1 
AAA Destination Guide: Official AAA maps,
travel information and top picks
AAA Destination Guide: Columbus includes trip-planning information
covering AAA recommended attractions and restaurants, exclusive
member discounts, maps and more.  
Beckoning visitors to the Midwest with a pleasing mix of down-home
charm and contemporary flair, Columbus has become the country’s 15th-
largest metropolitan area. Named after Christopher Columbus, the city
invites exploration; visitors can even tour a full-size replica of the Santa
Maria. Other highlights are as assorted as the area’s past residents. The
itinerary includes stops at the birthplace of the Civil War general who
offered Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas present; the
24,000-square-foot complex honoring a Masters golf legend; and the
former home of an award-winning author and cartoonist who attended
Ohio State University, one of the largest schools in the country.
The city’s diversity also is found in its people and surroundings. The
legacy of American Indians who once inhabited the region surfaces in the
names of places and streets and in preserved historic sites such as
Newark Earthworks. More recently, Black Entertainment Television rated
Columbus as the top place for African Americans to live. Even within
individual neighborhoods, diversity manifests itself. Shoppers in the Short
North district can find an antique Qing Dynasty bench, a pound of Amish
cheese or an Indian sari. Just next door in Victorian Village, striking
houses exhibit a collage of architectural styles. Neighboring Italian
Village, which most likely acquired its name from a prominent church,
reflects a hodgepodge of ethnic influences, from Irish to Lebanese to
Greek. And German Village is a great place for wienerschnitzel.
In addition to the cultural and commercial conveniences this modern city
affords, Columbus’ historic roots and natural landscapes create a singular
vacation destination. Home to the renowned Columbus Zoo and
Aquarium, notable art and science museums and such music-filled
events as the Jazz and Rib Fest, this flourishing city captivates and
enlightens, no matter which direction you head.
Essentials
Hear the Victory Bell ring at an Ohio State University football game.
Weighing 2,420 pounds, the bell sounds at Ohio Stadium after every
Buckeye win. Get into the spirit of things by donning scarlet and gray,
OSU’s official school colors.
Visit the “Umbrella Girl” in German Village,
one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. In the
1950s, this bronze statue mysteriously
disappeared from Schiller Park. The village
dedicated a new version of the young girl,
garbed in traditional Bavarian dress and
carrying an umbrella, in 1996.
Taste such Mediterranean staples as tabouli
and baklava, bring home some petunias and
scour for antiques at the North Market. This public farmers’ market on
Spruce Street is the last of its kind in central Ohio.
Grab a burger at the original Wendy’s on the corner of 5th and Broad
streets. Dave Thomas opened his first restaurant here in 1969, and you
can peruse the memorabilia while you eat.




Destination Guide: Columbus 
2 
Take a tour of a tropical rain forest, the Himalayan Mountains or an arid
desert at Franklin Park Conservatory, a 12,500-square-foot glass
structure built in the style of London’s Crystal Palace.
Essentials Map
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Essentials Details - Get additional information on AAA.com
- GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members

- Exclusive AAA member discounts available
1. German Village
588 S 3rd St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 221-8888

2. Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: (614) 645-8733



3. COSI Columbus
333 W Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 228-1445
4. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 Powell Rd
Powell, OH 43065
Phone: (614) 645-3550


5. Ohio Historical Center
I-71 and 17th Ave
Columbus, OH 43211
Phone: (614) 297-2300



6. Graeter's Ice Cream
2555 Bethel Rd
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: (614) 442-7622

Lift a car all by yourself at COSI Columbus, a science center boasting a
mix of education and fun. At COSI’s outdoor Big Science Park, the Big
Giant Lever exhibit lets you raise a 2,437-pound automobile.
Coo at koalas at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, one of the few U.S.
zoos permanently housing the marsupials. Like the kangaroo, the koala
carries its newborn, which is only about the size of a jelly bean, in a
pouch.
Watch a newsreel from the 1920s while exploring the 250,000 square-
foot Ohio Historical Center. The expansive collection includes animal and
plant specimens as well as prehistoric American Indian art.
Unearth a few gems in the Short North arts district. This urban
neighborhood on North High Street embraces an eclectic array of art
galleries, restaurants and hip boutiques selling everything from African
beads and American Indian jewelry to Indonesian baskets.
Destination Guide: Columbus 
3 
Dip a spoon into a cup of Graeter’s Ice Cream. Heralded as the best ice
cream around, the creamy dessert is a lasting tradition in the Midwest.
Try Graeter’s best seller, Black Raspberry Chip, or Oprah Winfrey’s
personal favorite, Butter Pecan.
Restaurants
Whether you’re sightseeing, shopping for
souvenirs or strolling through such historic
neighborhoods as German Village,
Columbus’ restaurants tempt at every turn.
On the menu are local landmarks as well as
newer spots creating a buzz in the culinary
world.
On the first level of the Miranova office tower is M, a marquee restaurant
and bar overlooking the Scioto riverfront. Eclectic American dishes
influenced by European and Pacific Rim flavors include Chilean sea bass
with shrimp dumplings, veal mignon with shitake mushroom sauce,
lobster mashed potatoes and fresh sushi rolls. A dynamic wine list
features selections from around the world. Dramatic lighting, ceiling-high
sheer curtains and a comfortable outdoor patio are icing on the cake—
which at M is filled with a liquid chocolate center and accompanied by
Tahitian vanilla ice cream.
For another restaurant with a hip and relaxing cosmopolitan atmosphere,
head to Martini Modern Italian, a storefront eatery in the Columbus arts
district. Just past the dining room’s stark white pillars, you’ll see busy
chefs preparing a wide variety of authentic Italian appetizers and entrées.
Specialties include herb-seared tuna with parmesan risotto, shrimp
scampi served over beef tenderloin and rosemary-cured, orange-glazed
pork chops. A separate martini bar and an impressive wine list round out
the dining experience.
With white tablecloths and an intimate, candlelit dining room, The
Refectory has been a fine-dining tradition in Upper Arlington since 1980.
The 19th-century structure—a former church attached to a
schoolhouse—showcases a world-class wine cellar with more than 700
selections. Reflecting the classic and contemporary cuisine of the chef’s
homeland of Lyon, France, the menu features beluga caviar, mild-spiced
duck and venison with plum bordelaise sauce and lyonnaise sausage.
Among the tempting desserts are a traditional vanilla crème brûlée and a
European cheese plate.
The upscale nautical accents and dark woods at Columbus Fish Market
will make you think you’ve left port aboard a luxury cruise ship. Serious
seafood-lovers flock to northern Columbus, where this restaurant’s
selection of more than 80 seafood items is so fresh, the menu is printed
twice daily. Fish selections can be prepared four ways—steamed with
ginger and scallions, grilled, broiled or blackened with étouffée sauce.
Other noteworthy specialties include cedar-roasted salmon, hoisin-glazed
yellowfin tuna and New England clam chowder, along with macadamia
nut-crusted Florida key lime pie for dessert.
Just east of Columbus, City Barbeque attracts crowds of diners for its
down-to-earth Southern specialties, from barbecue chicken and ribs to
pulled pork and brisket. The simple dining room features wooden picnic
tables adorned with the necessities: rolls of paper towels and a variety of
secret-recipe sauces. Made-from-scratch side dishes include such home-
style favorites as greens with pork, corn pudding and baked beans. The
restaurant also offers carry-out service— you can even order a whole
smoked hog!
Aromas drifting from Cafe Istanbul also tempt shoppers at Easton Town
Center. Decorated in the style of a Turkish bazaar, the cozy
establishment features a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes. Meat
and vegetable specialties include mousakka, stuffed cabbage and okra
with lamb morsels. A traditional fish entrée from Rize on the Black Sea
includes a choice of salmon, flounder or tilapia broiled in a vegetable
sauce. The restaurant also makes its own desserts and occasionally
features live entertainment. For a breath of fresh air, dine on the seasonal
outdoor patio.
Destination Guide: Columbus 
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Other shopping districts keep hungry visitors just as satisfied. Polaris
Fashion Place is home to Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, which specializes in
Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Korean dishes. Its comfortable,
modern Asian dining room is a great place to unwind after a hectic day of
bargain-hunting in northern Columbus. Although courteous servers are
on hand to offer recommendations, ordering is still a daunting task with
such delectable choices as Kung Pao calamari and Mongolian hot pots
Restaurants Map
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filled with ginger-sake shrimp and scallops. Enhance these Eastern
flavors by sampling Molly Woo’s white tea blended with Valencia orange
peels.

The Carriage Place shopping center in Dublin is home to the Chile Verde
Cafe. Featuring authentic northern New Mexico cuisine—generally more
spicy and flavorful than traditional Mexican dishes—the popular family
eatery serves up enormous helpings of barbecue-grilled fajita burritos
and spicy Southwestern crab cakes. The zesty salsa is prepared fresh,
while a large selection of Mexican beers and margaritas are on hand to
wash everything down.
Nestled along a row of Grandview Heights stores, Spagio draws attention
for its blend of European and Pacific Rim cuisine as well as its eccentric
ambiance. Fascinated passersby gaze through the windows at the dining
room, where star-lit tree branches and clusters of glowing umbrellas hang
from the ceiling. The menu runs the gamut from traditional Italian
antipasto, wood-fired pizzas and potato gnocchi to hoisin-glazed duck
and Delmonico steak. Adjacent to the restaurant is a wine shop offering
several thousand bottles of premium wine, a wine-tasting area and a
cigar lounge.
Restaurants Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;
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1. M

2 Miranova Pl, Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 629-0000

2. Martini Modern Italian

445 N High St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-8259

3. Schmidt's Restaurant
und Sausage Haus

240 E Kossuth St
Columbus, OH 43206
Phone: (614) 444-6808
4. Lindey's
169 E Beck St
Columbus, OH 43206
Phone: (614) 228-4343

5. The Clarmont

684 High St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 443-1125

6. The Columbus
Brewing Company

525 Short St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 464-2739
Destination Guide: Columbus 
5 
Two-story Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus, a German Village
landmark, has served customers since 1886. The eatery re-creates Old
World Germany through its signature cuisine—dished up by servers in
traditional Bavarian garb—and charming décor, along with live music on
most nights. German beers and microbrews complement the restaurant’s
sausage platters, Wiener schnitzel and cabbage rolls. A buffet also offers
a large selection of German and American recipes. With all that food, you
may have to make a separate trip for dessert; choices include apple
strudel and whopping, half-pound cream puffs.
Restaurants Map
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German Village also is home to Lindey’s. Featuring exciting American
cuisine, the establishment fashions itself after an Upper East Side New
York bistro. The dinner menu features jumbo lump crab cakes, linguini
with shrimp and clams and Lindey’s signature tournedos of beef. Lunch
and children’s menus also are available daily, while brunch is served on
weekends. Live jazz plays most Thursday and Friday nights. Stay awhile
after your meal to sip a Spanish cappuccino or a New Orleans-style hot
toddy with dessert—and who could resist the tiramisu or croissant bread
pudding with banana caramel sauce?
Reminiscent of a ’40s-style supper club, The Clarmont transports patrons
to another era. The timeless German Village steakhouse, one of the
oldest dining establishments in the city, features such highlights as rack
of lamb marinated in red wine and bacon-wrapped filet mignon with
gorgonzola cheese, along with a wide assortment of fresh salads and
seafood. Mouthwatering starters include colossal shrimp cocktail, deep-
fried smelt and the ever-popular cream of tomato soup.
Restaurants Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;
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7. The Refectory

1092 Bethel Rd
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: (614) 451-9774

8. Columbus Fish Market

40 Hutchinson Ave
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: (614) 410-3474

9. City Barbeque

5979 E Main St
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Phone: (614) 755-8890

10. Cafe Istanbul

3983 Worth Ave
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: (614) 473-9144
11. Molly Woo's Asian Bistro
1500 Polaris Pkwy, Suite 220
Columbus, OH 43240
Phone: (614) 985-9667

12. Chile Verde Cafe

4852 Sawmill Rd
Dublin, OH 43235
Phone: (614) 442-6630

13. Spagio

1295 Grandview Ave
Grandview Heights, OH 43212
Phone: (614) 486-1114


Destination Guide: Columbus 
6 
Paradise awaits beer aficionados at the historic brewery district’s The
Columbus Brewing Company. After a long day of sightseeing, unwind
with any one of their six handcrafted ales, or order a tasting flight and
sample them all. The hip, casual eatery offers much more than just suds,
though. Aside from a large selection of white, red and sparkling wines,
the Short Street restaurant features wood-fired pizzas, buttermilk-fried
catfish, pecan-crusted chicken and such Cajun-inspired dishes as shrimp
served with grits and andouille sausage.
Attractions
In a city with dozens of attractions, you may have trouble deciding where
to spend your time. Here are the highlights for this destination, as chosen
by AAA editors. GEMs are “Great Experiences for Members.”
After moving to the newly designated capital
of Columbus in 1816, state officials would
wait more than 40 years for a finished Capitol
building. A cholera epidemic, harsh winters
and other setbacks delayed construction.
Today, visitors can tour the splendor of the
Greek Revival-style Ohio Statehouse, which
features historical exhibits, artistic treasures and limestone from the
banks of the Scioto (sigh-OH-toe) River.
Just across the river to the west is COSI Columbus, a AAA GEM
attraction. Shoot water cannons, drive robotic rovers and travel through
time at this interactive science center, all while expanding your
knowledge of the world around you. Live shows and special events add
to the stimulating atmosphere as you learn about such concepts as
centripetal force and erosion.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, another long-standing city favorite, is
home to more than 660 species, hundreds of which are threatened with
extinction. Dedicated to preserving wildlife, the zoo protects such
endangered creatures as bald eagles and leopards. This AAA GEM
attraction is one of only three facilities outside of Florida exhibiting West
Indian Manatees. The marine mammals live in a 190,000-gallon indoor
aquarium at Manatee Coast.
Just north of Columbus in the city of Delaware are the Olentangy Indian
Caverns, a collection of natural caves formed by an underground river
millions of years ago. Artifacts on display indicate the Wyandot Indians
sought refuge in these caverns from harsh weather and such enemies as
the Delaware Indians. Visitors descend a concrete stairway into the maze
of passageways, some descending as far as 105 feet below the surface.
At the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in nearby Pickerington, three
major exhibition halls display an ever-changing collection of motorcycles,
from a 1912 Indian racer to a 2005 BMW K1200R. Photos, sculptures,
riding gear, literature and awards illustrate the story of American
motorcycling through the years.
Golf is another beloved diversion in Columbus, the birthplace of Jack
Nicklaus. At the Ohio State University sports complex, the Jack Nicklaus
Museum lets visitors pore over items related to his remarkable career. Six
of the golfer’s Masters Trophies, his Masters green jacket and his 1975
PGA Championship wedge are just a few of the mementos. A pictorial
essay chronicles Nicklaus’ record-breaking career.
Another Columbus son is memorialized at The Thurber House. Author,
humorist and cartoonist James Thurber lived here with his family while
attending OSU. Visitors can sit on 1900s-era furnishings, play the
downstairs piano or touch the typewriter Thurber used while working for
The New Yorker.
Just around the corner is the Columbus Museum of Art, sure to inspire
visitors with its works by Henri Matisse, American painter Edward Hopper
and Columbus native George Bellows. Norman Rockwell, who painted for
The Saturday Evening Post for more than 4 decades, is also represented
in the museum’s permanent collection. Eye Spy, an educational program
for children, took more than 3 years of research and planning to create.


Destination Guide: Columbus 
7 
Attractions Map

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Children’s toys are the main focus at Mid-Ohio Historical Museum, south
of Columbus in Canal Winchester. Also known as The Doll and Toy
Museum, this attraction presents thousands of toys including collector
dolls from the 1920s, more modern collections such as “Star Wars” and
Attractions Details - Get additional information on AAA.com
- GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members

- Exclusive AAA member discounts available
1. Ohio Statehouse
Broad St & High St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 728-2695

2. COSI Columbus
333 W Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 228-1445



3. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 Powell Rd
Powell, OH 43065
Phone: (614) 645-3550


4. Olentangy Indian Caverns
1779 Home Rd
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 548-7917


5. Jack Nicklaus Museum
2355 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 247-5959

6. The Thurber House
77 Jefferson Ave
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 464-1032
7. Columbus Museum of Art
480 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 221-6801


8. The Topiary Garden
480 E Town St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 645-0197

9. Franklin Park Conservatory
1777 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: (614) 645-8733



10. Inniswood Metro Gardens
940 S Hempstead Rd
Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: (614) 895-6216

11. Westerville

12. Ohio Historical Center
I-71 and 17th Ave
Columbus, OH 43211
Phone: (614) 297-2300



13. German Village
588 S 3rd St
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 221-8888

Disney memorabilia, and G.I. Joe action figures. Barbie, who is actually a
revamped version of a popular German doll named Lilli, also makes an
appearance.
Destination Guide: Columbus 
8 
Attractions Map
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Step into a work of art at The Topiary Garden, a botanical depiction of the
Pointillist painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.”
A local sculptor re-created French artist Georges Seurat’s most
recognizable work in this whimsical garden of clipped yews.
A Bonsai collection, exotic orchids and a Pacific Island water garden are
just a few of the highlights at the Franklin Park Conservatory. The glass
structure was built in 1895 in the style of London’s Crystal Palace. As
visitors walk through this AAA GEM Attraction, they’ll find vibrant blown-
glass pieces by artist Dale Chihuly interspersed throughout the natural
exhibits.
Attractions Details - Get additional information on AAA.com

- Exclusive AAA member discounts available
14. Delaware

15. Motorcycle Hall
of Fame Museum
13515 Yarmouth Dr
Pickerington, OH 43147
Phone: (614) 856-2222


16. Pickerington

17. Mid-Ohio Historical
Museum-Doll & Toy Museum
700 Winchester Pike
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Phone: (614) 837-5573


18. Motts Military Museum
5075 S Hamilton Rd
Groveport, OH 43125
Phone: (614) 836-1500

19. Wahkeena
2200 Pump Station Rd
Sugar Grove, OH 43155
Phone: (740) 746-8695

20. Sugar Grove
21. Lancaster

22. The Sherman House Museum
137 E Main St
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 654-9923


23. The Works: Ohio Center for
History, Art and Technology
55 S First St
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 349-9277


24. Newark

25. Newark Earthworks
455 Hebron Rd
Heath, OH 43056
Phone: (740) 345-8224

26. Wagnalls Memorial
150 E Columbus St
Lithopolis, OH 43136
Phone: (614) 837-4765

27. Lithopolis

Another tranquil spot is the 150-acre Wahkeena nature preserve in Sugar
Grove. Wahkeena is an old Yakima Indian word meaning “most
beautiful,” and these forested sandstone cliffs merit the name. Along the
nature trails, hikers may come across native orchids, 26 types of ferns,
countless birds and such wildlife as the state animal, the white-tailed
deer.
A scenic nature preserve surrounds lovely plantings of daffodils, daylilies
and more than 2,000 species of plants at Inniswood Metro Gardens in
Destination Guide: Columbus 
9 
Westerville. Once headquarters for the Anti-Saloon League, the leading
group for prohibition in America, Westerville was known as the “dry
capital of the world.”
In nearby Lancaster is The Sherman House Museum, birthplace of
General William Tecumseh Sherman and his brother, U.S. Senator John
Sherman. The house museum contains family mementos and period
furniture. Named Tecumseh after a Shawnee Indian chief, General
Sherman led his army on the famous March to the Sea, carving a path of
destruction through Confederate Georgia during the Civil War.
Civil War weapons, American Indian art pieces and a mastodon are just a
few of the artifacts you’ll see at the Ohio Historical Center, the flagship
museum in the Ohio Historical Society’s statewide system of historical
sites. The 250,000-square-foot center houses three permanent exhibits
and a 280-seat auditorium. The neighboring 1800s Ohio Village is open
during signature events, including games of the Ohio Village Muffins and
the Lady Diamonds, teams that play vintage baseball according to
Victorian rules.
Traditions also run deep at German Village, a historic downtown district.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, built in 1868, may be the focal point, but the
village’s charm is reflected in small cottages with wrought-iron fences
along tree-lined brick streets. Around Third Street, restaurants and shops
keep travelers satiated during a day of sightseeing, offering everything
from sauerbraten to specialty cheese and European housewares.
Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, The Works: Ohio Center for
History, Art and Technology stirs the creative spirit. Wander the Art
Works Gallery for inspiration, take a class on glass blowing or become a
scientist in the first floor laboratory. There’s always something new to
discover at this innovative center in Newark.
Also in the vicinity is the Newark Earthworks, three major segments of
earthen enclosures built by Ohio’s prehistoric peoples. Experts speculate
that the Great Circle, nearly 1,200 feet in diameter, was a ceremonial
hub. The 50-acre Octagon Earthworks and the square Wright Earthworks
most likely served religious and social purposes.
South of Columbus, the Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis displays
memorabilia relating to the Funk & Wagnalls Co., publisher of dictionaries
and encyclopedias. The former estate houses two Norman Rockwell
paintings that served as covers for the company’s early publication, The
Literary Digest. The attraction also exhibits art from other former Funk
and Wagnalls illustrators as well as a collection of Chinese keepsakes.
Events
In addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination
hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide
with your visit. GEMs are “Great Experiences for Members.”
Events around Columbus range from the traditional—the city’s
Independence Day celebration, Red, White and Boom—to the not-so-
usual Circleville Pumpkin Show, which features a 400-pound pumpkin
pie. Visitors who stay out late at these happenings shouldn’t fret. As
humorist and Columbus native James Thurber wrote: “Early to rise and
early to bed makes a male healthy and wealthy and dead.”
With the arrival of spring comes the Asian Festival and its ethnic fare of
spring rolls, sushi and satay. The May event includes cultural displays,
martial arts performances, cooking demonstrations and an open market
selling exotic Asian goods.
The Memorial Tournament in late May epitomizes the rich history and
traditions of golf. Started in 1976 by Columbus native Jack Nicklaus, the
PGA Tour event takes place at Muirfield Village Golf Club in nearby
Dublin. A portion of the proceeds benefits Ohio charities.
The Haus und Garten Tour, a AAA GEM Event, takes place in German
Village in late June. Visitors tour eight houses and four gardens
embodying the neighborhood revitalization efforts of the German Village
Destination Guide: Columbus 
10 
Society. Festivities include gardening demonstrations and a watercolor
competition.
The 10-day Lancaster Festival brings together a diverse mix of
musicians; past performers have included R&B singer Aretha Franklin,
trumpeter Doc Severinsen and country singer Gary Morris. The visual
arts are represented during ArtWalk on the first Friday of the July event.
If there’s one don’t-miss festival in town, it’s the Columbus Jazz and Rib
Fest in late July. Some 400,000 people bring their bibs to this AAA GEM
Event, which boasts performances by premiere jazz artists and local
bands—plus 50 tons of barbecued ribs. After
chowing down on the award-winning food,
take a break and relax to mellow tunes.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks
Department produces a series of events
during the summer called “Music in the Air.” Festival Latino in June
attracts growing crowds with Latin American music and food as well as
educational workshops and cultural performances.
Traditional and modern music and dance are highlights of the 3-day
Dublin Irish Festival, a AAA GEM Event in August. Cultural draws include
Irish storytelling and English Civil War re-enactments.
August is also time for the Ohio State Fair, one of the biggest state fairs
in the country. More than 800,000 people attend this 12-day event, which
has been offering midway rides, livestock shows, celebrity entertainment
and funnel cakes since 1850.
Stand on the sidelines to cheer thousands of runners in the Columbus
Marathon in October. Ranked as one of the top U.S. marathons, the
course is mostly flat with a clover-leaf design, looping through downtown
and the surrounding suburbs.
The All American Quarter Horse Congress, considered the world’s largest
single-breed horse show, attracts more than 650,000 people to the Ohio
Expo Center each October. Events include professional bull-riding shows,
horse-judging contests and educational lectures.
In November, the Columbus International Festival promotes international
peace and understanding through multicultural exhibits and
performances. A Parade of Nations is held daily, and visitors can taste
tantalizing dishes from more than 80 countries.
From mid-November to early January, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
presents Wildlights, a winter wonderland featuring light displays, holiday
activities and an ice skating rink.
Things to Do
Shopping
Columbus, the home of the original regional shopping center, is a natural
for discovering bargains and hard-to-find items. While the bulk of
shopping is done at five suburban malls—Eastland, off I-70 and Hamilton
Rd.; Easton Town Center, off I-270 exit 33 at Easton Way; The Mall at
Tuttle Crossing, off I-270 and Tuttle Crossing Blvd.; Polaris Fashion
Place, off I-71 and Polaris Parkway; and Westland at W. Broad Street
and I-270—specialty shops are sprinkled throughout the area.
Among the offerings you’ll find at the North Market, which has been in
operation since 1876, are ethnic cuisines, flowers, cookware and gift
items. On Saturdays during the growing season (May-October), more
than 20 farmers set up shop. Saturdays also feature live music, and
festivals are held throughout the year. The market, 59 Spruce St., is open
Tues.-Fri. 9-7, Sat. 8-5 and Sun. noon-5. The market is also open Mon.
9-5, but this is an optional day for vendors, so you may not find as many
as you will on the other days of the week.
College Traditions, 286 W. Lane Ave., and Conrads College Gifts, 316 W.
Lane Ave., carry Ohio State University memorabilia for avid Buckeye
boosters. German Village, a restored 19th-century German community on
3rd Street south of I-70/I-71, has antiques, books and baked goods.