Columbus is less than two hours away from Cincinnati, and while the two seem to have a lot in common on the surface (both are located on rivers, have a history of German heritage, and
Start your day with a hearty breakfast. Containing both a coffee bar (serving coffee from Cincinnati roaster Deeper Roots) and an alcohol bar (they have a bloody Mary bar during their fantastically long brunches), this place should have a beverage for everyone. And the food! Oh, the food! Breakfast burritos, chicken and waffle sandwiches, pancakes topped with pulled pork and syrup... it's all seriously too good.
Spend the rest of your morning getting lost in this charmingly labyrinthine and crammed bookseller. Located in the adorable German Village neighborhood of Columbus, the Book Loft features 30+ rooms, nooks, and crannies stuffed with books on every topic ever imaginable, most at bargain prices. You'll probably leave with a stack of things you never knew you needed!
Next door to the Book Loft is Stauf's Coffee Roasters, a local favorite. Order a Buckeye latte or some tea, grab a table, and take a moment to peruse your new purchases. The smell of freshly roasted coffee and baked goods alone is enough to make you want to pull up a chair and stay for awhile.
Head to Columbus's trendy Short North neighborhood to get a sense of the cool energy of the city. If you're into browsing old vinyl, you'll love staple record store Magnolia Thunderpussy.
If you're more about vintage clothes than vintage records, Flower Child is for you. From furniture and housewares to dresses and jewelry, this place is like your grandma's house, if she lived in a kitschy wonderland. Even if you aren't looking to buy, pop in here to experience the funky time warp.
Then there's Homage. Known for their quirky sports- and pop culture-themed t-shirts and spot-on, retro-inspired style, this local chain's store displays some of their offerings, plus sports memorabilia, vintage arcade games, and a vintage Coke machine.
This boutique/gift shop is filled with clothes and trinkets for everyone, from your impossible-to-shop-for hipster friend to your mother. There's a wine bar next door, if you're getting a little worn out from all the shopping!
A trip to Columbus isn't complete without a stop at Jeni's. This chain started in C-Bus and has grown to feature scoop shops in LA, Charleston, Nashville, Chicago, and more. If you've never tasted anything from here, they make some really inventive and amazingly delicious flavors of ice cream. From "Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet" to "The Milkiest Chocolate in the World", there's a ton to choose from. They're not stingy with the samples, though!
Then take some time to browse the bustling North Market. Outside you'll find crafts and flea market offerings, and inside there's a huge selection of fresh ingredients (meats, bread, cheese, etc.) and prepared goods. Grab a snack, or something to bring home for later here!
If you aren't too full on ice cream from Jeni's and snacks from the North Market, you can order up an app from Hoof Hearted Brewing. If you are too full, just make do with one of their craft beers. Their space is super chic, and their aesthetic is super quirky, so take some time to soak it in with chips and guac and one of their funky brews.
Just because the food at Dirty Frank's Hotdog Palace is cheap doesn't mean it isn't worth enjoying. A certain fun grunginess gives this place loads of personality, and everything from the boozy slushies to the chili cheese tater tots to the hot dogs, slathered with various toppings, is utterly delicious.
End your day trip with an evening at 16-Bit. The bar/arcade has a policy stating that anyone who buys a drink can play their wide selection of vintage games for free, which is an extra-sweet deal once you see their menu of craft beers and 80s-inspired cocktails.
A day trip to Columbus can easily be stretched into a weekend trip. If you need other restaurants, North Star has an incredible brunch, Thurman's is renowned for their huge burgers, and Schmidt's has a great German buffet known as "the Autobahn" and massive cream puffs. There are other breweries, like Land-Grant and Seventh Son, other shops at the nearby Easton Town Center, and loads of fun attractions like the Ohio Historical Society (which has a two-headed calf and a historical village) and COSI (a hands-on science museum that's a blast for kids and adults alike). Plus, with THE Ohio State University being located in town, there are always things happening in town, whether it's a football game or a Nicolas Cage movie marathon at the Gateway Film Center!