We will be in the Columbus, Ohio area this weekend to hang out with our college-aged son who is near there this summer doing research. Any suggestions on stuff to do or see? Noteworthy gardens, museums, outdoor festivals, interesting neighborhoods???

Thanks for your suggestions!!!

Anybody? Thanks.

We love to visit German Village: http://columbusoh.about.com/cs/colum...manvillage.htm and have lunch Schmidts,
at: "http://columbusoh.about.com/od/resta...a/schmidts.htm
And spend time at the Book Loft which is a terrific book store with I think 34 rooms, could be more, but very, very interesting! If you like book stores, you will LOVE this one.

Even though COSI (the science museum) is pitched to kids, it's an interesting place.

If you have transportation and are up for a short trip you may want to visit Roscoe Village near Coshocton with a stop at Dresden.

http://www.roscoevillage.com/

http://www.basketvillageusa.com/

Just souht of campus is the Short North area where the highest concentration of galleries are. They used to have a gallery crawl the first weekend of every month. Not sure if that still goes on or not. German Village is also an interesting area & abuts the Brewery District. You'll find good food options here as well. In the middle of GV is a very interesting book store as well, you can't miss it. For casual eats try the Thurman Cafe on Thurman. For wings & salads try Roosters (a block off the park). I'm not sure what is left of Ameriflora, that may also be worth checking out.

You can also drive an hour west to Dayton and see the National Air Force Museum. You could easily spend two days there and it's free.

Just got back from there this past weekend...granted may not be the thing for your son, but the Columbus Zoo is also terrific for all ages. Also, if you like baseball, maybe a Columbus Clippers game?

It's also worth just walking around the Ohio State campus. The Wexner Center is a very good contemporary arts center designed by famed architect Peter Eisenmann. He also designed the Convention Center that connects the Short North to the Downtown.

Next to campus is Victorian Village, which is full of Victorian homes.

I'll second the recommendation for Schmidts. Make sure you time it right so you can take advantage of the buffet - we will be there this Sunday!

If you are a walker, Columbus Metro Park system has an excellent selection. If you are staying nearby campus you can walk along the Olentangy river to Worthington and back. Clintonville, just north of campus has a city Park of Roses that should be at peak bloom. Inniswood Garden on the NE of town outside Westerville has a 1.5 mile path through native Ohio forest. I agree with both the German Village and Short North recommendations. Great neighborhoods with fine restaurants and bars.

Wow! Thanks everybody. I'll look into all these suggestions further.