There is something to be said about the quiet stillness that comes with getting lost in a good book: the breath that becomes even, the softness of the eyes as they glide across the pages, and the steadiness of the hands as they hold steadfast to the cherished tome with great regard. There is a sense of calm in the pursuit of the dreams that go beyond the words on the page. It pierces through to the mind as it creates a sense of yearning and being. Within the safety of these words, you find understanding and peace, tears and joy, wonder and excitement, and even curiosity and adventure. Through books, you can find your inner child, secret scholar, or even hidden travel aficionado. And through books, you allow yourself to dream. You dream of things not spoken. You dream of moments you wish to never let go. You may even dream of a desire that stays ever just a hair’s breadth out of your reach. Whatever it is that you dream, anything is made possible through the words on the pages before you. For you, dreamer, or you, future dreamer, Columbus is the place where readers old and new can find solace in discovering the perfect reading nook.
Fox in the Snow. Source: Angela Lee, Experience Columbus.
Fox in the Snow
Italian Village, 1031 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
It is no secret that this old converted garage has remained a staple in the lives of many of the inhabitants of Columbus. From the crisscrossing vines ornamenting the exterior of the building, to the floor-to-ceiling windows and garage doors letting in natural light without abandon, to the glass cases highlighting rows upon rows of pastries and delicacies, and to the abundance of foliage that line the perimeter of the cafe, Fox in the Snow is a refuge for all. As you take your seat on the wooden bench underneath the window, your senses awaken to the fragrance of the freshly ground coffee beans and you feel instantaneously imbued with life and energy. You take a bite of the warm souffléd egg sandwich and hear the crispy crunch echo all around you. You sip on your New Orleans iced coffee and feel the caffeine begin to take its effect. You open your book. And the rest is history.
The Junto & Maudine's. Source: Angela Lee, Experience Columbus.
The Junto | Maudine’s
77 Belle St, Columbus, OH 43215
Enter into the elegance of the Junto and become instantly transfixed by the invitingly intimate atmosphere that envelops you like a warm hug. It is as if the lobby itself is a sentient being that beckons for your presence to come, take a seat, and make yourself at home. As you sink into one of the many plentiful leather chairs, the cacophony of conversations around you immediately fades away to become a subtle white noise. The perfumed scent in the air holds you fast with a galvanizing grip that bids you to stay and settle in with a novel in hand. Be it you find yourself seated at a bistro table by the window, perched on the stool by the bar, settled like a scholar by the library desk, or lounging in comfort on the couch, you take notice that every corner of the Junto lobby has been expertly designed especially for you, reader.
If you desire a break from your reading, a visit to Maudine’s comes highly recommended. Lovingly named after a former beloved bovine homecoming queen of The Ohio State University, Maudine’s is the perfect image of your favorite friendly neighborhood coffee shop. With floors adorned with black and white tiles extending to the surface of the coffee bar counter in such a way to emulate the spots of a cow, to the delicately pink tufted booth seats alit by the soft glow of the wall sconces, this cafe is a beacon to any and all who hold an affinity for both quirkiness and caffeine. Claim for yourself a breakfast sandwich paired with a freshly brewed hot honey latte and bask in the moment.
Bada Bean Bada Booze at Quarry Trails Metro Park. Source: Angela Lee, Experience Columbus
Bada Bean Bada Booze | Quarry Trails Metro Park
2157 Quarry Trails Dr Suite A, Columbus, OH 43228
New to the neighborhood of Hilliard is newcomer Bada Bean Bada Booze. Settled inside Quarry Trails Metro Park, this cafe is the perfect reprieve for those looking for a post-hike rejuvenation with caffeine or libations. With both a fully functioning coffee bar and cocktail bar, the QT location of Bada Bean is a spot for adventure seekers and lounge enjoyers alike. Past the glass doors and out on the patio, you feel instantly transported out of Columbus, Ohio. As if you stepped through a portal and entered into a new domain, you sit in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the metro park and gaze out in wonder. You come to the realization that you could spend hours in this exact spot with ne'er a worry in the world. And all is well.
For a change of scenery, you make your way to the trails of the Metro Park. As you near the center of the park, your senses start to shift. You become attuned with your surroundings: you hear the echoing chirps of the birds as they glide through the treetops, you smell the freshly bloomed flowers and newly sprouted leaves dotting the trees, and you feel the wind brush against your cheek as it breezes by. There is a feeling of enchantment that toes the line of ethereal. You find that you are no longer in the suburbs of Hilliard, Ohio. You are transported somewhere else entirely. Be it a far distant land across the sea, or an alternate universe comprised solely of the contents of your imagination, or even somewhere that has yet to exist on this plane, for you are soaring high above the clouds, free of your earthly burdens. You hike to the bench that you and yours have silently marked as your claim and take a seat to view the water as it glistens under the sun. As you bask under the warmth, you pull out your book and read away.
Topiary Park at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Source: Angela Lee, Experience Columbus.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Campus | Topiary Park
96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
A reader’s visit to Columbus is not complete until a stop is made at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Campus. If the walls could speak, oh, the stories they would tell of the history, its people, and the rooms and rooms of books. It is no wonder that the main campus library has maintained its splendor. The beauty within the foundation itself is enough to inspire awe and a desire to enter and explore. Beyond the vaulted ceilings and beyond the glass panes is a reader’s paradise: floor-to-ceiling windows alighting the room aglow with natural warm light, rows upon rows of books that encourage endless perusal, and countless activities that influence a thirst for knowledge for curious minds both young and old. No matter where you turn, this library is a beacon and it is calling your name, dear reader.
If you long for some nature, visit the Topiary Park located beyond the doors of the library. Centered in this seven-acre park is a structural scenic depiction of the famous painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, by Georges Seurat. Idyllic in its beauty, the topiary scene encourages an atmosphere of community, laughter, and reverie. Pick any bench facing the topiary and simply admire the artistic craft in front of you. With the sights and sounds of nature all around you, you instantly feel inspired to finish your novel. So you read.
Source: Thompson Library, The Ohio State University
Thompson Library at The Ohio State University
1858 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
For those whose blood runs true as Buckeyes, they know one of the best spots in town for a picture-perfect day of reading lies hidden within Thompson Library. With the multitude of secret nooks, study spaces, and reading rooms, this library is a reader’s paradise. Whether you choose your seat deep within the confines of the stacks, next to the windows on the red sofas in the Buckeye Reading Room, high up with a view facing the Oval in the Campus Reading Room, or out in the stately Grand Reading Room, you will find that Thompson Library is place you find yourself visiting again and again.
Parable Cafe & Bar
Within the walls of Parable is a story in and of itself. As you enter the cafe proper, there is more than meets the eye. You notice the glass cases proudly displaying an array of freshly baked pastries, but as you glance to the left, you are instantly drawn to the open room flooded with natural light, casting a beautiful harmony of highlights and shadows onto the vibrant greenery adorning the walls, ceilings, and floor. Your eyes open wide in wonder as you take in the beauty that is this cafe. You take a seat at the bar and sip on your sesame miso caramel latte and bite into one of the many skillfully crafted pastries. You open to the earmarked page of your book and for just a moment, you feel completely at peace.
Source: Seventh Son Facebook
Seventh Son Brewing Co.
1101 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
To some, Seventh Son is a local neighborhood brewery that is frequented for post-work pours. But for others, this brewery is a place where one can find comfort in solitude amidst the hustle and bustle of the working day. Grab a drink at the bar and head to the back to find the dimly lit tasting room filled with rows of well-worn wooden tables. The din of the conversations outside fade into a distant hum. There is a sense of eagerness to fast forward to the next chapter in the novel. Comfort is found here.
Jackie O’s on Fourth
171 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
Newcomer Jackie O’s is a place where readers, writers, painters, and any and all come together and exist in perfect synchrony. It is a brewery where you come to find inspiration for the next big read or encouragement for the next big write. Whether you claim a spot in the alcove under the stairs, on the wooden benches out on the patio, in the Adirondack chairs by the fire pit, or upstairs on the leather couches, you find yourself being able to read the day away. As you finish your cold glass of beer, you grab another and read some more.
Source: Coast Wine House
Coast Wine House
75 S High St, Dublin, OH 43017
For those who seek a quaint and coastal atmosphere for reading, Coast Wine House makes for the perfect curated experience. This contemporary wine and bottle shop instantly transports you away from the sights and sounds of Ohio and into the picturesque scenes of the West Coast. The rustic cottage ambience bids you to become a character straight out of a storybook in search of tranquility and stillness. Grab a seat out on the porch, inside on the leather couch, at the table by the fireplace, or on the stools by the bar and order yourself a nice wine by the glass. As you sip, you cannot help but admire the decor and smile. You take another sip and begin reading.
Figlio
1369 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
To the untrained eye, Figlio may appear as a small Italian eatery. But for those who know, it is the idyllic spot for some light reading by candlelight. Known for their wood-fired pizzas, Figlio is the perfect place to visit for a night of reading and ambience. Grab a spot in the corner of the counter and order the pear and brie pizza along with a wine pairing. That first bite into the freshly fired pie leads quickly into another, and another, and another. And before long, your meal disappears in a flash and you are left to sip on your wine in complete contentment. Your book lies beside you, beckoning for your attention. And you willingly oblige.
Source: Two Dollar Radio Headquarters
Two Dollar Radio Headquarters
1124 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
Part bookstore, part cafe, and part indie press, Two Dollar Radio Headquarters is the place where literary lovers, artistic spirits, and food connoisseurs all come together in perfect harmony. This bold, quirky, and utterly unique family-run shop is the essential oasis where readers converge and converse. It is at Two Dollar Radio where you come to seek out writing that is innovative, fresh, and wholly independent. Grab an item from their food menu and as you wait, make your way around the store and explore the wares to your heart’s content. You may find yourself reaching for a new tome you have yet to open and decide it must be added to your own personal collection. As you debate between reading your new find or the novel you brought with you, you cannot help but lean toward your indie book and open the fresh pages. You push aside your old novel and begin reading.
