If you’ve had the pleasure of strolling the atmospheric streets of German Village , with their 150-year-old brick homes, decadent patisseries and delicious restaurants, you’ve probably though to yourself: I really wish I lived here! There is a way you can live out that fantasy, even while you’re just visiting: The German Village Guesthouse !

Tucked away on Jaeger Street, the guesthouse is just steps away from great restaurants like Barcelona , G Michaels and Lindey’s . There’s no big street sign, so you really do feel like you’re just walking into your very own Village pied a terre. What awaits you upon entry? A beautifully furnished living space with three guest suites, and a truly spectacular patio that ranks among the best in the Village.

Guests share the living room, kitchen (supplied with fresh baked banana bread, locally roasted coffee and basic fridge and pantry staples) and patio, and can retreat to their own private rooms, each with its own full bathroom. Each suite is an urban oasis, with ultra-plush mattresses and stylish, minimal decor that captures the German Village design sensibility.

If you’re looking more for loft-living, the Guesthouse also offers two 800-square-foot apartment s for visitors a few blocks away. The apartments are dog-friendly (a walk in Schiller Park with your pup will DEFINITELY make you feel like a local) and decorated with the same great style as the Guesthouse.

If you love great food at at a great price, this is your time to explore Columbus’ growing food scene ! Restaurant Week: Columbus is happening right now!

Restaurant Week: Columbus means some great eateries around the city are putting forth superb three-course, prix fixe menus at price-points between $15 and $35.

If you’re a seafood fan, it’s hard to beat Rigsby’s Kitchen’s menu ($35) with grilled sardines, shrimp pasta and scallops with fregola on offer. Columbus Brewing Company ($20) is serving dishes that not only accommodate but delight vegetarians and vegans, with choices including beer battered asparagus, a vegan burrito and risotto croquettes. For spicier fare, try Basil Thai ($20) in the Short North. Tom kha chicken soup, pad la praw and Thai red curry are sure to light up your tastebuds.

You can find the full list of participating restaurants at restaurantweekcolumbus.com . Restaurant Week is popular, so it’s always a good idea to make an advance reservation. Which menu is tempting you the most?

This post is written by Sandi Combs, Marketing Specialist for Experience Columbus. You can follow Sandi on Twitter @Sandi_ExpCols .

Visitors in Columbus will notice that something special is happening in our city this year- we’re celebrating Columbus’ 200th birthday! Festivities commemorating 200Columbus the Bicentennial (as it’s officially known) will take place all year long, with events being planned by a wide array of organizations and neighborhoods throughout the city. Although you might think that these are for locals only, there are many exciting events that will be fun for everyone, whether you’re a resident or visitor.

Here’s a look at what’s happening during the next month:

Columbus’ actual birth-date is Valentine’s Day, so there are several special events to experience in the first part of February. Take in the sights and sounds of an amazing collaboration by BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra during the performance of Jazz Moves Columbus , Feb. 2-12, 2012. Then, enjoy special discounts on shopping and attractions throughout the city during 200Columbus Days – just download the discount flyer. You may also enjoy seeing the performance of The Ruby Elzy Story on Feb. 11, having fun with your family at COSI’s Columbus Family Weekend Feb. 11-12, or cheering at the Columbus Blue Jackets game when they take on the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 14.

In addition to those special events, there are many long-running exhibits to see. COSI is hosting Race: are we so different?, which is the first nationally traveling exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical points of view. The Columbus Museum of Art is recognizing the Bicentennial with several special exhibits, including Monet to Matisse , Columbus Views and Caravaggio: Behold the Man! Other art exhibits include Ohio Arts Council Riffe Gallery’s 100 Years of Art: Celebrating Columbus’ Legacy , the King Arts Complex’s Cityscapes Yesteryear and OSU’s Columbus Cartoonists: A Bicentennial Celebration .

We’ll keep you updated on more Bicentennial events to experience as the year progresses. In the meantime, if you’d like to know more about the celebration, visit 200Columbus.com . Or find the Bicentennial on Facebook or Twitter .

Did we miss something? Share your information about other great Bicentennial events in the comments.

This post is written by Tim Simeone, Visitor Center Receptionist for Experience Columbus. You can follow him on Twitter @TimSimeone .

What instrument did Mozart’s father play? I won tickets to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra by answering that question on Twitter. I confess, I Googled the answer. Nevertheless, my Friday night plans were made. My wife’s friends were in town so I called up my mother-in-law. We grabbed a bite at De Novo before the show.

De Novo is a perfect spot to eat before a show at the Ohio Theatre. We walked over after our delicious meal. I had the Lamb Belly - thick noodles, with a rich white sauce and a perfectly poached egg. My mother-in-law had the scallops which were delicious and we each had a salad, all pictured below. The restaurant is beautiful with giant art, suspended branches, and jazz to add to the already perfect atmosphere.

Certainly my experience, being a symphony rookie, was different than someone who knows the music and all its complexities. So as I describe my experience please understand, my only experience with classical music is from Looney Tunes and accidentally landing on the classical station when searching for NPR on the radio. This is sad I agree, but my experience at the Columbus Symphony was so wonderful, I will definitely be returning for future shows.

The show was title Mozart and Brahms, featuring Yossif Ivanov a 23 year-old violinist. He and his surrounding orchestra were incredible. They all played a challenging score with such ease. At times the orchestra would be loud and powerful and then it would get so soft that I thought it had stopped and what I thought was silence was a single violinist easing and inviting me back in. Thinking of going? Here are some tips if you yourself are a symphony rookie:

• Dress up - Thankfully I came from work so I was already dressed
• Don’t clap until you hear other people clapping – There was a moment when I thought they had finished a piece, well they hadn’t and I clapped once and turned red in the face. Follow the lead of those around you.
• Take off your jacket before the show –There is nothing worse than having to wrestle out of your blazer when sitting in a theatre seat.
• Bring a lozenge and unwrap it before the show – Someone eight rows over was unwrapping candy during the show, it sounded like a raccoon trying to open a holiday fruit basket. Little noises can be distracting.

Follow the symphony at @C_S_O.

If you wanted to make a weekend of this trip, both the Ohio Theatre and De Novo are within walking distance of the Sheraton Columbus on Capitol Square and The Westin Great Southern.

At Experience Columbus, we strive to help our potential visitors find great travel experiences in ways that work best for them, whether it’s in our publications, on our web site , via Twitter , on Facebook or Flickr. Recently, we’ve seen a lot of buzz around Pinterest , a social network that’s starting to gain traction. The more we looked at it, the more we though it could work well for both showing off the great things there are to see , do , eat and drink and also, as a powerful trip planning tool for our visitors.

Pinterest is a visual way to bookmark links. Whether it’s pictures of things that inspire you, DIY or craft projects you want to try, videos that make you laugh, or places you want to visit, it’s a really nice way to help yourself remember those aspirations and share them with your network of friends. Pinning these images and videos is very easy - first you need to do is pull the "Pin It" button into your browser’s task bar. When you find an image or video you want to pin, just click that button, select which of your boards you want the item to be pinned onto, then type a few words about it. It takes about five seconds. You can find images and videos to pin all across the web, or you can browse or search Pinterest and re-pin things that other users have added.

Pinterest is also great for planning a trip. For instance, if you’re planning a visit to Columbus in the spring, you can check out our boards , follow us, and re-pin on your own board images of the activities you want to do , restaurants you want to try and places you want to stay . The really nice thing about this is that you can very easily co-plan a trip with another person or a group. If you’re finally taking that long-talked-about girls getaway or getting the family reunion organized, you can invite all the members of your travel party to pin to the same board so you’re not all searching through email chains to agree on the plan for a day out.

Because Pinterest is gaining popularity quickly, you normally have to request an account and wait a few days for it to be activated. To make the process must quicker, Experience Columbus is happy to send you an invitation, which gets you in right away. To request and invitation, email me at jvargo@experiencecolumbus.com . Please make "Pinterest" the subject line of your email.

As you explore this new tool, let me know what you like and don’t like about Experience Columbus’ boards (http://pinterest.com/expcols .) What do you wish you could find, that we haven’t covered yet?

Happy Pinning!

This post is written by Tim Simeone, Visitor Center Receptionist at Experience Columbus.

There are always so many different options of things to do and places to go on New Year’s Eve. You could be counting down with hundreds of strangers at a dance club, with good friends staying late at a restaurant, or curling up at home watching re-runs of Murder She Wrote with a pint of Jeni’s Salty Carmel Ice Cream (my last year New Year’s Eve). Here are some events that might encourage you to TiVo Angela Lansbury’s mysterious adventures and hop out on the town to ring in 2012.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be facing off against the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. If you think the firing of the cannon after a goal is impressive, wait till you see the new indoor pyrotechnic and firework display they will be debuting at this game in honor of Columbus’ Bicentennial . In addition, Mayor Coleman will be dropping the puck. Nothing rings in the New Year like pyrotechnics, hockey, and hopefully a Blue Jacket win!

Attention Kids…if I haven’t lost you already with my Angela Lansbury reference. First Night Columbus has a ton of activities for you and your family. Have you ever wondered about the projectile integrity of the marshmallow? The MallowBlaster, which launches mallows over 200ft, will be at the Veterans Memorial Hall from 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. COSI will have its Game Truck and Saturday morning cartoons from around the world, I’m hoping to see Tom and Jerry!…I’ve lost you again.

Are you looking for ‘Some Enchanted Evening?’ Well ‘just you wait ‘enry ‘iggins!’ The ProMusica Orchestra will be performing a night of Broadway and Old Vienna at the Southern Theatre. The Westin is also hosting a pre-party and has great packages to choose from. The Bicentennial will also be celebrated with a champagne toast at intermission. This is a great spot to listen to ‘the music of the night.’

If you want to dance your way into 2012, The Bluestone is having a glow party with six different DJ’s. Make sure you come prepared with some glow stick dance moves as they are giving away 10,000 glow products. When in doubt, use them as drum sticks.

Hit up one of these or several other events around town just make sure to keep Jeni’s in the freezer for after the party.

This post is written by Anthony Cordo, Visitor Services Manager for Experience Columbus.

The New Year is approaching, but before we can welcome it in we’ve got to get in to a bar! Check out some of the ideas below and their highlights to decide where you and your friends will enjoy the party.

Gresso’s: New Year’s Eve Party
Cover: $59
Includes: open bar (well and domestic drinks), champagne toast, D.J., buffet, shuttle service.
Why: this is a fantastic neighborhood hotspot and on NYE it’s a favorite choice to enjoy life with your friends without emptying your wallet. You’re not likely to find a place as popular as this with an all-inclusive cover this low.
Know before you go: pre-purchase your admission over the phone – it’s always sold out at the door.

Barrio Tapas Lounge: New Years Eve
Cover: $5
Includes: Old-School hip-hop party, D.J. Patrick, drink specials.
Why: Barrio has great food.

Newport Music Hall: Ekoostik Hookah
http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event-detail.cfm?id=30969
Admission: $30
Includes: admission to the concert.
Why: Ekoostik Hookah is a fun live music experience!

House Wine: New Year’s Eve at House Wine
Cover: none.
Why: This can be an affordable plan – you pay for what you drink. If you’re a wine-o this is a good option!

Shadowbox Live: New Year’s Eve at Shadowbox Live
Cover: $100 ($180 for two)
Includes: Two bands, dancing, dinner and dessert banquet, champagne toast at midnight.
Why: the folks over at Shadowbox Live know how to throw a fine party, and this NYE bash should appeal to people who like live music.
Know before you go: reservations required.

Park Street Complex: New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
Cover: $10
Includes: multiple D.J.s, party favors, circus performers, a ball drop at midnight.
Why: if you’re looking for a club scene to ring in 2012 this is one of the best options. The complex is three attached bars, and each one has a great dancing scene.
Know before you go: dress hot – everyone else will.

Camelot Cellars Winery: Venetian Masquerade Ball
Cover: $25 ($40 for two)
Includes: special wine prices, champagne at midnight, appetizers.
Why: this is a fancy way to celebrate in masquerade style.

Hyatt Regency Columbus: NYE on High
Cover: $129-499
Includes: open bar, eleven bands (Lt Dan’s New Legs, Reagonomics, and others), D.J.s.
Why: this is one of the best known NYE celebrations; it’s been going on for thirty years!
Know before you go: book a room at the hotel in advance as part of the package.

There’s no doubt about it - Columbus is a foodie destination. If you’ve got a foodie in your life, there are lots of ways to share the Columbus Food Scene this holiday season.

Columbus Food Adventures - These tours are the perfect introduction into all the flavors and behind-the-scenes info on the city’s food scene. Chose among several options, including a tour of Short North restaurants, more adventurous ethnic fare on the Alt Eats tour, and in warmer months, the Taco Truck tour. A gift certificate lets you pick the tour, and allows the recipient to pick a date that works best for them.

Juergen’s Bakery - Juergen’s, a Bavarian bakery located fittingly in German Village, offers the ultimate in sweet treats exclusively this time of year - the Stollen. Stollen is a traditional fruit-studded sweet bread that’s sure to become a tradition on your holiday table. You can also choose among other German pastries like strudel and linzertorte.

Books - This year, some great Columbus food books were published. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home shows home cooks how to create Jeni’s world renowned ice cream in their own kitchen, and how to play with imaginative flavors. Breakfast with Nick is a book written by Columbus’ premier breakfast blogger, Nick Dekker . It’s perfect for the person on your list who loves bacon, eggs, donuts and coffee.

Distillery Tours - Columbus’ spirits scene is taking off and gaining national attention. Treat the cocktail maven on your list to a tour and tasting at Watershed Distillery (outstanding vodka and gin) and Middle West Spirits (flavorful vodka and whiskey.) If you’re really nice, a bottle from each would be the perfect foundation to for a Columbus-based home-bar.

North Market School of Cooking - The North Market is arguably the hub of the Columbus Food Scene, with vendors selling locally grown ingredients and a whole range of prepared foods. The top floor of the market holds a treasure: the Dispatch Kitchen, where cooking classes with the city’s best chefs are offered. It’s dinner, wine and a show for the foodies on your list.

Dine Originals Gift Certificates - If you want to treat someone to a special night out, Dine Originals gift certificates are a perfect choice. Choose from almost 50 locally owned, independent restaurants, ranging from DeepWood between the Short North and Downtown, Alana’s Food and Wine in Clintonville, Black Creek Bistro in Old Town East, and Luce in Powell.

What else would you recommend for folks shopping for foodies? As always, you can keep up with the Columbus Food Scene on Facebook .

This post is written by Sandi Combs, Marketing Coordinator for Experience Columbus. You can follow Sandi on Twitter @Sandi_ExpCols .

Part of what makes the holidays so magical to me is that the whole city seems to be shining with glittering decorations and twinkling lights. There’s just something about all of the glitz and sparkle that puts me in a good mood. So, it’s no surprise that one of my favorite things to do at this time of year is pick up some hot cocoa and head out to see holiday lights. Here are just a few of the best in Columbus:

1. Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Nearly everything (except the animals) is decked out for the season during Wildlights, a favorite event of locals and visitors alike. You can check out the all new animated light show, take a ride on the Polar Bear Express or see Santa’s reindeer. I even hear Santa himself may make an appearance or two… A full schedule of activities and events is here .

2. The Holiday Lights! at Olde Gahanna and Creekside – ‘Tis the season in Gahanna! From one of the most dazzling holiday evening parades to photo opportunities with favorite holiday characters, there’s no shortage of things to do during this event. See the calendar here .

3. Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival – Now in its 96th year, the Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival is a family-friendly, one-night-only event taking place Weds., Nov. 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Entertainment includes carolers, refreshments, model trains and, of course, the lighting of the Statehouse’s two magnificent holiday trees.

Need more ideas for places to enjoy the season? Check out: Merry & Bright: Holidays at the Conservatory or Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park .

What do you think? What other must-see places are your favorite spots to see holiday lights?

This post is written by Anthony Cordo, Visitor Services Manager for Experience Columbus.

Four years ago, it was a struggle for me to figure out where I could best celebrate Halloween – that changed the second I stepped onto High Street in the Short North Arts District for Highball Halloween. The event features tens of thousands of superbly-costumed revelers, fashion shows, a Dogtober animal costume contest, dance music, street performers… the list of attractions goes on!

When, Where and Parking
Highball Halloween is on Friday, Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event gets progressively larger as the night goes on, starting with the closure of 5th Avenue and eventually taking over all of High Street in the area. The closest and easiest parking is at the Gateway Parking Garage – it’s only a ten minute walk away. Refer to this map for directions. Avoid parking on the street in this area as many of the neighborhoods require a city parking pass.

How to Dress
This is a big one. While any old costume will suffice, to truly shine at a Short North Arts District event you’ve got to take it to the next level. The theme this year is “transformations” so figure something out that’s extravagantly transformative, and then take it up a notch. If you come up with something good you can enter the fashion show to win $1,000. For inspiration check out the galleries from Highball last year.

What to Do While You’re There
Check out the full event schedule
Dogtober
OK, this is just awesome. The costumes people come up with for their puppies are outrageous! Show off Rex’s couture side and prove your dog is the cutest in town.

Street Performers and Artists
Giant stilt walkers will be roaming the street with amazing costumes; several dancers from BalletMet will be undergoing transformations by professional makeup artists; and artist Coreroc will be creating a huge UV paint mural.

Costume Couture Fashion Showdown
Truly the highlight of the show, the Showdown features professional models in amazing costumes competing for a $1,000 prize. Judges include Dominique Reighard from America’s Next Top Model and Mayor Coleman.

General Public Costume Contest
This contest also includes a $1,000 prize for best costume. Anyone can enter, and some of the Short North Art District’s most knowledgeable beauticians will be on hand to judge the contest.

Click here for more information - and post your pics from Highball to us on Facebook!

We’ve got even more good news: we have 5 pairs of tickets to Highball to give away! Tell us what you’re dressing as below for a chance to win! We’ll pick five winners at random at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25.