Build Your Own Holiday Trip

Find what drives you this holiday season and let's get planning!

#holidayshopper

#festivefoodie

#twinklelighttourist

#holidayromantic

#traditionsetter

The Holiday Shopper

Viewpoint Books

Viewpoint Books is a locally owned independent bookstore offering a wide selection across every genre. Whether you’re looking for the latest bestsellers or classic literature, their knowledgeable staff will help you find…

Baker’s Fine Gifts & Accessories

Discover the perfect gift at Baker’s Fine Gifts & Accessories. Explore a charming selection of home décor, clever gadgets, and unique gifts for everyone. Don’t forget to reward yourself with their decadent…

Exit 76 Antique Mall

Exit 76 Antique Mall is a one-story, 72,000-square-foot facility featuring more than 600 booths and lighted display cases. It’s one of the largest antique malls in the region, offering a vast selection…

Indiana Premium Outlets

Make a day of it, shopping for the finest designer labels and leading brands at savings of 25% to 65% every day at 85 outlet shops located right on Interstate 65, between Indianapolis and Louisville.

Columbus Visitors Center Gift Shop

The Visitors Center Gift Shop offers a variety of design objects, locally made products, souvenirs, and Columbus-themed items. It’s the perfect place to pick up a memento of your visit or find…

Vibe: Cheerful, intentional, and endlessly inspired by twinkling shop windows

Discover holiday treasures across Columbus, from the cozy charm of Viewpoint Books, where curated reads and literary-inspired gifts await, to Baker’s Fine Gifts & Accessories, a downtown staple offering elegant décor and thoughtful, small-town–wrapped surprises.

Just north of Downtown, the Exit 76 Antique Mall invites treasure hunters to explore aisles of vintage finds and one-of-a-kind pieces, while the Edinburgh Premium Outlets deliver name-brand favorites and great last-minute deals across more than 70 stores.

And for a touch of local pride, the Columbus Area Visitors Center Gift Shop features handmade artisan creations and architecture-inspired gifts perfect for meaningful holiday giving.

The Festive Foodie

Blackerby’s Hangar 5 Restaurant

Located inside the Columbus Municipal Airport terminal, Blackerby’s Hangar 5 Restaurant combines classic comfort food with a one-of-a-kind setting. Guests can enjoy hearty breakfasts, casual lunches, and daily specials while watching planes…

Gramz Bakery & Café

Gramz combines the best of a cozy café and a hometown bakery, offering everything from fresh-baked bread and pastries to hearty sandwiches and coffee drinks. It’s a favorite spot for breakfast or…

Le Fernandez Café

Le Fernandez Café is a cozy spot known for its inviting atmosphere and international flair. Guests can enjoy a range of coffee and espresso beverages, teas, and a full menu. With warm…

Upland Pump House

The Columbus Pump House is both a local landmark and a destination for craft beer and food lovers. The building’s 1903 historic arches and brickwork create a one-of-a-kind backdrop for dining. Today…

Blacksheep Craft Pizza & Cocktails

Blacksheep Craft Pizza & Cocktails brings a creative twist to downtown dining, pairing artisan pizzas with handcrafted cocktails in a stylish, modern space. The menu features inventive flavor combinations made with fresh…

Hog Molly Brewing Co.

Hog Molly Brewing Co. is a locally crafted brewery dedicated to creating a wide variety of beers to suit every taste. From classic, traditional styles to inventive fruited brews with timeless roots…

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

(Pronounced zuh-HAIR-uh-koz) Established in 1900, Zaharakos is a Columbus must-see known for its Victorian décor, Tiffany-style lamps, stained glass, and marble counters. Its 50-foot marble soda fountain and century-old charm create the…

Kovener’s Korner Ice Cream — Columbus

A summertime landmark, Kovener’s Korner has been scooping ice cream for generations. Families flock here for soft-serve cones, sundaes, and hand-dipped classics served with a smile. It’s a nostalgic spot where warm…

Vibe: Festive, full-hearted, and fueled by cocoa, comfort, and good company.

Start the day with a hearty, made-from-scratch breakfast at Blackerby’s Hangar 5, where hot coffee and a front-row view of the airport create the coziest morning ritual, or linger downtown at Gramz Bakery & Café over scratch-made pastries and seasonal drinks. Midday calls for global flavor and warm hospitality at Le Fernández Café, or a riverside lunch at Upland Brewing Co., where craft beer and hearty pub classics keep the winter vibes cheerful. As evening settles in, gather for artisan pies and cocktails at Blacksheep Craft Pizza and Cocktails, or unwind with a seasonal beer flight and live entertainment at Hog Molly Brewing Co. Finally, end the night on a sweet nostalgic note at Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor & Museum, or savor a classic soft-serve treat from Kovener’s Korner, a local favorite since 1949, now with a second location in Columbus.

The Twinkle Light Tourist

Vibe: Warm-hearted, sentimental, and a little starry-eyed about the season

Downtown Columbus
Take an evening stroll down Washington Street after sunset and soak in the magic that appears when the lights come on. Wander past glowing shop windows, trees wrapped in warm string lights, the gentle glow creates an inviting atmosphere, whether you’re admiring the architecture, window-shopping, or simply enjoying the charm of Columbus after dark.

Festival of Lights Parade
The first Saturday in December, downtown Columbus transforms into a glowing procession of floats, music, and cheer — a must-see for anyone who believes you can never have too many Christmas lights.

Holiday of Lights

Country Christmas at Taulman Farms

Celebrate the magic of the season with a visit to the Taulman Farms—a twinkling drive-through lights experience that’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Cruise through sparkling tunnels of color and shimmering displays before stopping by Santa’s Village on the weekends, where you can meet the jolly man himself and enjoy festive treats and cheerful holiday fun. It’s the perfect way to make lasting memories with family and friends this Christmas season.

Nearby Neighborhood Drives

Sometimes the best lights aren’t part of an event at all, take an evening drive through neighborhoods like Tipton Lakes, Harrison Lake, or the area near Shadow Creek and Wildflower to discover community displays that sparkle with local love.

The Holiday Date Night Romantic

Vibe: Warm-hearted, sentimental, and a little starry-eyed about the season

Start the Evening – Downtown Columbus

Begin your night with a stroll through downtown as the holiday lights start to glow. Washington Street and the Bartholomew County Courthouse sparkle this time of year, making every corner feel like a holiday movie scene. Stop for a quick photo under the twinkle lights — the perfect way to set the tone for the evening.

Dinner – Henry Social Club

Share an unforgettable meal at one of Columbus’s most romantic spots. With candlelit tables, creative seasonal dishes, and craft cocktails, Henry Social Club sets the stage for the kind of dinner you’ll talk about long after the holidays end.

After Dinner – Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor & Museum

Head for dessert, where marble counters, glowing lights, and the nostalgic sound of the player organ make it feel like stepping back in time. Split a sundae or a soda float, sweet, simple, and timeless. Or try their seasonal peppermint ice cream!

Need an activity to pair with your evening, head to our events calendar!

The Festive Family Tradition-Setters

kidscommons Columbus’ Community Children’s Museum

kidscommons is Columbus’s three-story interactive children’s museum, filled with hands-on exhibits that inspire creativity and exploration. Families can enjoy exhibits like the Early Childhood Garden, Bubble-ology, Camp kidscommons, and Explor-a-House, home to…

Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena

Harry Weese 1958 This community building was originally conceived as a Swiss chalet–style warming house with changing rooms for an outdoor rink. The exterior features rough-hewn granite boulder battered walls and large…

Columbus Rocks Climbing and Fitness

Columbus Rocks is the local climbing destination with walls designed for all skill levels, including a kids’ climbing wall. Whether for fitness, fun, or community, the gym offers challenges that encourage climbers…

Vibe: Playful, curious, and always ready to make memories that stick.

Make this winter unforgettable with a family adventure through Columbus, starting at kidscommons Children’s Museum, where little ones can make giant bubbles, climb through the iconic explorable toilet, and dive into hands-on fun for all ages. Keep the energy going at the Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, gliding across the ice or cheering on a hometown hockey game, then head to Columbus Rocks Climbing and Fitness to tackle colorful climbing walls together and celebrate new heights.

And throughout the day, capture every moment, turning each stop into a cherished snapshot of your own “holiday tradition tour.” Make Sure to Tag us in your memories at VisitColumbusIN!