The German Village Blog

The annual Village Christmas tree will be lit in Frank Fetch Park this Friday night at 7:00 PM. Santa and Mrs. Claus (with the help of Ned & Josie Merkle) will be making an appearance, so join the celebration as the holiday season kicks into full gear!

For more information contact Linda Casale, Events & Development Coordinator at the German Village Society at 614-221-8888 ext. 10. Frank Fetch Memorial Park is located north off of Livingston Avenue between Grant and Parsons.

Columbus has an eclectic mix of neighborhoods, each with their own unique character and charms. What draws so many to German Village?

Location:

German Village is a true downtown neighborhood, just minutes from the heart of Columbus. On the east side it meets High Street, the meridian of the downtown (and the rest of the city) and on the north sits Livingston Avenue, with numerous connectors to highways 70 and 71, along with easy route to state highway 315 and US 33. This prime location means easy commutes to such large employers as Nationwide Insurance, The Ohio State University, The Children's Hospital and many more.



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Shopping:

Looking for an eclectic piece of furniture for your home? Or handcrafted stained-glass? How about a custom piece of jewelry? Ceramic and earthenware pieces? German Village has it all, from art galleries to a 32-room bookstore. Window-shop your way to classic antiques, local and historic art and photography, fine wines and microbrews and much, much more.

With dozens of neighbor-owned shops to choose from, great shopping is always within walking distance when you're in the Village. Check out a list of German Village businesses here for more information.

Restaurants:

If you're going to be walking and window-shopping, you're going to need a full belly to do it on. Fortunately, the choices on where to eat in German Village are just as varied as where to shop. Grab a breakfast pastry at Juergen's Bakery or a bagel at the Brown Bag. Of course, Starbuck's and Cup O' Joe are there to fill your caffeine fix, then onto lunch at any number of delis and bistros. Of course, you'll have to save one night of dinner plans for Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus - a tradition known through not just Columbus, but across the country.

You can see more restaurant options in the Village by visiting the business directory again here, and also check out this foodie blog with pieces on many Columbus eateries. Bon appetit!

Recreation:

Columbus Monthly recently named Schiller Park the city's favorite greenspace for the third time in a row, and it's no surprise why. With over 23 acres of gardens, ponds, walkways and playgrounds, Schiller Park is a favorite spot for many German Village residents - and their dogs! Enjoy theatre in the summer and other activities all year round at the recreation center.

North of Schiller Park you'll find Frank Fetch Park, a small tract in the German bier garten tradition, complete with brick walls, benches and picnic tables and a wide horticultural variety. The park is maintained by fellow residents under the care of the German Village Garten Club.


German Village is also home to several annual festivals and traditions, including the famed Oktoberfest celebration and the summer Home und Garten Tour, which gives citizens a chance to showcase the neighborhood's finest home and garden restorations.

Of course for many, the amenities of living in the Village pale in comparison to the feeling you get when you first turn off of High Street. Cobblestone roads, gas-lit porch lamps, wrought-iron gates wrapping up tiny brick-laden gardens and the brick cottages and Italianate and Victorian homes that look down upon them all gather together to give the Village a transcendent property. Come visit and see where it takes you!