After breakfast at our favorite diner, we decided to do a last-minute date day. We browsed the web and came across a spot we had been to years ago but had never experienced together – Otherworld.

 Otherworld Columbus is an expansive 47-room interactive art exhibit that has taken over the abandoned Eastland mall. After opening in 2019, some installations have changed slightly over the years to keep it fresh.  
Located on the east side of Columbus, it is one of the few businesses open in the skeleton of the mall. The entrance looms tall, with the doors and windows blacked out to keep the world inside entirely separate from reality. After scanning the pre-bought tickets on our phones, we marveled that they had also recently built a bar at the entrance. Although you will want to be careful with your cocktails, you may need both hands free to crawl into hidden spots and touch the interactive installations.

The entryway is more of a hallway with various doorways that lead to different themed rooms. Each room has a unique installation that is like traveling into another world. Everything is meant to be questioned and truly experienced. There are even puzzles throughout for you to solve! Please don’t ask us what those puzzles are, though, as we didn’t solve a single one. Let your inner child and imagination take the reins while here to enjoy the experience fully.

Over 40 artists bring this creation to life, and we are so thankful to them for creating something unique to do on a rainy Columbus day.
Otherworld also caters to large groups that want to celebrate an event or want to mix up their next work outing.

However, perhaps the most interesting is that Otherworld frequently hosts DJs on the weekends after hours. We have never attended a show; however, we have heard that although the stage area tends to be slightly crowded, the exhibits are relatively relaxed while the music plays; what an exciting way to see the art come to life.  

We love being tourists in our city. Where should we check out next??