staying in columbus for a few days (Back from the Middle East) (Toledo: lofts)

[firekeg]

where are the best places to party (in Columbus) and which hotels are close and worth staying in? Be back in late April 2008!!

Thanks,
Keg

[streetcreed]

Stay downtown if you want to party

Anything near or in the Arena District is a good bet. However, do not be affraid to leave the downtown area, as the areas just barely outside of downtown are the most interesting and happening sections of the city.

In downtown the arena district is always happening thru-saturday. Then you should take a cab up high st. into the Short North and check out all of the local small bars/restaurants. Then if you dare travel a little further up high st. and enter all off the craziness that is the Ohio State University. All of this is within a mile of each other and would be best to travel between by cab.

Some hotels in the Arena District include:
Red Roof Inn
Hampton Inn (highly recommended, this is a very very nice hampton)
Crown Plaza (has wireless and is comfortable but some renovations may be needed)
Hyatt Regency
Lofts Hotel (good if you want a slightly expensive but nice boutique hotel)
Drury Suites (nice yet family oriented and less expensive)
All of the above hotels are located on Nationwide Blvd. Right in the Arena District near a lot of bars/restraunts and within a cab drive to the OSU campus and the Short North which are also very hot for nightlife and boutiques.

If you do want to see some class A shopping then you would need to leave downtown and take a trip to Easton Town Center (Nordstrom, Puma, etc..) If you want to go to a SAKS Fifth Avenue then a trip to Polaris on the north side is a must. Other than these shopping trips you will be able to find everything you want by staying in a downtown/arena district hotel.

[firekeg]

Thanks!! I've always heard High Street is the place to go... I live in North Central Ohio and it seems the only time I get to go to Columbus is when I have to catch a plane going somewhere "else". So, I figured I would take the time to see what Columbus has to offer before heading back up north. Going to see what Toledo has to offer the weekend after that (unless of course Columbus blows my socks off!!)

Thanks Streetcreed! You were very helpful.

[firekeg]

If anyone else has any ideas for the best place to be, I sure would welcome addtional thoughts. I would flying in on a thursday morning so, where's the place to be on a Thursday night...probably stay til Sunday morning...so, any insight on Fri/Sat nights would be useful as well.

Thanks again,
Keg

[dew2773]

Are there actually places to party in Columbus?

[firekeg]

Well, if there aren't any.... LOL.... do you have any ideas... one of my friends over here said he did some partying in Marysville and over in Dublin.....What's your take on that (Dew)

[dew2773]

I think if you're looking to party a lot of it depends on what age range you're interested in hanging with. I mean with the college here I'm sure there must be plenty of partying near campus for the early 20s crowd. Otherwise, I don't think Columbus is known for it's night life, but of course you'll find something in any city. Unfortunately, I honest don't know where to direct you. Good Luck! And let us know what you find.

[firekeg]

Thanks for the input.... I'm not a "huge drinker"... I like a bit of everything... age really isn't the factor for me... it's the maturity... definitely don't want to hang with a bunch of "kids" that get smashed out of their minds and go joy riding (if you know what I mean). One of my older brothers will be hangin with me and I think we both are more into some live music and good conversation. Meeting fun people would be a big plus as well.