How to spend a day or weekend in Columbus with kids

Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and the state’s capital. It is a sprawling city of over 800,000 and home to Ohio State University. I was surprised at all the city has to offer families. There is something for everyone, whether you love exploring museums and the arts, enjoy a vibrant food scene or exploring the great outdoors. We ventured up early fall for a one night stay and to visit the American Girl store for Hadley’s 7th birthday. Though that was the reason for the trip, we got so much more out of it!

We stayed at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. It was the perfect location to walk around and explore the city. It also features an indoor pool which is always a great idea when traveling with kids. To explore Columbus hotels, click here.

We were excited to discover the North Market, just right around the corner from our hotel. North Market was established in 1876 and is a staple in Columbus. You can find something for everyone here from the Farmers’ Market, to pop-up shops and a variety of diverse restaurants/food stalls. It’s a great place to go with kids because there is a wide range of places to eat so everyone is happy! I always love supporting the local community whenever exploring a new city.

While downtown, discover the Short North neighborhood. This vibrant and artsy area is culturally rich with galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The bricked side streets give this contemporary area a quaint feel. With so many restaurant choices, it was hard to choose. We decided on Brassica, a Lebanese and Mediterranean spot. I’m so glad we did! It was so delicious that even our girls were satisfied. They also have cozy courtyard seating in the back, when weather permits.

Go to Big Fun vintage toy shop. This nostalgic spot will bring out your inner-child. I think Jonathan and I enjoyed it more than our girls, with all the toys of our childhood….GI Joe, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, He-Man, Transformers and Scratch and Sniff stickers just to name a few! I’m really telling my age.

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Explore the downtown street art. I loved all the murals adorning the buildings, especially around the Short North area.

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Check out The Riverside Scioto Mile promenade and Bicentennial Park. This lush 175 acre parkland located in the heart of downtown is home to green space, urban trails and home to summer festivals and concerts. Rent a bike and hit a trail or explore by foot. The park runs alongside the Scioto River, where on a nice day you’ll see people exploring by kayak or canoe.

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Spend some time in the charming German Village. This quaint area is home to 19th century homes, Cobblestone streets, unique book stores, coffee shops, German pubs and the beautiful Schiller Park that is home to outdoor plays and Shakespeare performances in the summer.

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Located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Columbus you’ll find Easton Town Center – a sprawling entertainment complex of over 200 shops, restaurants, venues and entertainment. This is home to American Girl Columbus, and as previously mentioned, the reason for this trip. Easton Town Center offers something for every taste and age!

More things to do in Columbus with kids….

Depending on your time-frame, here are a few more ideas. Though time did not permit us to do the following. These are on the list for next time.

-Zipline through the forest at Zip Zone.

–Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden.

–COSI Center of Science and Industry – an interactive science museum.

–Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

–Columbus Museum of Art

I hope you found this post helpful. Please feel free to drop a line about your favorite things to do in Columbus or ask any questions you might have about our trip!

Cheers,

Angela