A recent report by the Global Wellness Institute found wellness tourism is worth $651 billion annually. Thanks to a shift in travel habits, the industry is expected to grow 16.6% by 2027. 

The combination of burnout from overwork and hustle culture with the desire for more authentic experiences has travelers seeking different experiences than they used to, per the report. Instead of packing itineraries with back-to-back intense outdoor adventures, people book yoga retreats or have unique wellness experiences, like equine therapy. 

Recently, Experience Columbus invited me to visit Ohio’s capital to see why the city is the perfect place for an urban wellness retreat. 

A Wellness Weekend in Columbus, Ohio 

What people talk about when they talk about Ohio is, in my experience, never Columbus. 

Growing up in Buffalo, NY, Cleveland and Cedar Point were where my map of Ohio started and stopped. Even after leaving my hometown, people talk about Cincinnati or even Dayton; it’s rare, if ever, that I hear about Columbus. 

One person who talks loudly about Columbus is poet and writer Saeed Jones. A question he often gets is, “Why Columbus.” Why did he, and how could he, leave New York City for Ohio? On his Substack, he writes that of his many reasons, including the’ heavy-hitting literary scene and affordability, Columbus became home for Jones because of the way of life.  

I heard a lot of mention of the “Columbus Way” — this idea of community, of building each other up I’d only ever experienced in Lubbock, Texas. You’re not competition; you’re not taking up space meant for someone else. When you’re in Columbus, you’re family — you’ve belonged even before you realize this was where you’re meant to be. 

There’s also something closer to an East Coast pace here, whose speed Texas does not match. The energy and pace, though, are only two reasons why Columbus, Ohio, is the perfect place for a solo wellness weekend. 

Recharge at The Junto 

I arrived in Columbus mid-April after a major heat wave pushed the city into June-bloom mode. The sun was out, and some lilac bushes were even flowering. But the weekend had a chill, especially when the wind kicked up. Thankfully, the fireplace in what The Junto (77 Belle St.) refers to as their Living Room was going all weekend, bringing much-needed warmth to guests. 

Outside, wood fires crackled on the rooftop bar and the main floor’s lounge areas, reminding us that even with the city skyline as our backdrop, we weren’t that far from the wild wilderness of the West. 

The space isn’t just for hotel guests, and unlike other cities I’ve visited, locals and travelers alike take advantage of The Junto’s amenities. Not only are there two great restaurants (Brass Eye and Little West Tavern) on the premises, plus a late-night window that only serves poutine, but Maudine’s provides both excellent coffee and ample work space for anyone passing through. 

Don’t feel like leaving your room? You can order a hamburger and have it delivered to your door. 

When it comes to recharging and sleeping, The Junto offers quiet rooms with beautiful views of the Columbus skyline, starting at $224. I was in a corner room with a long window seat, where I spent my mornings watching the sunrise. 

If you run out of things to read, the books on the shelves down by Maudine’s and the hotel check-in desk are available to borrow or buy. The Junto also has a Gear Garage, where guests can borrow everything from bicycles to kayaks to record players. 

Float Away From Stress at Ebb & Float

Besides their hospitality, Columbus offers a wide variety of healing experiences. There are your standard spas, where you can book a massage or get a pedicure, but the city also has hidden wellness gems visitors and locals alike can take full advantage of. 

On the Saturday of my visit, I headed to Ebb & Float. Located downtown at 231 N. 5th St, this wellness club offers a variety of experiences, including massages, massage chairs, infrared sauna sessions, polar plunges, and float therapy. You can book individual sessions or, if you’re local, pick up a monthly membership for discounts and exclusive offerings. 

Experience Columbus organized the float and massage chair session as part of my visit. Which is to say, I wouldn’t have chosen a float session on my own. I don’t usually like sitting in silence because of how loud my thoughts can be. Yet, I had moments during my session at Ebb & Float that I still remember, especially when my thoughts are getting too loud. 

I think about the dark room, feeling weightless, and that sense of calm that comes with accepting what you can and cannot control.

When you float, you’re in body-temperature, thoroughly-filtered-between-sessions water with 1,000 lbs of Epsom salt. So, regardless of whether or not you float in the bath or when you swim in a pool, you will float during your session. Since the water is body temperature, there were moments when I felt like I wasn’t even in water. 

Your whole job is to just exist in the space for the hour. The woman who gave me the rundown during my session said it helps to go in with no expectations and, if you have trouble settling, gentle stretching can help. 

Following up with a 15-minute massage chair session was the cherry on top of this wellness session. These aren’t your nail salon’s massage chairs, either; they work your whole body, top to toe. Whether you’re touch-averse or just don’t have time for a traditional massage session, you can just book massage chair sessions at Ebb & Float. If I lived in Columbus, I’d be doing a combined float and massage chair session once a week. 

Where to Eat in Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, does a lot of things well, including food. Between eclectic breakfast and lunch spots and amazing homemade pasta dishes, there’s no shortage of potential for food adventures — which, in eating disorder recovery, is something I need. Eating for the sake of eating can be triggering, especially if my stress is already high, like when I’m somewhere new. 

Everywhere I ate in Columbus, there was something unique about both the location and the menu that put my usual ever-present calorie-counting inner monologue on pause. From cafes whose menu is made from all locally sourced ingredients to dishes of light, handmade pasta, Columbus’ food scene is as healing and inspiring as it is nourishing. 

Where to Get Good Coffee in Columbus, Ohio 

Like any proper college town, Columbus has many great coffee shops scattered throughout its neighborhoods. However, during my long weekend there, two shops stood out the most. 

Maudine’s 

The first was Maudine’s (77 Belle St.), a coffee shop located inside The Junto’s main floor. After ordering your coffee, grab a seat at the long work table that stretches into the hotel’s Living Room. Banks of outlets are in the center of the table, making it easy to work from all day. 

This isn’t a typical hotel coffee shop; Maudine’s draws even locals daily. The pet-friendly lobby makes the spot an excellent meet-up point for friends with their four-legged companions. Plus, did I mention the ample outlet space? 

Freedom a la Cart

To truly have a blissed-out morning, however, visit Freedom a la Cart (123 E. Spring St.). When I walked through the doors, I instantly felt at ease for reasons I learned later all had to do with the design of the space. Besides coffee and excellent breakfasts, ‘Freedom’ is serving up a chance at a second life for survivors of human trafficking. 

With the company’s mission in mind, trauma-informed interior design played a major part in how Freedom a la Cart looks and feels. As much as white subway tile and an overall minimalist approach to decorating seem to fill most coffee shops, Freedom a la Cart’s interior was set up using trauma-informed design. Everything from the color of the walls to the decor details was an intentional choice to help both the survivors working at the coffee shop and the visiting patrons. 

The week I visited, Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” was released, so Freedom a la Cart’s special lattes were Swift-inspired. My “Lavender Haze,” a lavender and honey latte, was the perfect blend of espresso, oat milk, and flavor, and it included actual dried lavender on top. 

Just down the street from Ebb & Float, Freedom a la Cart is a great stop before or after a float session or massage. 

Breakfast, Lunch, and Brunch in Columbus, Ohio 

If you’re staying at The Junto, breakfast is as easy as coming downstairs and sitting by the fire. In the mood for brunch? Head to the rooftop and grab a seat with a view at Brass Eye. If you want to leave your hotel, however, there are many amazing options. 

Katalina’s and Katalina’s Too 

No matter what part of Columbus you’re staying in, have breakfast at your nearest Katalina’s. Brainchild of Kathleen Day, this spunky cafe blends the flavors, style, and energy of Seattle and New Orleans into something uniquely Columbus. 

The original Katalina’s (1105 Pennsylvania Ave.) location is in the Harrison West neighborhood of Columbus and sits inside what used to be a 100-year-old gas station. Katalina’s Too (3481 N. High St.)  in Clintonville, where I ate, is equally quirky, with hand-painted murals on the walls inside and out. 

The hardest part of visiting Katalina’s is narrowing down an order. 

During my visit, I was lucky enough to sample breakfast and lunch, which means I tried the famous Pancake Balls ($16) Katalina’s is known for.  For lunch, you can’t miss the Mazatlan Slow Roasted Pork + Egg Sammie ($16.95), made with freshly baked Old World bread and locally sourced ingredients, including Amish-made provolone. Don’t skip the Tomale Soup ($6.75), either, made from locally sourced Roma tomatoes, Katalina’s Mole Spice, and garnished with queso fresco and house-roasted, spiced pepitas. 

Don’t miss grabbing a Horchata coffee — iced or hot — made with Thunderkiss Coffee, roasted in Columbus’ own Clintonville neighborhood.  

North Market

If you want a place with a lot of options for what to eat in Columbus, there’s no better place than North Market (59 Spruce St.). Located downtown, this public market has been in operation for almost 200 years and is home to a wide variety of vendors. 

You’ll find everything from an oyster bar, to pho, to ice cream. In fact, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream opened her first booth here in North Market. 

North Market is also a really cool place to just wander. Besides food stalls, you’ll find merchants selling homemade pasta, fresh bread, fresh cut flowers, olive oil, and more. 

Where to Eat Dinner in Columbus, Ohio 

Having to walk to your room after you eat is one of the biggest appeals to hotel restaurants. At The Junto, dinner isn’t a matter of convenience; both Little West and Brass Eye have great menus that visitors and locals should taste-test. 

However, some Columbus chefs are doing amazing things at other restaurants that, I promise, are worth leaving your hotel for — if only for one meal. 

Chapman’s Eat Market

When I hear “restaurant” and “pandemic,” I brace to hear a story about how a beloved place closed down for good. For Chapman’s Eat Market (793 S. 3rd St.), the opposite is true. This German Village eatery opened in August 2020 in what was once the original Max & Erma’s location and has been serving customers ever since. 

The menu at Chapman’s changes depending on the season, but every dish is inspired by comfort foods from around the world. During my dinner, I learned that each menu item is a collaboration between the staff. Everyone researches, suggests, and tests new dishes before they become part of that season’s selection. The same is true for their cocktail menu, which is as creative as their food. 

That night, I enjoyed Chapman’s Beef Fat Fries ($9) and the Strawberry Aguachile ($14), served with Fresno, cucumber, and radish, as well as the Radiatori a la Confit Rabbit & Pesto, using homemade pasta, an option that’s not on the current menu. Each dish was as surprising in the way flavors and textures blended as they were delicious. I highly recommend saving room for dessert, especially if Rose’s English Pea Cake is on the menu. This is a mint curd served with candied pistachio and drowned in the perfect amount of sweetened buttermilk.

Reservations open for Chapman’s Eat Market on the 1st of each month for the following month’s dates. So, if you’re planning an October trip to Columbus, log on September 1 to grab a table because reservations go fast.

Speck 

No trip to Columbus is complete without dinner at Speck (89 N. High St.). Since opening in 2023, the restaurant has dazzled guests with its inventive but straightforward take on Italian dishes. 

Don’t miss the Speck + Burrata starter ($19), served with giardiniera and toasted bread. As a main course, I ordered the Fungi ($26), and enjoyed the lightness of the homemade Tortelloni, served with potato, grana padano, sage, and parmesan foam. 

There’s a limited seating time, of which you’re reminded when you sit, but dishes are spaced perfectly so that nothing feels rushed. As you indulge in each course, flavors unfold to the point you reach a zen state; time doesn’t exist. 

After dinner, stop at The Citizen’s Trust for a nightcap. Located just up the street from Speck, this bank-turned-cocktail lounge serves up creative takes on classic cocktails, dark corners, and great music. 

Where to Recharge + Get Inspired

Studies show getting out of your normal environment and routine helps spark creativity. Sometimes, even the simplest change of scenery can give you a new perspective on a problem or situation. For me, disruptions to my daily life and routine can be more anxiety-inducing than helpful — until I take the time to actually pause and be present. 

Columbus’ slower-than-Boston, combined with its Midwest hospitality, makes it easy to breathe and enjoy the moment, no matter where you are. Yet, some spots in the city sparked more creativity than others.

Independent Bookstores in Columbus

Writers and readers will feel at home in one of the city’s many independent bookstores, including The Book Loft (631 S. 3rd St.). 

One of the largest independent bookstores in the U.S., The Book Loft is a 32-room labyrinth almost overflowing with new and used books. The building dates back to the pre-Civil War era and, according to the store’s website, has been many things over the years, including a saloon and general store. 

If you’re in the Short North Arts District, however, be sure to check out Prologue Books (841 N. High St.). This small shop has a mighty book selection, including new releases, best sellers, and a section spotlighting local authors. 

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

A few minutes in a Lyft got me from The Junto to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (1777 E. Broad Street). While the park itself is 88 acres, I was there to visit the Conservatory building. 

Built in the 1800s, the Victorian-style glass greenhouse opened to the public in 1895. Since then, visitors and locals alike have enjoyed the year-round plants as well as the seasonal and temporary exhibitions. I was in time for “Butterflies and Blooms,” a tradition that dates back to 1992 when the first live butterfly exhibition in the country was held here. 

Franklin Park Conservatory is also home to the largest private Dale Chihuly collection displayed in a botanical garden. As you walk through the conservatory building, you will find 18 installations of glass art mixed in with the plants, either blending in or providing pops of yellow, orange, and red against the greens and browns of the plants and terrain around them. 

These Chihuly installations were why I was so excited to visit the gardens in the first place. I’m a long-time fan of Chihuly’s work and glass art in general. Creating these pieces is as delicate a process as it is fierce, with whether or not a piece shatters hinges on the pressure of your hand or the strength of your breath.  It was a bonus that I was there during the butterfly exhibition. 

Held in the Pacific Island Water Garden, the room's centerpiece is a bright orange, yellow, and red chandelier (“Sunset Chandelier”) set against lush dark greens. On the day I went, the sun shone brightly through the greenhouse's glass roof, and butterflies of all colors and sizes fluttered around, bouncing from nectar feeders to pieces of glass art.