My family lives in a little neighborhood that’s close to Grandview, campus, and Upper Arlington. It’s also a very short drive to Harrison West/Victorian Village. A great location close to many fun and family-friendly places! Below are a few of our local favorites:
1. The Angry Baker on King Avenue
A sweet little coffee shop where you can take kids as well. There are delicious baked goods for all to enjoy while sipping their awesome coffee. My son loves the muffins and coffee cake! They have a full menu for breakfast and lunch as well.
Address: 247 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: The Angry Baker
2. Pierce Field Playground:
An excellent playground for toddlers in the heart of Grandview. There are multiple play structures and swings for all ages of kids. The parking is plentiful and there is lots of shade. Definitely our favorite local playground!
Address: 1175 Hilo Ln, Grandview Heights, OH 43212
Website: Pierce Field Playground
3. Funk-ee Town Playground:
A small playground that’s a bit of a hidden gem. I discovered it by accident one day while driving through Harrison West. It’s near the river off of Harrison Park. It’s also great for toddlers with lots of room to run around (mostly fenced in!) and fun structures for playing pretend. There are also swings and a large play structure for the bigger kids. One thing to note: not shady at all and can get pretty hot in the summer.
Address: 1018 Harrison Park Place, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Funk-ee Town Playground
4. Matt the Miller’s:
Our favorite local restaurant. Reasonably priced, and a fun “bar atmosphere” that’s also kid-friendly. Their kid’s menu has lots of choices. We go early in the evening to ensure there is close parking and in case of toddler meltdowns in a crowded restaurant!
Address: 1400 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212
Website: Matt the Miller’s
5. Grandview Heights Public Library:
Besides having excellent story times and lots of fun events, this library has an awesome play space for kids. There are blocks, puzzles, a huge dollhouse, and a large felt board (my son’s favorite.) There are also iPads for the older kids.
Bonus: the story time area is a bit secluded with a door, which is great if you have a wandering baby/toddler like mine!
Address: 1685 W 1st Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
Website: Grandview Heights Public Library
If you’d like to check out a few other places in the area, read more about Playdates in Grandview or a Visitor’s Guide to the West Side of Columbus.