Trip, looking for some ideas for Oct. 31-Nov. 2nd (Columbus: how much, hotels)

[Eric G.]

Hi Columbus!

I'm in Nevada, and will be coming out this October to do some Fall color photography and check out some of my old haunts. (Grew up as a kid in Worthington.)

Most of the time I'll be over by Dayton and then hitting various state parks in Southern Ohio, but my last couple of days will be in Columbus.

Once I'm there, my list so far includes:

Franklin Conservatory (haven't been in years)
On Halloween night, there's an event in the Short North area called Masquerade on High, which could be fun for photos. Anybody been to that before?
I plan on visiting Worthington on my last day, and maybe make a trip to Highbanks park.

I'm looking for either unusual hotels, or Bed & Breakfasts, as well as restaurants. On my last night, I need to be not too far from the airport, and the night of the masquerade I'd like to find something in Columbus itself.

After the conservatory, I may hit German Village as well. I've seen some good and some so-so reviews for Schmidt's Sausage Haus. Any thoughts on that? (I would have gone to the Kahiki for sure, but heard it was torn down to make room for a Target's.) 8(

If there are any restaurants or events you would recommend, I'm all ears.

Thanks

Oops, forgot to ask...a couple nights I'll be staying in unheated cabins at state parks. How cold does it get in late October there? Will it be below 30 degrees?

[Eric G.]

Come on Columbus, don't be shy. There's gotta be something you like!

[Daytonnatian]

Wow, I completely missed this thread. I'm sorry

For an unusual hotel, I would recommend the Granville Inn in Granville. Has a wonderful restraunt, too

As for actual activities in town over halloween, I really don't know what's happening. Maybe that's the weekend the Circleville Pumpkin Festival happens, which would be close and realy cool, and I know Athens has stuff going on if you're college-aged. Besides that, COSI fairly recently moved into a new facility which is really neat and different, and Easton in general is worth a stop (and this is coming from a devout urbanist )

For restraunts, I would suggest taking a walk around German Village. There's a real nice bakery over by Fourth street that serves awesome food, and I'm sure it's not alone. Also hit up the Short North, which is basically High street between 670 and OSU that is C-Bus' art district nowadays, and yes, it's got good food and pleanty to do.

[Eric G.]

Originally Posted by Daytonnatian

Wow, I completely missed this thread. I'm sorry

For an unusual hotel, I would recommend the Granville Inn in Granville. Has a wonderful restraunt, too

As for actual activities in town over halloween, I really don't know what's happening. Maybe that's the weekend the Circleville Pumpkin Festival happens, which would be close and realy cool, and I know Athens has stuff going on if you're college-aged. Besides that, COSI fairly recently moved into a new facility which is really neat and different, and Easton in general is worth a stop (and this is coming from a devout urbanist )

For restraunts, I would suggest taking a walk around German Village. There's a real nice bakery over by Fourth street that serves awesome food, and I'm sure it's not alone. Also hit up the Short North, which is basically High street between 670 and OSU that is C-Bus' art district nowadays, and yes, it's got good food and pleanty to do.

Hey, thanks for the reply Daytonnatian...it's funny how much you mentioned is stuff I'll be doing, so that's cool. I actually start off at the Circleville Pumpkin Show before heading over near Dayton for the National Air Force Museum, then down to the Renaissance Festival. Lots of driving, some Hocking Hills hiking and rides on both the LM&M and Hocking Scenic railways.

When I come up to Columbus, will be doing the Frankilin Conservatory, COSI, German Village, and the Masquerade on High at Short North.

I'll check out your suggestion of the Granville Inn, I seem to recall seeing some good reviews for the restaurant there. Is Schmidt's Sausage Haus still a good bet in German Village, or is there something better?

[Daytonnatian]

Schmidt's should be good (had some of their food at the Ohio State Fair and it was really good), but personally I would do it Euro-style and just walk around until you run into a place you want to eat at.

Still, even after a nice stroll, Schmidt's might be your favorite choice anyway, so hopefully someone that is actually FROM Columbus can help you out (I'm from Dayton-nati if you can't tell).

(hopefully Tenzo, OSUFan, or someone else will be swinging by soon).

[Tenzo]

Is that my que?

Everyone goes to Schmidts once, only a fool goes there twice
(taken from a Japanese proverb/haiku)

Instead of Schmidts try Thermans. Especially if you are into burgers.
PM me on how to evade the 3 hour wait.

I love german village and it has some pretty good photo ops. What people do with there gardens there is amazing. For an interesting place to stay there is the german Village B&B. (I have not had any reports on it though). Most of my friends stay at the Old hotel across from the couthouse on High. It's a restored building.

Campus is always nice for nature pics with cute girls. There is also a lot of nice art scattered aroound the campus. I think they have refilled mirror lake by now.

For a state park you might try hocking hills. they have cabins with gas fireplaces.
Just don't expect to get pictures of the waterfalls, they are all dry.

[Eric G.]

Originally Posted by Tenzo

...For a state park you might try hocking hills. they have cabins with gas fireplaces.
Just don't expect to get pictures of the waterfalls, they are all dry.

No, they're not dry, probably because of all the rain there's been lately. Got good shots of both the upper and lower falls yesterday.

Beautiful scenery!

[wrightflyer]

Glad to here the photography expedition went well!