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.
JOIN THE #NWSLtoCBUS MOVEMENT 🗣️⚽
Columbus is in the running for a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team‼️Now is the time to show that Columbus is a WOMEN’S soccer city with one of the strongest soccer communities in the nation.
Here’s how you can help bring an NWSL team to Downtown Columbus ⚽⤵️
⚽️ Sign the petition at the link in bio
⚽️ Show up & show OUT for the NWSL Challenge Cup in CBUS on June 26
⚽️ Spread the word with your friends & family to JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
We’re ALL IN to bring #NWSLtoCBUS. Are you?!
THE 2026 SUMMER EVENT SEASON IS HERE ☀️
Mark those calendars for a jam-packed season of 200+ FREE events happening around Downtown! 🍻🎨🚣 ⛲⤵️
🎸Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
📍Columbus Commons
🗓️Saturday, August 15
🎟️Free tickets available July 15
🎨NEW! Art in the Park
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
📍Topiary Park
🗓️ Last Sunday of the month, June-Sept | 1 - 3pm
➡️ Learn a new craft every month! Registration required.
🪩NEW! Downtown Silent Disco Series
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
🗓️6 - 8pm
📍 Thursday, May 28 | Topiary Garden at Deaf School Park
📍Thursday, July 23 | Lazarus Building Galleria
📍Thursday, September 3 | The Peninsula
➡️ Flip through stations of chart-toppers and hot hits while dancing to the beat at outdoor locations.
⛲FREE Scioto Mile Fountain
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
🗓️ Daily, May 22 - Sept 7, 11am-7pm
📍233 S Civic Center Dr
🕓 Sensory Friendly Hour: Mondays, 11am - 12pm
⛲FREE FountainFest
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
🗓️ May 23 | 12 - 4 pm
🎠FREE Family Fun Day
🗓️ May 23 | 12 - 4pm
🧘 FREE Downtown Fitness Classes
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
📍Around Downtown
🗓️ Mondays, Thursdays & Sundays | June - Sept
📍Columbus Commons
🗓️ Tuesdays & Wednesdays | May - Sept
🚣FREE Kayak Days
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
🗓️ July 11 & 12 | 10am - 2pm
🌳 FREE Dorrian Days
🤝In partnership w @colsrecparks
📍Dorrian Green, 50 South Belle St
🗓️ Tuesdays, 10am - 1pm | June 2 - Aug 11. No event June 9 or June 30.
🌳 FREE Commons for Kids
🤝Presented by @nationwidekids
📍Columbus Commons
🗓️ Fridays, 10am - 1pm | June 5 – Aug 14. No event June 19 or July 3.
FOOD TRUCKS
📍Columbus Commons
🗓️May - Sept
🌮Taco Tuesday, Tuesdays, 11am-2pm
🍳Breakfast at the Commons, Wednesdays, 7:30-11:30pm
🍔Food Truck Food Court, Thursdays, 11am-2pm, presented by @fifththirdbank
🍎Downtown Columbus Farmers Market w @commongreensohio
🗓️During Food Truck Food Court at Columbus Commons
Visit our website for all the deets on summer fun in Downtown Columbus! (link in bio) 😉
NOW OPEN: Viva Mexican Kitchen🔥🌮
@vivamexicankitchen_cbus is open in the former Nada space in the heart of the Arena District serving up handcrafted margaritas and elevated Mexican cuisine🌯
Their vibrant menu features show-stopping dishes like Baja Shrimp Tacos, Viva Burrito, Fajita Trio & more! Viva also has a selection of delicious deserts and cocktails to complete your experience. We tried a couple of menu items (including the Birria Tacos and Trio Dip) and they were smash hits!🤩🥑
With the helpful service and lively, well-crafted atmosphere, Viva Mexican Kitchen is the perfect spot for a dinner and drinks before an event, date night, bestie dinner, or night out✨
Bonus — their patio is perfect for this budding summer weather👀☀️
🔥Viva Mexican Restaurant @vivamexicankitchen_cbus
📍220 W Nationwide Blvd
Mon-Thurs: 11am - 9:30pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 11pm
DOWNTOWN LUNCH SPOT: ZARAZÚ 🥗🍴
Find a variety of wraps, salads, sandwiches, international bowls, and more at Zarazú located right on the Scioto Mile! Formerly Maria’s Cafe, Zarazú presents a fresh menu with weekly specials 🌯
We got the California chicken wrap with fries and a side of broccoli cheddar soup 🥦🧀
Zarazú is located on the first floor of the 200 S Civic Center Dr building, right across the Scioto Mile Fountain! Order ahead online or cater your next event with Zarazú.
PS — we were definitely eyeing the housemade tiramisu in the fridge 👀
🍴 Zarazú
📍200 S Civic Center Dr
🕐 Mon - Fri, 8am - 3pm
NEW DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT: KIZA 🌍🍴
There’s a new restaurant open in the Warehouse District! Kiza Restaurant & Bar is a spacious spot serving up savory and spicy Caribbean, West African and American cuisine 🌶️
Popular menu items include the jollof rice with chicken (pictured), beef suya, and rice and peas with oxtail 🤤 But a meal isn’t complete without appetizers and sides, so we tried their plantains and spring rolls, too!
In addition to their delicious dishes, they have a full bar. Swing by for happy hour on Tues - Fri from 4-7pm or check out one of their upcoming events🍹
Psst - order for take-out on Uber Eats!
🥘 Kiza Restaurant & Bar
📍155 N Fifth St
🕐 Tues - Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-12AM
Downtown’s very own Topiary Park is getting attention for its feature on Love Is Blind 👀🌳📺
The park was the backdrop for one of Vic & Christine’s post-engagement dates 💍
Topiary Park is a breathing depiction of Georges Seurat’s painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The shrubs and trees are trimmed to recreate people, boats, and animals from the painting. Nestled in next to @columbuslibrary and across from @topiaryparkcrossing, Topiary Park is a scenic escape in Downtown!
Did you catch Topiary Park on the show?!
NEW DOWNTOWN COFFEE TRAILER: CAFÉ STAI MANSO ☕❤️
Meet us in the parking lot in front of the Warehouse District mural for eye-catching coffee and seasonal drinks from the newest coffee trailer, @cafestaimanso ☕
Although they’ve only been open for a couple weeks, the coffee trailer has been a popular place to grab a drink and strike up a fun conversation with the owners. Their intention for Cafe Stai Monso was for it to be a third-place to come and “take it easy” as the Italian name of the shop implies.
Pictured in the video are iced drinks including the Maple Shakes, Toasty Mallow, Choc & Roses, and a Vanilla Latte 🍫🌹 NEW: they just added cold foam to take their drinks to the next level!! Have you tried it yet?
Café Stai Manso
📍231 N Fifth St
🕐 8am-2pm Mon - Sat
