There are lots of fun things to do in Dublin, Ohio!
Dublin is a suburb of Columbus, located just northwest of the city. It’s a fantastic place to live and work and a must-see if you’re visiting the Columbus area.
You’ll find lots of nods to the “other Dublin” (in Ireland, maybe?? ha!) throughout the city, like the Celtic Cocktail Trail and the Dublin Irish Festival. Plus, scroll down for information about Dublin’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) aka you can walk around with a drink in your hand.
This is the only “what to do in Dublin, Ohio” guide you’ll need since it’s written by a local — yes, me! I live in the Dublin area and am so excited to share my hometown with you.
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Dublin, Ohio at a Glance
Dublin is a northwest suburb of Columbus, Ohio, and a great place to visit if you’re in the area. This family-friendly city has great outdoor spaces, fantastic bike paths, excellent restaurants, and plenty of activities for kids.
The city is known internationally as home to the Memorial Golf Tournament, which was started by Columbus native and golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Dublin is easily accessible from Columbus as well as these other cities:
- Columbus, Ohio: 20 minutes
- Cincinnati, Ohio: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Cleveland, Ohio: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Indianapolis, Indiana: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Detroit, Michigan: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 3 hours 5 minutes
17 Fun Things To Do In Dublin, Ohio
Try these 17 fun things to do when you’re visiting Dublin, Ohio!
1. Dublin Link Bridge
The Dublin Link is a brand new pedestrian bridge that connects Historic Downtown Dublin to the Bridge Park Dublin area. This 760-foot-long S-shaped suspension bridge is the largest of its kind in the world. Riverside Crossing Park, is located on the Bridge Park side of the river.
This area is highly walkable and should be on top of your list of things to do in Dublin, Ohio!
Location: Between Historic Dublin and Bridge Park
2. Celtic Cocktail Trail
If you fancy an Irish-inspired cocktail, then Dublin, Ohio is the place to be! Grab a passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center (or download it here), then set out on the Celtic Cocktail Trail. There are 14 stops on the trail throughout Dublin. You’ll earn the official Celtic Cocktail t-shirt when you complete them all.
If you prefer zero proof cocktails, you’ll be delighted to know that 11 of the trail stops feature a non-alcoholic concoction! You’ll be able to earn a t-shirt when you complete all 11 zero-proof stops.
3. North Market Bridge Park
The North Market’s highly anticipated 2nd location in the Bridge Park area of Dublin is now open with limited preview hours. This 30,000-square-foot space features local vendors and fantastic food.
Location: 6736 Longshore Street, Dublin, Ohio
4. Irish Fairy Door Trail
The Irish Fairy Door Trail is great if you’re traveling with kids. Grab a passport and find all 11 fairy doors scattered throughout Historic Downtown Dublin. Then, return your completed passport to the Dublin Visitor & Information Center to receive a free Fairy Doors of Dublin T-shirt!
Location: Dublin Visitor & Information Center | 9 South High Street, Dublin, Ohio
Keep Exploring: Take a trip “next door” to Powell, Ohio to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
5. Eat Amazing Ice Cream
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is a hometown favorite, and it’s absolutely worth every single calorie! You’ll find Jeni’s conveniently located in historic downtown Dublin. Flavors change seasonally so there’s always something new to try. I recommend Goat Cheese Cherry, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, and Savannah Buttermint.
If you want to try your hand at making your own, check out Jeni Britton Bauer’s book, Perfect Homemade Ice Cream.
Location: 1 W. Bridge Street, Dublin, Ohio
6. Explore the Dublin Market
If you’re visiting Dublin in the summer, be sure to check out the Dublin Market at Bridge Park. This farmer’s market is held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. through September.
Location: Longshore Street between Tuller Ridge Drive and Banker Drive in Dublin
7. Visit a Waterfall
Dublin’s got everything…including waterfalls! Check out these natural beauties during your trip to Dublin.
- Indian Run Falls: 700 Shawan Falls Drive
- Hayden Falls: 4326 Hayden Run Road
- Glick Park (O’Shaughnessy Reservoir man-made falls): 1 Glick Road, Dublin, Ohio
8. Eat Great Pizza
If you’re looking for the best pizza in Dublin (and in all of Columbus), check out Harvest Pizza in Dublin’s historic district. In addition to all of the traditional toppings, they offer vegan options like vegan sausage and cheese.
Location: 45 N. High Street, Dublin, Ohio
Best Credit Card for Dining: Earn 4 points per $1 spent on dining + an annual $120 dining credit (at select locations) on the American Express Gold Card
9. Visit Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Ok, so “technically” Glacier Ridge Metro Park is located in Plain City, Ohio…but it’s literally across the street from Dublin, so I’m going to say it counts as Dublin-ish! Plus, if you ask a local where Glacier Ridge Park is, more than likely, they’ll say, “Dublin.”
I absolutely love this place because it has so much to offer. This 1,000+ acre park has everything you could want:
- 25-foot tall observation tower
- Bike paths
- Challenge Course
- Dog park
- Disc golf course
- Horseback riding trail
- Natural play area with a kid-friendly zip line
- Picnic shelter
- Traditional playground
10. Dublin Irish Festival
If you’re visiting the Columbus area in the summer, check out the Dublin Irish Festival. This festival is a BIG DEAL in Dublin, Ohio! It’s 3 full days of all things Irish — entertainment, food, drinks, music, dance, shopping, kids activities, and more!
Dates: August 6-8, 2021 (the 2020 festival has been canceled)
Location: Coffman Park Drive and Emerald Parkway in Dublin, Ohio
Read More: 60+ Festivals and Annual Events in Columbus
11. Check Out Cool Public Art
Dublin, Ohio has some interesting public art to check out. Here are some of the highlights:
Dancing Hares
- This 24-foot bunny sculpture is located on a hill overlooking a splash pad (so it’s a great stop for kids!)
- Located in Ballantrae Park | 6350 Woerner Temple Road | More information
Chief Leatherlips
- A 12-foot sculpture of Wyandot Native American Chief Leatherlips
- Located in Scioto Park | 7377 Riverside Drive, Dublin, Ohio | More information
Field of Corn
- Includes 109 human-sized ears of corn
- 4995 Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio | More information
Jack Nicklaus Statue
- Statue honoring Columbus native and golf legend Jack Nicklaus
- Located in the median of Avery Muirfield Drive at Brand Road in Dublin | More information
Dave Thomas Statue
- Life-sized bronze statue of Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas
- Located at the Wendy’s Flagship Restaurant | 4555 West Dublin-Granville Road, Dublin, Ohio | More information
12. Take a Baking Class
Explore the sweet side of Dublin by taking a baking class at Our Cupcakery. They offer classes for both kids and adults that focus on different types of baking. Classes change seasonally.
Location: Our Cupcakery | 54 South High Street, Dublin, Ohio
13. Take a French Coffee Break
For a taste of France, stop into La Chatelaine for a quick bite. You’ll find French favorites like croissants, quiche, and croque-monsieur as well as salads, soups, sandwiches, and more.
Location: 65 West Bridge Street, Dublin, Ohio
Keep Exploring: Fun Things To Do in Columbus, Ohio
14. Visit a Rooftop Bar
Vaso is a hip, rooftop bar (above the AC Hotel by Marriott) in the Bridge Park district of Dublin. In addition to great views of the Scioto River and downtown Dublin, you’ll find great tapas, a full bar, and even igloos in the winter.
Location: 6540 Riverside Drive, Dublin, Ohio
15. Take an Art Class
If art is your thing, why not take an art class while you’re visiting Dublin? Terra Gallery & Creative Studio, located in historic downtown Dublin, offers group and private art lessons. Their group classes have plenty of themes to choose from, including Paint Your Pet, Mixed Media, and Acrylic Pouring.
Location: Terra Gallery & Creative Studio | 36B North High Street, Dublin, Ohio
16. Go Shopping
There’s no shortage of shopping in Dublin, Ohio. Check out these fun, local stores for clothing, gifts, and Dublin souvenirs:
Best Card for Everyday Purchases: Earn 2 points per $1 on ALL purchases with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
17. Go Back In Time
No, Dublin doesn’t have a Back to the Future museum, but what it does have is the Fletcher Coffman Homestead. This Civil War-era house has been restored to represent a typical middle-class farm family’s home during that era. It’s open to the public on the first Sunday of the month (May-September) from 1-4 p.m.
Location: Fletcher Coffman House | 5300 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, Ohio
Dublin’s DORA
Dublin, Ohio has an official DORA area. DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. That means you can buy an alcoholic drink at a restaurant or bar and take it outside with you.
The DORA’s official hours are Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participating establishments will serve drinks in official DORA cups.
The DORA area is split into 2 sections — one is in Bridge Park and the other is in Historic Dublin. These areas are separated by the Dublin Link Bridge, which is not included in the DORA area. There are signs and sidewalk decals showing the designated DORA areas. Click here for an interactive map of the DORA areas.
My kids would love the natural play area at Glacier Ridge Metro Park! What a fun spot!
It’s a great spot. My daughter loves it and it’s fun to see how kids play on it since it’s not a typical playground.