Discover Gahanna Ohio

The summer may be sizzling down, but the BBQ scene in Gahanna remains flaming hot! BBQ may be a summer staple, but with three restaurants in town that serve the BEST mouthwatering BBQ around, this crowd-pleasing food is great ANY time of year! 

Barrel & Boar Creekside
Located in the heart of the Creekside District, Barrel & Boar has roots deep into BBQ, cooked low and slow. Their menu features an entire section dedicated to Ohio BBQ platters including brisket, pulled pork and chicken, smoked kielbasa and turkey, a BBQ sampler and much more. Barrel & Boar is a casual place to enjoy finely crafted smoked meats and southern cuisine in a warm rustic setting. This establishment also features a collection of flavors designed with local craft beers and finely crafted cocktails in a rustic design using metal, reclaimed barn wood and antique lighting. And … it has one of the best patio views in the city (plus live music Thursdays-Saturdays). 

City Barbeque and Catering Gahanna
It’s all in the name. City BBQ is a slow-smoked, award-winning barbeque place that makes their sides and desserts from scratch. Their dedication to BBQ shows on their award shelf beaming with the title “best BBQ” from several notable publications. City BBQ’s menu is full of smoked meats, special features, samplers, sides, desserts  and a lot more. If you’re feeding a crowd, check out their catering menu that will guide you in selecting the perfect options for your party. (Pssst … don’t skip on dessert. We recommend the Peach Cobbler, Banana Pudding and Triple Chocolate Cake.)

The Hickory House
Second generation family owned since 1979, The Hickory House takes pride in being unique in the BBQ game. Their ribs are made from the finest baby backs, and the 7-spice rib rub and original BBQ sauce are made from scratch. Their steaks are hand-cut from the best available aged, choice cut beef (never frozen), and the filets are only center cuts. The Hickory House has a menu rich with tradition and quality. 

Honorable Mentions:

Gahanna Grill’s Glazed Pork Ribs = Char-grilled rack glazed with Beanie’s Southern-style sauce. Served up with onion rings and coleslaw. #Yum

Cap City Fine Diner Gahanna’s BBQ Chopped Salad includes crisp tortillas, BBQ chicken, pepper jack cheese, tomatoes, corn, red onions and creamy cilantro ranch dressing. (If it’s a Salad, it must be healthy, right!?) 

The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek serves up St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Ribs slow cooked in our smokehouse with house rub, bourbon BBQ sauce, steak fries.

Looking for more foodie inspiration? Check out Gahanna’s other fantastic restaurants and establishments here. For more information on what to see and do in Gahanna, go to VisitGahanna.com. And don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

~Blog written by Brae Chicase, Social Media and Web Content Assistant

Tucked away off of Cherry Bottom Road in Gahanna sits the first and oldest winery in Central Ohio. The combination of atmosphere and charm mixed with a delightful selection of wines makes Wyandotte Winery one of Gahanna’s true hidden gems. The establishment is also full of surprises--ranging from unique wines, fun tours and weekly happenings. 

Wyandotte Winery has been in operation since 1977. Located in a neighborhood setting, Wyandotte features fine wines hand crafted by the Coolidge family for a wide range of tastes. Robin Coolidge is the Winemaker and Valerie is the resident "Chief Whiner" and food/wine pairing expert. (Tip: When visiting the winery, be sure to try some of Valerie’s famous Wine Cakes. They are prepared with wine both baked into the cake and as a part of the cake glaze.)

The team at Wyandotte Winery understands the definition of a GOOD happy hour. Every Wednesday from 5-8 pm, Wyandotte offers a Hump Day Happy Hour with discounted wine by the glass and 50% off small plate items. Other weekly happenings include free winery tours on Saturdays. During the tour, guests learn about the history of Wyandotte and about the process of making wine. The tour lasts about one hour, and afterwards, guests can stay for a hot Fired UP pizza and a wine tasting, or enjoy a bottle of wine. Additionally, Wyandotte Winery offers live local music select Fridays from 7 -9 pm! 

Let’s not forget Wyandotte’s specialty - WINE! Wyandotte has a wide variety of wine and wine cakes that are irresistable. Offering red wines, white wines, sweet wines, dry wines, traditional grape wines and fruit wines, Wyandotte has something for every taste. To put a unique spin on a traditional glass of wine, the winery also serves wine slushies in Pina Colada and Strawberry Sweet William flavors that are perfect for patio weather. Additionally, Wyandotte Winery is also one of the partners in Visit Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail. Their special summer Catawba Cooler blends Catawba wine with green tea extract, fresh strawberries, lemon and garnished with mint. (Available through 9.30.19, when the Fall Cocktail will be unveiled.) 

In addition to serving up delicious wines and concoctions, Wyandotte hosts fun events open to the community. Their 2019 Summer Sizzler BBQ Finale is coming up at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 31. The event will feature live music by Dr. Dan and a hands-on experience at the winery where you get to be the grill chef! The cookout is $35 per person and includes appetizers, your choice of rib eye steak, center cut salmon, or butterfield chicken breast as an entree, summer sides and desserts including fresh berries and Valerie’s famous gourmet wine cakes! Wine is served a la carte by the glass or by the bottle and live, local entertainment during dinner. Gratuity is not included. Seats are limited. Reserve tickets here. 

Want to learn more about Wyandotte Winery? Follow the team on Facebook or Instagram, or check our their website: www.wyandottewinery.com. And don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

~Post by Brae Chicase, Social Media and Web Content Assistant

Finding the motivation to exercise can be half the battle. Isn’t it much easier to get moving when you don’t feel like you’re working out (in the traditional sense)? If you’re looking to get your sweat on without dreading the typical treadmill, here are 4 ideas to get you moving in Gahanna--that will make you forget that you’re actually getting a workout!

Paddle boat on Big Walnut Creek
Get your legs moving and rent a paddle boat in the Creekside District along Big Walnut Creek! You can also bring kayaks or canoes to the creek to enjoy as well as walk along the paths by the creek. Paddle boats begin fall hours on Monday, August 19: 4-8 pm Fridays, 11 am-3 pm Saturdays and 12-4 pm Sundays. 

Yoga

Namaste in Love
You may fall in love with this yoga studio located in the heart of Creekside, Gahanna! Namaste is committed to inner peace, self care and gratitude. Their classes include power flow, express flow, beginner classes, stretch + restore, Ashtanga and more! Their new student special is currently 32 days for just $32! Or take a free Yoga in the Park class on select Sundays this summer! 

Oak Studio
Oak Studio boasts several types of fitness classes. Their classes include sculpt flow, vinyasa flow, slow flow and power yoga. Whether you’re looking for high intensity workouts, low intensity or somewhere in the middle, Oak Studio has you covered. New students can start with two weeks of unlimited classes for just $22!

Parks

Creekside Park
New visitors to Gahanna are consistently surprised to discover this hidden gem so close to the major freeways that surround Columbus. Walkable trails wrap around waterfalls, a babbling creek, fountains and more. Discover wildlife, wade into the creek--or just lose track of time while walking the paths and getting your steps in for the day.  

Academy Park
Academy Park is the largest in Gahanna with 107 acres including multipurpose nature trails connecting to Woodside Green Park, the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course and to the Olde Gahanna area. Take your bike out for a spin or enjoy a walk or run through nature. 

Friendship Park
Located near the Creekside District, Friendship Park is home to tennis and basketball courts (rec sports are a workout!) and walking paths through the wooded area. The park also features a playground for young kids, fishing and a rentable picnic shelter. And don’t miss the Story Trail --- a fun adventure to engage young children. 

Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve
Featuring more than 139 acres of some of the State’s most exceptional wildflowers, Gahanna Woods has several nature trails and open meadows, perfect for bird watching and enjoying nature. 

Werk Dance Fitness
Who knew dancing the night away was such a great workout? Build a strong and healthy mind, body and soul through faith and fitness and jam out to salsa, hip hop, soca, merengue, Afrobeat, dancehall, reggaeton, and Brazilian funk music and more! No membership is required. 

For more information on what to see and do in Gahanna, go to VisitGahanna.com. And don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

Classic car shows are the auto lover’s equivalent of a candy store. It’s a place where car enthusiasts come together to share their mutual interest and admiration for restored vintage vehicles. This Saturday, August 3 from 11 am - 6 pm, the Vettes, Rods and Classic Car Show, sponsored by the Capital City Corvette Club. The event promises to be a car lovers’ paradise, as restored vintage and classic cars of different makes and models gather in one spot to showcase their stuff. 

Located at Creekside Plaza (117 Mill St.), this show will feature food trucks, door prizes, a silent auction and more. Net proceeds benefit Nationwide Children's Hospital. Join in the fun as more than 80 awards are presented. (Bikes are welcome!)

Check out the schedule below:

11 am - 3 pm: Registration
1 - 4 pm: Judging
3 - 5 pm: The Band Alexander performs.
5 pm: Award presentations

For more information on Capital City Corvette Club and this event, check out their website capcitycorvette.com. And for more information on what to see and do in Gahanna, go to visitgahanna.com.  

Looking for ways to beat the heat? You don’t need to go far to cool off and enjoy the heat of the summer in Gahanna, Ohio! Embrace the high temperatures and celebrate your community by visiting some of our favorite local cool-off spots. 

Wade Through the Water or Paddleboat at Creekside
Since water seems like the most natural way to beat the heat, what better way to enjoy it than to be surrounded by the beautiful Creekside District?! Wade through the Big Walnut creek or rent a paddleboat on the creek and enjoy the views. While you’re in the area, stop by one of the many restaurants and bars nearby for some alfresco refreshments on a patio, overlooking the fountains and waterfall!  (Pssst … little ones LOVE playing in the water wall at Creekside!) 

Enjoy Wyandotte Winery’s Wine Slushies
Yes, you read that right. Wine. Slushies. Wyandotte Winery has put a fun twist on their signature wine collection by concocting Winemakers Pina Colada and Strawberry Sweet William Wine slushies. And don’t forget about the live, local music on the patio every Fabulous Friday (in the summer) from 7-9 pm, plus a Hump Day (Wednesday) happy hour from 5-8 pm, where wine is discounted by the glass and small plate items are 50% off.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
July is National Ice Cream Month, and you wouldn’t be doing the month any justice if you don’t enjoy some ice cream! Lucky for you, Whit’s Gahanna changes up their flavors weekly--and through July 28 they’ll be serving Strawberry PB&J and Banana Fudge Crunch ice cream. Whit’s also has vegan custard in pints of Vanilla, Strawberry and Peanut Butter. On the other side of town, SmallCakes’ delicious small batch ice creams embrace fun flavors like Blueberry Streusel or Animal Cracker! Another option: Graeter’s Ice Cream offers July specials include Peach Ice Cream and Watermelon Sorbet. 

Sip on Iced Coffee at Blank Slate Coffee or Upper Cup Coffee Co. 
As the unofficial drink of summer, we’re glad there are several places in town that serve up this delicious dose of caffeine heaven. Blank State Coffee has a variety of iced coffees, including their signature Chocolate Cold Brew. Across the street, Upper Cup has an iced coffee selection of their own with options like Iced Chai, Mocha, Cappuccino, Americano, Caramel Latte and more. 

Try the New Herbal Cocktail Trail 
Visit Gahanna’s popular Herbal Cocktail Trail is BACK with all new seasonal herb-infused libations to inspire more happy hours, date nights and gatherings with friends.  As a new twist, the 2019 Herbal Cocktail Trail allows partners to update their cocktails seasonally, to take advantage of their seasonal gardens. Savor the creative Summer Cocktails now by visiting featured partners: 101 Beer Kitchen, Barrel & Boar, Kindred, Old Bag of Nails, Nostailia Brewing and Wyandotte Winery. Read more about the herbal cocktail trail here. 

For more information on what to see and do in Gahanna, go to VisitGahanna.com. And don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!