First time visitor, what to see? (good)

[streetcreed]

For a midwestern take on comfort food visit Betty's, in the Short North, on High St. or Tip Top on Gay St. downtown.

Both are hipster/bar joints. However, they have great comfort food. Actually I would attempt to say that their atmosphere and food is the definition of comfort food.

[Tenzo]

Originally Posted by streetcreed

For a midwestern take on comfort food visit Betty's, in the Short North, on High St. or Tip Top on Gay St. downtown.

Both are hipster/bar joints. However, they have great comfort food. Actually I would attempt to say that their atmosphere and food is the definition of comfort food.

Hipster bar = comfort food?

But seriously, if they are going to take the time to see Columbus, shouldn't they see something that is unique to Columbus?

I'll still stick to my statement that a good cross section of things uniquely columbus is OSU, Short North, Arena district, Victorian Village and German Village. If you want to get a real native feel for Columbus you can always drive on a highway and shop at a strip mall, but lets showcase the things that make Columbus proud and unique.

One edit to my original plan. On the way back from Scmidts, head west to Front street, then walk north to the arean distrcit. That will get you a view of the old brewery buildings, a unique bridge going up, the COSI, the river walk, and a replica of one of Chris Columbus' ships, then Front will take you straight to the Arena district and then to North Market for a Jenni's Ice cream.

[sdurbanite]

Awesome! Betty's, Tip Top and Jenni's Ice Cream have been noted.

Will definitely make my way thru the Brewery District and Arena District, as well. And North Market looks great!

I'm printing this dialogue, and using as my guide when I arrive in town tomorrow

[HuskerDu]

Just stay on High-street and start at Surly Girl Saloon (google is your friend), then walk south towards downtown to stop into several different pubs/clubs including Betty's and you will be amazed with c-bus. If you end up in front of the convention center, the best part of the city is all around you... within walking distance as well. The Red Roof Inn on Nationwide Blvd. is a perfect place to stay and you can do the whole thing in reverse with equally good results.

[streetcreed]

Originally Posted by streetcreed View Post
For a midwestern take on comfort food visit Betty's, in the Short North, on High St. or Tip Top on Gay St. downtown.

Both are hipster/bar joints. However, they have great comfort food. Actually I would attempt to say that their atmosphere and food is the definition of comfort food.

Both Surly Girl, Betty's, and Tip Top are very unique and have great local comfort food. They are owned by a local enterprising woman that focuses on quality and unique atmosphere in her place. You might say "Katzingers" is the old school unique of Columbus.

Betty's, Surly Girl, and Tip Top are the "new" unique of Columbus. And yes they do have a hipster vibe. Something a younger generation would easily fit into.

[SteelersFan09]

The OSU spring game tomorrow is only 5 bucks. Even if you're not into college football, it's worth it to go to see the Shoe in full swing.

[Beavercreek33]

Originally Posted by SteelersFan09

The OSU spring game tomorrow is only 5 bucks. Even if you're not into college football, it's worth it to go to see the Shoe in full swing.

Over 95,000 showed up to that game! Great day for it too. Sunny skies and highs in the upper 80s.

[RickMG]

Saw this thread and thought that it fit well with our plans for this weekend. My wife and I were planning on a place to go for a few days. We love to go for drives, and ever since we saw the Columbus episode of Man vs. Food, we have been wanting to visit. Well, here's our plans. We're leaving St. Louis around 10:00 a.m. Friday morning (11:00 eastern) and plan a stop in Indy at Shapiro's for lunch. Get to Columbus a little after six and head over to Schmidt's for dinner. Next morning head to Waldo, Ohio for a fried bologna sandwich at G & R Tavern. Come back to Columbus and have hang around til dinner at The Thurman Cafe. Hope to have breakfast on Sunday before leaving town at Katzinger's Deli. We're staying at the Westin Columbus. How much weight do you think we'll gain this weekend?

[streetcreed]

Saw this thread and thought that it fit well with our plans for this weekend. My wife and I were planning on a place to go for a few days. We love to go for drives, and ever since we saw the Columbus episode of Man vs. Food, we have been wanting to visit. Well, here's our plans. We're leaving St. Louis around 10:00 a.m. Friday morning (11:00 eastern) and plan a stop in Indy at Shapiro's for lunch. Get to Columbus a little after six and head over to Schmidt's for dinner. Next morning head to Waldo, Ohio for a fried bologna sandwich at G & R Tavern. Come back to Columbus and have hang around til dinner at The Thurman Cafe. Hope to have breakfast on Sunday before leaving town at Katzinger's Deli. We're staying at the Westin Columbus. How much weight do you think we'll gain this weekend?

I think you guys are on a good track. Westin is very close to German Village where you pland to do a lot of dining. I will have to say columbus has A LOT of dinning options and Schmidt's is worth a stop and Katzingers. However, Katzingers I would recommend for a quick lunch and schmidts is on the list for a casual meal.

But Columbus has many great restaurant options for dinner. Your trip does not include Columbus' most highly sought of restaurant/local entertainment area the short north.
Here is the website for the area, it lists many options and the Short North has shops open until 11pm.
http://www.shortnorth.org

This Saturday is the Short North gallery hop one of the most interesting events in all of Ohio. It includes restaurants, wine shops, boutiques, art galleries, street performers, and more all in a 10 block area of High St. Honestly, from a locals standpoint you would be missing out on the best of the midwest without a stop here for dinner.

However, a reservation is a must for this area for dinner (on Saturday.) Haiku is great for Asian fusion, Rigsby's for Mediterranean fine dinning, and Hyde Park for a steakhouse in the area. Really you cannot go wrong with a restaurant in this area.

My favorite though is Basi Italia. It is located just a few blocks in the SN and their website is here basi italia :: fresh honest italian IT is located just a few blocks off the main strip of the Short North and is right next to the beautiful Goodale Park. Dinner there
followed by a walk through the wonderful short north would be best way to enjoy Columbus this Saturday from a local or visitor perspective.

Scmidt's and German Village is great but save it for the afternoon, Schmidts and Katzingers are a slight tourist trap but worth visiting.

[RickMG]

Originally Posted by streetcreed

I think you guys are on a good track. Westin is very close to German Village where you pland to do a lot of dining. I will have to say columbus has A LOT of dinning options and Schmidt's is worth a stop and Katzingers. However, Katzingers I would recommend for a quick lunch and schmidts is on the list for a casual meal.

But Columbus has many great restaurant options for dinner. Your trip does not include Columbus' most highly sought of restaurant/local entertainment area the short north.
Here is the website for the area, it lists many options and the Short North has shops open until 11pm.
Short North Arts District Official Website - Columbus Short North - Short North Columbus |

This Saturday is the Short North gallery hop one of the most interesting events in all of Ohio. It includes restaurants, wine shops, boutiques, art galleries, street performers, and more all in a 10 block area of High St. Honestly, from a locals standpoint you would be missing out on the best of the midwest without a stop here for dinner.

However, a reservation is a must for this area for dinner (on Saturday.) Haiku is great for Asian fusion, Rigsby's for Mediterranean fine dinning, and Hyde Park for a steakhouse in the area. Really you cannot go wrong with a restaurant in this area.

My favorite though is Basi Italia. It is located just a few blocks in the SN and their website is here basi italia :: fresh honest italian IT is located just a few blocks off the main strip of the Short North and is right next to the beautiful Goodale Park. Dinner there
followed by a walk through the wonderful short north would be best way to enjoy Columbus this Saturday from a local or visitor perspective.

Scmidt's and German Village is great but save it for the afternoon, Schmidts and Katzingers are a slight tourist trap but worth visiting.

Wow, thank you for such great info. We will have to do Short North on Saturday and Basi Italia sounds just up my alley. Thanks again.