Columbus, Ohio is a city that’s reinventing itself in the most fashionable way. You can see cranes rising all over the downtown area and lots of new and amazing shops popping up in just about every neighborhood within the city. Columbus has always been known as a test market city with retailers like Abercrombie and Fitch, Victoria Secret and Express calling the capital city home. But today in the year 2020, it is so much more!
Having grown up in Northwest Ohio, I will always be an Ohioan at heart. Although I grew up closer to Toledo—Columbus has always been my favorite city in my home state. I spent a lot of time there during the grunge era of the early 1990’s. Sharing that part of my identity with my children is one of my greatest joys in life, and even though we visited Columbus and not my hometown, the memories we made during our trip will forever and always be near and dear to my heart.
It has been about 20 years since I’ve spent a good amount of time in Columbus and I was excited to see the juxtaposition of the hipster/grungy Columbus that I knew “way back in the day” and the shiny, new city full of a diverse group of residents and visitors it has rapidly become. Columbus is the capital of Ohio, the Buckeye State and its rich and eclectic culture rivals that of any other major city here in the United States. With a population of nearly 900,000, Cbus (it’s latest moniker) is the Midwest’s fastest-growing city and is the 14th largest city in the United States. The Columbus of today is different from the city I knew while I was visiting during my college years. The city is an even more vibrant and diverse hub for the arts. It is teeming with amazing restaurants and boasts an array of cool and fun attractions for the entire family. That being said, Columbus still loves its football, salted caramel, and Midwestern values. I love it because it’s a world-class city that has been able to retain its distinct culture as it has modernized and evolved into an artistic mecca and a very fun place not just for the college aged or academics, but for all ages and all walks of life.
Here is our Guide To Experience Columbus! For more of our family’s trip—be sure to check out my Instagram Stories under highlights for Columbus!
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Located in the heart of the Arena District, Short North Arts District and right around the corner from North Market. Filled with the modern art collection by artists local to Columbus. Amenities including a fitness center, indoor pool and whirlpool. This hotel is a short distance from the airport too. For a tour of our hotel suite, be sure to check out my Instagram Stories!
The Skillet is a hip farm to table restaurant with midwestern flare. Located in German Village, this restaurant serves American comfort classics that will be sure to please your palate. As a concept, I love farm to table restaurants, and the food from The Skillet was all sourced from the Heartland and boasts an evolving menu that changes with the seasons and availability of ingredients.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is truly where the wild things are. With thousands of animals, hundreds of species, and countless things to do, this destination is as fun as it is educational. Ella, Logan, Dave and I had so much fun learning more about wildlife and the challenges that they face in their natural habitats due to urbanization, climate change, and human industry.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream truly lives up to its name! The ice cream is rich, creamy, and the epitome of what this frozen dessert should be. Jeni’s was founded by Jeni Britton Bauer in Columbus in 2002, and that original location in North Market is still open today. Boasting 32 flavors, there’s something sweet for everyone at Jeni’s and I couldn’t agree with the New York Times more when they declared that it’s worth the drive, or in my case flight, to Ohio!
Awesome awaits at Legoland Discovery Center. With 10 games and attractions, our afternoon at Legoland was one well spent. Typically, capturing the attention and imaginations of my children can be a task, but that wasn’t the case here.
The Table is a farm to table restaurant with flavors from around the world. Located in the Italian Village neighborhood, The Table is a full-service restaurant and bar that offers brunch and dinner in a chic rustic setting.
Katalina’s is a little cafe with big flavor. With locations in both Harrison West and Clintonville, Katalina’s Cafe is a local favorite with a Latin twist. During my visit, I had the huevos rancheros, which were delicious, but the pancake balls with Nutella took my breath away. Needless to say, sharing a bite with Ella and Logan was a difficult decision.
Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Gardens truly brings people and plants together. For over 100 years, the facility has served as a hub for education, cultural, and social experiences for Columbus residents and the city’s visitors.
The food at Brassica is seriously nutritious and seriously delicious! Brassica serves fresh and organic Lebanese fare and has locations throughout Columbus. Sandwiches and salads have been a staple of my diet my entire life, and the ones served at Brassica were so delicious that they made me consider moving back to Ohio. The freshly made pita sandwiches, scrumptious salads, and hummus are all worth trying, and I can’t wait to get a taste of them again!
I will forever and always love and appreciate art, and visiting the Columbus Museum of Art was one of the highlights of my trip. Since it was established in 1878, this cultural epicenter has educated and inspired countless visitors with its exhibits and architecture. The collection at the museum is well rounded, comprehensive, and inspiring.
If you’ve ever been to Columbus, then you know that The Pearl is a dining destination, and if you haven’t then this place is a place that you must visit. From the Cameron Mitchell collection, The Pearl has proven itself to be one of the best restaurants in Columbus. Serving contemporary American fare, this local landmark is not one to be passed over, and I cannot wait to visit it again.
There’s nothing like a neighborhood coffee shop, and Fox in The Snow delivers on that promise of comfort, delicious baked goods, and coffee. With three locations, Columbusites and visitors throughout the city can enjoy this quaint rustic spot. Hand Poured drinks, fresh baked goods, and interesting people can all be found in either their Italian Village, German Village, or New Albany locations.
Cosi, the Center of Science and Industry, is a nationally recognized center for education on all things science. For over 55 years the center has educated, inspired, and delighted audiences. The exhibits there are fun, interactive, and inspiring. My afternoon there was spent darting from exhibit to exhibit trying to take in as much information as possible but with over 300 interactive exhibits I’ll have to go back soon for round two!
The North Market is home to numerous merchants, makers, and farmers serving some of the best Ohio has to offer in the state’s premier public market. I loved this market because I was able to get a true taste of Columbus within a short period. The North Market is filled with small businesses and artisans who are a testament to Ohio, and the pride they have in their craft shows in the quality of their goods.
For more information and to plan your next vacation to Columbus, be sure to visit www.experiencecolumbus.com and make sure to check out the new Roar & Explore pass, a perfect way to see a lot of favorite sites and save money!
{Thank-you to Experience Columbus for partnering on this post!}
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