What to do in Columbus Ohio while house and pet sitting

Booking a pet sit in The Arch City? If you’re looking for some tips on what to do in Columbus Ohio, you’ve come to the right place. Famous for some of the best municipal park systems in the country, America's 15th-largest city is a diverse town with funky festivals, die-hard sports fans and an innovative arts scene. 

Still not convinced? Follow our guide below for some great recommendations on things to do in Columbus Ohio. 

Columbus Ohio attractions

Wondering what to do in Columbus Ohio? Named after the famous Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, the State has many nicknames including, ‘The Biggest Small Town in America’ and ‘Cap City’. But what are some of the best things to do in Columbus Ohio? Let’s start with some cultural must-visits: 

1. Easton Town Center: Hankering after some retail therapy? Easton Town Center is a premier shopping destination with an ever growing list of stores. The charming part? The core buildings and streets that surround Easton are made to look like a self-contained town, reminiscent of American towns in the early-to-mid 20th century.

2. Columbus Museum of Art: Situated downtown, the Columbus Museum of Art has an eclectic collection of permanent and traveling artwork, as well as fascinating exhibits and educational programs. The museum is especially well regarded for its unique dual concentration on American art and regional history. 

3. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: If you have a couple of hours to spare, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a must-see with its exotic plant collections, special exhibitions and Dale Chihuly artworks. There’s over 400 species of plants from around the world to discover, or you can simply take in the beauty of James Turrell’s Light Raiment II.

Free things to do in Columbus Ohio

If you’re visiting on a budget, there’s still plenty of incredible things to do in Columbus. Here’s our top three favorites: 

1. North Market: Eat, mingle and people-watch at Columbus’ only public market. There’s butchers, bakers and candy makers as well as fishmongers, greengrocers and plenty of eateries for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as sweet treats and coffee stops. 

2. German Village: Built by 19th-century immigrants, the super friendly German Village is known for its charming brick houses. The historic neighborhood celebrates its Germanic culture with a wide variety of unique independent shops and restaurants. 

3. The Scioto Mile: Open year-round, the Scioto Mile is an urban oasis with over 175 acres of beautiful parkland. Walk along the waterfront from the vibrant Arena District to discover the natural beauty of the Whittier Peninsula. Prefer to cycle? There are bikeways connected from downtown to the Scioto River, too.  

Fun things to do in Columbus Ohio

What are some of the fun things to do in Columbus Ohio? Well, there’s no shortage of enjoyment to be had in Cbus. Here are our top picks:

1. Center of Science and Industry: The Center of Science and Industry is a nationally regarded science center that offers all things technology, engineering and STEM topics. The center specialises in an experimental, hands-on kind of learning and offers educational programs and exhibits through their onsite and offsite experiences.  

2. Anthony Thomas Factory Tour: Who doesn’t want to gaze at chocolate for an hour or so? At the Anthony Thomas Factory Tour you can delight (or drool) at all things chocolate in a tour that spans the breadth of the 152,000 square-foot candy factory. 

3. Food tours: If you want a memorable thing to do while you’re visiting Columbus, why not consider one of the many culinary tours the city has to offer? There are van-based options, walking tours with farmers and historic stops, as well as food-specific tours like desserts and German food. 

What to do in Columbus Ohio with pets

Take a break with your latest fur-pal and explore what the city has to offer with your beloved pal. From dog parks to pet-friendly eateries, there are lots to enjoy. 

1. Wheeler Memorial Dog Park: Locals (and their pups) love this neighbourhood dog park and that’s how we know it’s a good one! Dogs are allowed off-leash and the park is fully fenced with lots of green space, hills and trees. 

2. Graeter’s Ice Cream: A popular export, Graeter’s is a much-loved institution and the fact that they are pup-friendly makes them winners in our book. Take your dog to Graeter’s and treat them to the “ice cream” dog treat, which is your standard dog bone-shaped treat infused with all the popular flavors at the parlor. 

3. Antrim Park: Tucked away in the city, this delightful spot has an abundance of wide trails that are perfect for dog walking as well as a gravel trail that takes you down to the lake where your pooch can have a paddle. 

Best restaurants in Columbus Ohio: Food and drink

After you’ve explored what Columbus has to offer the only thing left to do is grab something to eat and drink. Read on to discover our selection of the best restaurants in Columbus.

1. South Village Grille: Looking for a laid-back place to enjoy great food and drinks in German Village? Head to the South Village Grille for a Modern American menu with favorites like pizzas, steaks and fresh oysters.

2. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant: This iconic German restaurant offers incredible snacks and an even better atmosphere. We recommend the mac and cheese and the cream puffs! 

3. HangOverEasy: Looking for a great breakfast option? We love HangOverEasy in Olde Towne East. The breakfast/brunch joint has great skillets, waffles, breakfast tacos and more. Visiting for lunch? There’s a wide variety of homemade sandwiches and burgers too. 

House and pet sitting in Columbus Ohio

As you can see, there’s so much to do in Cap City, and now you have plenty of ideas on what to do in Columbus Ohio while you’re pet sitting. The city is teeming with art, theater, museums and culture – as well as a plethora of pet owners waiting to welcome you to their homes. 

Now you're all ready to visit, all that’s left to do is find your next pet sit. Just head right over here and connect with loving pet owners and their four-legged friends.