Visit GERMAN VILLAGE in Columbus, Ohio
A Little Background, and Where to Stay in German Village
Background
Located just south of downtown; runs from East Livingston Avenue to Nursery Lane, bounded by Pearl and Lathrop streets.
The historic neighborhood of German Village was developed between 1840 and 1914. It was settled primarily by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, when it was a working-class neighborhood full of brewery workers and their families. In 1960, the German Village Society was established to save the neighborhood from rezoning, and in 1963 the City of Columbus designated it as its first Historic District. In 1974, the entire 233-acre village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the village consists of 1,800 to 1,900 buildings, and very few Germans live here.
German Village is not a recreated historic village. It is an evolved neighborhood where shops and restaurants are still found among the houses. The tree-lined brick and cobblestone streets remain--be careful not to trip on uneven bricks and stones. Shops include everything from a fine French patisserie to a cozy 32-room independent bookstore. Visitors enjoy exploring, and the luckiest ones spend the night soaking up the quite local atmosphere.
The historic neighborhood of German Village was developed between 1840 and 1914. It was settled primarily by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, when it was a working-class neighborhood full of brewery workers and their families. In 1960, the German Village Society was established to save the neighborhood from rezoning, and in 1963 the City of Columbus designated it as its first Historic District. In 1974, the entire 233-acre village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the village consists of 1,800 to 1,900 buildings, and very few Germans live here.
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| lovely front porch of home in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
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| blooming flowers in sidewalk container in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
German Village is not a recreated historic village. It is an evolved neighborhood where shops and restaurants are still found among the houses. The tree-lined brick and cobblestone streets remain--be careful not to trip on uneven bricks and stones. Shops include everything from a fine French patisserie to a cozy 32-room independent bookstore. Visitors enjoy exploring, and the luckiest ones spend the night soaking up the quite local atmosphere.
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| brick-lined street in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
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| brick sidewalk in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
Information
588 S. Third St., (614) 221-8888. M-F 9am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm; April-Nov, also Sun 12-3pm.
Set in the German Village Society Meeting Haus, the centrally-located Tourist Information Center is stocked with maps, pamphlets, a neighborhood timeline on the wall, and an orientation movie.
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| German Village Society Meeting Haus in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
Annual Events
September. Held at the State Fairgrounds, this joyous occasion runs for three days.
Lodging
748 Jaeger St., (866) 587-2738, (614) 437-9712. Continental breakfast; in-room snacks. Unrestricted street parking. Offering a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, these two comfortable venues each feature exceptional breakfasts.
●The Guest House
748 Jaeger St. This house was built in the late 1800s and converted to a guest house in 2005. Today it features a modern design inside but retains the historic look and details outside.
●The Whittier Suites
177 E Whittier St. Dogs ok.
Each of the two suites here is a completely private apartment with modern appointments. Note that the upstairs suite has a set of steep open stairs in the back that might make it difficult for some people to maneuver. I stayed in the downstairs suite and was amazed and impressed that a friendly neighbor offered to help me get my suitcase up the few steps to the front porch. I loved the perfect location, smack in the middle of a quiet neighborhood and just a short walk to the farthest destination. Conveniently, Brown Bag Deli is just next door, and it is an easy and enjoyable walk to the center of the village and just a block to Schiller Park. My suite featured a different pastry for breakfast each day, plus homemade yogurt, and big bowl of berries, and more. Simple snacks were also provided. Everything was immaculate, and the bathroom featured an unusual slate-lined, walk-in shower. My only grumble was that there was no instruction sheet for the THREE! TV controls or the heating fixture. I got very frustrated with the TV and just continued to watch the first thing that “took,” and I was quite cold because the heater had not been pre-set to a reasonable temperature and I couldn’t find an extra blanket. This is a reminder to ask about these items when you check in.
What to do in German Village.
Where to eat in German Village.
More things to do in Columbus, Ohio.
images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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| exterior of The Whittier Suites at German Village Guesthouse in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
Each of the two suites here is a completely private apartment with modern appointments. Note that the upstairs suite has a set of steep open stairs in the back that might make it difficult for some people to maneuver. I stayed in the downstairs suite and was amazed and impressed that a friendly neighbor offered to help me get my suitcase up the few steps to the front porch. I loved the perfect location, smack in the middle of a quiet neighborhood and just a short walk to the farthest destination. Conveniently, Brown Bag Deli is just next door, and it is an easy and enjoyable walk to the center of the village and just a block to Schiller Park. My suite featured a different pastry for breakfast each day, plus homemade yogurt, and big bowl of berries, and more. Simple snacks were also provided. Everything was immaculate, and the bathroom featured an unusual slate-lined, walk-in shower. My only grumble was that there was no instruction sheet for the THREE! TV controls or the heating fixture. I got very frustrated with the TV and just continued to watch the first thing that “took,” and I was quite cold because the heater had not been pre-set to a reasonable temperature and I couldn’t find an extra blanket. This is a reminder to ask about these items when you check in.
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| living room of downstairs suite at The Whittier Suites at German Village Guesthouse in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
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| bedroom of downstairs suite at The Whittier Suites at German Village Guesthouse in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
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| kitchen of downstairs suite at The Whittier Suites at German Village Guesthouse in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
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| inside refrigerator of downstairs suite at The Whittier Suites at German Village Guesthouse in German Village in Columbus, Ohio |
What to do in German Village.
Where to eat in German Village.
More things to do in Columbus, Ohio.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
What a fabulous concept. How great to be fully immersed in a real German Village and not just a recreated historic village. An evolved neighborhood with shops and restaurants in amongst the houses is much more authentic.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that they have preserved this evolved community. I love the Whittier Suites' concept of welcoming tourists to this German Village!
ReplyDeleteIt appears you made another fascinating discovery in Columbus, Ohio. The German village looks like the perfect place to spend a couple of days exploring. Thanks for taking us along on your trip, even if it was only digitally.
ReplyDeleteThe German village looks so quaint and very lovely. How inviting the fridge looks. I love the whole idea of immersing oneself and would enjoy spending some time there for sure.
ReplyDelete