I am going to be attending my son's graduation in january of 2009 in Columbus Ohio.
Can you all tell me the following:
1) Hotels (good ones! preferably with restaurant in them, or bar area) in downtown Columbus, near Franklin university which is at 201 Grant avenue.

2) nearby restaurants that are very good - no chains, please!!!!

3) what to wear?

4) cabs?

Thanks!!!!! LaDonna from South Carolina

You mean January 2010?

The two places I would consider would be the Hyatt on Capitol Square or The Great Southern Hotel, which I believe is now a Westin property. Most of the better restaurants are a little south of downtown (in my opinion) in German Village & that area. Or in the Short North area, just north of downtown. Although you could cab it, it may be cheaper to rent a car if you'll not have access to one. Here are some links - www.germanvillage.com, www.german-village.com, www.theshortnorth.com/Restaurants.htm , www.experiencecolumbus.com

What to wear: because of the weather, you mean? If you will be hopping from indoors to car to indoors, you can get by with: a jacket and a sweater; a biggish scarf to wrap around your head; gloves; thick-soled shoes (sneakers + warm sox ok).

If you will be outside in the snow for a longish time: a coat with a sweater under it; a warm hat that covers your ears, plus a scarf to cover your neck and face; gloves in a slick material that repells snow; boots and warm sox; pantyhose or longjohns under your pants, or snow pants over them.

Hotel: The Columbus by Rennaisance. Downtown, updated and remodeled. Very nice large modern rooms. We were upgraded to a jr suite just by asking.

Eat: Lindey's in German Village. Excellent food and service. Ask for the "back" dinning room - nicer and quieter.

I would second the Great Southern Hotel. Recently redone.

Downtown eats. ANYTHING on the Short North section. Barcelona and Mohawk in German Village.

BB - Is Barcelona where Diebel's used to be ?

All the advise so far is good. Another option, that might be a bit less expensive is the Hampton Inn at 501 N. High St.
You are walking distance to all the short north restaurants. You are walking distance to the North Market. You are a five minute drive from the school.

I don't know if Franklin's graduation is held at the school or another location. In Columbus in January, I doubt you are going to walk to the school from any of the hotels.

ttt for font

As long as we're reviving this thread, will recommend both Katzinger's Deli and Schmidt's in German Village, as well as North Market (at the south end of Short North) for stall-to-stall food grazing.

I'll agree that the deli Katzinger's had good food as well as German food at Schmidt's. Lindy's which is a little more expensive, we found to be good http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/37144...d-Bar-Columbus

One place that you DO NOT WANT TO STAY is the Crowne Plaze. My family and I had a terrible experience there. See my review.

I'm sorry...I meant to say the downtown Crown Plaza!