German Village Tour
About The Tour
This walking tour invites you to explore the history, culture, and red brick beauty of German Village, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. Step into local history told through fascinating stories, architectural details, and insider perspectives you won’t notice on your own. Ideal for visitors and locals alike, ...
Show MoreHere are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Get lost in 32 rooms of books at The Book Loft, one of America's most unique bookstores.
• Uncover the story behind the neighborhood's preservation at the German Village Society.
• Take a quiet stroll through Frank Fetch Park, tucked between rows of historic brick homes.
• Savor authentic sausages and legendary cream puffs at Schmidt's Sausage Haus since 1886.
• Admire the iconic Schiller Statue, a centerpiece of the neighborhood in Schiller Park.
Sample Tour Audio
Visitors Center
When the Village Went Quiet
Frank Fetch Park
Tour Stops
The Littles Household
Saint Mary Catholic Church
The Book Loft
German Village Society Visitors Center
Schwartz Castle
Frank Fetch Park
Franklin Art Glass Studios
Schmidt's Sausage Haus
Schiller Park: Umbrella Girl
Schiller Park: Schiller Statue
E Deshler Ave
Schiller Pond
George F. Schmidt Blumengarten
Customer Reviews
Fantastic!
Love the Shaka audio tours. Great detail and lets you drive the bus.
Good Bat-Bad Bat | 6 hours ago | iOSGood and interesting information. Excellent instructions. Things that I would have missed otherwise.
Deanna McCoy | 12 hours ago | AndroidCustomer support was quick and very helpful. there's certainly a learning curve here. I clicked on the number i wanted to go to next and hit play but apparently that's not how you get it to go and start you on your way. My husband figured it out so i still don't know. I liked that there were 3 starting points depending on where you stayed on the island. I appreciated the warnings regarding narrow roads, they were no joke.
Lynn Beilfuss | 19 hours ago | AndroidGreat tool
Would have been 5 stars except that while using it for the sunrise tour, it gives you places to see and stop at. However, it’s pitch black and everything is closed at 3AM. Maybe add something for after the sunrise. Places for breakfast, and seeing the sights in the way down. Road to Hana was great, but lava robe was closed and has been for sometime. Perhaps an update?
On the road again27 | 1 day ago | iOSGood audio guide
We did the badlands. The guide and script are very good. The issue is with the app. Every time I would pause it while we walked a trail or just took pictures, the guide got lost and I would have to start it over again. It would pick up fine but I’m not sure whet I had to start the guide over each time. Also the app not having a CarPlay app is annoying. They are working on it.
CrabbyPants77 | 1 day ago | iOSWe have used Shaka Guide for multiple drives on the different Hawaiian islands and really enjoy their tours. They are easy to use and it's fun to hear fun facts we otherwise would never know driving through. would highly recommend for other travelers!
Caitlin Adamcik | 1 day ago | AndroidThis app made the Road to Hana so much fun! We didnt do all of the stops that the tour suggested, but it was flexible enough with that for sure. Well worth the cost!
Taylor Winkel | 1 day ago | AndroidWimea canyon private guide
This app was great!! First time trying a tour via app. We had a excellent organized tour. Great history and tidbits about the area we were visiting. It was fun too. Loved the control. I’m still learning all the capabilities. Can’t wait for my next tour with this App
Sra de Chico | 2 days ago | iOSGreat Travel Tool
What a wonderful way to see the island! We would have missed not only the history, but many of the places to stop, on our driving tour of the Big Island, without the Shaka Guide audio tour.
Silicon Valley Realtor | 2 days ago | iOSThe tour app was able to stay synced with our location even when we stopped for any amount of time.
Ed Wallace | 2 days ago | AndroidWhy is German Village so well preserved?
German Village in Columbus, Ohio is so well preserved because of a landmark community-led preservation effort that began in the 1960s. When the city of Columbus proposed demolishing much of the neighborhood for urban renewal projects, local re...
Show MoreWhy is German Village so well preserved?
German Village in Columbus, Ohio is so well preserved because of a landmark community-led preservation effort that began in the 1960s.
When the city of Columbus proposed demolishing much of the neighborhood for urban renewal projects, local residents organized to save it. In 1960, German Village became the first privately funded historic district in the United States to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The German Village Society, founded in 1960, has since worked to maintain architectural standards and protect the neighborhood’s distinctive 19th-century brick homes, cobblestone streets, and ornate ironwork. Today, all exterior renovations within the district must follow strict preservation guidelines, which has kept the neighborhood’s historic character intact for over 160 years.
Is German Village really German?
Yes — German Village has deep and authentic German roots. The neighborhood was settled in the 1840s and 1850s by German immigrants who came to Columbus, Ohio, seeking work and opportunity. By the late 1800s, it was home to over 35,000 German-speak...
Show MoreIs German Village really German?
Yes — German Village has deep and authentic German roots. The neighborhood was settled in the 1840s and 1850s by German immigrants who came to Columbus, Ohio, seeking work and opportunity. By the late 1800s, it was home to over 35,000 German-speaking residents, making it one of the largest German communities in the United States at the time.
The immigrants built their homes, churches, breweries, and social clubs in the styles of their homeland, which is why the neighborhood still features distinctly German brick architecture today. Institutions like Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, which has been serving traditional German food since 1886, and the annual Oktoberfest celebration continue to honor that heritage.
While the neighborhood is no longer predominantly German-speaking, its cultural identity and architectural legacy remain very much alive.
Where should I eat in German Village?
German Village is one of Columbus’s best dining neighborhoods, with options ranging from traditional German fare to modern American cuisine. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus on Thurman Avenue is the most iconic spot — a Columbus institution since 1886 servi...
Show MoreWhere should I eat in German Village?
German Village is one of Columbus’s best dining neighborhoods, with options ranging from traditional German fare to modern American cuisine. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus on Thurman Avenue is the most iconic spot — a Columbus institution since 1886 serving bratwurst, sauerkraut, and their legendary jumbo cream puffs.
The Thurman Cafe on Thurman Avenue is famous for its massive burgers and has been a neighborhood staple for decades. For coffee and a casual bite, Katzinger’s Delicatessen on 5th Street is a local favorite known for its overstuffed sandwiches. Most restaurants are clustered along S 3rd Street and Thurman Avenue, making it easy to grab a meal before or after your tour.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:
- GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk.
- Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:
- GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
- The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.
- The app works offline so even with spotty service we'll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let's explore together.
Tour FAQs
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Can I join this German Village Tour along the route?
Other Questions? Contact us!
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