Columbus is full of energy, incredible food, and a mix of neighborhoods that all have their own personality. Whether youβre visiting for a day or a whole week, these are the five things you absolutely canβt miss if youβre searching for the Top Things to Do in Columbus Ohio and want the full local experience.
If Columbus has a βcool neighborhood,β this is it. The Short North is packed with colorful murals, indie boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. Spend a few hours just wandering β snap photos of the murals (theyβre 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 arenβt too crowded.
If you want to plan a full weekend in the city, check out my Romantic Getaway in Columbus β 2-Day Itinerary for more ideas.
North Market is Columbusβs foodie hub β an indoor food hall with dozens of vendors. Thereβs something for everyone here, from spices and flowers to full meals.
Must-Try Stops:
Jeniβs Ice Cream β 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 β 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 β 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 Columbusβs best restaurants β 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 β 8/10
Caesar salad β 8.5/10
Mushroom pasta with short rib β 9/10
Pork chops β 8/10
Tip: Portions are generous, so split an appetizer, entrΓ©e, and dessert if you want to try more than one thing.
German Village is like stepping into another era β 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 thatβs one of the largest independent bookstores in the country.
Donβt Miss:
Boutiques and shops along Mohawk Street.
Lindeyβs Restaurant for dinner (make reservations two to three weeks in advance).
Private drive near St. Maryβs Church β 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 Lindeyβs Columbus Ohio.
Columbus has some truly beautiful parks, and sunset is the best time to see them. Here are a few favorites:
Scioto Mile β Best cityscape views along the river.
Scioto Grove Metro Park β Climb the fire tower for panoramic sunset views.
Highbanks Metro Park β Scenic overlooks surrounded by trees.
Antrim Park β 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 β itβs creative, walkable, and full of good food and hidden gems. Start with these five activities and youβll leave feeling like you really experienced the city. To round out your trip, donβt miss my guide on Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio so youβre close to everything.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look 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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