Columbus OH ?

[zippy2]

I am thinking about going to Columbus for a couple of days this week. Maybe going to Cosi and the zoo. Would Cosi be fun for a 13 year old? And what area of town should I stay in? I had to cancel a trip I had planned for spring break and thought maybe this would be fun and not too far from home, Louisville, KY.

 

[kim532]

I went to COSI in 8th grade and thought it was OK, but that was many years ago. Hopefully someone has more recent experience to help you. We lived in Eastern KY so it was a 2 hour drive, so no hotel advice.

Sorry.

Kim

 

[kittycat9]

I'm not sure of the PPs age, but COSI is new(er) now. They built a new facility down on the riverfront about 10-ish years ago. I worked in their Mktg dept many moons ago when I first relo'd there, and they were in the building and planning stages. It's very nice, and yes - there are things for your child to do. Not sure if the Hockey arena will be open, but you might consider calling to see if they have any tours available. It's pretty impressive, and has plenty of great/fun eateries in the general area. Likewise there will be shopping and other things to bum around and see. There is also an outdoor mall in the Gahanna/New Albany Cooridoor called Easton Town Center. And a Mall Directly north of Town (71 I think?) In the Polaris area. The outdoor mall would be great if the weather is good - they used to have a dave and busters there. You might want to check online to see if it's still in business (I relo'd out of the area 8+ years ago - so I'm not sure). The Polaris mall is pretty much just Upscale/high end shopping (not your traditional mall shopping experience).

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the spring flowers... That's one thing I miss the most - Early april bulbs will all be in bloom. Here in Chicago we barely have crocuses and if you're lucky, a few daffies starting to poke out.

ETA: Hotel.. I would stay near Easton Town Center. Within Walking distance of the property/adjacent. Otherwise, Dublin or Polaris. Polaris would probably most affordable. I wouldn't stay downtown - mostly because it's easy to commute in and out of the city - and you'll get better rates out of the city.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I agree with the PP. I would stay near Easton but if that did not work I would stay on the other side of town near Tuttle Mall (Dublin, Oh). Lots to do at either location and very easy commute to the things you want to do. My children range in age from5-16 and we love COSI. We are actually in the process of planning on getting extended family together to do the Titanic exhibit in the next few months at COSI. The zoo is great, Olentangy caverns are fun if you like that kind of thing. If you like books there is a cute, large and very different book store in German Village that my kids love to wonder around in. German Village is a nice area to get lunch etc in also and it is close to downtown.
Clippers Baseball opening day is Weds. and they are home all weekend if you want to do a minor league game. That stadium is within walking distance to the Arena district with restuarants and the Home of the Blue Jackets hockey arena. The North Market is nice to walk around in and see the different types of food and things going on. My girls like art and enjoy walking the Short north and looking at the shops. Ohio State is always a great place to walk around and see things. As the largest University in the country it has lots to walk around. High Street is interesting in that area. I would just go in the day time with kids.
Have a great trip and I hope that you enjoy Columbus.

 

[zippy2]

Thanks so much. I think it will be a fun couple of days.

 

[Donaldswife]

I think the Cosi would be fun for a 13 year old. And whenever we stay in Columbus we always stay near Easton, it is such a nice area with lots of shopping and nice restaurants.

 

[Piecey]

Like everyone else has pretty much said-- when I stay in Columbus I stay near Easton or Polaris.

Both have lots of great shopping and places to eat!!!

 

[MAGICX2]

COSI just opened their Titanic exhibit. I heard it is phenomenal!

We live about 45 min. south of Columbus. We tend to go up about 1-2 times a month. Always hit Easton or Polaris. Both places have some upscale stores, but both also have your basic mall shops as well. I would stay near Easton, kinda central to everything. The Columbus Clippers was a good idea! There are several amazing restaraunts in the Columbus area too.
There is also a place called the Franklin Park Conservatory that has a Dale Chihullihy Glass exhibit and a butterfly garden. They should be doing the butterfly release soon. Check out their website for events.

 

[Leajess99]

I am thinking about going to Columbus for a couple of days this week. Maybe going to Cosi and the zoo. Would Cosi be fun for a 13 year old? And what area of town should I stay in? I had to cancel a trip I had planned for spring break and thought maybe this would be fun and not too far from home, Louisville, KY.

COSI is a blast!!!!!!!!! When we went last time we got a hotel room from Priceline and were downtown at the doubletree suites. We were also there for a Columbus Crew soccer game where they played the Kansas City Wizards (our favorite team from when we lived in Kansas). The best part of that whole trip was being in the same hotel as our favorite team and getting to talk to several of the players that we hadn't talked to in a couple of years.

If you go to the zoo, if you have a Louisville Zoo membership than you can get in at half price as that is not one of the free zoos. It is still a great deal and well worth the trip. They even have some rides now. I want to go again this summer. Also you will pass a nice outlet mall if you like to shop.

The trip is not bad at all from Louisville. We are from Etown and have made the trip many times.

 

[shortbun]

-The Titanic exhibit would entertain a 13yo and the rest of COSI might be interesting.
- Best zoo in the nation so don't skip that.
-Also, there is a Gameworks in Easton Towne Center. It's a small version of a DisneyQuest - lots of games, several are virtual reality -- AND there is a bar for the grownups with some decent food IF you're not into 'games.'
-Easton has a great movie theatre right above GameWorks and great shopping all around.
-On the same floor as the theatre, right near the T-Mobile store is one of my fav restaurants for early supper or lunch, Bar Louie. They have really good food, wonderful grownup style mac and cheese and good salads.
-Also, there's a BRIO right out front, in the center of the main shoppiing, really good Italian for a chain.
- In that area can be found one of our two Trader Joe's groceries too.
-Come into town, just north of OSU on High Street in Clintonville and vist Whetone Park of Roses for one of the biggest daffodil displays around and some nice urban green space.
- The Columbus Museum of Art is a good one and although kids never love HOURS in a museum, it would make a nice 1/2 day activity. We have a very colorful and mixed permanent collection. THIS Wednesday, April 7th, the museum is having a family day which is a guided tour and scavenger hunt, can't miss. The museum also has a permanent Chihuly collection.
-This is Chihuly country, as another poster mentioned, there is Chihuly at Franklin Park Conservatory. The conservatory has several climates represented in flora, makes a nice walking tour and the end is ususally the Butterfly exhibit at this time of year. Definitely check with them to see what's going on there.

 

[cjnix29]

FYI...PP mentioned Gameworks...it has closed in the last couple of weeks.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

The little tour of the Santa maria downtown, near Cosi, is quite interesting too. Have fun in our town!

 

[Fire14]

I live North of Columbus Ploaris Mall area has a Dave and Busters, a cheesecake factory, lots of neat resturants in area. Also Costco if your a member is right by mall. And yes Polaris is off I-71.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

COSI just opened their Titanic exhibit. I heard it is phenomenal!

.....

My sister lives in Columbus and she took us to COSI back in, I think, 2005 and the Titanic exhibit was there. It was very interesting. We are planning on visiting her again this summer and I'd love to go see the Titanic exhibit again!

 

[shortbun]

FYI...PP mentioned Gameworks...it has closed in the last couple of weeks.

Say it ain't so!!! My son is going to be crushed!!! We usually go there in the summer, at Christmas and over spring break. It has not been mentioned so far but I'll have to tell him tonight after Duke gets crushed in the National Championship.

Oh well, the rest of Columbus is great!!! We have an active, vibrant city!

 

[cjnix29]

Say it ain't so!!! My son is going to be crushed!!! We usually go there in the summer, at Christmas and over spring break. It has not been mentioned so far but I'll have to tell him tonight after Duke gets crushed in the National Championship.

Oh well, the rest of Columbus is great!!! We have an active, vibrant city!

yeah, I am pretty sure I saw it on the news not that long ago. I think even the mall tenants were surprised. The place was always packed when we walked by it, so I am surprised it closed.

 

[Normangirls]

You guys are making me homesick. DH and I moved to northwest Ohio after graduating from OSU in 1991, and I love it here, but my girls and I get back to visit my family every chance we get.

DD13 actually just spent Spring Break with her Nana, shopping at Easton and doing lunch in German Village.