Your guide to Downtown Columbus, from happenings to happy hours.
Embark on the next stage of Downtown Columbus’ urban revival and transformation into a world class city by enhancing equity, expanding accessibility, creating connectivity, supporting local, and improving inclusion so that Downtown Columbus is a safe and welcoming destination where the prosperity of our city can be enjoyed by all.
Downtown Columbus has parking options abound. Garages, surface lots and on-street sites offer a wide variety of access, no matter your kind of ride, wherever your destination may be.
Take a stroll along Gay Street and you’ll discover a dense mélange of lively, street-level bars, galleries, restaurants, retail shops, and cafes.
From Columbus Commons to the Scioto Mile, for an experience that’s equal parts urban flair and natural splendor, head to the RiverSouth District.
For fashion, food, fun, fabulous tunes, and fantastic retail, the eclectic Fourth and Main District is hard to beat.
Pro sports, world-renowned live entertainment, and vibrant restaurants and bars— the Arena District scores big every time.
The convergence of Downtown’s central business district and the historic Franklinton neighborhood, The Peninsula brings together the best of all worlds – just around the bend of the Scioto River.
Historic buildings have been transformed into must-experience bars, venues and experiences in this up-and-coming District just east of the Scioto.
Home to a vibrant array of landmark institutions, historic sites, progressive galleries, and contemporary culinary establishments, make your next Discovery in this signature Downtown district.
of Downtown Columbus through dozens of local events happening every week.
8 UNIQUE DATE NIGHT IDEAS 🎶🎨🚒🚣
If dinner + drinks just aren’t cutting it anymore, try one of these novel experiences that are sure to keep things interesting 👀 Choose from a selection of hands-on workshops, classes, shopping experiences, and more!🤩⤵️
🧑🍳🛁Chef it up at a @themix_cscc cooking class & relax with a couples float @ebb.and.float
🎶Shop for new vinyl to spin @spoonfulrecords & jam at a free concert @columbuscommons
🖼️🖋️Explore new art at @columbusmuseum and @beelergallery & venture over to @thurberhouse for a writing workshop
📚🌳Borrow a book or magazine from @columbuslibrary & flip through it over a picnic at Topiary Park, just steps away!
🎨🪄Make your own gallery hop with the art galleries in the Gay Street District & test your skills at @magic_escape_rooms
🚒🏆Explore @centralohiofiremuseum & get competitive with some axe throwing @duelingaxes or duckpin bowling @pins.cbus
🚣🎥Kayak down the Scioto River with @windroseoutdoor & see a classic movie at the Ohio Theatre with @capacolumbus’s Summer Movie Series
*Tip: Kayak + paddleboard rentals are discounted by 50% on Fridays in August during Golden Hour Paddle
🧑🎨💃Take an art workshop with @phoenix.rising.print.coop or @caccolumbus & get moving at a high-energy dance class at The Scioto Mile Fountain or with @balletmet
Who are you taking on your next date night adventure? 👀
10 DOWNTOWN SUMMER DATE NIGHT IDEAS 💙☀️
Check out these 10 budget-friendly ideas that are perfect for your boo or your bestie 🥰 Mix and match from discounted hot dogs, free outdoor activities, and artistic adventures!
IDEAS HERE⬇️
🌭Cheer on the home team at Dime a Dog night
📌 Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane
💲Tickets start at $10 + hot dogs are 10 cents!
🎥See a classic movie at the CAPA Summer movie series
📌 Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St
💲Tickets $6 each
🎸Jam out at a free Concert
📌Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
📌High Water Alley
💲Free
🥐 Grab coffee or a pastry from a local favorite!
➡️ pictured are @threebitesbakery, Cafe De Nook & @kennedys_kakes
📌Parable - 149 S High St
📌Qahwah House - 189 E Main St
💲Price varies
🤸♂️Take an outdoor fitness class
📌Scioto Mile Fountain, 233 S Civic Center Drive
📌Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
💲Free
🥂 Chill out at BAM Thursdays
📌Columbus Museum of Art @columbusmuseum, 480 E Broad St
💲Free
🍿Catch a free outdoor movie
📌Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
📌High Water Alley, 88 High Water Alley
💲Free
🍜 Grab some worldly cuisine at @northmarket
Places featured in the video: @hoyoskitchen & @satoriramenbar
📌59 Spruce St
💲Price varies
🍻 Grab a drink at a Happy Hour (or take it to-go with the Center City DORA!)
➡️ Places featured in the video: @theboathouseoh, @goodalestation & @slammersbar
💲Prices Vary
🎨 Embrace your inner artist at an Artist Commune
📌Urban Arts Space @urbanartsspace, 50 W Town St
💲Free
Which are you picking off the list? ⤵️
HAPPY @614magazine RESTAURANT WEEK, COLUMBUS 🍴😋
From deep-fried PB&Js to unlimited Brazilian appetizers, you can enjoy discounted three-course meals from some of best restaurants in town now through Saturday, 7/26 😍
Each spot comes with a pre-determined course for a set price, so be sure to check the deal before you go!🍽️
Here are the participating Downtown spots 😋⤵️
•Alley Burger, 📍26 N High St Rear
•Chouette 📍 66 N High St
•Condado Tacos 📍132 S High St
•Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus 📍161 N High St
•Hank’s Lowcountry Seafood & Raw Bar 📍 6 W Gay St
•Goood Friends 📍 171 N 4th St
•House Taco 📍 79 S 4th St
•Little West Tavern 📍77 Belle St
•Matt & Tony’s 📍340 E Gay St
•Pat & Gracie’s 📍121 S High St
•Rodizio Grill 📍125 W Nationwide Blvd
•The Boat House 📍679 W Spring St
•The Goat 📍219 S High St
•The Keep 📍50 W Broad St
•The Spaghetti Warehouse 📍150 S High St
•The Woodbury 📍215 E Town St
•Wolf’s Ridge 📍215 N 4th St
What’s your favorite Restaurant Week meal?
Sip and stroll with the Center City DORA 🍻
If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy a beer while taking a walk along the Scioto Mile or a glass of red while you peruse through Downtown art galleries, you CAN thanks to the Center City DORA👀
DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area! Here’s how it works ⤵️
🍺 The Center City DORA includes Downtown and Franklinton
🍺 You must buy an alcoholic beverage from an approved bar or restaurant (there are 45+ of them!)
🍺 Take your drink to-go in an approved DORA cup!
🍺 Posted signage around Downtown + Franklinton tells you where the DORA boundaries are
🚎DORA at Dusk
📅Aug 8, Sept 12 & Oct 10
🕕6-10pm
📍The Patio at Scioto Mile Fountain, The Junto, Franklinton Fridays, and Land-Grant Brewing
What questions do you have about the Center City DORA? Let us know ⤵️
Looking for a bite to eat before you’re in The Room Where It Happens? 🍽️🎭
We’ve got you covered with 30+ restaurants (most within a 10 min walk of the Ohio Theatre)🍴Choose from casual, elevated casual, fancier fare, and late night bites 🍕🌭🍻
FYI: The Ohio is just one of the many theaters we have to enjoy Downtown, including
🎭Palace Theatre
🎭Southern Theatre
🎭Riffe Center
🎭Columbus Performing Arts Center
🎭MadLab Theatre
What’s your go-to spot?👀
Psst - Be sure to follow @capacolumbus to stay up to date with can’t-miss performances, including @broadwaycolumbus hits, world-class spectacles like @balletmet, @opera.columbus and @columbussymphony, and both classic and contemporary works by our multiple local theatre groups.
Let the show begin😉
10 places for live music in Downtown Columbus🎶🎸
One of the BEST parts of summer is the live music that fills the city🤩
Check out these series happening all over Downtown + save this guide ⬇️
🎵Music Mondays
📍The Lawn at High Water Alley, 88 High Water Alley
🗓️Mondays
🕐6 pm
🎵Tribute Tuesdays by @colsrecparks
📍Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Dr
🗓️July 29, Aug 5 & Aug 19
🕐6:30 pm
🎵Summer Sound Stage by @music_columbus
📍The Lawn at High Water Alley, 88 High Water Alley
🗓️July 16, Aug 20 & Sept 10
🕐6:30 pm
🎵Summer Concert Series by @thejuntohotel
📍The Lawn at High Water Alley, 88 High Water Alley
🗓️Fridays through July 25
🕐7 pm
🎵Local & Live Concert Series by @columbuscommons
📍Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
🗓️July 31, Aug 14, Aug 29, Aug 31 & Sept 26
🕐6 pm
🎵Street Beats
📍@hanksseafoodcolumbus (6 W Gay St) & The Patio at Scioto Mile Fountain (233 Civic Center Dr)
🗓️Fridays & Saturdays
🕐6 - 8 pm
🎵Nationwide Picnic with the Pops by @columbussymphony
📍Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
🗓️July 19, July 25 & July 26
🕐8 pm
🎵Nationwide Popcorn Pops by @columbussymphony
📍Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
🗓️July 18
🕐5:30 pm
🎵Bicentennial Park Concerts @colsrecparks
📍233 Civic Center Dr
🗓️Aug 29 & Sept 12
🕐6:30 pm
🎵PBJ & Jazz by @jazzartsgroup
📍Topiary Park
🗓️July 19, Aug 9 & Sept 13
🕐12 pm
NOW OPEN: The Boat House at Confluence Park 🦞⚓️🍷
@theboathouseoh is back open at Confluence Park serving your surf & turf favorites on the convergence of the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers🌊
Their refreshed menu features elevated dishes like Caviar Frites, the Boat House Smashburger, seafood towers & more! The Boat House also has a selection of delicious cocktails and wines to complete your experience. We tried a couple of menu items (including the calamari) and they all were showstoppers🦞🍸
With the helpful service and INCREDIBLE Downtown skyline views, The Boat House is the perfect spot for your next date night, bestie dinner, or a night out✨
Bonus — after dinner, take a quiet sunset stroll on the Lower Scioto Greenways for nature and more views!
⛵️The Boat House @theboathouseoh
📍679 W Spring St
🍽️ Wed–Sun: 4–9 PM
🍹Happy hour: Wed–Fri: 4–6 PM
15+ EVENTS THIS WEEKEND ☀️⬇️
It’ll be a JAM-PACKED summer weekend of events here Downtown — maybe even the busiest so far this year 👀 From free kayak rides, the @columbuslibrary book festival, to street festivals, there are so many ways to get out and about this weekend 🚣
Here’s your full lineup ⬇️
THURSDAY, JULY 10 📅 ⤵️
🖌️BAM at @columbusmuseum (FREE)
🦠COSI After Dark: The Empire Strikes Bash
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
🤸 Fountain Fitness Classes (FREE)
FRIDAY, JULY 11 📅 ⤵️
🏅Commons for Kids: Sports (FREE)
🍻 DORA at Dusk (FREE)
🎤 Summer Concert Series at The Junto (FREE)
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game
SATURDAY, JULY 12 📅 ⤵️
🏃Dash For Donations
🛍️Scioto Arts Market (FREE)
📚Columbus Book Festival (FREE)
🚣 Free Kayak Day (FREE)
🎻 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops at @columbuscommons
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game
SUNDAY, JULY 13 📅 ⤵️
🦉UnderCurrent Bastille Day Festival (FREE)
🛍️ Not Your Mama’s Big Summer Market with @notyourmamascraftmarket & @thekeecolumbus (FREE)
📚Columbus Book Festival with @columbuslibrary (FREE)
🤸 Fountain Fitness Contemporary Dance Classes (FREE)
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game
🎄11th Annual Columbus Disabilities Festival (FREE)
Check out the full event calendar at the link in our bio to never miss a Downtown event!
Downtown Columbus Inc. is a private, non-profit development corporation with a mission to lead city-changing projects in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. Downtown Columbus Inc. was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan.
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