10 Romantic Getaway Activities in Ohio
Little Details Make the Biggest Memories
We’re so glad you’ve chosen The Timbrook Guesthouse for your romantic weekend away. While there’s plenty to do at our bed and breakfast, including soaking in the jetted spa, exploring the tropical aviary, snuggling in the cozy gazebo and more, we know it’s also nice to go out and explore. Fortunately, the Columbus area has a vast range of options for couples looking for things to do during their stay. Whether you’d like a romantic honeymoon destination, relaxing vacation, a romantic weekend away or just a cozy date night, you won’t have to travel far. Here are 10 romantic things to do during your Ohio weekend getaway.
Spend an evening at The Ohio Theatre
For an evening of elegance and romance, catch a show at the historic Ohio Theatre, which offers more than 100 performances every year, from ballets to symphonies to contemporary singers and more. The stunning, 2,791-seat building features Spanish-Baroque architecture, a 21-foot-high chandelier, and other awe-inspiring details, including approximately $1 million dollars’ worth of art and furnishings. During your weekend getaway with us, be sure to check the Ohio Theatre’s events calendar. You may be able to view a Broadway show, listen to the sounds of the Columbus Symphony, or marvel at the talent of the BalletMet dancers.
Just a few minutes away from the Ohio Theatre is Shadowbox Live, the largest residential ensemble theater company in America and home to an award-winning troupe. It presents creative shows with what it calls a “rock aesthetic.” The group delivers more than 400 performances per year.
Dinner and a movie in Ohio
If the classic dinner and a movie is more your idea of a romantic evening, there are plenty of restaurants and movie theaters throughout town. You can also get nostalgic with an evening at the drive-in movie theater. The South Drive-In Theatre was opened in 1950 and is an approximately 20-minute drive south of The Timbrook Guesthouse.
Visit some of Ohio’s top museums
The Columbus, Ohio area is home to several award-winning museums and attractions, the perfect date spots for couples who like to wander through halls of artwork or learn something new while spending time together. The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is another local favorite and award-winning museum. With an aim to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and math, COSI features more than 300 interactive experiences, nine galleries, permanent and traveling exhibitions, and more. The center also hosts COSI After Dark, a 21-and-up event where adults can experience COSI as well as food, drinks, and themed activities.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open year-round and is one of the best places to view and learn information about animals found across the globe. You can view the exhibits, go on a tour, and sign up for interactive experiences. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also hosts a variety of seasonal and adults-only events.
The Columbus Museum of Art includes galleries filled with American and European modern artwork from the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as the world’s largest collections of works by certain local artists. CMA also offers a variety of workshops, so you can try your hand at being an artist, too.
View more art at galleries near downtown
Want more art in your vacation? There are a number of art galleries in the Short North Arts District, which is also home to the monthly Gallery Hop on the first Saturday of every month.
Dine at Columbus, OH’s best restaurants
Enjoy a nice dinner for two at one of the town’s finest restaurants. Just a few minutes down the road from our inn is The Refectory Restaurant, serving contemporary American and classic French cuisine made by Chef Richard Blondin, a native of Lyon, France, in an elegant environment. A German Village favorite is Lindey’s, an American restaurant that offers a chic atmosphere, patio seating and complimentary valet services. For riverside dining with gorgeous views of Downtown Columbus, visit The Boat House at Confluence Park, where you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, creative dishes, and live entertainment on the weekends.
If you’re in the mood for Italian food, Basi Italia is a popular choice. Nestled in the residential Victorian Village neighborhood, it features a small, casual environment and simple Italian dishes with a touch of innovation. Located a little farther south is Martini Modern Italian, blending contemporary and classic Italian style in a metropolitan atmosphere.
Have leftovers? Feel free to bring them back to our inn, where you can store them in our main dining area.
Find the perfect picnic spot
If sitting in a restaurant is not your preference, you might opt to pick up some food at the North Market, a 144-year-old public market filled with independent vendors, and have a romantic picnic in Goodale Park.
Have drinks on top of the roof
Enjoy a romantic evening having drinks with a view at one of the area’s rooftop bars. VASO, situated atop the AC Dublin building, offers panoramic views of Historic Downtown Dublin and the Scioto River. With indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great date spot any time of year. Taste Spanish-style tapas, sip signature cocktails, and take in the view.
For views of the Downtown Columbus skyline, head over to Lincoln Social Rooftop. Located on the top of the Lincoln Building, Lincoln Social offers cocktails, snacks, bottle service and more, all with stunning city views.
Breweries for your weekend getaway
If breweries are more your style for an evening out, this town has plenty of those too. While you may not get the rooftop views, you will get to taste a wide range of locally made beer. Just a few minutes down the road is Random Precision Brewing Company, which specializes in sour beers. Other popular nearby spots include Zaftig Brewing Company, Lineage Brewing, and Watershed Distillery, which also offers distillery tours.
Enjoy a local or state park
What’s a romantic getaway without a leisurely stroll? This town is home to many parks, from small neighborhood parks to large metro and state parks. The Park of Roses is a favorite for flower lovers, with a 13-acre plot featuring 11,000 individual roses consisting of 350 varieties. Among the many gardens are the Main Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, the Perennial Garden, and the Heritage Garden.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is another popular attraction, complete with more than 400 species of plants from across the globe, art collections, and seasonal events.
Topiary Garden Park is a living recreation of the painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, by Georges Seurat. It features sculptural landscaping along with a manmade pond and artificial hills, as well as areas for picnics and a walking trail.
Just across the street from The Timbrook Guesthouse is Antrim Park, which includes a lake, woods, walking trail and more. Alum Creek State Park is another popular option, featuring a large reservoir, woodlands, and fields. In addition to taking a leisurely stroll, couples can enjoy weekend getaways out on the water in a boat or canoe or spend time swimming and relaxing at the beach.
Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy romantic getaways spent walking in our gardens, visiting with the vibrant parrots in our tropical aviary, and cuddling up near the fire pit.
Find a park with a waterfall
Nothing says romance like a waterfall, and this area has those, too. For scenic trails that feature waterfalls, travel to Hayden Falls Park or Indian Run Falls.
Learn something new
If your ideal getaway includes activities, try learning something new at a local workshop. The Glass Axis near Downtown offers a variety of classes on working with glass, including glass blowing, glass sculpting, bead making, kiln forming, stained glass and mosaic classes. Or, experience a hands-on cooking class taught by an expert chef at Sur La Table. From savory dishes to festive treats and more, it’s a great way to spend time with your special someone while learning something new. At The Candle Lab, you and your date can choose your favorite scents and pour your own candle. For coffee connoisseurs, visit the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab to learn more information about coffee origins, brewing techniques, drink preparation and more. Whatever your area of interest, there’s a wide range of classes and things to do throughout the area.
Learn a new game
Turn date night into game night at a local board game bar, such as Tabletop Game Café. Learn a new board game or play an old favorite while enjoying espresso drinks, adult beverages, sodas, food and more.
Find the best active things to do
There are a variety of somewhat athletic options available that are perfect for couples who want to do more than sit and watch a movie during their honeymoon or vacation. For example, dress up in something warm and go ice skating at one of The Chiller’s many locations across town. Whether you are an avid skater or a beginner, it’s a great way to spend quality time together. If you’re feeling outdoorsy, go kayaking on the Scioto River with kayak rentals from Olentangy Paddle. The company also offers bike rentals for a scenic ride along the river. If you and your partner enjoy dancing, sign up for a ballroom dance class, such as from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
Spend your relaxing getaway being pampered
Spend your romantic weekend getaway being pampered with a couples massage at one of the area’s many spas. Options near us include Papillon Day Spa, Tranquility Day Spa and Salon, and The Woodhouse Day Spa, and there are more places throughout town. Depending on the location you choose, massage options include standard massages, deep tissue massages, hot stone massages, and more.
Take a closer look at the Ohio night sky
Spend an evening observing the stars at the Perkins Observatory or the Arne Slettebak Planetarium. Founded in 1923, Perkins Observatory is mainly used as a research and educational facility for Ohio Wesleyan University students and faculty. It also offers hundreds of public programs throughout the year, where guests can learn about the observable sky, tour the observatory, and peek through the telescopes when the whether permits. The Arne Slettebak Planetarium is part of The Ohio State University campus and has been offering programs since 1967. Planetarium shows are presented by students and faculty and teach guests about various aspects of the night sky.
Stroll Through Historic Neighborhoods
This area is home to a number of charming historic neighborhoods perfect for a romantic stroll and finding other fun things to do.
German Village
Travel back in time to the 1800s as you stroll along the cobblestone streets of German Village. Located just south of Downtown Columbus, German Village is home to historic brick buildings, charming parks, and plenty of restaurants. If the weather is nice, opt for some fresh air at Schiller Park, the second oldest park in the city, complete with a pond, picnic areas, and performances by Actors Theater in the summer. You can also rest and chat on one of the benches at Frank Fetch Park. If you’re feeling hungry, enjoy a romantic dinner at Lindey’s, a local favorite since 1981 and consistently one of the town’s top-rated restaurants. Or, experience the flavors of Spain by sharing tapas at Barcelona Restaurant & Bar. If you’re looking for something light, Pistacia Vera offers coffee and espresso beverages, pastries, and other baked goods.
Visit the best spot for bookworms
Love a good book? Be sure to visit The Book Loft, a 32-room bookstore housed in a pre-Civil War era building.
Short North & Downtown
Experience the best of the city’s nightlife in Downtown Columbus and the Short North Arts District. This area features a vast selection of restaurants, including several award-winning restaurants from Cameron Mitchell, such as Martini Modern Italian, The Pearl Restaurant, and Del Mar SoCal Kitchen. Enjoy views of the skyline on top of the Lincoln Building while sipping cocktails at Lincoln Social Rooftop, or visit Wine on High for a more intimate setting with a large wine selection. If you’re joining us during the first Saturday of the month, you can also view new art gallery exhibits during Gallery Hop, or simply enjoy a walk down high street under glowing arches.
Travel along the Scioto Mile
Take a trip to the Scioto Mile for riverside walking trails, 175 acres of parkland, and a variety of events throughout the year. Stroll across the bridges for stunning views of downtown or cuddle up on the swings overlooking the water. If you’re hungry, enjoy a nice meal at Milestone 229 with a view of the Scioto Mile Fountain.
Victorian Village
Admire the architecture of Victorian-era homes as you take a romantic walk through this historic neighborhood. Gorgeous any time of year, Victorian Village is extra pretty during autumn, when tree-lined streets feature vibrant colors. Spend some time walking the paths at Goodale Park, the oldest park in the city, where you can enjoy views of the skyline or spend time relaxing by the pond. Goodale Park is also home to a variety of community events throughout the year. If you need a pick me up, stop into Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, a local favorite housed in a former church. For evening dining, enjoy Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at Basi Italia, a local restaurant tucked away in the residential neighborhood.
Harrison West
Take a trip to the nearby neighborhood of Harrison West for more tree-lined streets and a riverside stroll along the Olentangy Trail.
Historic Dublin
Get to know Historic Dublin through a self-guided walking tour as you admire 19th-century architecture, or visit one of the more than 20 Irish Approved businesses. For brunch, stop by La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro. Later, cross over to the Bridge Park District via The Dublin Link, the longest single-tower, S-shaped suspension bridge in the world. Enjoy food and drinks at one of the area’s many restaurants, and admire the view from VASO, a rooftop bar.
Satisfy your sweet tooth
Stop by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams for artisan ice creams made with whole ingredients, or pick up some handmade sweets and a caffeinated beverage at Winans Chocolates & Coffees.
