A short drive north of Columbus sits Powell, a Delaware County suburb of around 18,000 that punches well above its size for a day out. It grew from a 19th-century settlement of Connecticut transplants into one of the capital's most appealing satellite towns, and its walkable historic core is now packed with roughly 35 shops and restaurants concentrated close enough together that you can ditch the car.
The anchor for most visitors is the Powell Liberty Antique Mall, a large multi-dealer operation with an inventory that turns over constantly — return trips rarely turn up the same stock twice. Its house speciality is mechanical music machines, including pre-jukebox nickelodeons, which the mall has collected and sold for nearly 60 years. Even if you're not buying, it's an entertaining browse.
Food is a genuine surprise for a small suburb. Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill, one of the area's top-rated restaurants on Google, draws crowds for shawarma and falafel, while Ill Mannered Brewing Company pours well-regarded craft beer under menus loaded with terrible (in a good way) dad jokes. Bonus for the thirsty: Powell participates in Ohio's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area programme, meaning you can legally carry an open drink within the downtown zone — even bringing your own into businesses that don't sell alcohol.
The bigger draw for families is two miles west of downtown: the world-renowned Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, home to everything from warthogs to capybaras. Honestly, the zoo plus a downtown stroll makes a fuller day than Powell alone could, which is why this works best as an add-on to a Columbus trip rather than a destination in its own right.
Practically speaking, Powell sits about 17 miles north of downtown Columbus — a drive that can snag with traffic at peak times. There's no bad season, but winters hover around freezing, so spring through autumn is the comfortable window. If you still have energy afterwards, nearby Worthington makes a good second stop, with shaded walking trails and independent shops in an easily walkable centre.
Why it matters: Columbus travellers looking beyond the city's German heritage and brewery scene get an easy, low-effort excursion here. Powell suits browsers and treasure hunters, food-focused day-trippers wanting something beyond chain restaurants, and families already heading to the zoo who want a pleasant dinner stop on the way home. Combine it with Worthington and you've got a satisfying suburban loop from any Columbus base.
