Dublin, Ohio, is a great place to take teenagers on a getaway. The area has many activities for the whole family.
I’m sharing more about the fun things to do in Dublin, Ohio including attractions, adventures, and places to eat during your stay.
Over the years, I’ve found that the best things to do on a road trip with teens involve attractions, lots of play, great food, and lots of downtime.
Thanks again to Visit Dublin Ohio for hosting our visit. All opinions are my own.
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 has a variety of attractions including battle beams, climbing walls, ninja courses, a slam dunk zone, a tumble track, dodgeball, and more!
I’d encourage you to make memories and enjoy the park WITH your kids.
Challenge them on a battle beam, the ninja course, or have a slam dunk contest.
I’d also recommend trying the Sky Rider, a fun zip-line on a track.
All guests are required to wear the Urban Air socks with grips on the bottom and you can choose between Ultimate or Deluxe tickets
Play at PINS Mechanical Co.
6558 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH
PINS caters to all ages (with adult supervision) before 9 PM and 21+ after 9 PM.
You can play foosball, pinball, duckpin bowling, ping pong, and indoor bocce ball.
Duckpin bowling is similar to regular bowling but has a smaller ball and pins, and no bowling shoes are required.
Lanes at PINS are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Play at 16-Bit Bar & Arcade
6564 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH
16 Bit caters to all ages (with adult supervision) before 9 PM and 21+ after 8 PM.
You can play over 40 classic arcade games at 16-Bit Bar and Arcade for FREE!
Fun fact: Quarters put into their arcade games go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
*Pinball and foosball have a fee to play.
Even though this is a bar, there are family-friendly options for kids including a mocktail list, energy drinks, and soda.
I also want to note that the bathrooms at 16 Bit are very cool with references from popular movies! I can only vouch for the ladies’ room but I’m assuming that the men’s room is pretty fun too.
Unique Public Art – Fun Photo Stops
There are several IG-worthy stops for public art around Dublin, Ohio. You definitely don’t want to miss these popular stops.
Field of Corn
4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH
Leatherlips
7377 Riverside Dr. Dublin, OH
Watch House
5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, OH
Daily Chores
Bridge and High Street, Dublin Ohio
Sweet Treat at Kilwins Dublin
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.
You can’t go wrong with Toasted coconut or “Kilwin tracks.”
Dine Around the World at North Market Bridge Park
Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St, Dublin, OH
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.
There are 16 different food vendors and local merchant shops to choose from.
What’s nice is that everyone can each pick their restaurant of choice while in the same building.
If you have adventurous eaters/food sharers with you, consider trying menu items from several restaurants and eating family style.
During our visit, we tried the following:
- Eggs roll from Lan Viet
- Chicken quesadilla from Dos Hermanos Tacos
- Chicken suqarr with mango ginger habanero with spicy rice from Hoyo’s Sambusas & Juices (Somali street food)
- Spicy peanut butter cookie and zebra cake from Bake Me Happy
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 while traveling with teens. Beer Barrel Pizza Grill has been a local favorite since 1964 with made-from-scratch family recipes.
The menu features pizza, pasta, burgers, wings, and more.
If you are traveling with sports fans, they’ll love the screens throughout the restaurant playing the games.
We enjoyed their freshly baked garlic bread knots, Jameson Irish whiskey sauce wings, Chicken Alfredo, and the Italian hot honey pizza.
The portion sizes are generous and we boxed up some of our food to enjoy later.
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.
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.
The .9-mile hike is an easy out-and-back trail that takes 23 minutes to complete, on average.
Several observation areas along the trail provide different vantage points of the falls.
Discover Riverboxes by the Dublin Arts Council
Riverboxes are artistic discoveries in nature inspired by geocaching and letterboxing.
You can test 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.
We decided to try the Fissures and Fractures Riverbox Challenge by artist Andrea Myers at Donegal Cliffs Park. (4460 Donegal Cliffs Dr., Dublin)
Searching for “Riverboxes” is an adventurous way to enjoy scenic views at local parks nearby.
This park is open from dawn to dusk and has limited parking. There is a nice playground, a tennis court, and a basketball court if kids want to play before or after.
Enjoy Brunch at North High Brewing
56 North High St. Dublin, OH
Enjoy a great meal at Historic Dublin’s local brewpub inside a former historic house.
Look for Historic Business Time Trek signs telling more about the buildings you pass in the Historic Business.
You can’t go wrong with their Breakfast burger, biscuits & gravy, and hot chicken & honey wheat waffles on the menu.
I also recommend their Irish coffee. If the weather is nice there is a patio area with outdoor seating.
Another Sweet Stop at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
1 W Bridge St, Dublin, OH
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is another must-try while in Historic Dublin. The ice cream flavors are very unique and often pair well together.
I like to try a few samples and get recommendations from the staff for the best combination of flavors I’m leaning toward for my selection. Their two-scoop size is the perfect amount of ice cream where you’re satisfied but not stuffed.
Play for Hours at Scene75 Entertainment Center
5033 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, 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.
There are two floors of fun to explore. Highlights include go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, a drop tower, and an indoor roller coaster!
The most popular attraction at Scene 75 is the go-karts.
All 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.
Blacklight mini golf is another great option for all ages.
Scene75 has fast casual dining options or you can dine at Illusions if you want a quieter place to enjoy a meal.
At Illusions, you order first, then your food is brought to your table, but you don’t have a waitress.
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.
Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth between both entertainment districts.
Enjoy scenic views of the Scioto River on the bridge and Riverside Crossing Park which has a lot of green space, seating, and a water feature.
Get Your Passport Stamped on the Irish Fairy Door Trail
There are 10 businesses on the Irish Fairy Door Trail each with a resident fairy throughout Historic Dublin and Bridge Park.
The Fairy Door Trail is updated annually. To avoid business closures, visit the Irish Fairy Door Trail, from Wednesday to Saturday from 11AM – 6PM.
You can get your passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center, the starting point of the Irish Fairy Door Trail.
The center is located at 9 South High Street in Downtown Dublin and is open daily from 9 AM – 9 PM.
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 Garages in Historic Dublin and Bridge Park
It’s important to note that Historic Dublin and Bridge Park have FREE parking garage options. Honestly, this blew me away.
I fully anticipated having to pay for parking each time I entered a parking garage. The parking garages are conveniently located near the main streets with restaurants and shops on both sides of the river.
Several parking garages also have bike parking available if you choose to bring your bikes with you.
Learn and Play at COSI
333 West Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215
Dublin, Ohio is only 20 minutes from downtown Columbus home of COSI (Center of Science and Industry).
Purchase Discount Tickets to COSI Here
You will run out of time before you run out of fun at the 320,000-square-foot science center featuring hands-on exhibits and live shows.
Download the COSI app so that you don’t miss any scheduled events during your visit.
COSI is a great option for families with a wide range of ages of kids. There is even a dedicated space for younger kids to play and learn.
Rat basketball is a popular live show 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.
COSI Special Exhibits
COSI has limited-time special exhibits, in addition to their permanent exhibits on display all year round.
We enjoyed viewing the Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes! special exhibit at COSI.
You can see what special exhibits are coming up here.
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.
Explore Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH
Dublin, Ohio is less than 10 minutes from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Purchase Discount Tickets for Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Here
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.
Cool Off at Zoombezi Bay
If you visit during the warmer months, you’ll want to check out Zoombezi Bay, adjacent to the Columbus Zoo.
Purchase Discounted Tickets for Zoombezi Bay Here
The outdoor waterpark has 17 waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a splash zone, and more.
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.
Save on Booking Your Stay at Embassy Suites Here
If you’re traveling with teenagers, a hotel room with plenty of space and complimentary breakfast is a MUST for the best value during your stay.
The separate space from the bedroom is nice if the kids want to stay up later to watch TV.
You can also bring your own snacks and drinks and have access to a mini fridge and microwave in your room.
Embassy Suites has a complimentary hot breakfast with made-to-order omelets.
Each evening there is a reception with complimentary drinks and snacks from 5:30-7:30 PM.
There is also an indoor pool and weight room if they need to burn off some extra energy.
I’m so glad that the article was helpful for you. Have a great visit!
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!!
Looks like great fun. We are a family with older teens and this looks great for the entire family.
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!
That looks like so much fun and not too far away. Perfect weekend family getaway!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Looks like a trip that’d be perfect for our family!
This trip looks like it was a TON of fun!!! Gave me lots of great ideas for my next trip north:)