Chelsea Wiley

Columbus, Ohio

Content Editor at Columbus Navigator

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Articles

Jazz & Rib Fest Returns For 2025 With Stellar Lineup And New Features

2 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

Get ready for the hottest event of the summer! The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is bringing back the beloved Jazz & Rib Fest, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Set to take place from July 18-20, this year marks the 44th edition of the festival, which has become a summer staple for Columbus locals and visitors alike. And while you can always count on incredible music and mouth-watering ribs, 2025 is packed with exciting new features.
Archery Fest Is Back And It’s The Most Whimsical Way To Spend A Saturday

2 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

Sharpen your arrows, gather your flower crowns, and prepare thyself. Archery Fest is returning to Prairie Oaks Metro Park, and it’s giving full-on medieval magic. On Saturday, May 10 from 12–3 p.m., the Darby Bend Lakes area of the park transforms into a realm of friendly combat, DIY crafts, and noble titles. And yes, it’s totally free to attend. This whimsical fest first debuted in 2024 with around 200 would-be warriors showing up to battle boredom and prove their aim was true.
You Can Stay in a Real-Life Hobbit House Just Outside Hocking Hills

3 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit…” and now, thanks to some truly delightful Airbnb hosts, you can live like one too, at least for the weekend. Just three miles from the enchanting forests, waterfalls, and caves of Hocking Hills State Park, you’ll find Nature Mystique Retreat, a hidden gem where fantasy and reality blur in the best possible way.
Columbus Just Made The List Of The World’s Happiest Cities

3 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

The list just dropped, and Columbus snagged the #63 spot out of hundreds of global cities. That’s right, we ranked above Lisbon, Sydney, and even Rome. Not bad for a Midwestern city that sometimes gets overshadowed by its flashier coastal cousins. So, what exactly is the Happy City Index? It’s not just about smiles and sunshine (although we do love our patio season).
High Street In Short North Will Be Pedestrian-Only For One Day

4 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

From 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., High Street will be closed off from East 2nd to Russell Street, transforming into an open-streets celebration packed with art, live performances, hands-on activities, and more. Think of it as Gallery Hop leveled up—bigger, bolder, and bursting with creativity. This is not your average stroll through the Short North.
Columbus’ Abandoned Ballpark: The Rise and Fall of Cooper Stadium

4 days ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

If you grew up in Columbus, there’s a good chance you spent at least one sticky summer night under the lights at Cooper Stadium. The cheers, the cheap hot dogs, the crack of a bat echoing through Franklinton—it was the kind of place that didn’t need to be flashy to be beloved. It just was. Built way back in 1931, it was originally called Red Bird Stadium and modeled after Red Wing Stadium in Rochester (the Cardinals owned both teams at the time—clearly into the copy-paste method).
North Market’s Expansion Is Finally Underway. Here’s What’s Coming

1 week ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

The beloved public market is officially kicking off the first phase of its long-awaited expansion, and it’s about to get a whole lot roomier, more vibrant, and even more community-focused. The expansion is part of The Merchant Building, the massive 32-story development rising next to the market. But don’t worry, North Market isn’t losing its iconic charm. In fact, the expansion is designed to build on what makes the market so special, while opening up new space, opportunities, and experiences.
100K New Homes, Safer Streets, And Smart Lights: Inside The 2025 State Of The City

1 week ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

Mayor Andrew Ginther delivered his State of the City address this week, and he came in with big updates on the issues shaping Columbus right now, including housing, safety, and making this city more livable for everyone. ūüĒĎ Housing is still top priority. Ginther announced a proposed $500 million affordable housing bond that would go on the November ballot, without raising taxes.
The Spaghetti Warehouse Building Is Gone. Here’s What’s Taking Its Place

1 week ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

For decades, the Spaghetti Warehouse building was one of those places that felt like it had always been there. Now it’s gone, and something completely new is taking its place. And it’s going to be a big change for West Broad Street. Developers have revealed their first look at The Macklin, a pair of seven-story buildings set to rise on the former warehouse site.
This Neon Wonderland In Cincinnati Is Pure Retro Joy

1 week ago | columbusnavigator.com | Chelsea Wiley

Maybe it’s the colors. Maybe it’s the hum. Or maybe it’s just the way it instantly transports you to another time — a time of milkshakes, motor inns, and hand-painted shop windows. Tucked away in an old factory building in Cincinnati, the American Sign Museum is 20,000 square feet of pure retro joy.