The thriving and energetic city of Columbus is located in the heart of Ohio. Home to well-known companies like Wendy’s, Donatos Pizza, Highlights for Children and Nationwide Insurance, Columbus showcases the very best aspects of the Buckeye state, including famous Midwestern friendliness and a diversity of restaurants that accommodate gluten-free and food-allergic visitors.

There’s a lot to see and do in Columbus and the option to dine out safely is a reality. Here’s a rundown of the city’s highlights and some of our favorite dining spots.

What to See in Town

The beautifully maintained gardens in Columbus Commons feature a carousel with characters hard-carved by Ohio artists. If you’re visiting in the summertime, bring your swimsuit and check out the 15,000-square-foot Scioto Mile Fountain. The entire family will also enjoy the indoor and outdoor gardens at The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

For museum buffs, check out the Center of Science and Industry and the Columbus Museum of Art. Both offer remarkable exhibits well worth the visit. Stop by the Central Ohio Fire Museum, a restored 1908 fire station complete with a children’s play area.

The Ohio Statehouse provides free guided tours. The Ohio Theatre, a Columbus landmark, is one of the busiest performing arts centers in the state. The Arena District  features unique and entertaining options to play, stay and dine.

The Short North Arts District boasts notable art galleries and top-notch dining experiences. You can tour the American Whistle Corporation, the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the United States.

For sports enthusiasts, Columbus is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Schedule a tour of the stadium and take a walking tour of the campus. The city is also base to The Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL hockey) and The Columbus Crew (MLS soccer). At Huntington Park, catch a baseball game with the Columbus Clippers, a minor league team that’s affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.

Good Eats

Like urban centers throughout the United States, you’ll find many of the nation’s top gluten-free and allergy-friendly chain restaurants in and around Columbus. This includes P.F. Chang’s, Pei Wei, Red Robin and Bonefish Grill.

For local fare, try these dineries:

Marcella’s offers up a gluten-free-friendly menu that includes appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas and more. The eclectic Northstar Café, situated in the Short North Arts District, serves vegan and dairy-free foods. Also in the Short North Arts District, North Market has a large variety of storefronts under one roof, including restaurants with local vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Z Pizza has a varied menu with gluten-free and vegan-friendly choices. Trattoria Roma serves many gluten-free-friendly lunch and dinner items, including fried polenta, bruschetta, paninis, tortellini alla Bolognese and more. The Hills Market is a great place to pick up allergy-friendly food, including locally made foods and gluten-free items prepared in-house. While there, enjoy a cup of coffee with some fresh gluten-free baked goods. Known for its warmth and friendliness, Pistacia Vera, a pastry kitchen in German Village, sells gluten-free, nut-free and vegan goods. Its Parisian macarons are a local favorite. Mazah Mediterranean Eatery has an expansive menu with vegan and gluten-free options. Local favorite Jeni’s sells a delicious variety of gluten-free and allergy-friendly ice creams, including exotic flavors like Sweet Potato with Torched Marshmallows and Wildberry Lavender.

Around Columbus

For animal watchers, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell is a must. It is home to 10,000 creatures from around the world.

Train lovers will enjoy The Ohio Railway Museum in historic Worthington. The history of the railroad is displayed in exhibits here. You can board a real streetcar and a passenger car.

Baseball buffs can watch how a piece of wood transforms into a finished bat at the Phoenix Bat Company.

If spelunking is more your speed, visit the Ohio Caverns or The Olentangy Indian Caverns. For more outdoor fun, hike the area surrounding Hayden Falls and Indian Run Falls.

Good Eats

Local Roots serves up an extensive gluten-free menu of locally sourced foods. Enjoy seasonal salads, gluten-free ravioli and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for dessert at this family-friendly establishment. Sample local wine at Powell Village Winery. You can order a cheese plate with gluten-free crackers. Yabo’s Tacos offers gluten-free beer and a Mexican menu where nearly all the choices are safe. This establishment caters to most food allergies; just let your server know. Yabo’s has multiple locations, including a food truck. So be on the lookout while touring the city. Rusty Bucket has a gluten-free-friendly menu that includes chicken pesto pasta and tavern steak and ale.

For gluten-free and allergy-friendly groceries, Whole Foods Market has a couple locations around Columbus. Its Sawmill store offers eat-in selections, as well as items to go.

Northeast (Polaris, Westerville, Gahanna)

The kids can burn off extra energy at Zen Kidz Play Cafe. While your youngsters enjoy art, music, dress up, puzzles and more in this nut-free environment, you can sip on specially blended espresso and take advantage of the free wifi. Enjoy a gluten-free adult beverage while bowling on state-of-the-art lanes at Star Lanes Polaris. Shop until you drop at Polaris Fashion Place and Easton Town Center shopping malls.

Good Eats

Dine on gluten-free-friendly pizza at Taranto’s Pizzeria, a local favorite. The food is delicious and the service is excellent. For allergy-friendly baked goods, visit Soodles Bakeshop, a dedicated facility that’s free of gluten, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish, peanuts and soy. (Soodles prepares gluten-free, allergy-friendly pizza dough for many of the local pizza restaurants.) Cap City Fine Diner and Bar is a favorite for many gluten-free Ohioans. With locations in Gahanna and Grandview Heights, this diner is known for serving classic recipes with a trendy twist. Locals rave about Cap City’s gluten-free beer-battered, deep-fried fish and chips. Chinese restaurant Panda House at Polaris offers a large gluten-free-friendly menu that includes soups, fried rice and chicken, beef and seafood entrees. If you’re too tired to dine out, get some gluten-free Chinese takeout. Portia’s Cafe serves non-GMO, organic foods that are gluten-free, vegan and locally sourced. Be sure to visit Portia’s on Sunday morning for gluten-free, vegan waffles. Sit down in Crimson Cup Coffeehouse and enjoy a freshly roasted cup of coffee and some gluten-free cookies. In a hurry? Zip through Crimson Cup’s drive-through instead. One of Westerville’s hidden gems, Raisin Rack is a natural foods store with a variety of organic, local, gluten-free and allergy-friendly products. In fact, the gluten-free selection at Raisin Rack is possibly one of the largest in the area. While there, grab a gluten-free bite to eat at the Raisin Rack Cafe. Organic supermarket Earth Fare is another place to pick up snacks, groceries and other safe, delicious items to eat.

Southeast (Blacklick, Bexley, Pickerington)

Although the bowling alley Rule 3 doesn’t have a dedicated gluten-free or allergy-friendly menu, it does have a clean facility where you and your family can enjoy a fun afternoon.

Good Eats

With several locations, Aladdin’s Eatery has a Lebanese-American menu that’s friendly to those seeking gluten-free or vegan dishes. Cherbourg Bakery, a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free shop, offers decadent baked goods, including French teacake cookies, tiramisu cookies, molten cakes, donuts and citrus lavender muffins. Savor your treat with coffee, tea or freshly squeezed orange juice.

Southwest (Grove City, Galloway)

Enjoy the outdoor splendor of central Ohio. Walk the trails in the city’s Metro Parks. Bring your dog; there are 14 dedicated pet trails throughout the numerous parks. Check out Battelle Darby Creek; nine bison were recently reintroduced into this Metro Park.

Good Eats

With multiple locations across central Ohio, Flyers Pizza takes gluten sensitivity seriously. Enjoy delicious gluten-free pizza there.

 

Getting Around

Encircled by Interstate 270 (“the Outerbelt”), the city of Columbus is sliced roughly east/west by Interstate 70 and north/west by Interstate 71.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority provides public bus transportation in downtown Columbus, throughout Franklin County and in some surrounding counties.

Several taxi and town car companies give rides in and around the city. A newcomer to the local transportation scene is Uber, a ride-sharing option that’s dispatched by an app on your smartphone.

 

Cindy Gordon is a food-allergy mom who lives with her family in Columbus, OH. She’s creator of vegetarianmamma.com, a popular recipe blog, and author of Gluten Free Fork: A Collection of 40 Simple To Make, Budget-Friendly Recipes to Nourish Your Family (CreateSpace).