Top things to do in Dublin, Ohio with Teenagers

Dublin, Ohio is a great place for a getaway with teenagers. There are so many fun activities in the area that are perfect for the whole family.

I’m sharing more about the top attractions, adventures, and places to eat during your stay.

Top Things to Do in Dublin Ohio with teenagers

Thanks again to Visit Dublin Ohio for hosting our visit. All opinions are my own.

Adventure mom on road trip

Over the years I’ve found that the best things to do on a roadtrip with teens involve attractions with lots of play, great food, and down time in between.

trampolines at urban air trampoline and adventure park

Jump and Play at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

7679 Plain City-Dublin Rd., Dublin, OH

Burn calories and have a blast doing it!

urban air trampoline and adventure park

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park has an assortment of fun attractions including battle beams, climbing walls, ninja courses, a slam dunk zone, tumble track, dodgeball and more!

joust at urban air trampoline and adventure park

I’d encourage you to make memories and enjoy the park WITH your kids.

slam dunk at urban air trampoline and adventure park

Challenge them on a battle beam, the ninja course or have a slam dunk contest.

obstacle course at urban air trampoline and adventure park

I’d also recommend trying the Sky Rider that’s like a zip-line on a track that’s really fun!

urban air adventure park

All guests are required to wear the Urban Air socks with grips on the bottom and you can choose between Ultimate or Deluxe tickets.

If you get hungry or thirsty during your visit there is a cafe onsite.

hot dogs at Weenie Wonder

Build Your Dream Hot Dog Combination at Weenie Wonder 

6562 Riverside Dr. Dublin, OH

Kids and adults will love dining at Weenie Wonder, a fast casual dining option serving up nostalgia with a modern twist.

weenie wonder

Picture the hot dog version of Chipotle. You can create your ultimate hot dog combination with over 35 toppings to choose from.

toppings at Weenie Wonder

The best part is that the price doesn’t change when you add toppings to build your dog.

area to order at Weenie Wonder

If you are a little overwhelmed with all of the options, check out the signature dogs with popular combinations made up by the in-house chef.

hot dogs at weenie wonder

For sides you’ll definitely want to try the Jo Jo seasoned potato wedges with house made wonder sauce similar to Cane’s or a fry sauce. Other side options are tater tots, coleslaw, and Mac and cheese.

taco crunch hot dog at Weenie Wonder

For dessert, their milkshakes are made with real ice cream. I tried the strawberry flavored milkshake that had real pieces of strawberries in it.

seating area weenie wonder

You can place your order at the counter and have the option to take it to go or dine in.

Realistically you’ll want to dine in because Weenie Wonder is sandwiched between PINS Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit Bar & Arcade which are both all ages until 8pm.

entry to weenie wonder from 16 bit bar and arcade

You can easily walk between all 3 businesses without going outside.

weenie wonder kiosk at PINS Mechanical Co

You can also place an order online or at the kiosk in PINS Mechanical Co.

PINS Mechanical Co. Dublin Ohio

Play at PINS Mechanical Co.

6558 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH

PINS caters to all ages (with adult supervision) before 8pm and 21+ after 8pm.

pinball machines at PINS Mechanical Co

You can play foosball, pinball, duckpin bowling, ping pong, and indoor bocce ball.

duckpin bowling at PINS Mechanical Co

Duckpin bowling is similar to regular bowling but has a smaller ball and pins and no bowling shoes are required to play.

duckpin bowling at PINS Mechanical Co

Lanes at PINS are on a first come, first serve basis.

Kids roll for free when playing duckpin bowling every Sunday with a paying adult.

16-Bit Bar & Arcade

Play at 16-Bit Bar & Arcade

6564 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 

16 Bit caters to all ages (with adult supervision) before 8pm and 21+ after 8pm.

teenagers playing at 16-Bit Bar & Arcade in Dublin Ohio

You can play over 40 classic arcade games at 16-Bit Bar and Arcade for FREE! Pinball and foosball are $1 to play.

16-Bit Bar & Arcade in Dublin Ohio

Even though this is a bar, you’ll find family-friendly options for kids including a mocktail list, energy drinks, and soda.

dazed and confused themed bathroom at 16 bit arcade Dublin Ohio

I also want to note the bathrooms at 16 Bit are really cool with references from popular movies! I can only vouch for ladies room but I’m assuming that the mens room is pretty fun too.

Field of Corn public art in Dublin Ohio

Fun Public Art Photo Stops

There are several IG worthy stops when it comes to public art around Dublin, Ohio. You definitely don’t want to miss these popular stops for public art.

Field of Corn public art in Dublin Ohio

Field of Corn
4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH

Leatherlips public art in Dublin Ohio

Leatherlips  

7377 Riverside Dr. Dublin, OH

Watch House public art in Dublin Ohio

Watch House  

5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, OH

daily chores public art in Dublin Ohio

Daily Chores  

Bridge and High Street, Dublin Ohio

ice cream at Kilwins

Sweet Treat at Kilwins

4549 Bridge Park Ave. Dublin, OH

Satify your sweet tooth with specialty chocolate or choose from 32 flavors of original ice cream in a house-made waffle cone at Kilwins.

ice cream at Kilwins

You can’t go wrong with Toasted coconut or “Kilwin tracks.”

North Market Bridge Park

Dine Around the World at North Market Bridge Park 

Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St, Dublin, OH

North Market Bridge Park

You might be familiar with the North Market in Columbus and now you can experience an extension of the North Market at Bridge Park in Dublin, Ohio.

egg rolls at Lan Viet at North Market Bridge Park

There are 16 different food vendors and local merchant shops to choose from.

chicken suqarr from Hoyo's samosa's and juices

What’s nice is that everyone can pick their own restaurant of choice while in the same building.

North Market at Bridge Park

If you have adventurous eaters/food sharers with you, I would suggest trying menu items from several restaurants and eat family style.

spicy peanut butter cookie from Bake Me Happy North Market Bridge Park

During our visit we tried:

Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill

Watch the Game While You Dine at Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill 

7482 State Route 161, Plain City, OH 3064

You can’t go wrong with pizza when it comes to traveling with teens. Beer Barrel Pizza Grill has been a local favorite since 1964 with made-from-scratch family recipes. The menu features pizza, pastas, burgers, wings, and more.

Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill

If you are traveling with sports fans, they will love all of the screens throughout the restaurant playing the games.

Fresh Baked Garlic Bread Knots at Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill

We enjoyed the fresh baked garlic bread knots, Jameson Irish whiskey sauce wings, Chicken Alfredo and the Italian hot honey pizza.

wings at Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill
chicken alfredo at Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill
Italian hot honey pizza at Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill

The portion sizes are generous and we ended up boxing some of our food to enjoy later.

Ring of Kerry on the Celtic Cocktail Trail at Beer Barrel Pizza and Grill

Parents can enjoy the “Ring of Kerry,” their craft cocktail on the Celtic Cocktail Trail.

There are 12 stops on the Celtic Cocktail Trail and you can sign up online. If you complete 6 stops you can redeem for a commemorative koozie; you’ll receive an exclusive Celtic Cocktail Trail t-shirt with 12 completed stops.

Indian Run Falls in Ohio

See a Hidden Waterfall Near Downtown Historic Dublin

W North St, Dublin, OH

You don’t have to travel far to see a waterfall in Dublin, Ohio. There is a parking garage across from the entrance to the Indian Run Falls trail.

trail to Indian Run Falls in Ohio

The .9 mile hike is an easy out-and-back trail that takes an average of 23 minutes to complete.

 Indian Run Falls in Ohio

There are several observation areas along the trail providing different vantage points of the falls along the way.

Riverboxes by Dublin Arts Council

Discover Riverboxes by the Dublin Arts Council

Riverboxes are artistic discoveries in nature inspired by geocaching and letterboxing. You can test out your map-reading and GPS skills on an art treasure hunt. You can download a Riverbox Passport and collect a stamp at each challenge you complete.

Fissures and Fractures Riverbox

We decided to try the Fissures and Fractures Riverbox Challenge by artist Andrea Myers at Donegal Cliffs Park. (4460 Donegal Cliffs Dr., Dublin)

stamp for Fissures and Fractures Riverbox

Searching for Riverboxes is an adventurous way to enjoy the scenic views at local parks in the area.

basketball court for Donegal Cliffs Park


This park is open from dawn to dusk and has limited parking, a nice playground, tennis court, and basketball court if kids want to play before or after.

image

Enjoy Brunch at North High Brewing

56 North High St. Dublin, OH

North High Brewing

Enjoy a great meal at Historic Dublin’s local brewpub located inside a former historic house.

Historic Business Time Trex Historic Dublin

Be on the lookout for Historic Business Time Trek signs telling more about the buildings you pass in the Historic Business.

hot chicken and honey wheat waffles at North High Brewing

You can’t go wrong with their Breakfast burger, biscuits and gravy and their hot chicken and honey wheat waffles.

biscuits and gravy at North High Brewing

I also recommend their Irish coffee. If the weather is nice there is patio area with outdoor seating too.

jenis splendid ice cream

Another Sweet Stop at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

1 W Bridge St, Dublin, OH 

While you are on the Historic Dublin side, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is another must try in the area. The ice cream flavors are really unique and often pair well together.

I like to try a few samples and get recommendations from the staff for the best combination of the flavors I’m leaning toward.

indoor roller coaster at Scene 75

Play for Hours at Scene75 Entertainment Center

5033 Tuttle Crossing BlvdDublin, OH (Inside Tuttle Mall) 

Scene75 Entertainment Center has 16 attractions and 200+ arcade games. The hardest decision you’ll have is deciding what you want to try first.

kids playing at Scene 75

There are two floors of fun to explore. Highlights include go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, a drop tower and an indoor roller coaster! 

go karts at Scene 75

The most popular attraction at Scene 75 is the go-karts which was where we decided to start.

kids playing at Scene 75

All of the attractions are priced individually and use a reloadable game card for purchases. Check out their deals and specials page for the best value during your visit.

black light mini golf at Scene 75

Black light mini golf is another great option for all ages.

illusions restaurant at Scene 75

Dining options at Scene75 are fast casual or you can dine at Illusions if you want a quieter place to enjoy a meal. At Illusions, you order first and then your food is brought to your table but you don’t have a waitress.

The Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge 

Walk Across the Longest Single-tower “S” Shaped Suspension Bridge in the World

The Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge connects Dublin’s historic district to the Bridge Park mixed-use development.

The Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge 

Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth between both entertainment districts.

The Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge 

Enjoy scenic views of the Scioto River on the bridge and at Riverside Crossing Park with lots of green space, seating and a water feature.

Irish fairy door trail

Get Your Passport Stamped on the Irish Fairy Door Trail

Throughout Historic Dublin and Bridge Park there are 11 businesses on the trail with a resident fairy. The Fairy Door Trail is updated annually and launched on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s recommended to visit this trail from Wednesday-Saturday from 11am – 6pm to avoid business closures.

You can get your passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center that serves as the starting point of the Irish Fairy Door Trail. It’s located at 9 South High Street in Downtown Dublin and is open daily from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

To complete the passport, record the names of each fairy, fill in your passport and return your completed passport to the Dublin Visitor & Information Center for a FREE Fairy Door t-shirt.

free parking garage in Dublin Ohio

Free Parking Garages in Historic Dublin and Bridge Park

It’s important to note that both Historic Dublin and Bridge Park have FREE parking garage options to choose from. Honestly, this blew me away.

I fully anticipated having to pay for parking each time I entered a parking garage in either one of the districts. The parking garages are conveniently located near the main streets with restaurants and shops on both sides of the river.

Several of the parking garages also have bike parking available if you choose to bring your bikes with you.

COSI

Learn and Play at COSI

333 West Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215

Dublin, Ohio is only 20 minutes away from COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in downtown Columbus.

pendulum at COSI in Columbus Ohio

You will run out of time before you run out of fun at the 320,000 square foot science center with hands-on exhibits and live shows.

exhibit at COSI in Columbus Ohio
exhibit at COSI in Columbus Ohio

Make sure that you download the COSI app so that you don’t miss any of the scheduled events during your visit.

teenager at COSI in Columbus Ohio

COSI is a great option for families with a variety of ages. There is even a dedicated space for younger kids to play and learn.

rat basketball at COSI in Columbus Ohio

Rat basketball is a popular live show that you don’t want to miss. Yes, Japanese Black Hooded rats have been trained to play basketball and you can watch them play live and cheer on your favorite.

Adventure Mom and son at Marvel exhibit at COSI

COSI Special Exhibit – Marvel Universe of Super Heroes

COSI has limited-time special exhibits in addition to the permanent exhibits on display all year round.

Marvel fans- do NOT miss your chance to see Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes! at COSI.

Captain America Marvel exhibit at COSI in Columbus Ohio

The exhibit features more than 300 original artifacts that will be on display now until May 30, 2022. The special exhibit ticket also includes general admission to COSI. 

Marvel exhibit at COSI in Columbus Ohio

Tickets are timed-entry and they do sell out. You’ll want to purchase your select day in advance, especially if it’s on the weekend. 

It takes most guests between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to go through the exhibit. 

black panther Marvel exhibit at COSI in Columbus Ohio

There are several fun photo ops along the way. Make sure you also check out the “Become Iron man” interactive experience. 

polar bear at Columbus Zoo

Explore Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH

Dublin, Ohio is located less than 10 minutes from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

kangaroo at Columbus Zoo

With over 10,000 animals in six regions, this is an attraction that you could easily spend the whole day at. The Columbus Zoo also offers behind-the-scenes experiences and encounters for an additional fee.

You can find the best deal on discounted Columbus Zoo tickets here.

waterslide Zoombezi Bay

Cool Off at Zoombezi Bay

If you visit during the warmer months, you’ll definitely want to check out Zoombezi Bay located next to the Columbus Zoo.

swim the lazy river Zoombezi Bay

The outdoor waterpark has 17 waterslides, a wave pool, lazy river, splash zone and more.

atrium at Embassy Suites

Enjoy the Amenities at Embassy Suites During Your Stay

1500 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, OH

Embassy Suites is conveniently located a few minutes from downtown historic Dublin.

guest room at Embassy suites Dublin Ohio

If you’re traveling with teenagers, a hotel room that has plenty of space AND that has complimentary breakfast is a MUST for the best value during your stay.

room at Embassy Suites

The separate space from the bedroom is nice if the kids want to stay up later to watch tv.

guest room at Embassy suites Dublin Ohio

You can also bring your own snacks and drinks and have access to a mini fridge and microwave in your room.

complimentary breakfast at Embassy Suites

Embassy Suites has a complimentary hot breakfast with made-to-order omelets. Each evening there is also a reception with complimentary drinks and snacks from 5:30-7:30 pm.

indoor pool at Embassy Suites

There is an indoor pool and weight room if they need to burn off some extra energy too.

slide at urban air trampoline and adventure park

Win 2 Tickets to Urban Air Adventure Park

Ready for an adventure in Dublin, Ohio?

I’m giving away two Basic Attractions Passes to Urban Air Adventure Park in Dublin, Ohio. (not valid Friday-Sunday)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 thoughts on “Top things to do in Dublin, Ohio with Teenagers”

  1. This is such a helpful article. Visiting in April with our tween. I can see him loving all of this!! Especially the FREE classic video games!!

  2. Looks like great fun. We are a family with older teens and this looks great for the entire family.

  3. So many fun things to try! Never heard of riverboxes and would love to try so many things you mention in this post. Looks like a fun getaway!

  4. That looks like so much fun and not too far away. Perfect weekend family getaway!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

  5. This trip looks like it was a TON of fun!!! Gave me lots of great ideas for my next trip north:)

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