5 Fun Things to do in German Village

Explore Columbus’ historic German Village to find a mix of Old World charm, contemporary restaurants and unique shopping destinations!

German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of Downtown Columbus that just begs to be explored on foot! It’s one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Columbus with cobblestone streets, a gorgeous city park and amazing restaurants!

The neighborhood was settled by German immigrants in the mid 1800’s, hence the name. You can read about the interesting history of German Village on the German Village Society website. The neighborhood has a rich history of growth, decline and renewal leading to the gem that it is today!

Take a look through this list of some of the best things to do in German Village and plan your perfect day out!

1. Play in Schiller Park

• Address: 1069 Jaeger St., Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

Schiller Park is a large park in German Village with tons of green space, picnic tables, a playground, a fishing pond and so much more! Established in 1857, Schiller Park is Columbus’ second-oldest park. The park covers over 23 acres and is home to several annual events that take place there throughout the year.

Make sure to visit the Umbrella Girl statue in the northwest corner of the park. Take the path directly from the entrance on 3rd Street to find her! Umbrella Girl has an interesting history in Schiller Park beginning in 1872 with a statue of “the goddess of youth” and ending with the statue you see currently in the park, which was dedicated in 1996. 

The playground area at Schiller Park has a play area for toddlers and a play area for older kids. My kids loved this playground when they were younger because of the train you can play in! There is a fence most of the way around the toddler play ground which helps keep the little kids in one place!

The Actors’ Theatre of Columbus offers live performances in Schiller Park on summer weekends! Often the performances are adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays but other plays are also featured. See more info here. 

2. Get Lost in the Book Loft of German Village

• Address: 631 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

When I say get lost in the Book Loft, I am not really exaggerating. It is not difficult to actually get lost in 32 rooms of books that cover multiple levels! This is probably the most well-known bookstore in Columbus and people travel from all over to visit!

The Book Loft of German Village was opened in its current location in 1977 and it has expanded 8 times! The buildings the bookstore occupies are pre-Civil War era buildings and visiting is a lovely adventure!

All books at The Book Loft are discounted and they have a large Bargain Books section. Though all the books are discounted, they are all also new. They even have books outside on a covered patio!

This is a popular spot to visit in German Village and I recommend visiting during the week if possible to avoid crowds! If that’s not possible, don’t skip it, though because it is definitely a must-visit destination in German Village!

3. Grab a Sandwich and a Pickle at Katzinger’s Delicatessen

• Address: 475 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
• Website

Katzinger’s Deli is an institution in German Village! The decor, the food and the vats of pickles are unlike anything else you’ll find in the city!

At Katzinger’s you will stand in line to order at the counter and then take a seat and your food will be brought to your table. There are around 50 sandwiches to choose from including vegan and vegetarian options! In addition to sandwiches, you can choose from salads, homemade soups and half-pound sides!

Breakfast is served all day and there’s a kids menu AND dessert! There is also a Katzinger’s Delicatessen in Dublin and both locations are open daily.

4. Get Your Chocolate Fix at Winans Coffee & Chocolate

• Address: 897 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

Conveniently located next to Schiller Park, Winans Coffee & Chocolate in German Village is a great place to stop in for a coffee or treat before heading to the park!

Winans sells handmade chocolates, coffee beans, candies and specialty drinks. There are several locations around Columbus and the German Village shop has a nice seating area that makes it easy to stay a while and enjoy your treats! 

Plan a visit to Winans for a coffee date with a friend, fillings for your Easter Baskets or a quick pick-me-up! You won’t regret it!

5. Shop for Handmade Goods at Helen Winnemore’s

• Address: 150 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

Helen Winnemore’s is a magical shop located at the corner of Mohawk & Kossuth Streets in the heart of German Village. This store sells handmade goods by American artisans.

Helen Louise Winnemore originally opened her shop in her house in Grandview in the 1930’s and the German Village location was opened in 1966. Since then, the shop has had multiple owners but it continues to be a destination for unique, handmade items.

There are so many beautiful things in the shop and it is a joy to visit! The shop has two floors and items for kids are on the second floor! Make sure to stop in to Helen Winnemore’s for gift items, jewelry, and beautiful decor for your home!

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Tips for visiting German Village in Columbus, Ohio:

• S. 3rd. St. is the heart of German Village. Start either at Katzingers and walk south on S. 3rd St. to Schiller Park, or vice versa.
• Be sure to venture off of S. 3rd. St., though, to find many other hidden gems in the neighborhood!
• Street parking can be found around the neighborhood, but pay close attention to parking signs.
• Parking can often be found around Schiller Park or on nearby S. High St.

I hope this blog post helps you explore the German Village neighborhood of Columbus! There are so many fun things to do in Columbus, and exploring this neighborhood is right up there at the top! If you’re looking for a guided tour of German Village, I’d highly recommend taking one of the German Village Tours by Columbus Food Adventures!

Feel free to leave your favorite German Village destination in the comments!

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