Grab a bike from a CoGo Bike Share station or take a short Uber ride to The Ohio Taproom for some of Ohio's finest craft beverages. Luke's parents own the place so be sure to mention you're in town for our wedding! There's a CoGo bike station at the shop, and some of the best restaurants in Columbus are just around the corner in Grandview Heights.
The Citizens Trust is a magnificent old bank building in the heart of downtown that has been restored and converted into an upscale cocktail lounge. Its grand scale and beautiful decor give it a unique vibe unlike anything else in Columbus - and it's an easy walk from the hotels. Stop by to take a look, or grab a drink before or after dinner!
Due Amici is a great option if you have a craving for Italian and you'd like to stay in the heart of downtown. It's in a renovated, historic building and is within easy walking distance to the hotels. Dine at the bar or in the dining room - or check out their happy hour from 3-6:30pm!
Based in Athens, Ohio, Jackie O's opened its Columbus location in 2023. They offer lots of craft beer, along with a variety of sandwiches and sides. If you like IPAs, be sure to try Mystic Mama, their flagship West-Coast style IPA. There's a great story here and for more reasons than one, Jackie O's has fans from all over Ohio. It's on the north edge of downtown, but not a bad walk - and it's right next to Pins Mechanical and very near a couple local breweries!
Stauf's was the first micro-roaster in Columbus and while there's plenty of coffee competition now, Stauf's original home in Grandview Heights has long been a favorite for the Evans family. Abby and Luke pay it a visit every time they're in town! The South 3rd Street location is in the heart of German Village, a dense urban neighborhood with brick streets and sidewalks, urban gardens and unique boutiques mixed in alongside the beautiful homes. It's probably a bit too far to walk, but once you're there, grab a coffee and a muffin and take time to enjoy a walk through this wonderful historic neighborhood. Note: Stauf's has multiple locations, including the North Market and Grandview Heights, so if you're heading out for coffee, be sure to choose the one that fits best in your plans!
In the heart of the Short North Arts District, Forno checks all the boxes for food and drink with lunch, brunch, happy hour and dinner - and it's one of Abby's favorites! Parking can be a challenge in this area, so take a short Uber ride to save your sanity.
This tiny little 100-year-old former gas station-turned restaurant is a hot spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch. If you go, you MUST order Katalina's Original Pancake Balls. Lines are often out the door to get into this quirky little place, but if you give it try, you'll know why. Consider ordering takeout if you don't want to wait - it's a little too far away to walk, though, so you'll need a car or an Uber to get there. There's a second location in Clintonville but it's just as crowded and is a little farther away from downtown. Remember to order the Pancake Balls.
The Scioto Mile consists of parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths along the Scioto River in the heart of downtown Columbus. With easy access from downtown hotels and beautiful views of the Columbus skyline, head north to North Bank Park, or south to Bicentennial Park and Milestone 229.
Art, food, drinks, shopping, spas, salons, live music, and festivals - the Short North Arts District has it all! This lively urban neighborhood has a unique local flavor and offers lots of ways to spend the afternoon and evening, including great restaurants for lunch and dinner. It's not far from downtown, just straight up High Street, but the best way to get there is by CoGo Bike or Uber - it's a little too far to walk for most, and parking can be difficult.
The Columbus Museum of Art is a great way to spend an afternoon! From its permanent art collection to its visiting exhibitions, there's something for everyone and it's always an enjoyable experience. It's walkable for some (6 or so city blocks) but otherwise a very short CoGo Bike Share or Uber ride.
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the nation’s first and only memorial dedicated solely to telling the stories of Veterans, their families and the fallen. This one-of-a-kind Memorial and Museum is just a short walk across the Scioto River using the Broad St. bridge.