German Village
German Village is 233 acres of walkable, urban paradise surrounded by the city of Columbus. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it was home to immigrant laborers and craftsmen in the 1800’s, and their stories are preserved in the brick streets and the architecture of the buildings and dwellings they left behind. Today’s German Village is a mashup of old and new. It is an urban community of city leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, young professionals and their families. But the best way to enjoy its brick streets, wrought iron fences, story-and-a-half brick cottages, Dutch Doubles, and community parks is by foot.
The Village is home some of the city’s top eateries, and two magnificent city parks. One is the city’s second oldest city park, Schiller Park, and the other is the beautiful, pocket-sized oasis called Frank Fetch Park. Frank Fetch Park is barely a half-acre but you should not miss this tiny gem on Beck Street. Maintained by the German Village Garten Club, the pocket park is an oasis of beautiful plantings, relaxing seats and a working beehive where honey is collected. Every third Sunday of the summer there are free concerts, plus free movies planned on a blow-up screen. Or spend Thursday-Sunday nights all summer with free Shakespeare in Schiller Park.
Discover a variety of one-of-a-kind, locally-owned boutiques, specialty stores, salons, galleries, restaurants, and service businesses clustered throughout the area. Stay at the nationally reviewed German Village Guest House. Don’t miss the nation’s oldest craft store, Helen Winnemore‘s or the top-rated Zagat coffee and bake-shop, Pistacia Vera. And let’s face it, central Ohio’s restaurant scene would not be complete without Lindey’s, Barcelona, G. Michael’s, and Bendi – and they’re all clustered here! Or, for a taste of Bavaria, there’s Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Valter’s at the Maennerchor and Alpine Restaurant and Bar. German Village is fortunate to be home to the Midwest’s most-accomplished chefs and restaurants. It is a great place to explore on an empty stomach.
The best part about living, working, and playing in German Village are the people. While it contains some of Ohio’s finest shops, restaurants, along with charming architecture, it’s the community-minded nature of its residents that make it truly special. People in The Village are proud of its living heritage. And when this community pitches in to get something done – like restore and protect the brick-lined streets or promote pedestrian lifestyle – you’ll have hundreds of volunteers at the ready. German Village is every walk of life working to make the community better. You get all of the neighborliness of a small town just eight blocks from city center.
