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…)

If you only had 24 hours to spend in Columbus, what would you do? This was a hard question for me to answer, but I’ve come up with a list of must sees and must dos that I feel will leave any visitor with an experience uniquely Columbus.

I’m sharing these ideas in a three part series - the first post is geared to families, the next to the business traveler, and finally, a post to help a local decide what to do with visiting friends or family.

Here’s part two of three, with suggestions geared to the business traveler.

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With Columbus being the state capital and the home of 14 Fortune 1,000 companies (six of which are Fortune 500), it is a frequent stop among business travelers. The city is located within a one-day drive or one-hour flight of nearly half of the population of the U.S. and Canada, so those who do travel here may be in and out of town in a day or after a brief overnight stay.

Here are some helpful tips and recommendations to make the most of your visit.

Where to Stay
Like I mentioned in the family travel post , there are several great hotel options at varying price points around downtown - click here to check them out. One property great for business travelers is The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel , located on N. 3rd St. in the heart of downtown and near the capital, Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Convention Center . The Columbus has the city’s only seasonal rooftop pool with great views of downtown; it’s often the site of an impromptu happy hour and always a great place to relax or swim a few laps. The hotel also has Wi-Fi access throughout, a large lounge and bar in the lobby.

Where to Eat

Photo: Latitude 41

If you’re staying at The Columbus, I recommend dining at Latitude 41 .  It’s located in the lobby of the hotel and it’s known for unique American cuisine. Also, a quick walk down Gay Street (across from the hotel) offers several unique Columbus restaurant options including fine Italian at Due Amici , great comfort food at Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails and Cuban cuisine at Plantain Cafe.

Once you’re done with business, a few great places to get dinner and a drink with locals downtown include the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus , M restaurant, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and The River Club at Confluence Park .

Another uniquely Columbus eatery is our public market, the North Market . This is one of my favorite places to grab a quick bite and people-watch, as it is home to dozens of unique, independent merchants and farmers. Merchants offer ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries, flowers and gifts. (more…)