During a trip to Columbus, we decided to leave a few hours of our fate in the hands of our smartphones. We researched a place to eat and a few unique attractions to see before arriving at our destination of COSI.

The restaurant that we chose was Schmidt’s Sausage Haus.

It’s been featured on the Food Network, has a sausage buffet and giant cream puffs.

Basically, this restaurant was the perfect storm. My husband loves sausage and I love dessert and who doesn’t love to see a waiter in Lederhosen.

There have been 5 generations dedicated to perfecting the art of sausage making.

The location of the restaurant is also a treat because it is in the heart of the historic German Village.

We each ordered the German Autobahn Buffet. It was a great way to sample the different types of sausage. The original Bahama mama was my favorite.

This was manfood heaven for my husband. During our multiple trips to the buffet line, we somehow missed the obvious display of mustard and horseradish that was available at our table. By the time I discovered our condiment oversight, I had already mentally moved on to dessert.

I enjoyed the sausage but the Giant Cream Puff was the main attraction in my book.

We split one puff between the four of us and it was everything I had hoped it would be.

While in Columbus, you can also stop by a few Roadside America attractions that might not be as well known.

The World’s largest gavel can be seen just to the south of 65 Front Street, near the intersection of Front and State streets.

The Topiary French People can be seen at Topiary Park- Old Deaf School Park located at 480 East Town St.

This unique attraction was a little harder to visualize because of the snow during our visit.

The inspiration for this park was brought to life by Columbus artist James T. Mason who drew inspiration from Georges Seurat’s impressionist painting, A Sunday Afternoon On The Island of La Grande Jatte. 

I definitely want to come back and see this park in the spring.

If you are going to take a visit to COSI, you might as well stop by and gaze a moment at the nearby Arnold Schwarzenegger statue that commemorates his 1970 Mr. World title. The statue is located at 300 W. Broad St.

These Columbus sites are a fun stop to check out and are easily accessible for a short visit with a few hours or for a longer roadtrip.  Check out the Roadside America app for more unique places of interest.