Image Courtesy of Canal Winchester Ohio.

Canal Winchester is home to a lot of amazing activities despite it being a smaller township in Ohio. Its proximity to Columbus opens up a lot of great places to eat, shop, and have fun within a short drive. If the weather is nice there are a lot of parks in the area to stop by and enjoy Ohio’s pleasant flora and fauna. On top of that, Canal Winchester has loads of places to stop by as well! Canal Winchester is a town full of charm and activities to fill up a stay of any length. 

Brewdog Brewery

Enjoy some of Canal Winchester’s finest beers at Brewdog Brewery

96 Gender Rd | Canal Winchester| brewdog.com

Brewdog Brewery is your go-to place for microbrews in Canal, Winchester. Great beer, great food, and an awesome modern style make this brewery a great place to hang out and relax on any night! They have an extensive indoor bar and table setup as well as space outside to enjoy the fine Ohio weather on days where the sun is shining. Grab some friends and check out Brewdog today! 

“The food is delicious!!! And the mood and vibe are just fantastic! Great place to eat, have some drinks and chill out.” -- Yelp Review

Old Town Tavern

Grab a bite at Old Town Tavern for some great food at Canal Winchester

10985 Winchester Road | Canal Winchester | facebook.com/Old-Town-Tavern

Old Town Tavern is a Canal Winchester classic, proudly serving food and drink to the residents for many years. They have a great staff there to ensure your meal and drinks arrive on time and are exactly what you are looking for. Stop by this weekend for a great meal! 

“Excellent food and vibe. Love this place. The staff are phenomenal. Great atmosphere. Surprised to find this place.” -- Yelp Review

Combustion Brewery and Taproom

Stop by Combustion Brewery for a great selection of wine and beer!

80 West Church Street | Pinkerton | combustionbrewing.com

Combustion Brewery is a great place to swing by and enjoy a beer or two. Their fantastic indoor and outdoor seating makes it a fantastic place to spend with a few friends or family. Just a few miles out of Canal Winchester, Combustion is a fantastic place to take a day trip — although you’ll have to pick a designated driver! Check their calendar for times they bring in a local food truck for some eats along with your beers.

“This place is ~20-30 minutes away from Columbus. I think they have a great setup, with both indoor and outdoor seating availability. They have a wide indoor area so the lines haven't been bad at all. I just had a flight, with my favorite drink being the Antidote because of its coffee flavor. Would come back again!” -- Yelp Review

El Pedregal

Swing by for some of Ohio’s finest authentic Mexican food

44 E. Columbus Street | Lithopolis | pedregalrestaurant.com

Looking for some authentic Mexican food in Ohio? Look no further than El Pedregal! El Pedregal is a Mexican Restaurant in Lithopolis, Ohio, which is close to Canal Winchester. They are a proud, family-owned restaurant serving authentic Mexican dishes and excellent margaritas.  You don’t want to miss out on their perfectly seasoned and prepared dishes — this is a must for Canal Winchester residents!

“This place was amazing. Went here today for my mom's 60th Birthday. The food was great and no one was dissatisfied. I had the chicken and rice dinner and it was soo soo good. I will definitely get it again.” -- Yelp Review

The Olive Branch Coffee and Pizzeria

Coffee and Pizza? This unlikely combination is perfect at the Olive Branch

1234 Main St | Canal Winchester | theolivebranchcp.com

The Olive Branch delivers only the highest quality pizzas made from scratch with fresh ingredients and only by the most skilled pizza chefs. Their brick oven pizza is an absolute treat, and a must for any pizza lover in the area. Couple that with delicious coffee drinks and a breakfast menu — you can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you’ll always leave satisfied. 

“Great place. I had the bbq chicken pizza on a cauliflower crust and it was delicious. My daughter had a cheese and mushroom and it was equally fantastic. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and anyone would be at home here. Service was great and fast. If your in the area it's worth your time.” -- Yelp Review

Fantasy Cupcake

Enjoy Canal WInchester’s best cupcakes at Fantasy Cupcake

3 South High | Canal Winchester | fantasy-cupcake.square.site

There’s a cupcake (or five) for everyone at Fantasy Cupcake. They have many flavors of cupcakes and each batch is made with love and attention so you know that every cupcake you get is one of their best! Perfect for a treat, a gift, or a party! 

“Stopped in here spur of the moment. My daughter got a yummy and fun looking cake-pop. I got a s'mores cupcake. It was AH-MAZING! Adorable shop with a large selection. Wish I would've gotten more flavors to try!” -- Yelp Review

Harvest Moon Craft Kitchen

Enjoy quality, made-from-scratch meals at this local gem

7 North High Street | Canal Winchester | hmcraftkitchen.com

Harvest Moon is a from-scratch establishment that works hard to make sure that everyone who stops by gets an amazing experience that goes beyond their great food. Their servers treat you with attention and respect, their decor is relaxing, and, well, their food is delicious! They have an extensive menu with many vegetarian options. It is easy to become a regular at a place as good as this one. 

“This place really felt like a breath of fresh air, and a break from the world itself... the employees were great, the food was very delicious and the service was attentive (I couldn't have asked for more!) Highly suggest this little hole in the wall if you're looking for a spot to eat in the small historic district of Canal Winchester!” -- Yelp Review

Shade On the Canal

Stop by Canal Winchester’s sports bar for the next big game

19 South High Street | Canal Winchester| shaderestaurants.com

A sports bar with a story, Shade on the Canal is a great place to grab a beer and watch the game. Bring your family and friends to Canal Winchester’s premier sports bar and enjoy the game, the company, and the ambiance. Shade has great food and a healthy selection of beer and wine. 

“This place was awesome! Really great experience all around ! We got the pizza, and it was definitely worth every penny! My son is very picky and he loves his food as well! They have good mixed drink selections also!” -- Yelp Review

Paint and Escape

Painting with a twist and escape rooms are available at Paint and Escape!

515 Hill Road North | Pickerinton | paintandescape.com

Uncertain of how to spend your day? Head over to Paint and Escape to enjoy a guided painting session (BYOB for 21+) or try your hand at one of their escape rooms! They have activities for the whole family, group of kids, or groups of adults. 

“This is a fantastic place and I highly recommend it! It's an adorable painting studio in a nice open and easily accessible location that is brimming with art supplies and very cozy and good vibes, but I actually went here with friends to do the escape room!” -- Yelp Review

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Wander the wilds at Columbus, Ohio’s biggest zoo!

4850 Powell Road | Powell | columbuszoo.org

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the perfect destination for a day trip with the whole family. Boasting many exhibitions, they also host many events and special days throughout the year. What animal are you most excited to see on your next visit?

“Have always wanted to go here and meet Jack Hanna! Bucket list place for me, since I watched his TV shows and appearances my whole life!!  I finally got my chance and my bf brought me here for the day, what a delight!!” -- Yelp Review

Columbus Museum of Art

Amazing art only a few miles from Canal Winchester

480 East Broad Street | Columbus | columbusmuseum.org

Are you a fan of art? If so, the Columbus Museum of art is the place to go! It is a relaxing and amazing place to walk through. You can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the large rooms filled with excellent pieces. Who’s your favorite artist? Maybe you’ll see one of their pieces when you stop by!

“I enjoy going to museums and the Columbus Museum of Art did not disappoint! And, it's free on Sundays!” -- Yelp Review

Ohio Theater

Come see a show at Ohio’s premier theater

39 East State Street | Columbus | ohiotheatre.net

A fan of the arts? The Ohio Theater is your place to go for all of the biggest shows in Ohio. Featuring many Broadway classics, this theater is beautiful on the inside, only adding to the experience of seeing a show!

“BEAUTIFUL theater! Came here for the first time after living in Ohio for 6.5 years to see Twisted 3, which featured the Columbus symphony, opera, and BalletMet.” -- Yelp Review

Penn and Beech Candle Company

Head to Penn and Beech for Worthington’s finest candles — and make one yourself!

646 High Street | Worthington | pennandbeech.com

Penn and Beech is a boutique candle store located in Worthington, Ohio that lets you experience the candle-making process yourself. This is the perfect spot for a date night, a friend’s night, or a place to bring your family when they visit. Candle-making is a fun and affordable activity for all ages. The cost to create your own candle starts at $22 and lets you design a blend of up to three premium oils of the 100 in-store options. 

“I loved this when it was The Candle Lab and still love it to this day. It is affordable for what all is included and this is the perfect unique experience to have with friends! Everyone can customize their own candle and then you can take it home after about 2 hours. You can't go wrong with the scents as just about all of them smell amazing!” -- Yelp Review

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Take a walk through nature in Central Ohio’s premier botanical garden.

1777 East Broad Street | Columbus | fpconservatory.org

Franklin Park Conservatory is just a few miles from Canal Winchester and it is your ticket for beautifully presented and maintained flora. It is amazing to walk through, and great for the whole family. This conservatory makes for an excellent day trip, and when you are in the area you can explore Columbus for great shopping and food!

“While my very first trip to FPC will be hard to beat, it certainly won't be my last and I can't wait to go back.” -- Yelp Review

North Market

Upper Arlington’s own farmer’s market is full of fresh produce, boutique shops, and more!

59 Spruce Street | Downtown Columbus | northmarket.org

Looking for your go-to farmer’s market? Look no further than North Market — Central Ohio’s Authentic Public Market. This famous destination serves over one million guests each year and is consistently ranked as one of the top public markets in the country. North Market is located in downtown Columbus, about a 10-minute drive from Upper Arlington. There, you will find a ton of food options, each place having its own flair. You will never run out of delicious food to try! 

“I could easily come back here to not just dine, but shop as well. I would consider this the epicenter of food. They have Vietnamese, Indian, a meat counter, and other stuff as well. What a cool place this is. Go here if you can!” -- Yelp Review

German Village

Enjoy Ohio’s rich history in this quaint town

588 3rd Street | Columbus | germanvillage.com

A trip to German Village is a great way to spend a weekend. It is full of many small businesses serving you food and drink, and there is plenty of shopping to do as well! On top of that, this historic district’s incredible maintenance means you can walk through cobbled streets full of beautiful architecture, manicured landscaping, and inviting stores. The German Village Society oversees the care of this district and hosts many fun, family-friendly events throughout the year. Be sure to keep an eye out for their next event!

“If you happen to be visiting Columbus, a stop in the German Village is a must. The century-old homes, cobblestone streets, Schiller park (second oldest park in Columbus), and five-star businesses will surely leave you with a smile on your face. Just know, folks here don't actually speak German, haha.” -- Yelp Review

Three Creeks Metropark

Take a stroll through nature in one of Ohio’s many parks

3860 Bixby Road | Groveport | metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/three-creeks

Situated around the confluence of the Alum, Big Walnut, and Blacklick Creek, this park is perfect for spending a day walking through trails and enjoying Ohio’s wildlife. There are some great spots to watch for wildlife like beaver, coyote, deer, and mink as well as many varieties of birds. Weather permitting, this park is beautiful all year round. 

“It's a midsize park that includes biking and walking trails. And there's a pond. Also, it has an overlook area including some spots for birdwatching and other wildlife sightings.” -- Yelp Review

Chestnut Ridge

Stroll through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at Ohio’s Chestnut Ridge

8445 Winchester Road | Carroll | metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge

Chestnut Ridge is the first along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It rises over a thousand feet and spans four and a half thousand. Many beautiful trees grow along the upper slopes and every view along this trail is breathtakingly beautiful. Make sure you stop to smell the roses next time you take a walk through the trails of Chestnut Ridge!

“This is my hidden gem for picnics and the trails. Plenty of space to social distance during this season.” -- Yelp Review

Slate Run Living Historical Farm

Travel back in time to this 19th-century farm

1375 OH-674 | Canal Winchester | metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/slate-run-historical-farm

Slate Run has stayed true to its roots in the most literal sense. Staff and volunteers go about daily chores that farmers in the 1880s did, and live animals like pigs, geese, turkeys, and horses roam the grounds. Walking through this farm is an experience like no other! Around it are many other trails to enjoy the beautiful forests and fields that make up this park. 

“A fantastic glimpse of the past! This metro park has an actual time period appropriate farmhouse and people working and living in the house, a mirror image as it would be if they still lived back in the pre-Revolution times.” -- Yelp Review

Motts Military Museum

Swing by one of Ohio’s greatest military museums for stories, artifacts, and history!

1234 Main St | Groveport | mottsmilitarymuseum.org

Swing by Motts Military Museum for a treasure trove of artifacts and documented stories of America’s military past. The curators of this museum are proud of the artifacts they have on display and are more than happy to go in-depth about any one of them. They are continually expanding, focusing on preserving this country’s past. 

“We loved this place. Took two of our kids and both enjoyed it. Is doesn't seem like it is big from the outside but they have a ton of stuff and the people are very passionate about the museum. It is a great place to visit to take in some history!” -- Yelp Review

Blacklick Woods Metro Park

Enjoy the wildlife in a park just outside of Canal Winchester

6975 East Livingston Avenue | Reynoldsburg | metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods

Sprawling over 643 acres of woods, fields, ponds, and a golf course, Backlick Woods is a great park to spend a day out in nature and discover some new trails!

“It truly feels like you are way out of the city here! Paths and trails are well maintained and if you're lucky, you can see wildlife up close. Highly recommend if you want to run or walk or bring kids here.” -- Yelp Review

Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

Take a ride with some motorcycle-filled history at the AMA museum

13515 Yarmouth Drive | Pickerington | americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame

Swing by for two floors of exhibits full of historic motorcycles and motorcyclists. Although the AMA is a smaller museum, their staff loves motorcycles and their displays are a lot of fun to walk through. This is a perfect place to stop in on a weekend day. 

“A small museum, lots of history though. Some really nice exhibits, a well-stocked gift shop, and great layout and lighting.” -- Yelp Review

Pickerington Ponds

Relax in this park just outside Canal Winchester

7680 Wright Road | Canal Winchester | metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/pickerington-ponds

Take a stroll through some trails at Pickerington Ponds! There is lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery all around this park. Pickerington Ponds is a great place to spend a day or a couple of hours enjoying nature.

“Lovely park! Excellent for walking and biking! Recently discovered the Glacier Knoll Picnic area and trails portion of Pickerington Ponds” -- Yelp Review

What do you think of what Canal Winchester has to offer? Let us know in the comments!