📚 A Cozy New Bookstore With Nancy Meyers Energy

Plus: 💦 Zoombezi Bay Announces $5 Days!

Author

Chelsea Wiley
May 13, 2026

Sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council 🖼️
The Columbus Arts Festival returns to the Scioto Mile June 12–14 for one of the city’s most beloved summer traditions. Explore work from 250 artists, catch live performances across four stages, and snack your way through dozens of local food vendors along the downtown riverfront. Best of all, it’s completely free to attend, making it an easy yes for a full day (or weekend) of art, music, and sunshine in the heart of Columbus. For more info, head over to columbusartsfestival.org.

Hello, Wednesday! Chelsea, here.

A new independent bookstore opening this summer is bringing exposed brick, wood floors, community events, and shelves full of books to North High Street. The shop has already started building buzz through pop-ups at the Worthington Makers Market, but the brick and mortar spot will open this summer. I’m a huge sucker for a cozy bookshop and I cannot wait to check this spot out. For my fellow readers out there who still believe there’s nothing better than wandering through a neighborhood bookstore on a quiet afternoon, this one already feels promising.

💦 Zoombezi Bay Announces $5 Days, Adventure Nights, And Summer 2026 Opening
Summer fun returns to Zoombezi Bay this weekend with award-winning slides, after-hours events, and special savings throughout the early season. I don’t know about you, but I’m very much looking forward to floating aimlessly around that lazy river this summer!

🧚 A Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Adventure Is Headed To Columbus
Franklin Park Conservatory is teaming up with DreamWorks for a magical Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia experience. Families can meet Gabby, make mini-terrariums, design flower crowns, and explore hands-on activities all weekend long.

Headlines 📰 

⚽️ The fight over McCoy Park isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Community advocates say the replacement park options tied to Columbus’ new NWSL training facility are falling short, and frustration over the process is continuing to grow. (NBC4)

👨‍⚖️ Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is asking a federal court to dismiss 77 claims against Ohio State University connected to abuse by former doctor Richard Strauss. Survivors say the move feels like another painful setback as more former athletes continue joining the lawsuit. (WOSU)

🤩 There’s a new way to completely lose track of time at COSI. The museum’s new Verse COSI experience uses augmented reality glasses to drop visitors into interactive fantasy worlds filled with glowing creatures, puzzles, and immersive storytelling. (Columbus Monthly)

🌥️ Weather: 70 and partly sunny, with a chance of showers

Sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council 🖼️
Explore Columbus through a new lens by checking out the arts-focused event calendar from Art Makes Columbus. Discover the events that bring our community together and experience art made authentically. For more info, head over to columbusmakesart.com.

Coming Up This Week 📆

Coming Up This Month 📆

🎸 The Best Things To Do in Columbus This Month
May in Columbus is absolutely packed, with everything from huge concerts and festivals to food events and neighborhood favorites popping up all over the city. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get out and do something fun, this is your month.

Today's Photo 🤳

Instagram Post

😍 One of my favorite spring activities is visiting all of the adorable baby animals at Slate Run Living Historical Farm. They’re so precious!

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- Chelsea