German Village, a historic and quaint neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus, has a lot to offer for Ohio residents. With deep historical roots, exposure to a well preserved culture, great food, and fun entertainment. There is no shortage of things to keep residents of German Village and Columbus, Ohio occupied in this special district.
A Little History
With historical roots dating all the way back to 1814, German Village offers a glimpse into what life was like before smartphones, social media, and modern day technologies took over our daily lives. With over 1,000 preservationists maintaining the historical quality of buildings and the neighborhood itself, it has become one of the most coveted and desirable areas to live in Columbus, Ohio. Since 1960 over 1600 buildings in German Village have been restored. Making this one of the world’s premier restoration districts. On the National Registry of Historic Places, German Village ranks as one of the largest privately funded historic districts. This shows just how much pride, love and dedication goes into preserving this part of Columbus, Ohio.
Modern Living
The majority of German Village is made up of residential homes. Flaunting sturdy brick exteriors and wrought iron fences, beautiful homes line the brick-paved streets which are perfectly decorated with well-placed trees. Homes in this area maintain a classic and tasteful appearance. Yet, they offer modern amenities for comfortable living in current times. Don’t let the historic residences fool you. German Village is home to some hip Columbus restaurants, lively bars, modern boutique shopping, and beautiful public parks, offering a well-rounded life for all its’ residents.
There are also modern apartments, like ours, available as we are on the east side of German Village. Offering walking access to many of the local hot spots, The Arbor Columbus is the perfect location.
Eateries and Entertainment
With eateries that have been an integral part of German Village for over 120 years. S Third Street is a strip of the district you don’t want to miss. Patrons can watch fudge being made and nibble on delicious chocolates at the historic Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, one of the staples which has been around for over a century. Or you can visit and get purposely lost in one of our country’s largest independent bookstores, The Loft. It boasts 32 rooms each full to the brim of books, sure to fulfill any avid reader’s desires. In addition to a plethora of great restaurants to satisfy nearly any craving you may have, German Village also offers a theatre, a winery, and art galleries.
Looking to enjoy the more scenic side of German Village? Schiller Park, Grace Highfield Memorial Gardens, and Scioto River offer great locations to picnic, play with your kids, or lounge in the sun. Finally, with its historical German roots running deep, it is impossible to talk about local entertainment without mentioning their annual Oktoberfest. This neighborhood tradition has been held annually for years, and whether at Schiller Park, the Ohio State Fairgrounds, or at Germania Gesang und Sport Verein, this event is sure to offer good food, great brews and a lot of fun for residents.
Retail Therapy
German Village is home to more than a few art galleries, the world’s largest producer of stained glass – the Franklin Art Glass Studio Inc. It also has several unique shops and boutiques. A few special import shops, wine and gift boutiques, and chocolatiers top off a unique and quaint shopping experience for German Village residents or visitors.
German Village holds its history close, presents beautiful and well preserved architecture, and offers culinary experiences worth writing home about. With well-maintained homes and streets, exquisite cuisines – both traditional and modern, and beautiful outdoor parks and patios, German Village is a coveted place to call home. Life here is impossible to recreate in any other part of Columbus, Ohio.