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Arena District, United States - Things to Do in Arena District

Things to Do in Arena District

Arena District, United States - Complete Travel Guide

Arena District transformed from industrial warehouses to downtown Columbus's busiest entertainment hub in just two decades. This compact neighborhood wraps around Nationwide Arena—home to the Columbus Blue Jackets—where professional hockey drives the energy but restaurants, bars, and theaters keep things buzzing year-round. Game nights bring total chaos. The district packs upscale steakhouses, casual brewpubs, and entertainment venues into a few walkable blocks, making it dead simple to bar-hop or grab dinner before catching a nearby show.

Top Things to Do in Arena District

Catch a Blue Jackets Game at Nationwide Arena

The 18,500-seat arena creates electric energy during hockey season. Passionate fans have embraced the team despite its short history, and even non-hockey fans get caught up in the infectious atmosphere. Modern amenities help too. The pre-game scene in surrounding bars and restaurants is half the fun.

Booking Tip: Tickets range from $25 for upper-level seats to $200+ for premium locations. Buy directly through the Blue Jackets website or check StubHub for last-minute deals, especially for weeknight games. Arrive early to soak up the pre-game atmosphere in the district.

Tour Local Breweries and Distilleries

Several craft breweries and distilleries sit within walking distance downtown. You'll sample everything from traditional German-style lagers to experimental IPAs, often in converted warehouses that kept their industrial character. Many offer tours. These give you behind-the-scenes looks at the brewing process.

Booking Tip: Most brewery tours cost $10-20 and include tastings. Book directly through brewery websites or call ahead, especially on weekends. Consider joining a guided brewery crawl tour for $40-60 that handles transportation and provides insider knowledge about Columbus's craft beer scene.

Stroll Through the Short North Arts District

This gallery-lined stretch of High Street sits just north of Arena District. Dozens of studios and shops showcase local and regional artists, with Gallery Hop happening the first Saturday monthly when venues stay open late. Streets fill with art lovers. You'll stumble across interesting finds from handmade jewelry to large-scale paintings.

Booking Tip: Gallery Hop is free and runs from 4-10 PM on the first Saturday monthly. Most galleries are also open regular business hours Tuesday-Saturday. No advance booking needed, but some special exhibitions or artist talks might require tickets ($5-15) available through individual gallery websites.

Sample the German Village Food Scene

A short ride south takes you to brick houses and cobblestone streets. This historic neighborhood creates an unexpectedly European atmosphere where the restaurant scene leans into German traditions and modern American cuisine. Several James Beard-nominated chefs call this area home. You'll find authentic schnitzel alongside innovative farm-to-table concepts.

Booking Tip: Popular restaurants like The Thurman Cafe (famous for massive burgers) don't take reservations, so expect waits of 30-60 minutes on weekends. Book dinner reservations at upscale spots 1-2 weeks ahead. Food tours of the area cost around $65-85 per person and typically last 3 hours.

Take in a Show at the Ohio Theatre

This restored 1928 movie palace sits blocks from Arena District. It hosts Broadway touring productions and Columbus Symphony Orchestra concerts in an ornate Spanish Baroque interior that's genuinely impressive—architecture almost as good as whatever happens on stage. Acoustics are excellent throughout.

Booking Tip: Broadway show tickets range from $35-150 depending on seating and production popularity. Book through the official CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) website for best selection. Symphony tickets are typically more affordable at $20-75, and student discounts are often available.

Getting There

Columbus sits where major highways intersect. You can drive here in two hours from Cincinnati or Cleveland, three from Indianapolis, with John Glenn Columbus International Airport handling flights from most major US cities. The airport sits 15 minutes east of downtown via taxi or rideshare ($25-35), while Greyhound and Megabus stations downtown put you within walking distance of Arena District.

Getting Around

Arena District's compact size makes everything walkable. COTA buses connect the district to other Columbus neighborhoods for $4.50 day passes, while rideshare runs $8-15 to areas like German Village or the Short North. Skip the car entirely. You won't need one for most downtown activities, though having wheels opens up day trip options to nearby attractions.

Where to Stay

Arena District
Short North
German Village
Victorian Village
Downtown Columbus
Grandview Heights

Food & Dining

The dining scene focuses on crowd-pleasers that work for business dinners and pre-game meals. You'll find upscale steakhouses catering to the sports crowd, plus casual spots serving elevated bar food and craft cocktails. Better dining awaits nearby. German Village and the Short North host James Beard-nominated chefs running innovative restaurants with local ingredients, plus surprisingly good late-night options for post-game and post-show crowds.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Columbus

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

The Thurman Cafe

4.6 /5
(6666 reviews) 2
bar

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar

4.6 /5
(4112 reviews) 2
bar

Lindey's

4.6 /5
(2737 reviews) 3

Forno Kitchen + Bar

4.5 /5
(2458 reviews) 2

The Old Mohawk

4.5 /5
(2153 reviews) 2
bar

The Guild House

4.5 /5
(1923 reviews) 3

When to Visit

Arena District peaks during hockey season from October through April. Game nights create the most electric atmosphere when all bars and restaurants buzz with energy, though summer brings pleasant weather for downtown walks and outdoor concerts. Spring and fall offer comfortable exploring weather with fewer crowds than major sporting events draw. Winter gets cold and snowy—but cozy bars make bundling up between venues worthwhile.

Insider Tips

Park in district surface lots before 4 PM. Rates jump significantly once evening events begin
Many restaurants offer pre-game specials that end 30 minutes before puck drop. Time your dinner right. You'll want those deals.
The pedestrian bridge connecting Arena District to the Convention Center provides great skyline views. Sunset shots look particularly good.

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Itineraries

Sample trip routes and plans for Arena District

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Arena District

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Arena District

Budget Guide

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