icecreamguy

Do a day trip that involves some hiking time and a trip on the mining car.

Fifteen Things to do in Columbus, before you’re dead

Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108501.html) but for some reason no one outside of Columbus believes this. There are three reasons for this identity crisis. First, any “real” city has a viable public transportation system. Second, when someone mentions Columbus on a network news program they still feel the need to say Columbus, OHIO to qualify where Columbus is. Third, everyone in Columbus acts like there is nothing to do. I have friends from others cities and countries passing through all of the time and I find plenty of activities for them to experience. Here are fifteen things to do in Columbus – listed in no particular order.

Ohio Stadium
This local landmark was the first stadium of its kind in the country when constructed in 1922. A football Saturday crowd exceeds 105,0000. Even if you do not like football this is “Buckeye” football, virtually everyone in town has been to a game. The Buckeyes have much more intense following than most major league sports team. Go to watch the beer swilling kids and alumni – stay for the tradition, tailgating, and history.
http://www.sfo.com/~csuppes/NCAA/Big10/index.htm?OhioState/index.htm

Columbus Zoo
The Zoo was made famous by the on air antics of Jungle Jack Hanna and the first gorilla born in captivity. The new Australian animal exhibit area is great.
http://www.columbuszoo.com

COSI – Center of Science and Industry
The Center of Science and Industry housed in the historic former Central High School building on the riverfront. COSI has been a destination for out of town visitors and locals with kids for decades. Don’t get this confused with the restaurant chain with the same letters.
http://www.cosi.org/html-site/defaultSpot.htm

Short North Galley Hop (Short North)
The first Saturday of each month brings people from all over town to the former “seedy” part of town to sample art and gawk at the hipsters. The first galley hop was in 1980.
www.shortnorth.org

German Village
Home to the maze-like 30 plus room Book Loft, Schmidt’s Sausage House, and the Original Max and Erma’s. The renovated older homes and brick streets remind us of the early days of Columbus. Locals head to Schiller Park in the summer for Shakespeare in the Park.
www.german-village.com
www.bookloft.com
www.theactorstheatre.org

Wexner Center for the Arts (Ohio State University Campus)
This funky building has been hailed as both an innovative design and an eye sore depending on whom you ask. Regardless of your point of view, the diversity of arts and artists “the Wex” brings to Columbus is impressive.
www.wexarts.org

CAPA Summer Movie Series at the Ohio Theater (Downtown)
The beautiful, historic Ohio Theater is home to classic movies in the summertime. Extra features include cartoons and the pipe organ playing during interludes.
www.columbusunderground.com/articles/capasummermovies.html

Olentangy Bike Trail
This trail winds along the Olentangy River connecting downtown to Ohio State, Clintonville, and Worthington including the Park of Roses and Antrim Park. At one time or another every one in town as walked, jogged, or biked a section of this byway.
http://www.columbusunderground.com/articles/biketrails.html

Picnic with the Pops at Battelle Park
A symphony orchestra or on occasion other performers makes for a great Saturday Summer evening with an occasional fireworks show and a picnic basket.

Columbus Museum of Art
Hailed by Gertrude Stein as a fine museum, this downtown spot is also home to a large collection of Henry Moore sculptures and well as an archive of works by Columbus resident George Bellows.
www.columbusmuseum.org

Comfest
For over 30 years, this all-volunteer effort of mostly old hippies has planned and hosted a 3 day public event at Goodale Park devoted to live music, street vendors, and free speech. Take this experience to the next level by volunteering for a 4 hour shift serving beer, cleaning trash, providing security, or helping with set up in exchange for beer tokens and a free T-Shirt.
http://www.comfest.com

Crew Stadium
This was the first stadium built for the purpose of soccer in the United States. Crew Stadium is home to the Columbus Crew the towns Major league Soccer team as well as other events.
www.stadiumguide.com/crewstadium.htm

FAST FOOD LANDMARKS
The First Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
Part fast food establishment and part museum, Columbus was the home for the first Wendy’s in 1969. Columbus has also been hailed the fast food capital of the world, since it is also home to White Castle, Donatos Pizza, Charley’s Steakery, Damons, Max and Ermas and the original BW-3. However, Wendy’s is the most famous. This Broad street site has plenty of interesting history to pursue while you are eating a double with cheese and a frosty. Where’s the beef?
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==6388

Topiary Garden
This garden recreates a George Suerat painting in shrub form. The mini-park is a great place to sit for a while and read a library book from the Main Library – which is where you go to locate the park.
http://www.topiarygarden.org

Eat – It’s about the food stupid –
Columbus is a culinary delight for gourmets and gourmands.
– It is one of the best places in the Country for Ice Cream. http://www.columbusunderground.com/articles/icecream.html
http://www.columbusunderground.com/articles/nancys.htm
www.krema.com

- Is home of the oldest continuous maker of peanut butter (they have a tour with free samples!)

North Market
– A great selection of foods including ice cream chocolate, cheese, and fresh meats.

Our town offers a diversity of food that cannot be found in most Midwestern cities due to our large Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and Indian populations as well as several world-class restaurants. If you have friends coming into town there are plenty of places other than the corporate chain restaurants to “whine” and dine.

So there you go -do one of these spots a month on your own or dazzle your out of town friends by doing everything in a weekend. These fifteen things just scratch the surface. How about the American Motorcycle Museum, The Ohio Historical Society, Octoberfest, The Arnold Fitness Expo (each March) etc., etc?

If you are going solo – consider the FIJI Experience – if you are flexible – this is a great way to get a taste of the island and does not seem like a traditional tour.