The best things to do in Springfield

37 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 Springfield’s best · Restaurants · Shopping · Nightlife · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Health & Wellness · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Arts & Culture · Home & Garden · Parks & Outdoors · Cafes · Pets · Sporting Goods · Services

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Entertainment · 37 places · showing the latest additions first

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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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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Puttshack Columbus

Entertainment

Puttshack Columbus turns mini golf into a smart, fast-paced showdown with automatic scoring and interactive holes, then rewards you with…

2116 Ikea Wy (Columbus)

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 Columbus newsletter, August 8, 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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Crabill Homestead

Entertainment

Tucked inside Buck Creek State Park, Crabill Homestead is a three-bay, Federal-style house dating to the 1820s where tours, demonstrations,…

2800 Croft Rd

Tucked inside Buck Creek State Park, Crabill Homestead is a three-bay, Federal-style house dating to the 1820s where tours, demonstrations, and seasonal open houses or tea parties make local history feel hands-on. Perfect for a quick, low-stress brain vacation this week.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Family-friendly eatery and recreational facility featuring a golf driving range and mini-golf courses.

9941 Reading Rd (Cincinnati)

Family-friendly eatery and recreational facility featuring a golf driving range and mini-golf courses.

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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 Columbus newsletter, August 11, 2026

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This week, Glenview Golf Course delivers 27 scenic holes with lush landscaping, panoramic views, and hazards that keep your focus honest.…

10965 Springfield Pike (Cincinnati)

This week, Glenview Golf Course delivers 27 scenic holes with lush landscaping, panoramic views, and hazards that keep your focus honest. Warm up at the practice facility, then swing by the pro shop and grab a bite after. Once on Golf Digest’s Top 75 public courses.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, August 30, 2026

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

1071 Gemini Pl (Columbus)

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

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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 Columbus newsletter, August 26, 2026

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Whether you're chasing a proper challenge or excuses for a post-round bite, Blue Ash Golf Course brings a 6,800-yard, par 72 layout with…

4040 Cooper Rd (Cincinnati)

Whether you're chasing a proper challenge or excuses for a post-round bite, Blue Ash Golf Course brings a 6,800-yard, par 72 layout with well-kept greens and bunkers, a legit test that's been a Golf Digest top-75 muni, plus the Sandtrap Grill for the debrief.

From the Mason newsletter, August 31, 2026

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Udders & Putters

Entertainment

Udders & Putters at Young's Jersey Dairy delivers two playful mini golf courses, a driving range, batting cages, and kid-friendly rides…

6880 Springfield Xenia Rd (Yellow Springs)

Udders & Putters at Young's Jersey Dairy delivers two playful mini golf courses, a driving range, batting cages, and kid-friendly rides like Moovers & Shakers and Cowvin’s Fast Slide. Cap it with homemade ice cream and a spin on the new Cowtherine’s Carousel, then call it a Springfield win this week.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 13, 2026

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Locust Hills Golf Club, named Springfield’s Best Course in 2025, has 36 holes across the Maple and Locust courses, a newly redesigned…

5575 N River Rd #9341

Locust Hills Golf Club, named Springfield’s Best Course in 2025, has 36 holes across the Maple and Locust courses, a newly redesigned range, Rachel’s Run short game course, year-round simulators, and PGA instruction, so whether you're chasing a personal best or just avoiding the trees, it’s an easy local upgrade to…

From the Springfield newsletter, August 25, 2026

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Hartman Rock Garden

Entertainment

Built by self-taught artist Ben Hartman from 1932 to 1944, using some 250,000 stones, Hartman Rock Garden is Springfield’s most…

1905 Russell Ave

Built by self-taught artist Ben Hartman from 1932 to 1944, using some 250,000 stones, Hartman Rock Garden is Springfield’s most delightfully odd history lesson, equal parts folk art and backyard wonder.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 15, 2026

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The Mill Course

Entertainment

Opened in 1951, The Mill Course is one of the region's oldest public tracks, a par-71 in Winton Woods with five sets of tees and five…

1515 W Sharon Rd (Cincinnati)

Opened in 1951, The Mill Course is one of the region's oldest public tracks, a par-71 in Winton Woods with five sets of tees and five scenic lakes from its 1993 redesign. It’s centrally located for a quick round with friends, and hole 8’s over-water par 3 will happily expose any rust in your swing.

From the Hamilton newsletter, September 4, 2026

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Independently owned cinema offering draft beer, pizza, first-run films, cult movies & live comedy.

3055 Indianola Ave (Columbus)

Independently owned cinema offering draft beer, pizza, first-run films, cult movies & live comedy.

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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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Reid Park Golf Course gives Springfield golfers two legit 18s: a gently rolling, walkable South Course and a tree-lined, championship North…

1325 S Bird Rd

Reid Park Golf Course gives Springfield golfers two legit 18s: a gently rolling, walkable South Course and a tree-lined, championship North that’s hosted NCAA DIII nationals. Warm up on the range, grab a lesson from their PGA pros, then celebrate a round well played at the snack bar.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 11, 2026

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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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Year-round, Western-themed miniature golf course with a casual American eatery & bar attached.

1158 W 3rd Ave b (Columbus)

Year-round, Western-themed miniature golf course with a casual American eatery & bar attached.

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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.

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Bethie's Sprayground packs a 1,400-square-foot splash pad with dumping buckets and playful nozzles, so kids get soaked while standing water…

Snyder Park Rd

Bethie's Sprayground packs a 1,400-square-foot splash pad with dumping buckets and playful nozzles, so kids get soaked while standing water stays out of the picture. Safe, simple, and genuinely fun, it’s an easy way to beat the heat at Snyder Park without packing half the house.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 26, 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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Parky's Ark Wet Playground at Winton Woods is the kind of splashy chaos kids dream about, with a legit splash pad for cooling off and a…

10245 Winton Rd (Cincinnati) · ✓ checked Sep 11

Parky's Ark Wet Playground at Winton Woods is the kind of splashy chaos kids dream about, with a legit splash pad for cooling off and a lake steps away for hiking and fishing. Easy way to burn off energy, then grab a shady breather while they giggle themselves tired.

From the Cincinnati newsletter, September 15, 2026

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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 Columbus newsletter, August 19, 2026

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Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House is a beautifully restored Prairie-style gem turned museum offering tours, programs, and events. Locals…

85 S Greenmount Ave

Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House is a beautifully restored Prairie-style gem turned museum offering tours, programs, and events. Locals will love the Solar House on campus, plus year-round happenings that make architecture and design feel relevant to Springfield in smart, surprisingly fun ways.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 21, 2026

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This week, skip the road trip and let Splash Zone Aquatic Center handle summer with 400 feet of water slides, a 280-foot lazy river, Ohio’s…

300 Eagle City Rd

This week, skip the road trip and let Splash Zone Aquatic Center handle summer with 400 feet of water slides, a 280-foot lazy river, Ohio’s first bowl slide, a sprayground, and a legit 25-yard pool with diving boards. Easy choice when the humidity gets feisty.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 28, 2026

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Kenwood Theatre

Entertainment

Whether you want the latest blockbuster or an indie curveball, Kenwood Theatre keeps movie night fun. Hit the Marquee Bar for 40 craft beer…

5901 E Galbraith Rd Ste 200 (Cincinnati) · ✓ checked Aug 7

Whether you want the latest blockbuster or an indie curveball, Kenwood Theatre keeps movie night fun. Hit the Marquee Bar for 40 craft beer taps, cocktails, and a real food menu, then settle in for a screen that reminds you why you still go out for movies.

From the Florence newsletter, August 10, 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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Topgolf Columbus

Entertainment

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

2000 Ikea Wy (Columbus)

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

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Windy Knoll Golf Club nails that classic links feel with smooth, fast greens and well-kept fairways that actually reward a good swing. It's…

500 Roscommon Dr

Windy Knoll Golf Club nails that classic links feel with smooth, fast greens and well-kept fairways that actually reward a good swing. It's public, friendly, and you can cap your round with a bite at The Stables or plan a get-together in The Derby.

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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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Whether you're out to chase birdies or just enjoy greens with lake views, Rocky Lakes Golf Course gives Springfield golfers an 18-hole,…

3950 Springfield Xenia Rd

Whether you're out to chase birdies or just enjoy greens with lake views, Rocky Lakes Golf Course gives Springfield golfers an 18-hole, par-72 round with paved cart paths, indoor golf simulators for rainy days, and a friendly bar and restaurant vibe. Solid pick for leagues, events, or a quick after-work nine.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 20, 2026

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