Weekend in Columbus

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Every year, I book and surprise my husband with a birthday weekend. This year I thought we would try out Columbus. This is what I have planned, any input would be appreciated. It will be DH, me, DD17, and DS14. It's important to note that soccer is a big part of our family and DH LOVES watching and also seeing the kids play, and this was my motivation for this weekend.

Leave early Friday Morning: arrive in Columbus around 3pm.

Check into the Drury Inn and Suites Northwest

Head over to Easton Town Center for a Columbus Crew Soccer Tour from 5-7, spend the evening eating and shopping.

Saturday:

Columbus Zoo in the morning and afternoon
- head back and refresh at hotel
- Columbus Crew Soccer game at 7:30pm
- hang out at the hotel, maybe or a pizza or such (swim if there is a pool)

Sunday:

Visit German Town
- eat
- shop
- visit the book nook

Return Home.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MomofKatie]

Sounds like fun!! We lived in Columbus for almost 2 years when DD was a baby/toddler. She loved the Columbus Zoo! It is really great. We went back and visited Columbus last summer (9 years after we moved away) and did some of what you have planned- went to a Crew game and walked around German Town (and ate at Schmidt's). The game was great!! And German Town is always fun.

Have a good time!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Sounds like fun!! We lived in Columbus for almost 2 years when DD was a baby/toddler. She loved the Columbus Zoo! It is really great. We went back and visited Columbus last summer (9 years after we moved away) and did some of what you have planned- went to a Crew game and walked around German Town (and ate at Schmidt's). The game was great!! And German Town is always fun.

Have a good time!

How would you rate Schmidts? And did you buy center seats or endzone for the game. Now it's down to the little things. Where to save and where to splurge.

 

[charming23]

I love the Columbus Zoo, especially the manatees and elephants. I believe that they have two displays of the elephants right now as ours from the Cleveland Zoo are there whlie they rebuild the habitat.

Schmits is yummy. When we were there last year we had the buffet for dinner as it gave us a chance to try a out a little bit of everything.

 

[dimimi]

I love the Columbus Zoo, especially the manatees and elephants. I believe that they have two displays of the elephants right now as ours from the Cleveland Zoo are there whlie they rebuild the habitat.

Schmits is yummy. When we were there last year we had the buffet for dinner as it gave us a chance to try a out a little bit of everything.

They also have a brand new Polar Bear exhibit. I have heard it is WONDERFUL and the crowds are proving it. Enjoy.

 

[fhtpdw20]

In case you the weather does not cooperate, here is a link to COSI. The Titanic artifacts are on display now. http://www.cosi.org/visitors/exhibits/

 

[MomofKatie]

How would you rate Schmidts? And did you buy center seats or endzone for the game. Now it's down to the little things. Where to save and where to splurge.

Schmidt's= YUM!! Love the pretzel bites appetizer, all the different sausages, and the CREAMPUFFS!!! There is always a wait, but there are some cute little shops and a candy store closeby, so the time goes quickly.

We had tickets around 1/2 way between midfield and the home goal (2 sections away from the rabid fans). We were about 1/2way up the stadium. I really don't think you can have a terrible seat there, since it is a soccer-specific stadium. I'd go with halfway up or so, and as close to midfield as possible.

 

[FireDancer]

The plan looks good to me. I make it down to Columbus a couple of times a year and try to catch a Crew game every year. It is a really good stadium for soccer.

Cafe Istanbul is a great place to eat at Easton if you like Mediterranean food.

If you have time to go check out the OSU campus make a stop in the Short North area where there are a lot of great restaurants. The Happy Greek is my favorite.

Have a good time.

 

[design_mom]

I live in Columbus. I can actually see the hotel you're staying at from my office!

I think your plan sounds good. Definitely check out the Polar Bear exhibit at the zoo. It's neat. We've been twice since it opened and I didn't think the crowds were that bad. (Not like when the baby Elephant was born.) The zoo is also known for it's gorilla program.

I've been to several Crew games in the cheap seats, but have always had a good view. It's a nice stadium.

Schmidt's isn't really my thing (not my kind of food...except for the creampuffs!), but German Village is fun and the Book Loft is something to see.

If you're looking for places to eat that are nearer your hotel, there's a decent hibachi restaurant right next door to your hotel: http://www.houseofjapanohio.com/ The Montogmery Inn is good for ribs and barbeque: http://www.montgomeryinn.com/index.php
And there are a lot of "Irish pub" style restaurants in/around Dublin.

When are you coming? There lots of street fairs and festivals in the summer months. Maybe there will be something like that going on while you're here, too.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Thanks everyone. I am now getting excited. Definetely glad the hotel is okay. Off to buy tickets now! Any more ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Well everything fell into place. We will be at the Drury Hotel for two nights and they have a Crew traveling set-up at the Easton Mall friday night. We are going there, and then I need to make some dinner plans and maybe some type of late evening sight see-ing.

I bought the Crew tickets (center field 14 rows up) and they came with free zoo tickets. I just love when a plan comes together. We will do the zoo Saturday morning/afternoon, come back to the hotel for happy hour, then head off the the game. I will need some ideas for a late-night snack/meal for the kids, and if I see the map correctly we are at OSU and that is one of DS's favorite college teams. Maybe a side trip over there after the game. Most colleges are hopping at night, not sure about this one.

We will sleep in Sunday morning and then head to GermanVillage. We are going to eat a late lunch at Schmidts, look at a few shops, definetely go to the book store as both kids are book geeks. I will pack a cooler and get some great Germans desserts, and we will head home.

Not bad for a put-together weekend. I am sure DH will love it, as much as I love surprising him.

So any suggestions or changes would be great. Thanks everyone!

 

[ttfn3]

Hi! I live in Central Ohio - very near Dublin. Your weekend touring plan looks fun. LOVE the Crew. Soccer rules

Since you are staying in Dublin with kids, I highly recommend a snack at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. Jeni has such original yummy flavors. Here's a link to the location in Dublin: http://jenisicecreams.com/locations-dublin.html

Also, when you are in German Village, take some time and check out Schiller Park. It's a great place for a stroll.

If you have time, OSU is definitely a great place for a visit. They just renovated their Library and also have a completely new Union which would be a cool place to visit. Here's a link to the Union webpage:
http://ohiounion.osu.edu/
Check out the Flash Mob video

 

[Tracy Savage]

How would you rate Schmidts? And did you buy center seats or endzone for the game. Now it's down to the little things. Where to save and where to splurge.

Schmidts! YUM!! It's the best! I can't wait to go back! Save room for one of their giant cream puffs!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hi! I live in Central Ohio - very near Dublin. Your weekend touring plan looks fun. LOVE the Crew. Soccer rules

Since you are staying in Dublin with kids, I highly recommend a snack at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. Jeni has such original yummy flavors. Here's a link to the location in Dublin: http://jenisicecreams.com/locations-dublin.html

Also, when you are in German Village, take some time and check out Schiller Park. It's a great place for a stroll.

If you have time, OSU is definitely a great place for a visit. They just renovated their Library and also have a completely new Union which would be a cool place to visit. Here's a link to the Union webpage:
http://ohiounion.osu.edu/
Check out the Flash Mob video

Thanks so much for the links. We never let DH know where we are going and the Flash Mob video will work perfect for a clue for the day!! I am also going to check out the union to see how late the food establishments are open.