Visiting Columbus

dhilk3785 · Post by **dhilk3785** » March 20th, 2019, 9:56 am

For those of you lucky enough to go to Columbus for the game, I’m jealous. My wife and I went to grad school at OSU and Columbus is still probably my favorite place I’ve ever lived. We moved away four years ago, but I figured I'd throw out a few recommendations of things to see/eat/do while in town.

Most hotels are going to be in the Arena District, Downtown, Short North, near OSU’s campus, near the airport, or in one of the suburbs (Gahanna, New Albany, Polaris, Dublin, Hilliard). I’d recommend staying in Downtown, Arena District, or Short North. All will be essentially walkable or a short ride to Nationwide Arena, which is where the games will be held, and you likely can get by with just Uber/Lyft. If staying in one of the suburbs, they’re all essentially 20ish minutes from the arena, but you’ll definitely want a car. Parking near the arena is almost exclusively garage parking, so it can be a bit slow getting out after an event, but there is generally plenty of parking

I started to write a long post with my recommendations, then it got really long, so attached is a PDF. Take a look, and If anyone else on the board has lived or still does live there, chime in!

Post by **ProvoAggie** » March 20th, 2019, 10:00 am

Thanks for the write-up. I've been trying to figure out what to do with downtime. I've spent some time in Ohio but not a ton in Columbus. I will throw in 1 recommendation though. Melt Bar and Grilled is a really good restaurant. https://meltbarandgrilled.com/locations/columbus/

dhilk3785 · Post by **dhilk3785** » March 20th, 2019, 10:07 am

ProvoAggie wrote: ↑
March 20th, 2019, 10:00 am
Thanks for the write-up. I've been trying to figure out what to do with downtime. I've spent some time in Ohio but not a ton in Columbus. I will throw in 1 recommendation though. Melt Bar and Grilled is a really good restaurant. https://meltbarandgrilled.com/locations/columbus/

Ahh good catch! Melt is delicious but terrible for you. Their Monte Cristo is a tasty heart attack on a plate. They have locations in Easton and the Short North.

dhilk3785 · Post by **dhilk3785** » March 20th, 2019, 10:41 am

There is also a casino in Columbus for those of you interested, but there's not much around it. I never went while I was there but had friends go regularly. I would guess it's just a little nicer than Montego Bay in Wendover since it is newer, but probably not much...

https://www.hollywoodcolumbus.com/

dhilk3785 · Post by **dhilk3785** » March 20th, 2019, 10:14 pm

One more “thing to do” suggestion... turns out it’s the Ohio Boys High School Basketball state finals Thursday through Saturday at the Schottenstein Center on OSU’s campus, so if you’re really in the basketball mood that might be fun to check out.

https://ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Ba ... t-Coverage

columbusaggie · Post by **columbusaggie** » March 21st, 2019, 8:18 am

If you like drinking beer and Football this is the place for you!!! Otherwise in my opinion not much going on. Casino is decent some shadies start crawling in after 10. Cosi is great and close to downtown. Easton if you have a car is very nice. Zoo of course if you bring the fam. The Scioto mile is nice if you want to take a walk. We love our beer!!! Go Aggies see you at the game tomorrow!!!

NVAggie · Post by **NVAggie** » March 21st, 2019, 9:36 am

So I don't drink and football is not in season...I guess I should stay home.

Post by **aggies22** » March 21st, 2019, 10:01 am

NVAggie wrote: ↑
March 21st, 2019, 9:36 am
So I don't drink and football is not in season...I guess I should stay home.

Turn the plane around NVAggie wants to go home.

dhilk3785 · Post by **dhilk3785** » March 21st, 2019, 10:04 am

NVAggie wrote: ↑
March 21st, 2019, 9:36 am
So I don't drink and football is not in season...I guess I should stay home.

Not sure if serious...

Like Salt Lake, it's a mid-sized city with mid-sized city things to do. Several unique neighborhoods to poke around with shops and such and great food all over the city. Also, football spring practice is in season and the Buckeyes have a public practice on Saturday. I disagree that Beer and Football are all it offers, but those are definitely prevalent.

Also, the Aggies are playing, so... Stay in the hotel when they aren't I guess?

USUaggie · Post by **USUaggie** » March 21st, 2019, 10:11 am

Many thanks for the tips!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

osuaggie · Post by **osuaggie** » March 21st, 2019, 1:46 pm

Oh man, I loved reading that list & am insanely jealous I'm not there this week. We lived there for grad school too, but from 99-03. In fact, I was teaching school there the year the Aggies played OSU. I proudly sported my USU sweatshirt that day among a classroom full of Buckeyes. I got a lot of grief for it. We absolutely loved it there. Columbus is a great city.

I would add -
The Football Hall of Fame in Canton. (you could go through Amish country on the way to/from)
Muirfield Village Golf Course is in Dublin - its the sight of the Memorial Golf Tournament (Jack Nicklaus) - they don't allow play there before the tournament but its pretty. (Mary Kelley's is a great Irish restaurant in Dublin - if it's still there)
Kirtland is about 2 hours north, that might interest some of you.

And I'll confirm -
There are so many great parks in Columbus - one of the things I miss the most. They planned that part of the city really well. For a big city you can find green space in a hurry.
The Shoe - iconic football venue
German Village - Schmidt's is good IF you like German food.
The Columbus Zoo is great - we especially loved the manatees in the aquarium there.
Amish Country is beautiful - Homestead restaurant and Heini's cheese factory (we bought a lot of bulk spices there)
Hocking Hills has some cool hikes.

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