Photo: Barrio

This post is part four of a seven part series featuring Columbus happy hours . Check back each week as Experience Columbus staff spotlight their favorite areas of Columbus to meet friends, share a drink and have some fun.

In this post, Kelly explores the happy hour specials downtown. You can also check out options in the Short North Arts District , Grandview , or Park Street . Stay tuned for future posts in the series, where we’ll feature the University District at OSU, Easton Town Center and Worthington.

Downtown Columbus restaurants are known for many different things - some are trendy and upscale, while others are more laid back and casual. Whatever atmosphere you choose, you’re also sure to find great happy hour deals. Whether it’s half-price drinks, specially priced bar menus or daily food specials, you can’t go wrong.

One of my favorite happy hours is at Barrio Tapas Lounge, especially for their 2-for-1 Tapas Tuesdays. Every Tuesday tapas are buy-one-get-one-free, all day. Create a new combination each week and never get bored, or stick with your trusty favorites (I recommend the Fried Potatos and Crab and Almond Empanadas). Pair your tapas with a half-price pitcher of sangria, and you’re in for a good night at a great price.

Check out more details and other downtown options: (more…)

Holidays at the Ohio Statehouse

This post is part four in a four part series about the holiday season in Columbus. For craft shows and shopping fairs, check out part one here . For holiday light displays., check out part two here . And for places to catch a holiday performance, check out part three here .

Sure the holiday season brings cold weather, crowded shopping malls and endless errands, but it also brings exciting new activities to our favorite Columbus attractions. And a lot of the usual suspects get in the holiday spirit by turning their offerings up a notch. Whether they put up festive decorations, introduce a seasonal workshop or offer a special performance to their patrons, the mood is irresistibly merry. So take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy all the Columbus has to offer this December. (more…)

Ballet Met’s The Nutcracker

This post is part three in a four part series about the holiday season in Columbus. Check out part one here , about craft shows and shopping fairs, or part two here , about holiday light displays. And stay tuned for part four later this week, where we’ll share what’s happening for the holidays at some of Columbus’ favorite attractions.

There’s something about the holiday season that makes me want to get dressed up and go out. Luckily December has no shortage of holiday-themed performances that fit the bill, including theater, music and performing arts. Since many are annual events, you have the opportunity to revisit an old favorite, begin a new tradition, or do both (it is the holidays, after all). But, don’t take too long to decide — some of these won’t be around long: (more…)

Photo: German Village Business Community

This post is part two in a four part series about the holiday season in Columbus. Check out part one here , about craft shows and shopping fairs. And stay tuned for more in the coming week - we’ll cover where to catch a great performance, and we’ll also investigate what’s happening for the holidays at some of Columbus’ favorite attractions.

Sure, holiday music has been on the radio for weeks and peppermint mochas are popping up everywhere, but nothing says the holidays are here more than lights going up around the city. And when it comes to lights, bigger is better. With larger-than-life holiday light shows combining hundreds of lights, catchy jingles and seasonal treats—how can you go wrong? See for yourself at one of these Central Ohio light displays…

Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show
The courthouse comes alive nightly with thousands of pulsating lights synchronized to holiday music. Four different light shows, each 8-12 minutes long, are performed each night.

Where: Guernsey County Courthouse Lawn
When: Nov. 1-Jan. 8; 5:30-9 p.m. every night
How much: FREE; donations are encouraged

More information is available here .  (more…)

Retro reindeer at Sobo Style

This post is part one in a four part series about the holiday season in Columbus. Stay tuned for more in the coming week - we’ll cover where to see holiday lights and places to catch a great performance. We’ll also investigate what’s happening for the holidays at some of Columbus’ favorite attractions.

Looking for unique gifts to surprise the people on your holiday shopping list this year? With an abundance of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items around town, this is a great time to shop local. And what better way than at a holiday shopping fair? These all-things-handmade extravaganzas bring diverse artisans under the same roof to sell everything from blown glass ornaments and funky kitchen accents, to wheel-thrown pottery and wearable art. Stop by one of several shows taking place over the next few weeks, and who knows, you may even find a thing or two for yourself. (more…)

Photo: Randall Lee Schieber

This post is part 1 of a 7 part series featuring Columbus happy hours. Whether you like to head downtown or to the suburbs, we have you covered. Check back each week as Experience Columbus staff spotlight their favorite areas of Columbus to meet friends, share a drink and have some fun.

In this post, Kelly explores the happy hour specials abundant in the Short North Arts District. Stay tuned for future posts in the series as we explore Grandview, Park Street, downtown, the University District at OSU, Easton Town Center and Worthington.

Who doesn’t love a great happy hour? It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind after a busy day, catch up with friends and coworkers, and best of all enjoy tasty drinks and snacks at a fraction of the price. My go to spot is the Short North Arts District . With 20+ restaurants lining High Street, the choices are both diverse and plentiful; the tough part is figuring out exactly where to go. And if you’re anything like me, it’s usually a game time decision based on my mood and my group. (more…)

Columbus Public Health has launched an exciting new initiative that combines art and exercise into one unique experience. You can now see up to 80 artistic, historical and architectural sites around Columbus, all by foot and with the help of pre-designed walking tours.

Columbus Art Walks was developed by Columbus Public Health’s Healthy Places Program to encourage people to experience the city in a positive, healthy way. These self-guided cell phone tours are currently available for four Columbus neighborhoods, including the Discovery District, Arena District, Ohio Statehouse and The Ohio State University.

The best part is that it’s free and easily accessible. All you need to participate is a cell phone and a map, which you can download here . The map provides an overview of the program, important phone numbers and a walking map with route details. Upon arrival at each site, a unique phone number can be called to hear details and interesting facts about the site. With 20-30 stops on each tour, there is plenty to see.

So lace up your sneakers and get ready to walk. With only a few weeks of fall foliage left to enjoy, this is a perfect excuse to get out and about.

Leslie’s Creperie
Photo: Kit Yoon, Cool Columbus

Recently we’ve talked quite a bit about the Columbus food truck scene, and especially about the tours available through Columbus Food Adventures . If you don’t go the tour route, two other options are available: 1) Track down the food carts yourself. Many post their hours and location on Facebook and/or Twitter each morning. 2) Find an event that does the work for you and brings together several trucks in one location. I opted for option number two.

This week I had my first food truck experience at Food-Truck-A-Palooza. The event brought ten diverse food vendors together, all for our eating pleasure. Offerings included sweet and savory crepes, gourmet cupcakes, quesadillas, tacos, pulled pork sliders and more. The only thing that held us back from sampling the specialties at all ten trucks was the size of our stomachs. Overall the event drew a great crowd, who also got to enjoy the Ohio Historical Center at no cost, and several vendors even ran out of food before the night’s end.

If you missed Food-Truck-A-Palooza don’t fret. Your next chance to be part of the fun is this Sunday, Oct. 17 . The Food Cart Food Court will be open from 4-7 p.m. in the Wonderland parking lot (697 N. 4th St.). Fifteen food carts and trucks will be on hand, including FOODie Cart, Leslie’s Crepe Cart, Skillet, Yankee Cajun and more. If you’re like me and want to browse the menus before you go, you can see reviews and sample menus for most of the food trucks here .

A few tips:
1) Go early.
2) Go hungry.
3) Bring plenty of cash. You never know what will catch your eye!

HighBall Halloween

Who says kids get to have all the fun this Halloween? With plenty of adult-friendly Halloween activities this month, ranging from nighttime canoe rides to haunted tours of Ohio State’s campus, it’s time for some good old-fashioned holiday fun!

Shadowbox Live: Nightmare at Shadowbox
Original sketch comedy and live rock ‘n’ roll with a Halloween twist.

Where: Easton Town Center
When: Sept. 2-Nov. 13; Thur., 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
How much: $30; $20 for students, seniors (55+) and active military

More information is available here

Scare-A-Torium (more…)

Haunted Statehouse Tour

This month there is no shortage of activities for the entire family to enjoy together in Columbus. Whether you’re looking for trick-or-treat trails, pumpkin-flavored treats or to experience a local attraction with a Halloween twist, it’s all here. Pick your favorites and take your family, friends or neighbors along for the ride.

Harvest the Arts Festival
Enjoy live entertainment, a Crafter’s Marketplace, face painting, candle dipping and more.

Where: Doran’s Farm Market, New Albany
When: Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
How much: FREE

More information is available here
(more…)