🍝 A Wood-Fired Italian Comfort Spot Heads To Short North

Plus: 😍 LEGO Goes Wild At Franklin Park Conservatory This Summer

Author

Chelsea Wiley
May 28, 2025

In partnership with

Sponsored by Dublin Irish Festival 🍀
Get ready to shamrock and roll at the Dublin Irish Festival! From August 1-3, Dublin transforms into the ultimate Celtic celebration with nonstop live music, high-energy Irish dancing, and all the Guinness your heart desires. Snag your tickets now and let the craic begin! 

Hello, Wednesday! Chelsea here.

Is it just me, or does summer officially begin the moment you smell something sizzling over open flame and think, “I could sit on a patio for three hours and call it dinner”? Same.

Lucky for us, award-winning chef BJ Lieberman (you know him from Chapman’s and Ginger Rabbit) is opening Metsi’s, a wood-fired Italian dream of a restaurant , right in the Short North. It’s charming, it’s personal, it’s smoky in all the right ways… and yes, there are Negronis. Lots of Negronis.

😍 LEGO Goes Wild At Franklin Park Conservatory This Summer
Starting May 31, the Conservatory transforms into a wonderland of larger-than-life LEGO sculptures with Nature Connect, an award-winning exhibit by artist Sean Kenney. Expect massive monarchs, brick-built ecosystems, and plenty of hands-on fun for all ages

🛶 These Unique Summer Experiences Will Get You Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Need to shake the dust off your routine? From zip lining and cave yoga to stand-up paddleboarding downtown, here are some fun and fearless ways to bust out of your comfort zone and actually enjoy a little adventure in and around Columbus.

Headlines 📰 

💕 Columbus Academy is rallying behind 8-year-old Kaia Julka with a free bone marrow screening event this Wednesday. Kaia, a lacrosse-loving third grader recently diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, needs a donor match—and the right person could literally save her life. (NBC4)

🏳️‍🌈 Some big corporate names like Anheuser-Busch are pulling back from Pride sponsorships, but Stonewall Columbus is moving forward, loud and proud. (Axios Columbus)

😎 Metro Parks kicked off a summer of free paddleling at Prairie Oaks, offering kayaks, canoes, and good vibes. The best part? No gear (or experience) required. (WOSU)

🌧️ Weather: 71 with a chance of showers and patchy fogt

Sponsored by North Market 🍴
North Market is calling your name! Whether you're exploring the original downtown location for its classic market charm or the Bridge Park spot in Dublin for a modern twist, there's no better place to eat, shop, and discover the best of Columbus. For more info, head over to northmarket.org.

Coming Up 📆

Today's Photo 🤳

🛶 I can’t believe spring is almost over. It has been a truly beautiful one here in Columbus, full of the prettiest blooms and so much rain. But after last year’s drought, I have to say, I haven’t minded the rain in the least. Are you a rainy day person or are you totally ready for the sunshine?

Want your photo to be featured? Use #columbusnavigator or tag us!

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Have a hot tip? Interested in advertising options? Hit that reply button - we love mail. 💌📭

- Chelsea