The best things to do in Columbus

This seasonal facility has 2 elaborately landscaped 18-hole mini-golf courses plus batting cages.

Simulators and a restaurant for indoor golf, plus practice.

Game Arena is the rare spot where you can queue up on legit PC rigs, then refuel with TaKorea’s Korean-Mexican fusion and a lineup of game-themed drinks. Weekly and launch tournaments keep the vibes competitive, and they’ll even host your next party.

From the Dublin newsletter, November 6, 2026

Back Nine Golf brings indoor play to Columbus with Full Swing simulators that track details like swing data, ball speed, and launch angle, whether you’re practicing or challenging friends. No membership is needed to book a tee time, so beginners and seasoned golfers can both get in on the fun.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 27, 2026

Galaxy Games & Golf keeps it simple and fun with outdoor 9-hole mini golf and a token-hungry arcade that hits the nostalgia button, plus party rooms when you need a birthday plan. Easy nearby outing for Upper Arlington families who want low-stress, high-smile time.

From the Upper Arlington newsletter, September 11, 2026

Well-maintained 9-hole golf course featuring online tee times.

Griggs Reservoir Park Disc Golf Course serves up 18 holes with big concrete tees, a mix of open rips and shaded lines, and the Scioto River flirting with a few finishes. Forgot a disc or want to try something new? Disc Golf Mart and Franks Marathon are right nearby.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 16, 2026

Gahanna Lanes keeps weeknights lively with open lanes, a game room, and a menu built for sharing think pizza, burgers, wings and cold drinks. Drop in for casual games, join a league, or book an easy kid’s birthday or work outing.

From the Gahanna newsletter, October 27, 2026

Retro vibes, blacklight lanes, and actual reasons to high-five make Ten Pin Alley an easy Hilliard go-to. Bowl a few, dive into the arcade, challenge friends in laser tag, or book a private room when your crew decides it’s suddenly a whole event.

From the Hilliard newsletter, September 9, 2026

Blacklick Woods Golf Course brings classic local golf together with a championship layout designed by Jack Kidwell, tree-lined fairways, and greens that roll true.

From the Reynoldsburg newsletter, September 12, 2026

Scioto Country Club is that rare Upper Arlington staple where a Donald J. Ross golf pedigree meets easygoing tennis courts and event spaces that feel special, and it’s an important piece of local history.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 3, 2026

When the forecast does its usual Ohio chaos, The One9 Golf Lounge keeps your game and hangout plans on course with realistic indoor sims and a relaxed lounge vibe. Grab a couple friends, groove your swing, and finally settle those "who's better" debates without losing a single ball.

From the Franklin County newsletter, October 22, 2026

Heritage Golf Club is basically Hilliard’s backyard hub, with 18 holes of championship golf, clubhouse dining that swings between casual and upscale, and a busy slate of weddings and member events, so you can line up a birdie, a bite, or a big celebration.

From the Hilliard newsletter, September 4, 2026

Puttshack Columbus turns mini golf into a smart, fast-paced showdown with automatic scoring and interactive holes, then rewards you with chef-driven bites and craft cocktails. Rally your crew, talk some friendly trash, and make this the week you trade spreadsheets for scorecards.

From the Westerville newsletter, October 15, 2026

Raymond Memorial Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, sports a signature twist with twin par 3 holes that keep your shot-making honest. This week, tackle the raised, contoured greens and front-guarding bunkers for a fun, legit challenge that feels classic Columbus golf.

From the Columbus newsletter, August 5, 2026

Champions Golf Course started in 1923 after a 1921 founding as a Herbert Strong nine, then in 1954 Robert Trent Jones shaped the 18 you play today. Expect fairways, water hazards and bunkers that make you think, so book a round this week and put that neighborhood swing to work.

From the Westerville newsletter, October 25, 2026

Theater complex with multiple screens, all-stadium seating & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Golf course with a clubhouse that features old-school vibes.

Celebrating 102 years of golf in a casual, friendly atmosphere, York Golf Club gives Columbus golfers a classic 18 that rewards smart swings. If you’ve been eyeing an upgrade this week, memberships fit different lifestyles and their team runs dialed-in outings and events without the fuss.

From the Westerville newsletter, October 28, 2026

When your swing needs work or the weather refuses to cooperate, Bexley Links Golf has bookable simulator bays, lessons with pros, memberships, leagues, and a comfy Lounge to hang out in between shots... all without leaving the neighborhood. Grab a gift card for the friend who swears they hit it straighter indoors.

From the Gahanna newsletter, October 20, 2026

Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse nails the sweet spot between first-run hits and midnight-weird cult favorites, with draft beer and real pizza that beats sad popcorn dinners. Bonus points for live comedy nights when you want laughs without scrolling Netflix again.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 2, 2026

Wilson Road Golf Course is an executive 9-hole designed by Jack Kidwell, with six par 3s and three par 4s that are perfect for learning or sharpening your swing. Tree-lined fairways, a meandering creek and two ponds keep it interesting, and the shorter loop means you can actually fit golf into your week.

From the Columbus newsletter, August 23, 2026

Amusement center featuring trampolines, rock walls and an obstacle course, plus a cafe.

For a night that actually feels like an outing, Lennox Town Center 24 Theatres packs IMAX with Laser, a Dolby Atmos auditorium with recliner seats, reserved seating, and advance online ticketing. Bonus points for the full bar with taps, signature drinks, draft beer and wine.

From the Reynoldsburg newsletter, September 4, 2026

Ohio State University Golf Club delivers the famed Scarlet and Gray courses, with Scarlet renovated by Jack Nicklaus in 2006, and rated a top collegiate course by Golf Channel, plus a semi-private setup for OSU affiliates. If you're not affiliated, book lessons with PGA pros and hit the public restaurant after.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 22, 2026

Miner 49er Blacklight Mini Golf turns Grandview Heights into a glowing, Western gold mine with 18 holes under neon and a chill American eatery and bar attached for post-putt refueling. Easy pick for friend groups, birthdays, or a low-stress date, with weekend karaoke to keep the energy up.

From the Columbus newsletter, October 8, 2026

The Journey AR Mural takes three massive walls painted by Eric Skotnes and Ryan Safarti and adds an augmented-reality experience you can explore with your phone. It’s a fun reason to revisit a familiar Columbus art stop, and a reminder that murals can do more than just sit there looking impressive.

From the Columbus newsletter, November 5, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Gateway Film Center programs everything from new indies to restored classics on crisp 4K laser, then leaves you debating the ending over a drink in the undersea-themed Torpedo Room. Their rotating series like Hitchcocktober and Festival Perspectives make it easy to catch something surprising with friends.

From the Columbus newsletter, September 24, 2026

Trade your usual Netflix scroll for a round at Glow Putt LLC, the indoor, black-light safari course with tiki gods, dinos, bamboo tunnels, and even recharge stations to keep your ball glowing. Easy fun for kids, sneaky-competitive for adults, plus a solid spot for birthday parties or team outings.

From the Gahanna newsletter, October 14, 2026

When the muggy hits, John Bishop Park Splashpad is an easy win to let the kids splash around while you trade small talk with other parents. City rules keep it chill, so skip the water guns, keep an adult nearby, and if you’re a daycare or camp, preschedule.

From the Gahanna newsletter, October 11, 2026

Attraction featuring LEGO-themed rides, a 4D theater, building areas, and a jungle gym.

Whether you’re dusting off the sticks or chasing a personal best, Airport Golf Course offers 18 holes with just the right bite, set across over 134 acres with a pond and even a pollinator habitat. Established in 1952, it’s classic Columbus golf that feels like a midweek reset.

From the Gahanna newsletter, October 6, 2026

Westerville Mini Golf brings two 18-hole courses with playful breaks and landscaped greens that are trickier than they look. Finish the round then keep the friendly trash talk going at the batting cages or driving range, all in one spot locals have leaned on since 1970.

From the Westerville newsletter, October 11, 2026

If you’re trying to shave a few strokes before league night, Eagle Eye Golf Course keeps it tight with a 9-hole layout, Central Ohio’s dialed-in putting greens, a range with 20 grass tees and a dedicated green, plus an indoor practice setup for winter. The pro shop’s stacked with Titleist and Cleveland/Srixon.

From the Mansfield newsletter, October 18, 2026

Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.

Outdoor water park with zero-depth entry, a variety of slides & toys, climbing walls & a lap pool.

Amusement center where groups of visitors solve puzzles and decipher codes to "escape" themed rooms.

Lafayette Mural Alley turns a cut-through into a little open-air gallery, packed with paint and personality. It’s a low-lift detour when you’re already out and about, and the kind of place you’ll spot something different each time you wander through.

From the Franklin County newsletter, October 13, 2026