Have you been dreaming of jetting off to Ireland but can’t justify the long flight over?
Well you’re in luck, as there is a city right here in the states that will allow Americans to get a taste of Ireland with no need for a passport, and the location may surprise you.
If you are looking for an unexpectedly amazing time, look no further than Dublin, Ohio ☘️.
I know what you’re thinking… “Dublin, Ohio? Really?”
Yes, really!
When the opportunity to visit Dublin came up, we were just as skeptical. Now that we’ve visited, we are already planning to check it out again.
Here’s why:
Trendy Hotels
Before we delve into the Irish flair Dublin has going for it, we’ve got to brag a bit about how awesome some of the hotels here are.
We stayed in the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin and couldn’t have asked for a better spot to enjoy all Dublin has to offer, as well as indulge in the mouthwatering food and drinks offered at the rooftop bar and restaurant VASO.
Our room was spacious and clean, and the included sound machine was a really nice touch. I slept harder than I do in my own bed and instantly took to Amazon to order myself one in the morning 😅.
If you drive in, parking is easy because all of the parking garages around the hotel are free. But don’t worry if you don’t have a car; the hotel is in the perfect spot to see the best things in Dublin with no need to grab your keys – you can walk everywhere you need. And if not, Ubers are plentiful and cheap.
We could write a whole article about how awesome the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin is, and will definitely be going back!
A Gorgeous Historic District
I’m a sucker for history and always find myself wishing I could jet over to Europe to wander cobblestone streets and duck into centuries-old cafes. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that we could walk right from our hotel to the historic district of Dublin in about 5 minutes.
Wandering the main road, you’ll see buildings from the 1800s that would look right at home in an Old Town in Europe. Even things as simple as a new restaurant become interesting when you find out the building it occupies used to be the main Carriage House in the 1800s.
Everywhere you look you will find something interesting, and you could spend a whole day just dipping in and out of all the cute little shops along the main road.
For a fun night out, try a glass (or bottle) of wine at Coast Wine House before heading to Mezzo for dinner. Try the Frosé if at Coast for a great way to unwind and cool off. While at Mezzo, definitely do yourself a favor and order the Truffle Garlic Bread to start — you can thank us later 😉.
The Irish Festival
Interestingly, Dublin hasn’t always been known for being a destination where you could get a taste of Irish culture. However, in 1988, the city decided it was time to live up to its name and hosted the very first Irish Festival of Dublin, Ohio.
Since then the festival has grown into a massive event that people from all over come to get a taste of Irish culture. The city itself has followed suit, with Irish Pubs, Irish-themed tours, and even an Irish Fairy Door Trail to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in the area.
If you decide to come in for the festival, the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin is the perfect place to stay, as a quick Uber ride will get you right to the entrance of the festival. Trust us, it’s worth making the trip and heading to the festival for the day (and night!).
Authentic Irish food, traditional competitions like dancing and stone-throwing, and of course pints of Guinness will be waiting for you – guaranteeing a good time. It’s definitely worth hanging around after the sun goes down as well, as bands will be out in full force, pumping out Irish tunes that are sure to get you up and dancing.
If you aren’t in Dublin during the Irish Festival, don’t worry; there’s still plenty to do to get a taste of Ireland. Check out pubs like FADO or Dublin Village Tavern, or for a great night out, try the Celtic Cocktail Trail!
Bridge Park
Remember when we said the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin was the perfect spot for exploring all that Dublin has to offer? We weren’t lying – the AC is located right in an area called Bridge Park, a newer construction that offers everything you could want both as a resident and as a visitor.
Restaurants, shops, a weekly farmers’ market, and entertainment are all right outside your door in Bridge Park, and you could spend a month here and not explore everything there is to see and do.
If you want to go out to the bar until the wee hours, you can do that. If you want to try some authentic Vietnamese food, you can do that at North Market.
If you want to leave this world behind for a virtual one, you can do that too at Sandbox VR!
You could spend your entire trip at the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin and Bridge Park and never feel like you need to go anywhere else.
Don’t miss this: In September, there is a weekly market every Saturday full of amazing food and shopping!
Easy Access and Cheap
It’s all well and good for a destination to have plenty to keep you entertained, but if getting there is a huge pain that can put a damper on your trip.
Luckily, Dublin is very easily accessed via Columbus International Airport. With over 40 domestic connections, getting to Dublin is as simple as a flight or two and an Uber.
Additionally, as a major city, flights to Columbus are often very affordable.
What Are You Waiting For?
If you aren’t convinced yet, believe us when we say Dublin, Ohio is definitely an underrated destination worth checking out.
You won’t be disappointed with a stay here, and there’s no chance of getting bored.
We can’t wait to go back and explore some more, and will definitely be back to the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin for another incredible stay!
**Travel Off Path was a guest of AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**
