Columbus is one of those cities that has way more going on than youβd expect β vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food, quirky shops, and plenty of green spaces to escape into. A weekend here gives you enough time to sample the food scene, explore the neighborhoods, and see why locals love this city. Hereβs how Iβd spend two days in Columbus.
Start your weekend with a bang at The Woodbury, where breakfast is anything but boring. The candied bacon crepes are a showstopper β three crepes stuffed with sweet-and-salty candied bacon, topped with fresh fruit, vanilla buttercream, and a drizzle of jelly sauce. If you want something more savory, order the Chicken Hotcakes Tacos: fluffy pancakes with crispy fried chicken, chili aioli, strawberry salsa, and Milliganβs maple syrup.
If youβre in a hurry or prefer a grab-and-go vibe, swing by The Lox. Their bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel is simple but perfect. If youβre a salmon lover, the lox bagel is piled high with salmon, capers, and cream cheese.
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Walk off breakfast by exploring the Short North Arts District, one of Columbusβs most colorful neighborhoods. This area is full of murals, boutiques, coffee shops, and art galleries. Spend a few hours strolling, snapping photos of the murals, and popping into shops.
When lunch rolls around, make your way to Warioβs Beef & Pork, where the sandwiches are legendary (and huge). Order a Caesar salad, one sandwich to split (the steak sandwich or the Warriorβs Way are my picks), and a side of potatoes if youβre extra hungry.
Park behind Warioβs (around $1.35 an hour last time I was there), then take a walk through the Arena District β itβs lively, walkable, and full of great energy. If you want even more restaurant recs, check out my full Columbus Foodie Guide.
Just a short walk from Warioβs, North Market is a must-stop. Grab a scoop of Jeniβs Ice Cream β the Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Wildberry Lavender are my go-to flavors β and get it in a butterscotch waffle cone. If youβre still hungry, try Mo Mo Ghar, a Tibetan and Nepalese food stall featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Order the Johl Mo Mo (steamed chicken dumplings with spicy tomato sauce) or the Choila Set (spiced chicken salad with rice, potatoes, and black-eyed peas).
Spend your afternoon in German Village, where the brick-lined streets and historic homes feel like stepping back in time. Pop into the boutiques, wander the cobblestone alleys, and make sure to stop at The Book Loft β 32 rooms of books, winding hallways, and hidden nooks that make you feel like youβre in a literary treasure hunt.
End your first day with dinner at Lindeyβs, one of Columbusβs most iconic restaurants. The portions are just right for a three-course meal, and the menu changes seasonally. Make a reservation two to three weeks in advance if possible β by 5:30 or 6 pm, itβs tough to get a table without one. If you donβt have a reservation, try for open seating at the bar or patio. Donβt skip the bread and butter β itβs baked fresh in Grandview and perfectly salty. I wrote a full review of Lindeyβs if you want menu tips and reservation information.
Start your second day with coffee and one of the best pastries in Columbus at Fox in the Snow CafΓ©. Their cinnamon roll is huge and perfectly gooey, and the coffee is strong and smooth β ideal fuel for a day of exploring.
If youβre visiting on a Saturday, stop by the Dublin Farmers Market or the Worthington Farmers Market β the Worthington one is bigger and full of local vendors and fresh produce.
If you prefer nature, spend your morning at one of Columbusβs many parks:
Scioto Grove Metro Park β Climb the fire tower for panoramic views.
Bicentennial Park β A downtown park right along the water, great for a picnic or a stroll.
Griggs Reservoir Park β Peaceful and perfect if you just want to sit by the water.
Antrim Park β A tranquil lake with a walking path.
Highbanks Metro Park β Known for its scenic overlooks.
Scioto Mile β A riverfront walkway with some of the best cityscape views, especially at sunset.
If you need a midday meal, head back to North Market to try something you missed yesterday or grab a casual lunch before heading out for more exploring.
Save your second night for Watershed Kitchen & Bar, a moody, romantic spot attached to a working distillery. Schedule a distillery tour ahead of time if you want to see behind the scenes.
Portions here are generous, so I recommend splitting an appetizer, an entrΓ©e, and a dessert. My personal ratings:
Crispy potatoes β 8/10
Caesar salad β 8.5/10 (skip if you donβt like cabbage)
Mushroom pasta β 9/10 (add short rib for extra flavor)
Pork chops β 8/10
Chocolate cream β 5/10
Peach cobbler β 5/10 (a little too savory for my taste)
End your weekend with a stroll along the Scioto Mile. The city lights reflecting off the river make it the perfect way to wrap up your trip.
Columbus is a city thatβs equal parts creative, delicious, and welcoming. In two days, you can explore its neighborhoods, eat incredible food, discover hidden shops, and enjoy some of the best urban green spaces in the Midwest. Whether you stick to the city center or branch out to nearby markets and parks, this is a weekend that balances adventure with relaxation β and leaves you planning your next visit.
If youβre staying longer, here are the best day trips from Columbus.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands are one of those things that looks exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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