Columbus is full of energy, incredible food, and a mix of neighborhoods that all have their own personality. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a whole week, these are the five things you absolutely can’t miss if you’re searching for the Top Things to Do in Columbus Ohio and want the full local experience.
If Columbus has a “cool neighborhood,” this is it. The Short North is packed with colorful murals, indie boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. Spend a few hours just wandering — snap photos of the murals (they’re everywhere), pop into the shops, and stop for coffee or brunch along the way.
Tip: Go in the morning or early afternoon when the light is good for photos and the shops aren’t too crowded.
If you want to plan a full weekend in the city, check out my Romantic Getaway in Columbus – 2-Day Itinerary for more ideas.
North Market is Columbus’s foodie hub — an indoor food hall with dozens of vendors. There’s something for everyone here, from spices and flowers to full meals.
Must-Try Stops:
Jeni’s Ice Cream – Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, and Wildberry Lavender are my go-to flavors. Get it in a butterscotch waffle cone for the ultimate experience.
Mo Mo Ghar – Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Order the Johl Mo Mo dumplings or Choila Set for something spicy, flavorful, and totally unique.
Barrel & Boar – Solid BBQ if you want something savory.
Tip: Grab lunch here, then wander through the stalls for souvenirs like spice blends or local honey.
Watershed Kitchen & Bar is one of Columbus’s best restaurants — and it just happens to be attached to a working distillery. Book a distillery tour ahead of time to see how their spirits are made, then stay for dinner.
What to Order (My Picks):
Crispy potatoes – 8/10
Caesar salad – 8.5/10
Mushroom pasta with short rib – 9/10
Pork chops – 8/10
Tip: Portions are generous, so split an appetizer, entrée, and dessert if you want to try more than one thing.
German Village is like stepping into another era — red-brick streets, gas lanterns, and 19th-century homes. Stroll through the neighborhood and make time for The Book Loft, a 32-room maze of books that’s one of the largest independent bookstores in the country.
Don’t Miss:
Boutiques and shops along Mohawk Street.
Lindey’s Restaurant for dinner (make reservations two to three weeks in advance).
Private drive near St. Mary’s Church — follow it back to discover hidden courtyards and a little candle shop.
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For a full review of this spot, read my blog on Unforgettable Dining at Lindey’s Columbus Ohio.
Columbus has some truly beautiful parks, and sunset is the best time to see them. Here are a few favorites:
Scioto Mile – Best cityscape views along the river.
Scioto Grove Metro Park – Climb the fire tower for panoramic sunset views.
Highbanks Metro Park – Scenic overlooks surrounded by trees.
Antrim Park – A tranquil lake that reflects the evening light.
Tip: Pack a blanket or pick up takeout and make it a picnic night.
Columbus is a city that surprises people — it’s creative, walkable, and full of good food and hidden gems. Start with these five activities and you’ll leave feeling like you really experienced the city. To round out your trip, don’t miss my guide on Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio so you’re close to everything.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
