Seventh Son Brewing Co.
Â
Fox in the Snow is where I grab an egg sandwich and a cinnamon roll in a bright old warehouse.
Fox in the Snow Cafe
Â
The Book Loft is a maze of 32 rooms of books, and I always get happily lost inside.
The Book Loft of German Village
Â
Schiller Park is where I stroll past the pond and catch free summer Shakespeare under the trees.
Schiller Park
Â
Schmidt's is a German Village classic, and I never leave without a Bahama Mama sausage and a jumbo cream puff.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant
Â
Katzinger's is my favorite Columbus deli, with towering Reubens and help-yourself pickle barrels.
Katzinger's Delicatessen
Â
Lindey's is my pick for a classy dinner on a brick-lined German Village patio.
Lindey's
Â
Pistacia Vera makes the prettiest macarons in town, and I stock up on a box every visit.
Pistacia Vera
Â
Stauf's in Grandview is the cozy, old-school coffeehouse where I settle in with a book.
Stauf's Coffee Roasters
Â
The Columbus Museum of Art has a terrific collection and a hands-on Wonder Room I love.
Columbus Museum of Art
Â
Topiary Park recreates Seurat's Sunday Afternoon painting in shrubs, and it never fails to make me smile.
Topiary Park
Â
Franklin Park Conservatory is my favorite rainy-day escape, with glass houses full of Chihuly glass and orchids.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Â
I take the free tour of the Ohio Statehouse to see the rotunda and its Lincoln exhibit.
Ohio Statehouse
Â
The Ohio Theatre is a stunning 1928 movie palace where I catch Broadway tours and the summer movie series.
Ohio Theatre
Â
Columbus Commons is my downtown lawn for free concerts, food trucks, and a quick game of cornhole.
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
Â
I walk or bike the Scioto Mile along the river, and kids love splashing in the Bicentennial Park fountains.
Scioto Mile Promenade
Â
COSI is one of the best science centers I have ever visited, and the dinosaur gallery is a must.
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Â
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum moves me every time, and the rooftop has a great skyline view.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Â
Land-Grant is my favorite Franklinton hangout, with a huge beer garden and a solid Greenskeeper.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Â
Columbus Brewing has been pouring since 1988, and I order the Bodhi double IPA at their Beer Hall.
Columbus Brewing Company Taproom
Â
Dirty Frank's is my late-night downtown stop for wild hot dog combos and tater tots.
Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
Â
The Lincoln Theatre is a gorgeous restored jazz-era venue in the King-Lincoln District where I catch live music.
Lincoln Theatre
Â
The Wexner Center is where I see cutting-edge exhibits and indie films on the Ohio State campus.
Wexner Center for the Arts
Â
Ohio Stadium, the Horseshoe, is where I go to scream O-H-I-O with 100,000 Buckeyes fans.
Ohio Stadium
Â
Buckeye Donuts has been a 24-hour campus staple for decades, and I grab a glazed and a gyro after midnight.
Buckeye Donuts
Â
The Park of Roses in Whetstone Park blooms with thousands of roses, and I visit every June.
Columbus Park of Roses
Â
The Columbus Zoo is one of my favorites anywhere, and the manatees and polar bears steal the show.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Â
Easton Town Center is my open-air spot for shopping, dinner, and a movie all in one evening.
