what's there to do in Columbus?
 

My friend and I are attending an event at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH in June. We're going to spend two days there, so we're looking for suggestions on where to stay, eat and find some fun.<BR><BR>We're 30 year-olds who love good food, interesting (non-mall) shopping and a quiet nightlife (martini bars, not dance clubs). Anyone have suggestions for us?

OOOOHH, you said &quot;non-mall&quot; shopping...the malls in Columbus are so awesome! Anyway, do a search on Columbus. There was a long thread about this for someone going to a hockey game. I believe it was a few months back.

My one suggestion, which is kinda flip but heartfelt-- Get out of Columbus and head to Chicago. Unless it's changed a lot since the last time I passed through, it's Nowheres-ville as far as culture, nightlife and interesting shopping.<BR><BR>And I've had a taste of Ohio malls, and compared to places like Horton Plaza in San Diego or the Bal Harbour Shops in Miami Beach, they're low-rent Generica shopping purgatories. If May Company stores are the &quot;high-end&quot; shops, you know you're in Hell.

jende:<BR><BR>As a Columbus native, I must disagree with rjw's very negative and probably dated opinion. Yes, Columbus isn't Chicago, but IMO, that's not such a bad thing . . .<BR><BR>Anyway, it sounds like you'd be happiest staying near the downtown area. There are two areas that come to mind that I think you would like, given your requirements. The first is the Short North area. As the name implies, it's just north of the downtown area. It has many little shops, restaurants, and bars/nightclubs. Also check out the North Market. It's kind of like a miniature version of Seattle's Pike Place Market.<BR><BR>The second area is German Village, which is just south of the downtown area. It doesn't have quite as many shops/restaurants/clubs as Short North, but I think you'd like it. <BR><BR>If you're coming over a weekend, check the Columbus Dispatch Weekender (www.dispatch.com). It has all kinds of listings for events/clubs, etc.<BR><BR>Although I know you said you didn't want to go to a mall, I'd reconsider, and go to Easton Town Center, north of the airport. It's a pretty unique retail concept -- not the typical mall, and it has all of the upscale stores found in most major cities (Nordstrom, Virgin Megastore, etc.). Chicago doesn't have anything like it -- neither does SoCal, for that matter . . .<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay!

Glad to hear Columbus has cleaned up and gotten better. It has been a few years, under unpleasant circumstances. Nice to hear when a city improves itself for its inhabitants and visitors.<BR><BR>Still, I'll hold up Fashion Island (Bloomingdales AND Neiman-Marcus), Horton Plaza (just a beautiful place) and South Coast Plaza (Nordstrom, huge Macy's, Crate and Barrel mothership, plus boutiques like Cartier, Diesel, Donna Karan, Gucci, Chanel, Tiffany's, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, etc.) as great shopping centers. Same for the Bal Harbour Shops (kinda an outdoor version of South Coast)....

rjw:<BR><BR>I've been to all those, plus a few others, like Tyson's 1 &amp; 2, Somerset, etc., and I still guarantee you that Easton is COMPLETELY different form all those &quot;traditional&quot; malls.<BR><BR>Of course, it doesn't have Prada, Gucci, etc., but then Columbus also doesn't have the pollution, crime, and mind-numbing traffic of all those locales, either . . . :)

Yeah, but there's something to be said for those ocean views only a few minutes away from Horton Plaza, or South Coast Plaza, or Fashion Island, or Bal Harbour Shops, isn't there? Pollution isn't so much of a problem on the coast, anyway. Still, Columbus is clean, and hey, it's gotta be better than Cincinnati or Cleveland!!<BR><BR>(Oh boy, here come the flame-storm from Clevelanders or Cincinnatians....!)

Hey, I checked out Easton Town Center's web site out of curiosity. VERY nice! I'm actually quite impressed. Must be great in summer!<BR><BR>They're supposed to be doing something similar to that long-dead outpost of the archetypal Valley Girl, Sherman Oaks Galleria. But since you can't get me to spend more than a couple of minutes in Sherman Oaks (except to visit friends-- at their homes)....

On the north side of the city is a New Orleans/French Quarter style (can't remember the name) mixed used development that is kinda cool. Last time I was there (1995), it seemed to be one of the more interesting places for a city that's very car dependent.<BR><BR>Agree with the poster who suggested checking out Short North and German Village which is pedestrian oriented.

The area that JungleCat is referring to is the Short North. It's just north of the downtown and have some good restaurants, cafes, and galleries. They have a Gallery Hop where the galleries in the Short North are open late the first Satuday of each month.<BR><BR>The best place to stay would be downtown. The Hyatt on Capitol Square is centrally located. For something more reasonable the Coutyard by Marriott is also nice. It ios near the Area District in Downtown. Other places to check out include the Brewery District(bars, restaurants and clubs) German Village (historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets and brick homes). In German Village check out The Book Loft, it's and interesting a 32 room bookstore. You could spends hours just browsing through there. For great German food, you must go to Schmidt's. Save room for the cream puffs.<BR><BR>As far as shopping in Columbus, it is mostly of the mall variety. The main shopping downtown is at the City Center Mall. Easton Town Center and Tuttle Crossing are on the outskirts of town and are also nice. If you like history, go to the Ohio Historical Society. The Columbus Museum of Art and the Franklin Park COnservatory are also worthwhile.<BR><BR><BR><BR>http://www.columbuscvb.org/main.htm<BR><BR>http://columbus.citysearch.com/

The area that JungleCat is referring to is the Short North. It's just north of the downtown and have some good restaurants, cafes, and galleries. They have a Gallery Hop where the galleries in the Short North are open late the first Satuday of each month.<BR><BR>The best place to stay would be downtown. The Hyatt on Capitol Square is centrally located. For something more reasonable the Coutyard by Marriott is also nice. It ios near the Area District in Downtown. Other places to check out include the Brewery District(bars, restaurants and clubs) German Village (historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets and brick homes). In German Village check out The Book Loft, it's and interesting a 32 room bookstore. You could spends hours just browsing through there. For great German food, you must go to Schmidt's. Save room for the cream puffs.<BR><BR>As far as shopping in Columbus, it is mostly of the mall variety. The main shopping downtown is at the City Center Mall. Easton Town Center and Tuttle Crossing are on the outskirts of town and are also nice. If you like history, go to the Ohio Historical Society. The Columbus Museum of Art and the Franklin Park Conservatory are also worthwhile. Oh, and how could I forget the Columbus Zoo. It's one of the best in the U.S.<BR><BR><BR><BR>http://www.columbuscvb.org/main.htm<BR><BR>http://columbus.citysearch.com/

David-You forgot the Polaris Fashion Place, the areas newest Mall. There is a Saks, Lord &amp; Taylor, Kauffman's, Lazarus plus many other stores which are new to Ohio.<BR><BR>The Franklin Park Conservatory on Broad St. has their butterfly exhibit now thru June. And is a nice place to spend some time. They also have a small cafe there with good soups and sandwiches.<BR>www.fpconservatory.org<BR><BR>The Columbus Museum of Art is very nice. This is located on Broad St. also east of downtown. The State House on High and Broad was recently renovated and it is beautiful. They do give tours. COSI (Science Museum) is another nice place. Also, the Thurber House is interesting.<BR><BR>The Short North has funky shops, art galleries and some good restaurants. Rigsby's is one of my favorites. The North Market is also worth a stroll through. <BR><BR>As for nightlife, the Arena district has a lot of bars and restaurants and is a hopping area now.<BR><BR>RJ-When is the last time you were in Columbus? You would be amazed at how the place has changed. With the arrival of the NHL Blue Jackets, and the revitalitzation of the old pen site, Columbus is a great place now. Fodor's voted it a secret getaway destination.<BR><BR>The Arts Festival is also in June and that is alot of fun. It is held downtown along the riverfront.<BR><BR>As for martini bars I don't know of any. There might be something in either the Short North or the Arena District. For restuarants also try Cameron's, Lindey's in German Village, Tapatio or if you feel like spluring the Refectory or Handke's.

I'm helping my sister and parents plan a trip to Columbus &amp; Louisville. <BR>They will be in Columbus next Thusday, and was researching restaurants for them. I noticed several recommended restaurants in the 'Grandview' area. Is it a nice place to go? My sister belongs to idine discount program, and I found the following restaurants that seem to be good and would be good with 2 kids ages 6 &amp; 8:<BR>Spagio<BR>Bradocks Grandview<BR>Gibbys Grandview<BR>Marshals<BR>Any opinions on these or any other restaurants?

Hi Anthony! IMO, Spagio is the best of that group. They have wood fired pizza which are really great.

buckeyemom, I would say well over 5 or 6 years. I had family that lived nearby. They've all moved away, so there's no reason for me to go. But if I find myself in the area, I just might make the trip. It sounds quite pleasant!

Just a plug for the Columbus Zoo. We live near Cincinnati which also has a grea zoo but we choose to go up to Columbus a couple times a year just to visit the zoo. We make a bee-line for the gorilla enclosure which is a great habitat. Stand by the large window for a big surprise!

Hey DavidDJ,<BR><BR>It wasn't Short North I was referring to. It's a place farther north of the city, maybe even near Worthington or Dublin? Any clue?

Another vote for Spagio. Check it out at: www.spagio.com -- it's unique and well worth a visit. :o)

Junglecat-You are thinking of the Continent which is at the corner of I-71 and 161. It is near Worthington. Not sure if it is Worthington or Columbus jurisdiction. Anyway, it was very popular in the 80's had some great restaurants, nightclubs and shops. However, the place lost a lot of stores/tenants. The Continent recently underwent renovations. I haven't been there in a long time, but I don't think this new version is as nice as the old one. Speaking of Worthington, there are some charming shops in Old Worthington. The Worthington Inn is a nice restaurant and The Old Bag of Nails serves great sandwiches etc.

JungleCat,<BR><BR>Buckeyemom hit the nail on the head, it was The Continent that you were referring to, sorry about that. I had only been there once or twice, so it did not remember it.<BR><BR>Buckeyemom,<BR><BR>The Polaris mall must be fairly new, as it was not there when I was last in Columbus.<BR><BR>Definitely go to Spagio, very good.<BR><BR>