The best things to do in Franklin County

31 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Franklin County’s best · Restaurants · Beauty · Shopping · Nightlife · Health & Wellness · Bakeries & Sweets · Arts & Culture · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Cafes · Pets · Home & Garden · Parks & Outdoors · Services · Sporting Goods

Pinned in Franklin County today

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Entertainment · 31 places · showing the latest additions first

X-Golf Columbus

Entertainment

Simulators and a restaurant for indoor golf, plus practice.

1165 Yard St (Grandview Heights)

“Simulators and a restaurant for indoor golf, plus practice.”

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Game Arena

Entertainment

Game hall for PC gaming fans with dedicated chairs, plus a cafe and a bar.

1556 N High St (Columbus)

“Game hall for PC gaming fans with dedicated chairs, plus a cafe and a bar.”

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Galaxy Games & Golf

Entertainment

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…

3700 Interchange Rd (Columbus)

“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

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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…

2933 Riverside Dr (Columbus) · ✓ checked Sep 11

“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

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Gahanna Lanes

Entertainment

Gahanna Lanes keeps weeknights lively with open lanes, a game room, and a menu built for sharing think pizza, burgers, wings and cold…

215 W Johnstown Rd (Gahanna)

“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, September 29, 2026

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Ten Pin Alley

Entertainment

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,…

5499 Ten Pin Alley (Hilliard)

“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

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Blacklick Woods Golf Course brings classic local golf together with a championship layout designed by Jack Kidwell, tree-lined fairways,…

7309 E Livingston Ave (Reynoldsburg)

“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

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Scioto Country Club

Entertainment

Scioto Country Club is that rare Upper Arlington staple where a Donald J. Ross golf pedigree meets easygoing tennis courts and event spaces…

2196 Riverside Dr (Columbus)

“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

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Heritage Golf Club

Entertainment

Heritage Golf Club is basically Hilliard’s backyard hub, with 18 holes of championship golf, clubhouse dining that swings between casual…

3525 Heritage Club Dr N (Hilliard)

“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

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AMF Stardust Lanes

Entertainment

AMF Stardust Lanes keeps it simple and fun with 24 well-kept lanes, a lively arcade, billiards, and a legit sports bar for post-frame…

2434 Old Stringtown Rd (Grove City)

“AMF Stardust Lanes keeps it simple and fun with 24 well-kept lanes, a lively arcade, billiards, and a legit sports bar for post-frame victory stories. Easy online lane reservations make last-minute plans painless, whether it’s league night, a birthday hang, or just escaping the couch.”

From the Grove City newsletter, September 25, 2026

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Raymond Memorial Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, sports a signature twist with twin par 3 holes that keep your shot-making…

3860 Trabue Rd (Columbus)

“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

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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…

3900 Westerville Rd (Columbus)

“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 Gahanna newsletter, October 4, 2026

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

1051 Alton Darby Creek Rd (Galloway)

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

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York Golf Club

Entertainment

Celebrating 102 years of golf in a casual, friendly atmosphere, York Golf Club gives Columbus golfers a classic 18 that rewards smart…

7459 N High St (Columbus)

“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 7, 2026

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Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse nails the sweet spot between first-run hits and midnight-weird cult favorites, with draft beer and real pizza…

3055 Indianola Ave (Columbus)

“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

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Homestead Springs Golf Course is a family-run, 18 hole public track with a par 72 layout, opened in 1972 and designed by Bud Rainier in a…

5888 London-Lancaster Rd (Groveport)

“Homestead Springs Golf Course is a family-run, 18 hole public track with a par 72 layout, opened in 1972 and designed by Bud Rainier in a quietly pretty countryside setting. Reviews regularly praise the greens and the layout, and the course balances fun and challenge for every skill level.”

From the Circleville newsletter, September 29, 2026

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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…

1900 N Wilson Rd (Columbus)

“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

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

5625 Shier Rings Rd (Dublin)

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

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For a night that actually feels like an outing, Lennox Town Center 24 Theatres packs IMAX with Laser, a Dolby Atmos auditorium with…

777 Kinnear Rd (Columbus)

“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

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Golf club offering courses, practice facilities, and a clubhouse, with membership required.

3605 Tremont Rd (Columbus)

“Golf club offering courses, practice facilities, and a clubhouse, with membership required.”

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Miner 49er Blacklight Mini Golf turns Grandview Heights into a glowing, Western gold mine with 18 holes under neon and a chill American…

1158 W 3rd Ave b (Columbus)

“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

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

Stoneridge Plaza Shopping Center, 323 Stoneridge Ln (Gahanna)

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

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Gateway Film Center

Entertainment

Gateway Film Center programs everything from new indies to restored classics on crisp 4K laser, then leaves you debating the ending over a…

1550 N High St (Columbus) · ✓ checked Sep 18

“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

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Glow Putt LLC

Entertainment

Trade your usual Netflix scroll for a round at Glow Putt LLC, the indoor, black-light safari course with tiki gods, dinos, bamboo tunnels,…

91 N Stygler Rd (Gahanna)

“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, September 16, 2026

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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.…

4815 Etna Rd (Whitehall)

“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, September 12, 2026

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

157 Easton Town Ctr (Columbus)

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

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Airport Golf Course

Entertainment

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…

900 N Hamilton Rd (Columbus)

“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

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Westerville Mini Golf brings two 18-hole courses with playful breaks and landscaped greens that are trickier than they look. Finish the…

450 W Schrock Rd (Westerville)

“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, September 16, 2026

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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…

3990 E Broad St (Columbus) · ✓ checked Sep 5

“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 Springfield newsletter, September 10, 2026

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Breakout Games

Entertainment

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

835 Grandview Ave (Columbus)

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

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