Columbus is one of those cities that sneaks up on you — a little artsy, a little sporty, a lot of good food, and plenty to keep you busy. If you’ve only got one day to explore, you can still hit the highlights and leave feeling like you got a real taste of the city. Here’s how I’d spend the perfect 24 hours in Columbus Ohio.
Start your day at The Woodbury, where the menu is just as creative as the space. The candied bacon crepes are a must — three crepes filled with sweet-and-salty candied bacon, fresh fruit, vanilla buttercream, and a drizzle of jelly sauce. If you want something a little bolder, order the Chicken Hotcakes Tacos: house pancakes with crispy fried chicken, chili aioli, strawberry salsa, and Milligan’s maple syrup.
If you want something faster, grab breakfast at The Lox instead. The bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel is my go-to, but if you like salmon, the lox bagel is fully loaded with salmon, capers, and cream cheese.
After breakfast, head to the Short North Arts District. This neighborhood is full of colorful murals, galleries, and boutiques — perfect for a morning stroll. Take time to pop into a few shops, snap some mural photos, and just enjoy the creative energy of the area. If you want even more ideas for things to do nearby, check out my Top 5 Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio.
When you’re ready for lunch, make your way to Wario’s Beef & Pork. The sandwiches here are massive — big enough to share — so order a Caesar salad, one sandwich (try the steak sandwich or the cheesy Warrior’s Way), and a side of potatoes if you’re hungry.
Park behind Wario’s if you can (last time it was $1.35 for an hour), then take a walk through the Arena District — it’s a fun, lively area with shops and public art. From there, you can walk to North Market, Columbus’s famous indoor food hall.
At North Market, grab a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream — Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, and Wildberry Lavender are just a few of the inventive flavors. Get it in a butterscotch waffle cone if you really want to do it right.
If you’re still hungry, head to Mo Mo Ghar, where Chef Phinsto Lama serves up Tibetan and Nepalese favorites. This spot was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and for good reason. Try the Johl Mo Mo (steamed chicken dumplings in a spicy fenugreek tomato sauce) or the Choila Set (a spiced chicken salad with rice, potatoes, and black-eyed peas) — Guy Fieri called it one of the most unique dishes he’s ever had.
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Spend your evening in German Village, where the brick-lined streets and historic homes make you feel like you’ve been transported somewhere completely different. Stop into the boutiques, walk the cobblestone streets, and make time for The Book Loft, a bookstore with 32 rooms of books — it’s easy to get lost in the best possible way.
For dinner, book a table at Lindey’s (More Info on Lindey’s Here), a Columbus classic. Their menu changes seasonally, but everything I’ve had has been 10/10. Make reservations two to three weeks in advance if you can — by 5:30 or 6 pm, walk-ins are nearly impossible to snag. If you don’t have a reservation, try for open seating at the bar or outside on the patio. Don’t skip the bread and butter — it’s baked fresh in Grandview and the butter is perfectly salty.
After dinner, take one last stroll through German Village. Between the gas lanterns, the historic architecture, and the cozy atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to end your 24 hours in Columbus.
Columbus packs a lot into one day if you plan it right. Start with a creative breakfast, eat your way through Wario’s and North Market, wander the Short North, and finish with German Village and dinner at Lindey’s. It’s a day full of flavor, art, and just enough walking to make you feel like you earned that extra scoop of ice cream.
If you’re staying longer, you’ll love my Spend a Weekend in Columbus, Ohio and Spend a Week in Columbus, Ohio guides.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
Use my Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio guide to compare downtown hotels, boutique properties, and places to stay near the neighborhoods in this itinerary.
You can also compare Columbus hotels and current rates through Booking.com.
Browse Columbus tours and activities through Viator or GetYourGuide.
You’ll spend a good portion of this itinerary walking between restaurants and neighborhoods, so bring a refillable Brita Water Bottle.
I also carry a Clutch Powerbank because taking photos and using maps throughout the day can drain my phone battery quickly.
Plan more meals with The Ultimate Columbus Foodie Guide.
Turn your visit into a couples’ trip with my Romantic Getaway in Columbus – 2-Day Itinerary.
Explore outside the city with The Best Day Trips from Columbus, Ohio.
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
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