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
George F. Schmidt Blumengarten
Schmidt's Sausage Haus
Schiller Park: Umbrella Girl
E Deshler Ave
Schiller Pond
Schiller Park: Schiller Statue
Customer Reviews
I survive the road to Hana
The best part about the Shaka Guide app is that it tells you exactly which stops to make and which ones to skip so you can get back to your starting point before sunset. Great history and stories on the way down the mountain is like listening to a podcast. And local music is amazing. I cannot survive the road to Hana without Shaka Guide apps. kudos to Shaka Guide team
gotbeer_2 | 10 hours ago | iOSGreat Ap!
Very useful and informative AP. This made the road to Hāna a great experience
Texasbdog | 10 hours ago | iOSThis completely changed our experience for the better. Third time I've done this trip, and discovered so much more!
Lauren Barrett | 13 hours ago | Androidworks great only missing android auto function
Lee Meertens | 1 day ago | AndroidAmazing!
Vital Ranch | 2 days ago | Android100% worth it's weight it gold. This app was so useful and so much information!
Nelson Dorantes | 2 days ago | AndroidFabulous audio travel guides! Now covers the Four Corners/Great Circle. Just did a 2 1/2 week tour of many parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase/Escalante, Capital Reef, Goblin Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley (and the roads to/from), and Grand Canyon (South). Shaka Guide had audio tours for all of them and more! They all worked excellently on my Android phone and Honda sound system (also on park shuttles!). Gave us countless helpful tips/sights we would have missed.
Timothy Fitzhugh | 2 days ago | Androidperfect! love the Yellowstone tours
Paul McGeorge | 2 days ago | AndroidReally works well. Makes the drive so much more enjoyable and informative. Worth the $ without a doubt. Let's you know exactly where to stop and places to skip. Great app.
Rob Johnson | 3 days ago | Androidwe got this during vacation at Maui. it is a great app and team has done excellent work in doing research. it is great if you want to do a self tour.
Vishal Bhagatkar | 3 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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Other Questions? Contact us!
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