Do you like history and spooky, real-life stories?
Are you looking for something fun to do in downtown Columbus with friends, as a date or by yourself?
Have I got a fun idea for you.
Last week, I took a walking tour with Columbus Ghost Tours as a perk of being an Experience Columbus Insider. It was one of the most fun Thursday nights I can remember in a long time!
I had the BEST time on the Booze & Boos walking tour with Bucky from Columbus Ghost Tours. It’s not quite Halloween season yet, but I enjoy spooky stuff all year long.
Bucky shared so much cool local history as we visited several amazing old downtown bars and restaurants – plus his delivery of creepy, chilling tales was dramatic and wonderful. I loved every minute!
The tour takes you on a walk through parts of downtown Columbus you may not have experienced, and all along the way, Bucky regales the group with cool or macabre local lore. At the end of the tour, Bucky is happy to walk folks back to the starting point as needed.
Our walking tour started at Ringside Cafe Bar & Grill, billed as the oldest bar in Columbus. This hidden gem is tiny, historic and spooky; it’s not hard to believe it’s haunted. Open since 1897, Ringside features many cool architectural details like stained glass windows, custom woodwork and uniquely carved floor tiles. According to Bucky and several others in our group, they also serve the city’s best burger – I can’t wait to go back sometime and try it!
We next meandered our way up through downtown to Elevator Brewery & Draught House, located in the Columbia building and part of the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Originally opened in 1897 as Botts Brothers Billiards, Elevator is gorgeous and magnificent inside – like being in a living museum. The lighting, stained glass, art collection and epic mahogany bar all combine to make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Old-timey ghost stories feel right at home here!
The evening was getting late, so I skipped the third and final stop on our walking tour as I had to get home to my dogs. I would definitely do another walking tour with Bucky and his team; they have one at the historic Green Lawn Cemetery that looks super cool.
In the meantime, I definitely plan to go back and have a burger at Ringside and a fancy meal at Elevator. And who knows, maybe see or feel some of their old ghosts!
All in all, this was an excellent night: we got our steps in, had fun drinks at fabulous historic locations, and geeked out over our guide’s creepy and spine-tingling true tales of murder and mayhem right here in our city.
Book a creepy walking tour with Bucky and friends today – and if you’re interested in more cool Columbus experiences, join me in becoming an Experience Columbus Insider! #CBusInsider
Please contact me for a code that will save you $5 off your ECI registration!
