jedivader

Does anyone have info on the hotel that has ducks living in it and walking around the lobby?

Citylghts

Could you be referring to the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee?

jedivader

I thought it was in Columbus, was told by someone that it was something I had to see when I go there.

RBCal

No, that's the Peabody in Memphis.

SAnParis2

The Peabody in Little Rock does the same thing.

jedivader

Yep, just looked online in Memphis and that is what I was looking for. Don't know why I thought it was Columbus.

Heading to this area of Ohio in two weeks. Any recommendations/ideas?

Citylghts

You can go to the National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB just outside Dayton. It's about an hour west of Columbus and around 45 minutes north of Cincinnati. The museum is open daily and free. Among the notable items in the collection are the Memphis Belle which is undergoing restoration and several presidental aircraft including the Sacred Cow used by FDR, the Independence used by Harry Truman and Columbine III used by Eisenhower. For info, check www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

Will you be in Columbus, Cincinnati or somewhere between? Others may be able to give suggestions closer to either city.

bachslunch

For Columbus:

--the capitol building is well worth a visit.
--there is a small but excellent art museum several blocks east of the capitol.
-- the German Village neighborhood is a little bit south of the capitol. There are a lot of nice historic houses and a few restaurants (Katzinger's Deli, Schmidt's) and a large park at its south perimeter (Schiller Park). Very nice area to stroll.
--the Short North area runs along High Street north of the capitol from I-670 almost to the Ohio State Campus. There are lots of arty shops and restaurants. The North Market is near its start just up from I-670, and has several booth style eateries and food vendors.

For Cincinnati--

--the Cincinnati Art Museum has an excellent medium-sized collection. It's in Eden Park, a large and pleasant green space northeast of downtown.
--the Cincinnati Zoo is first rate. It's a little further north and west of Eden Park.
--the Taft Museum is a good house-style art museum similar to the Frick in New York or the Gardner in Boston. Located downtown.
--at Union Station, there are a clutch of moderate sized museums, one on local historic subjects, the other a natural history museum. They're okay. Slightly west of downtown.
--there's the Contemporary Art Center downtown, which has no permanent collection but features changing exhibits of cutting edge visual art.

And when you're in Cincinnati, get a 5-way Cincinnati chili with a couple chili cheese coneys. Skyline and Gold Star are ubiquitous and good local chains that sell this. Also hit Graeter's ice cream, which is a good as any I've had anywhere. Health food it's not, but it's really tasty stuff.

jedivader

We are flying into Columbus and will be looking around the areas anywhere between the two cities. Anything in the Northern Kentucky area (no more than 30 minutes from Cincinnati) worth seeing?

I have a list of things we are looking into and I'll post them to get opinions.

We are interested in trying the local cuisine.

bachslunch

Newport and Covington are in Kentucky on the other side of the Ohio River from Cincinnati. A quick look at attractions here lists the Newport Aquarium (am seeing some very mixed thoughts on TripAdvisor about the place) and the East Row Historic District in Newport, as well as the Mother of God Church, St. Mary's Basilica Cathedral, Behringer-Crawford Museum, Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati, and Riverside Historic District in Covington. Haven't been to any of these, though, and have no idea if they're worth visiting or not.

Will say that it's cheaper to buy alcohol in Kentucky than in Ohio, and that was a common basis for trips there from Cincinnati, if memory serves.

SAnParis2

Graeter's is excellent but this place has the best ice cream...anywhere - http://www.youngsdairy.com/ Yellow Springs is a cute little artsy burg as well.http://www.exploreyellowsprings.com/find.html I'll add a bit to bachs list - All in German Village - http://www.german-village.com/, stop here - www.bookloft.com & while Schmidt's is fine I'd either go to www.katzingers.com., the Olde Mohawk for something interesting, Lindey's for top shelf or Planks for German treats & sing-alongs.

jedivader

Any thoughts on these?

Story Mound
Shrum Mound
Miamisburg Mound
Chief Leatherlips Monument
Field of Giant Corn Ears
World’s Largest Gavel
World’s Largest Basket - Longaberger
Big Muskie's Bucket
World's Largest Horseshoe Crab
Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve
Caesar Creek State Park
Ohio Deli (Dagwood sandwich)

bachslunch

What, no world's largest ball of twine?

Seriously, haven't been to any of these so I can't help out here.

The Ohio Deli was the feature restaurant on the Columbus episode of the Man v. Food TV show. They have a trencherman challenge where you win a t-shirt or something if you eat the Dagwood in a specified amount of time. Haven't been here, but only found negatives when I did a Chowhound search on the place, for what it's worth.

RBCal

Yellow Springs is a small interesting town about 40 miles from Columbus. It has good restaurants, art galleries and hiking in Glen Helen park.

maj

Have you considered Hocking Hills? Only place I've been to on your list is Caesar Creek. It's a nice state park --there are lots of parks like that in Ohio. I love the riverfront in Cincinnati in the spring and summer-- lots of activities going on (you may be here a little early for that). Also--Findlay Market for local food.

SAnParis2

Caesars Creek if nice, I recently topped a Hocking Hills thread & that would be my first choice of Ohio State Parks, bar none. Longaberger (unless you have serious basket fetish) is a waste of time. RBCal, thanks for reiterating my earlier suggestion. Not sure if this is what you are referring to but it IS worth the trip - http://greatserpentmound.com/

aliska

If you are in Columbus the first weekend in April, it will be Gallery Hop in the Short North. All the restaurants, stores and galleries up and down High St. will be open till midnight and lots of interesting sights (and people) to see.

Can't help with Ohio Deli, but Thurman's Cafe in German Village has also been featured on TV (if that is your criteria) for great hamburgers and beer. While in GV, you might try Barcelona, Lindey's or G. Michael's for fine dining or Banana Bean Cafe, Olde Mohawk, Brown Bag Deli for lunch. Katzinger's is overpriced deli IMHO. Head to the North Market if that's what you crave for Barry's Deli, Jeni's ice cream or Mozart pastries.

Granville, home to Denison University, is a 30 min drive east of Columbus and is very cute in a New England, old brick sort of way. There are some decent restaurants there as well. I would skip the tourist sites you mentioned, IMHO pretty much a joke.

You might want to try a taste of Columbus ice cream, some of the best anywhere - Jeni's, Graeter's, Denise's, Johnson's.

jedivader

Thanks for the info.

Is Skyline the best and/or only place to get authentic Cicinnati chili?

cd

I have never been to anything on your list but can recommend the Air Force Museum recommended above. It is wonderful! http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ also, I can recommend walking around German Village but especially the bookstore and the area around it. The bookstore has, I believe 34 rooms and is a treat in itself. I can also recommend Hocking Hills. Rent a cabin in the woods with a hot tub on the porch and do some hicking in Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, etc...beautiful area. http://www.1800hocking.com/hockinghillscabinscottages

cd

hiking...