If you’re tired of visiting the same places all of the time and need a break from the routine, you won’t want to miss these hidden gems. Between shops, museums, and unique music venues, there is bound to be something in Columbus that you didn’t know about. Check out these unique gems hiding right here in our city.
- The Book Loft
The Book Loft/Facebook If you’re a book nerd - this will blow you away. The Book Loft is a city block-long independent bookstore, one of the largest in the nation. It occupies historic buildings, which used to be a general store, a saloon and a nickelodeon cinema. The Book Loft has a whopping 32 rooms of books. Whether you’re looking to purchase or just meander, visit this place and experience it’s unique old-fashioned German Village vibe.
The Book Loft is located at 631 S. 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43206.
- Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint
Bossy Grrls/Facebook How exactly does one describe Bossy Grrls? Words that come to mind are burlesque, exotic, rowdy, and trashy (I’m not being mean here, that one’s from their website). This place is a true wild gem. They offer burlesque shows every Monday at 10:00 pm, and on other nights they feature dancers, musicians, and comedians. Beers, whisky, coffee, and sandwiches are also available. What isn’t there to love?
Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint is located at 2598 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202.
- Topiary Park
Lorianne DiSabato/Flickr On the corner of East Town Street and Washington Avenue in the middle of downtown Columbus sits the Topiary Garden, an incredible and very unique park. The park recreates Georges Seurat’s famous impressionist painting, “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The pond represents the river Seine, and the topiary consists of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat. It is the only topiary interpretation of a painting in existence. Walk among the figures for the unique sensation of living inside a painting. This can be a fun way to introduce kids to art.
The Topiary Park is located at 480 E. Town St., Columbus, OH 43215.
- The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum/Facebook How cool is this: a museum of cartoons and comics? The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is the world’s largest collection of all things that are cartoon or comic related. This includes original artwork, magazines, newspaper clippings, and so much more. The museum is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Ohio State University. The museum’s galleries are open to the public and admission is free.
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is located at 1813 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210.
- The Rambling House
The Rambling House/Facebook Columbus has tons of fantastic live music establishments, but this one deserves a special mention. If you don’t know about this place, chances are you would never even notice it. No worries, though, The Rambling House has lots of regulars who love coming out to this laid back spot to enjoy some bluegrass jams. The establishment also makes their own soda. The best way to sample the soda is in their very own house cocktail, The Rambler.
The Rambling House is located at 310 E. Hudson St., Columbus, OH 43202.
- Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park/Facebook The bison is an iconic american animal; did you know you could see free roaming bison here in Columbus? Battelle Darby Creek, located just west of the city, has reintroduced Bison to the park where they roam in two enclosed pastures.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is located at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, Ohio, OH 43119.
- Pedal Wagon
Columbus Pedal Wagon/Facebook Why walk when you can ride around town in style on a Pedal Wagon? Their motto says it all: “Pedal and Party!” You will need to book this tour in advance, and there are multiple routes that will take you to a selection of restaurants and bars around central Columbus. You are allowed to bring your own beers for the ride, but make sure you check out their policy first.
- AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame/Facebook The Motorcycle Hall of Fame aims to preserve America’s rich history of motorcycles and the culture associated with it. The museum is open to the public and celebrates the inductees of the hall of fame, toys and collectibles, and the Indian Motorcycle brand, the oldest U.S. brand of motorcycles.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is located at 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.
- Early Television Museum
Early Television Museum/Facebook If you’re interested in technology or history, or you just want to reminisce about early childhood memories with a very old fashioned TV, this is a great place to visit. Dedicated to the preservation of early television technology, the museum has a very unique collection of very old machines. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The Early Television Museum is located at 5396 Franklin St., Hilliard, OH 43026.
How many of these have you never heard of? Let us know what your favorite hidden gems are here in Columbus.
The Book Loft/Facebook
If you’re a book nerd - this will blow you away. The Book Loft is a city block-long independent bookstore, one of the largest in the nation. It occupies historic buildings, which used to be a general store, a saloon and a nickelodeon cinema. The Book Loft has a whopping 32 rooms of books. Whether you’re looking to purchase or just meander, visit this place and experience it’s unique old-fashioned German Village vibe.
The Book Loft is located at 631 S. 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43206.
Bossy Grrls/Facebook
How exactly does one describe Bossy Grrls? Words that come to mind are burlesque, exotic, rowdy, and trashy (I’m not being mean here, that one’s from their website). This place is a true wild gem. They offer burlesque shows every Monday at 10:00 pm, and on other nights they feature dancers, musicians, and comedians. Beers, whisky, coffee, and sandwiches are also available. What isn’t there to love?
Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint is located at 2598 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43202.
Lorianne DiSabato/Flickr
On the corner of East Town Street and Washington Avenue in the middle of downtown Columbus sits the Topiary Garden, an incredible and very unique park. The park recreates Georges Seurat’s famous impressionist painting, “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The pond represents the river Seine, and the topiary consists of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat. It is the only topiary interpretation of a painting in existence. Walk among the figures for the unique sensation of living inside a painting. This can be a fun way to introduce kids to art.
The Topiary Park is located at 480 E. Town St., Columbus, OH 43215.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum/Facebook
How cool is this: a museum of cartoons and comics? The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is the world’s largest collection of all things that are cartoon or comic related. This includes original artwork, magazines, newspaper clippings, and so much more. The museum is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Ohio State University. The museum’s galleries are open to the public and admission is free.
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is located at 1813 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210.
The Rambling House/Facebook
Columbus has tons of fantastic live music establishments, but this one deserves a special mention. If you don’t know about this place, chances are you would never even notice it. No worries, though, The Rambling House has lots of regulars who love coming out to this laid back spot to enjoy some bluegrass jams. The establishment also makes their own soda. The best way to sample the soda is in their very own house cocktail, The Rambler.
The Rambling House is located at 310 E. Hudson St., Columbus, OH 43202.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park/Facebook
The bison is an iconic american animal; did you know you could see free roaming bison here in Columbus? Battelle Darby Creek, located just west of the city, has reintroduced Bison to the park where they roam in two enclosed pastures.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is located at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, Ohio, OH 43119.
Columbus Pedal Wagon/Facebook
Why walk when you can ride around town in style on a Pedal Wagon? Their motto says it all: “Pedal and Party!” You will need to book this tour in advance, and there are multiple routes that will take you to a selection of restaurants and bars around central Columbus. You are allowed to bring your own beers for the ride, but make sure you check out their policy first.
Motorcycle Hall of Fame/Facebook
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame aims to preserve America’s rich history of motorcycles and the culture associated with it. The museum is open to the public and celebrates the inductees of the hall of fame, toys and collectibles, and the Indian Motorcycle brand, the oldest U.S. brand of motorcycles.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is located at 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.
Early Television Museum/Facebook
If you’re interested in technology or history, or you just want to reminisce about early childhood memories with a very old fashioned TV, this is a great place to visit. Dedicated to the preservation of early television technology, the museum has a very unique collection of very old machines. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The Early Television Museum is located at 5396 Franklin St., Hilliard, OH 43026.
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