German Village Walking 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
George F. Schmidt Blumengarten
Schmidt's Sausage Haus
Schiller Park: Umbrella Girl
E Deshler Ave
Schiller Pond
Schiller Park: Schiller Statue
Customer Reviews
Great customer service
The tour itself was great! It talked a lot about the history along the way and gave cool facts. I loved that it automatically played as you went along and I enjoyed all the stops it took us on. I did have an issue with a family sharing feature when signing up but the customer service team helped me a lot and responded quickly. Would definitely recommend this app if you are looks for a self-guided tour for your Road to Hana trip!
Lavagirl183 | 9 hours ago | iOSBest $25 spent
This is my 3rd time surviving the road to Hana and it was the best yet! I loved that this guide not only told you the best places to stop but also gave history, stories and fun facts along the way. Uncle Shaka was the best tour guide!
St3phNicole | 9 hours ago | iOSWorks great
Perfect for the trip
kitedave | 9 hours ago | iOSIf you’re not downloading the app and buying the tour of the Road to Hana, you are wasting your time
This was, by far, the best audio tour I have ever utilized. Literally everyone in my family, from age 6 to age 70, could not get over how entertaining and informative it was. Taking the Road to Hana was a life-changing experience, and to be quite honest, the audio tour by Shaka Guide truly was the spice that made it stand out. It is so very much worth the money. They should be charging more! You will learn, you will laugh, you will be a different person by the end of it.
matthewsbunch | 9 hours ago | iOSBest decision we made
100/10 cannot recommend the Road to Hāna guide enough! My husband was skeptical at first thinking we could “do it without” but 10 minutes in when we lost service and started listening to the audio, admitted he was glad I bought it. By the end, we both were so happy with the decision to follow the guide and fully immerse ourselves in the experience and learn about the culture. Could not recommend more
ollie3624 | 9 hours ago | iOSvery informative tour
Richard Charmbury (Arczi) | 15 hours ago | AndroidThis app made our vacation the best it could be. My kids and I had a blast exploring. We found so many cool spots we wouldn't have found otherwise. We really dug the music and story telling. I only wish it would connect to Waze instead of just Google Maps and it gave you an address to the starting point or directions. But that wasn't a big deal once we figured it out. it was great, we'll use it every time we vacation if it's available where we're visiting!
Brittany Dekle | 2 days ago | AndroidBest guide ever
Hubby and I decided last minute to do North Shore loop and their audio guide was so helpful, both for driving (our rental didn’t have GPS), history, and finding spots we wouldn’t have known about on our own.
Thexplorer_dora | 2 days ago | iOSGreat basin np
Great way to experience the park. Will do this again!
ChReview10 | 2 days ago | iOSMesa Verde
We overlooked having to have a reservation to tour the cliff dwellings. This tour was great. We got to see all the dwellings and learn about their lives. While we didn’t get to walk through the cliff dwellings this was more than sufficient.
Nacho mom 81 | 2 days ago | iOSWhy 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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