Weekend in Columbus?

[stephm0188]

If you have Handel's, then go to North Market and get Jeni's. Also sample lots of other tasty things there.

[bex1973]

Feb 10, 2017 20:42:41 GMT -5 dharma81 said:

Feb 10, 2017 20:27:06 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Is Graeters ice cream CBus or Cleveland? I can never remember but the ice cream is so good!

We have it in Columbus but it started in Cincinnati

Oh well then, y'all have too many C towns in OH LOL

[shortstax]

When looking at hotels, I'd try to stay on/near High St. (in the short north or downtown.) It's a quick bus ride (or super fast uber) up to Mapfre Stadium.  

Some great spots I take family/friends when they visit:

German village - Great neighborhood filled with charm--it's on the south side of downtown.  There's a variety of fantastic restaurants. Since you're only in town for a short visit, I'd hit up either Schmidts, Thurman Cafe, or Valters. For desserts, definitely check out Juergens if you can. It's not fancy, but AMAZING desserts.

Schmidts is traditional German food and an institution here (and it has a Fudge Haus out front---score!)  Thurmans is SUCH A DIVE, but they have fantastic burgers.  Don't get the namesake burger unless you're sharing it. I think it's physically impossible for someone to actually eat it all.  Valters is a tiny pub/restaurant in an old German House that is owned by a local German social club and choir.  Great atmosphere, food, German beer selection, and some of the friendliest patrons ever.

Short North - High St. just North of Downtown.  Honestly, just start walking. Bars, restaurants, galleries, and shops. If your H is looking for a new soccer tshirt souvenir, Homage tees are the best and there's a store in the Short North. Also, if you're hungry after the game (or after hitting a few bars, lol) Mikey's Late Night Slice is THE BEST.  It's right on high street and they have a patio area set up between two buildings filled with picnic tables. You might see their food truck up at the Stadium too. it's serious amazing pizza!

I see you've already hit on the zoo--it's great and totally worth the trip!  

Ps - let us know if you have any questions once it approaches, and then we definitely want a post after the trip detailing your adventures  (hot)

[shortstax]

I've lived in Cbus for over a decade now and I've never heard of Handels. Where does one get this ice cream that's getting these rave reviews?

[shortstax]

One more tip--there's a specific bus called the "CBus" that just goes up and down high street. It's free and great for connecting the Short North, Downtown, and German Village: www.cota.com/CBUS

[stephm0188]

Feb 10, 2017 22:08:48 GMT -5 shortstax said:

I've lived in Cbus for over a decade now and I've never heard of Handels. Where does one get this ice cream that's getting these rave reviews?

Hilliard-Rome Rd and Feder Rd. I think there's maybe one in Powell as well.

[moolarkey]

If your here on the first weekend of the month, the Short North gallery hop is great. shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/gallery-hop/ Short North Events shortnorth.org/events/

We have wineries, breweries, there are different kinds of food tours (a tour of coffee houses, food truck tour, I can't remember the others but they sound fun)

[Captain Catnip]

Feb 10, 2017 19:28:28 GMT -5 6fsn said:

We're season ticket holders for the crew so...be warned that there is nothing really near the stadium except Frisch' but there are plenty of food trucks inside, most noteably hot chicken takeover. Parking is annoying but the games are fun. If you don't have a date in mind the one around July 4th will have a nice firework show right after.

Short north and. German village (book loft and Schmidts) are great. If you like zoos columbus has the best.

Is the stadium bleacher seating or stadium/separate seats seating? We went to a Pittsburgh Riverhounds game (not MLS) and it destroyed my back so I want to be prepared!

[moolarkey]

I've been there a couple times, I think it's all or mostly bleacher seats. The bars in the upper corners and in the south end zone I think have some seats and you'd still be able to see.

www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x883889536d498093:0x2b5cb386c60ffb9f!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4shttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapfre_Stadium!5smapfre+stadium+columbus+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Columbus_crew_stadium_mls_allstars_2005.jpg/300px-Columbus_crew_stadium_mls_allstars_2005.jpg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiyuNjajofSAhVK_IMKHdPiA1cQoioIiAEwCg

[Captain Catnip]

moolarkey, Thanks!

[glitzyglow]

I went to Columbus last year for a weekend, so here's my little round-up.

The first night we had dinner in Easton Town Center at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. It was packed when we arrived, but luckily my hosts had made reservations. I thought for a chain restaurant it was pleasant enough, although a little on the pricey side for what it was. They did let us sample a lot of wines, which I always like!

I really, really enjoyed visiting the North Market. We purchased donuts for breakfast from Destination Donuts, and I also wanted to eat EVERYTHING in sight because all the smells and sights seemed very yummy. We ate our food upstairs in the seating area, but it was pretty crowded. I wouldn't bet that seating is always available up there, so maybe plan to take food to-go if you plan on visiting at peak times?

We did a free tour of the State Capitol building. It was pretty inside with a really neat rotunda area. Oddly, the tour talked a lot about Lincoln despite the fact that Ohio has produced a few presidents! 

We had lunch at Condado Tacos in Short North, which was pretty good. Something that sticks out to me was that the tables were really, really close together and the restaurant was very busy. Some people may not be comfortable with that level of intimacy with other tables, lol.

I visited the Ohio History Center and found it disappointing overall. Some of the exhibits were loud and the noise filtered into other spaces. It felt like there was no flow and it was not easy to navigate. The staff was also slightly distracted by one another and seemed uninterested in their work.

We had dinner at Barcelona. It's in German Village, which was fun to explore, and the restaurant had a great atmosphere and great food. I think it was my favorite thing we did during my last trip to Columbus.

I know this might be sacrilegious to say, but I did not enjoy my visit to Northstar Cafe for breakfast. I thought the prices were steep considering it's a place where you order at the counter and they simply bring food out, no table service otherwise. I paid $6 for a single pancake! I live in a city that is brunch-crazy, so maybe I'm just spoiled, but I thought the food was subpar and I am still aghast at the prices the cafe wants in exchange for what it offers.

In the past, I visited the Park of Roses during a summer visit to Columbus and I loved it.

My first encounter with Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream was at their adorable location in Bexley. All Jeni's locations are super cute and the ice cream is delicious. Be brave and try a fun flavor or 10 if you go. My dad was blown away that he liked goat cheese and cherry ice cream! He said it reminded him of cheesecake.

[sarahswim]

Feb 10, 2017 22:24:06 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

If your here on the first weekend of the month, the Short North gallery hop is great. shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/gallery-hop/ Short North Events shortnorth.org/events/

We have wineries, breweries, there are different kinds of food tours (a tour of coffee houses, food truck tour, I can't remember the others but they sound fun)

I second this. Plus the Short North B&B is right there too, if you're looking for a great place to stay.

[lolo]

I'm here late so I'm going to second or third some recommendations.

German village: wander through Schiller park. Pastries and maccarons at Pistacia Vera. Lunch/dinner at Barcelona. You might check if they are doing live music any of the nights--it's very pleasant. Eating on the patio is lovely in the right weather.

North market (you can also get Pistacia Vera there)

Franklin park conservatory (very nice botanical gardens and butterfly house plus Chihuly)

Zoo

Gallery hop

Hocking hills for a bit further out. My favorite trail is to cedar falls and back along that river.

The crest is deliciously hipster pretentious.

Totally look at airbnb instead of hotels. There are some terrific options.

Hard pass on Polaris and North Star.

I usually just eat my way through the trips to my hometown lol.

[lolo]

Feb 10, 2017 22:24:06 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

If your here on the first weekend of the month, the Short North gallery hop is great. shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/gallery-hop/ Short North Events shortnorth.org/events/

We have wineries, breweries, there are different kinds of food tours (a tour of coffee houses, food truck tour, I can't remember the others but they sound fun)

There's a dessert one! Fucking yum.

[6fsn]

Captain Catnip, it's bleacher seats. There is also a bar that has local beer at the stadium.

shortstax there's a Handels in Powell between Graeters and Jeni's. Then there's a Culver's a little further down.

[moolarkey]

Be sure to check out experiencecolumbus.com. They have a calendar of events that is really helpful. Lots of other information too.

[cuddlyevil]

If you like beer, go to:

Lineage brewing
Actual brewing (it's in the Easton area)
Elevator brewing
Gordon Biersch

Food:
101 beer kitchen
Hot chicken takeover

Go to the Wexner center galleries.
COSI

My sister lives in Columbus, I can ask her for more ideas too.

There's stuff around Easton, but you may have to dig a bit.

[egeiger]

I wanted to throw out one other thing that I didn't see mentioned before. Central Ohio is known for fairs and festivals. Depending on when you were in town you may want to check to see what is going on. We have a great arts festival, and we tend to have festivals to celebrate food, so you could hit a strawberry festival, zucchini Festival, a tomato festival, you get where I'm going.

[acceptthegood]

Oh man, I grew up in Worthington and spent 20 years there.this is making me miss my hometown! Thanks for this post

[Deleted]

Feb 10, 2017 22:15:46 GMT -5 stephm0188 said:

Feb 10, 2017 22:08:48 GMT -5 shortstax said:

I've lived in Cbus for over a decade now and I've never heard of Handels. Where does one get this ice cream that's getting these rave reviews?

Hilliard-Rome Rd and Feder Rd. I think there's maybe one in Powell as well.

It is actually from Youngstown. Must have made its way to Columbus now.

[jane6672]

Distilleries! They do tours with tastings.

watersheddistillery.com/home.html

middlewestspirits.com/