Columbus is a city that has way more going on than you’d expect — vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food, quirky shops, and plenty of green spaces to escape into. A weekend in Columbus Ohio gives you enough time to sample the food scene, explore several neighborhoods, and see why locals love this city. Here’s how I’d 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 — 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 Milligan’s maple syrup.
If you’re 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 you’re a salmon lover, the lox bagel is piled high with salmon, capers, and cream cheese.
Walk off breakfast by exploring the Short North Arts District, one of Columbus’s 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.
You’ll probably be using your phone constantly for maps and photos, so a Clutch Powerbank is handy for a full day of walking around Columbus.
When lunch rolls around, make your way to Wario’s Beef & Pork, where the sandwiches are legendary — and huge. Order a Caesar salad, one sandwich to split (the steak sandwich or the Warrior’s Way are my picks), and a side of potatoes if you’re extra hungry.
Park behind Wario’s (around $1.35 an hour last time I was there), then take a walk through the Arena District. It’s lively, walkable, and full of great energy.
If food is a major part of your trip like it is for me, my The Ultimate Columbus Foodie Guide has even more restaurants to add to your weekend.
Just a short walk from Wario’s, North Market is a must-stop.
Grab a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream — the Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Wildberry Lavender are my go-to flavors — and get it in a butterscotch waffle cone.
If you’re 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).
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
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 — 32 rooms of books, winding hallways, and hidden nooks that make you feel like you’re in a literary treasure hunt.
End your first day with dinner at Lindey’s, one of Columbus’s 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 — by 5:30 or 6 pm, it’s tough to get a table without one. If you don’t have a reservation, try for open seating at the bar or patio.
Don’t skip the bread and butter — it’s baked fresh in Grandview and perfectly salty.
I wrote Unforgettable Dining at Lindey’s Columbus Ohio if you want more menu tips and reservation information before you go.
Start your second day with coffee and one of the best pastries in Columbus at Fox in the Snow Café. Their cinnamon roll is huge and perfectly gooey, and the coffee is strong and smooth — ideal fuel for another day of exploring.
You can read more about what to expect in my Fox in the Snow Dublin Review Worth the Hype.
If you’re visiting Columbus on a Saturday, stop by the Dublin Farmers Market or the Worthington Farmers Market — the Worthington one is bigger and full of local vendors and fresh produce.
My Guide to Columbus Farmers Markets can help you decide which one fits your weekend plans best.
A Nano Bag is also useful for markets because it takes up almost no room until you inevitably find something you want to buy.
If you prefer nature, spend your morning at one of Columbus’s many parks:
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 entrée, and a dessert.
My personal ratings:
End your weekend in Columbus Ohio 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 that’s 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, a weekend in Columbus Ohio balances plenty of exploring with time to slow down, enjoy a great meal, and actually experience the city.
And if two days only leave you wanting more, Columbus is an easy city to turn into a longer trip.
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.
Still deciding where to stay? Compare Columbus hotels on Booking.com, or start with my Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio for my Columbus hotel recommendations.
If you want to add a tour or another activity to your weekend, browse Columbus options on Viator.
For more sightseeing ideas, see my Top 5 Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio.
Want to explore beyond Columbus? My The Best Day Trips from Columbus, Ohio has ideas for places you can easily add to a longer trip.
If two days aren’t enough, use Spend a Week in Columbus, Ohio to plan a longer stay.
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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