ot-anyone ever been to columbus?

[pilotwife_02]

I live in Columbus and was just going to suggest this too. There's a fun McDonald's there also for small children.

They closed this McDonald's down

I agree with what everyone else has suggested!! Have fun!! We moved out here 3 years ago from the east coast and love it out here there's a lot to do!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

They closed this McDonald's down

I agree with what everyone else has suggested!! Have fun!! We moved out here 3 years ago from the east coast and love it out here there's a lot to do!

I did not know that! Our dds are older now and we haven't been there in awhile. Thanks for letting the OP know.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Yeah I don't know why since it was always busy and a nice place to grab something to eat and let the kids play.

 

[4winks]

We live NW of Columbus and agree with all the great suggestions. Here is another thought to your Canada trip. There is a passport card (like a drivers license) available. It is a lot less expensive than a regular passport. It only allows you to drive into Mexico and Canada or take a cruise - bascially no air travel. I am not sure of the exact cost but I think around $45/Person. It can be upgraded to the regular passport if needed. Here's more info:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

 

[Normangirls]

Definitely the Zoo
German Village (you can eat at Schmidt's, plus there's lots of shopping)
Franklin Park Conservatory (do they still have the Chihuly glass exhibit?)
Gallery Hop in the Short North
Tour the Graeter's Ice Cream "factory"
Picnic with the Pops
Scioto Downs or Beulah Park for horse racing
And we're heading down next weekend for the State Fair!

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

I would recommend Fort Rapids indoor waterpark. You can swim rain or shine, which is usually flip flopped 3 or 4 times a day here in Ohio. The Columbus zoo is AWESOME! We have the Akron zoo 15 minutes away and The Cleveland Zoo 45 mins away and we still frequently drive the 2 hours to columbus for their zoo. Its well worth it. COSI is fun, but I havent been there since I was a girl scout, so I dont remember too much about it.

 

[NJFabFour]

actually yes we knew-my brother is a mechanic for the school buses so thats kinda why we waited till august-for less crowds...why do they go back so early? so used to northeast going back after labor day..

It's funny, we always get asked by family why our kids go back so late! When we moved out here to NJ, my co-workers in the public schools explained to me that Labor Day weekend is such a popular time to spend the last hurrah of the summer at the Shore that it wouldn't be practical for the schools to start back before Labor Day. I guess it makes sense as most schools in the country, as far as I know, typically start late Aug and end early June. So it appears it's really just a Jersey thing. We vacationed in Cape Cod in late Aug. a few yrs ago and they had already started back. 2 days off for a Teacher's Convention is also just a Jersey thing, hence the reason they refer to that week as "Jersey Week" in WDW!

 

[pilotwife_02]

It's funny, we always get asked by family why our kids go back so late! When we moved out here to NJ, my co-workers in the public schools explained to me that Labor Day weekend is such a popular time to spend the last hurrah of the summer at the Shore that it wouldn't be practical for the schools to start back before Labor Day. I guess it makes sense as most schools in the country, as far as I know, typically start late Aug and end early June. So it appears it's really just a Jersey thing. We vacationed in Cape Cod in late Aug. a few yrs ago and they had already started back. 2 days off for a Teacher's Convention is also just a Jersey thing, hence the reason they refer to that week as "Jersey Week" in WDW!

I'm actually from NJ and thought EVERYONE went back to school after Labor day, I mean come on....doesn't everyone have their last summer weekend trip down the shore then

 

[santa's surpriz]

When you are coming...The Ohio State Fair is getting ready to start. If you are coming more in the fall there are alot of great fallish-halloween stuff to do. There is a place called Circle S Farms that has a lot of family oriented activities. Don't pass up the zoo, it is top rated and very nice to visit. We have a new baby elephant. My church is getting ready to have their Brats and Crafts festival, you'll find alot of those going right now. There is also a whistle factrory you can tour, I foget the name of it though. You've also got to head up to Amish Country and over eat at one of the restaurants! UP towards Akron area there is a place called Hale Farm which is alot of fun. And about 45 minutes south of Cols (off 71) there is an awesome outlet mall. There is also the Reds and Indians, both with in two hours of Columbus (opposite directions.)

No one mentioned a tour or at least visiting The Ohio State University, com'n Buckeyes! If you happen to be here gameday, even if you do not have tickets it's a great way to see how fanatic Cols is about the Buckeyes. At any rate it is nice to see so many Bucks repsond. I live in Hilliard just NW of Columbus.

You can definetely keep yourself entertained in Columbus, Ohio there is tons to do!

 

[santa's surpriz]

Depending on when you come you could check out some sporting events. We have a new stadium for our baseball team (Columbus clippers) and Soccer Stadium (Columbus Crew). My kids love to go to the games.

There are several parks that have water play areas. We pack a picnic and then let the kids play for free. There is one in Dublin off of Avrey Rd, one in Downtown columbus - Northbank Park, Homestead park in Hilliard. I am not sure where your brother lives in the Columbus area. If you don't want to spend the money for the water park at the zoo you could also look into Big Splash in Grove City. It has 2 waterslides and then a smaller slide for younger kids. It is only like $7 and my kids love it.

Our metro parks also have some really good free events during the summer so you could look up their schedule and see if there is something going on while you are here.

There are so many things to do in the area and it does not have to cost you alot.

We must be neighbors!! You know the Hilliard area to well not be!

 

[bigbabyblues]

actually yes we knew-my brother is a mechanic for the school buses so thats kinda why we waited till august-for less crowds...why do they go back so early? so used to northeast going back after labor day..

I'm about 2 hours out of Columbus, but we've always started school this "early". We always end up having to make up snow days at the end of the year as it is, and we'd have to go way into June if they start after Labor Day. I guess every place is different!

I don't have anything to add that hasn't been said, but my DS8 really enjoyed COSI, and we all like the zoo. Enjoy your trip!

 

[mistysue]

http://www.thewilds.org/

That place is awesome! It's an african safari place something like 1.5-2 hours East of town.

Make sure you write down directions really well because it's a bit confusing to get to and nobody has been there.

If you are in Columbus, you should go because you won't regret it for a day trip.

 

[santa's surpriz]

http://www.thewilds.org/

That place is awesome! It's an african safari place something like 1.5-2 hours East of town.

Make sure you write down directions really well because it's a bit confusing to get to and nobody has been there.

If you are in Columbus, you should go because you won't regret it for a day trip.

I forgot about The Wilds, it definitely worth the drive. Unforgetable experiences. We went a few years ago and the rhinos came right up to our transport! Another must do!

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

They closed this McDonald's down

I agree with what everyone else has suggested!! Have fun!! We moved out here 3 years ago from the east coast and love it out here there's a lot to do!

Ahhhh...but the brand new Lego store just opened last week.