Downtown Dublin, Ohio is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. Located about 20 minutes northwest of  Columbus, Ohio, this suburb is known for high-end shopping and dining.

There are lots of fun things to do in Dublin and in this post, we’re focusing on the city’s downtown area which has 2 distinct sections — Bridge Park and Historic Dublin.

These areas are on opposite sides of the Scioto River and are connected by a new pedestrian bridge called The Dublin Link, so they are both highly walkable. You can easily visit both sides of Dublin during one afternoon or evening.

Downtown Dublin Ohio Bridge

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Dublin Link Bridge

The Dublin Link Bridge is a new pedestrian bridge that spans the Scioto River, connecting historic downtown Dublin to Bridge Park.

Riverside Crossing Park

Riverside Crossing Park is so new it’s not even open yet! Once it’s completed, the park will be on both the west and east sides of the Scioto River (at the entrances to the Dublin Link) and will feature seating areas, event space, water features, and more.

Historic Downtown Dublin, Ohio

Indian Run Falls

Indian Run Falls is easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. Tucked back in the woods next to the Dublin Library, is a short wooded walking path that leads to Indian Run Falls. It’s a fantastic place to explore and one of the best family activities in Dublin.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

You can’t leave historic Dublin without stopping at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. There are lots of unique and seasonal flavors to choose from — my personal favorites are Savannah Buttermint, Goat Cheese Cherry, and Brown Butter Almond Brittle.

Dublin Library

The Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is located in the heart of historic downtown Dublin. If you’re visiting Dublin with kids, check out the kid’s area that has a small play space and plenty of reading nooks.

Irish Fairy Door Trail

The Irish Fairy Door Trail is a fun activity for kids in Dublin. Stroll through Historic Dublin and Bridge Park to find small fairy doors at 12 different stops. Once you’ve found them all, you’ll earn a free Dublin Fairy Door T-shirt!

Celtic Cocktail Trail

The Celtic Cocktail Trail is another fun activity that spans both Historic Dublin and Bridge Park, but this one is for adults only. After completing 6 stops, you’ll get a Dublin Cocktail Trail koozie and you’ll get a T-shirt after completing 12 stops.

Our Cupcakery

Stop into Our Cupcakery for a quick grab-and-go cupcake or make your own at the cupcake bar. There are also kid and adult special events and classes throughout the year.

Terra Gallery and Creative Studio

Stop into Terra Gallery and Creative Studio to browse the gallery, take a class, or commission a custom piece of art.

Historic Dublin Ohio Shopping

• Boho 72 Boutique
• Dublin Toy Emporium
• Extravagifts

Historic Dublin Ohio Restaurants

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – Best ice cream in Dublin, Columbus, Ohio, EVER!!!
• Harvest Pizzaria – Best pizza in Columbus
• Dublin Village Tavern
• J. Liu Restaurant and Bar
• Johnson’s Ice Cream
• Mezzo Restaurant and Bar
• North High Brewing
• Tucci’s
• The Pearl
• Condado
• Mr. Sushi
• The Avenue Steak Tavern
• Oscar’s of Dublin
• Bridge Street Pizza
• La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro
• Coast House Wine
• Winan’s Fine Chocolates and Coffees
• Starbucks
• Donatos Pizza
• Dominio’s Pizza

Bridge Park Dublin

The Bridge Park side of downtown Dublin is a new area that’s filled with great restaurants, shops, and even has a couple of hotels. This highly walkable area of Dublin also has lots of condos and townhouses so it’s a popular area among locals too.

Both the Dublin Celtic Cocktail Trail and Irish Fairy Door Trail (mentioned in the Historic Dublin section) will take you through Bridge Park as well.

North Market

The North Market Bridge Park is the 2nd North Market location (the original is one of Central Ohio’s most popular attractions). This indoor market features lots of restaurants plus local merchants and shops. Don’t leave Dublin without stopping by.

Vaso Dublin Rooftop Lounge

Vaso Dublin is a chic restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the AC Marriott Hotel Dublin. Stop by for Spanish-inspired small plates, unique cocktails (including zero proof options), and spectacular views of downtown Dublin. If you’re visiting in winter, you can even rent a rooftop igloo!

Read More: The best winter activities in Columbus, Ohio

Drinks and Games

Bridge Park Dublin has 2 spots to check out if you’d like to grab a drink and play some games. 16-Bit Bar + Arcade has over 40 vintage arcade games while Pins Mechanical offers games like Foosball, Pinball, Duck Pin, Ping Pong, and Bocce.

The Dublin Market at Bridge Park

If you’re visiting Dublin during the summer, you’ll want to stop by the Dublin Market on Saturday mornings from May through September. You’ll find lots of local vendors lining Longshore Street offering produce, sweets, food, retail items, and more.

Read More: The best summer activities in Columbus

Bridge Park Dublin Shopping

• The North Market
• Apricot Lane Boutique
• Bend Active

Bridge Park Dublin Restaurants

• North Market
• Fado Pub and Kitchen
• Cap City Fine Diner and Bar
• Hen Quarter
• Urban Meyer’s Pint House
• Sweetwater’s Coffee and Tea
• Z Cucina de Spirito
• Frank and Carl’s
• Kilwin’s
• Vaso
• Local Cantina
• Rebol
• Fukuryu Ramen
• Kona Kraft Kitchen – coming soon!
• Kitchen Social – coming soon!

Downtown Dublin Hotels

There are plenty of hotels in Dublin, Ohio, but if you’d like to stay right downtown, there are 2 options. Both of these hotels are located in Bridge Park, so you’ll be able to explore all of downtown Dublin on foot. If you’re renting a car, these hotels are a short drive from some of the best things to do in Columbus like the Columbus Zoo, Short North, German Village, and lots more.

AC Hotel by Marriott Dublin

AC Hotel by Marriott Dublin is a modern, upscale hotel that’s a centerpiece of the Bridge Park Dublin area. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Vaso, is a great spot to grab a drink and take in the views. Rates start around $200 per night. This is a Marriott category 4 hotel so award nights will cost 20,000-30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Dublin

Springhill Suites by Marriott Dublin is a family-friendly all-suite hotel offering perks like free Wi-Fi and free hot breakfast. Rates at this pet-friendly hotel start at about $160 per night. This is also a Marriott category 4 hotel with award nights going for 20,000-30,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

Downtown Dublin, Ohio is a great place to visit. Both sides of the area, Historic Downtown Dublin and Bridge Park Dublin offer lots of fun things to do and plenty of great restaurants and shops. If you’re visiting the Columbus, Ohio area, you should definitely take an afternoon to explore all Dublin has to offer.