Now, of course I have been to Columbus many times and am in some respects familiar with it, but I've never really "hung out" or "done things" there in such a way that most people my age would enjoy.  Fortunately my friends at UrbanOhio, while nerds like me, are much cooler than I am.

 

So my girlfriend is headed to Columbus for a week or so for the IEEE VisWeek conference, and as this will be her first Ohio experience (east coast elitist), I must help it make a decent impression.  Unfortunately I'm pretty sure she doesn't care a whit (well, maybe just one whit) about the sensory delights of urban exploration that we all like to do with cameras around our necks, and I've really never done much in Columbus but wander around and check things out.  She's a social creature at the expense of such things; she'd turn her back to a breathtaking city skyline in order to face people who are busy marveling at said skyline.  It kills me inside a little.

 

But anyway, suggestions for things to do/see/eat/drink?  We're talking twenty-something, into various visual arts, the sort who gets along with hipsters and "indie" crowds and also total nerds but isn't necessarily categorized as any of them.  I forget the hotel, but it's around the Arena District and Short North.  No car.

 

I'd very much appreciate anything anyone can suggest to help me recommend more than things like "hey, you should go look around the German Village" (though I will totally say that too).  Thanks!

Take a walk along High Street and enjoy is what I always say.  There are visual spaces such as the Wexner Center (at Ohio State), the numerous galleries of the Short North, fantastic restaurants/bars along High Street (I love the Rossi Bar + Grill as a personal recommendation in the Short North).  Columbusite can help you more.

I always share these two lists with people looking for stuff to do. They were created by an open vote of Columbus enthusiasts. ;)

 

<a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8018">Top Ten Things to do in Columbus, Ohio</a>

 

<A href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8760">CU Top Ten - Best Restaurants in Columbus</a>

 

as this will be her first Ohio experience (east coast elitist), I must help it make a decent impression.

 

My experience with telling East Coasters about Columbus is that nothing really impresses them until I tell them about Easton. *sigh*

 

But anyway, suggestions for things to do/see/eat/drink? We're talking twenty-something, into various visual arts, the sort who gets along with hipsters and "indie" crowds and also total nerds but isn't necessarily categorized as any of them. I forget the hotel, but it's around the Arena District and Short North. No car.

 

Well, the "no car" thing might throw a wrench in going to Easton (a good thing, in my opinion!). The visual arts are pleantiful along High St, as Chris mention. I would also suggest Betty's and Jenni's as fantastic eateries in the Short North. I've heard Bodega and Surly Girl in the northern realm of the SN are good as well, and retain the bohemian nature of the area a little better than the southern fringe.

 

I wouldn't rule out venturing further north either. OSU and the University District are definitely worth checking out by themselves. There are several enjoyable bars and taverns north of campus as well as tastes to suite most any pallete, including Indian, Ethiopian, Mexican, Japanese, and Mediterranean fare.

 

Go a little further north and hit up Clintonville as well. There are a lot of cool mom&pop shops, indie retailers, and of course, more food options there. Go further north still and visit Worthington, which is probably my favorite of the Columbus suburbs. Downtown Worthington is picturesque and is situated right on High St. Definitely go to La Chatelaine for an authentic French bistro with a great outdoor patio if the weather is still nice.

 

Also, all of this is accessable via COTA, if need be.

 

I'd also suggest visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory. The conservatory houses a large Chihuly glass collection situated amidst the plants, trees and water. I'd suggest going on Wednesday, when the conservatory is open until 8PM and one can truly experience the new lighting display installed by artist James Turrell:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/audio_slideshows/2008/08/palm_house/index.html

My experience with telling East Coasters about Columbus is that nothing really impresses them until I tell them about Easton. *sigh*

Ha, don't worry, in this particular case Easton would definitely not impress and would likely hurt the cause.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!  If anyone else has any, keep 'em coming.  I'll pass them along and, god willing, follow them myself some day.  Kinda wish I were tagging along on the trip, but it would make so little sense to do that, especially having just returned from a week-long bender in Montana and Seattle.  But I just don't know what I'll do if she doesn't like the place and I'm not there to defend it!

 

Oh, and happy birthday, CDM.  You're the real star of Columbus, of course.

LOL!  Thanks Andy...but I'm back in Dayton.

Damn!  Well I assume Columbus has some monuments in your honor...?

Yes, and it's standing atop the Cheesecake Factory at Easton.

I bookmarked some of those hotspots so I can visit them when i'm at OSU.