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 three of three, with suggestions geared to residents looking to entertain visiting friends or family.

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We all have friends and family come to visit us. And inevitably we all get asked the question, “So, what are we going to do while in town?”  Check out the following ideas for a fun Columbus experience and give your visitors a better sense of why you call Columbus home.

Where to Eat
My favorite place to take family and friends to eat in Columbus is Tasi Cafe . Located just behind High Street, Tasi’s offers freshly prepared comfort food with a unique flair. The casual atmosphere makes it a favorite of locals, and the menu offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

The Refectory is an AAA Four Diamond award winner, offering contemporary American cuisine and classic French cuisine. The restaurant’s location is unique - it’s inside of an old church, and the atmosphere has a rustic feel. Also, they have an amazing wine cellar with over 700 selections.

No matter what your visitors’ tastes, they are sure to find something they like at the North Market . Central Ohio’s historic public market since 1876 and located between the Short North and Arena District, it features fresh and prepared foods, and authentic ethnic cuisine. (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…)

Photo: Easton Town Center

Many of us are looking for inventive ways to keep ourselves in the holiday spirit, while still keeping money in our pockets. Here, I have just a few picks for free, family-friendly holiday things to do during the next three weekends in Columbus.

Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Easton Town Center
November 20

Start off the holiday season tomorrow by bringing the family over to Easton Town Center for their Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The whole center comes alive and starts off the shopping season with the lighting of their huge 50 foot tree, complete with an appearance by Santa. Carolers will be strolling around the sparkling streets of the center and the stores will be abuzz with sales.

Grandview Holiday Hop
Grandview Avenue, between 1st and 5th
November 28

Grandview Avenue comes alive with holiday spirit the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You can start by seeing a live reindeer exhibit at Arlington Bank and end by getting a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tri-Village Studios. There are free horse-drawn sleigh rides for all ages up and down the Avenue throughout the night. Smell the holiday scents at The Candle Lab and check out other holiday crafts and treats along the way.

Village Lights
German Village
December 6

Experience the holiday charm of German Village during the holidays. The village is truly beautiful, with luminaries lit throughout the streets and park, and local businesses come out in full force this night with samples, holiday treats and specials. There is also an appearance by Santa, live entertainment and music to get you in the holiday spirit.

These events are sure to get you excited for the season, and you can search for even more here . Enjoy!

Photo: Larry Hamill Photography

As a resident of Victorian Village, I enjoy my daily commutes to and from work. It is my time to admire the beautiful, historic homes that line Neil Avenue.

Last September, I took part in the Victorian Village Tour of Homes . It was my opportunity to take a peek inside, and what I discovered what very different from what I had imagined. While each home was distinct—varying in size, age and design—the strong focus on art and modern decor both surprised and impressed me.

This Sunday presents another opportunity to step into what seems like another world. This time it is the chance for a peek inside one of Columbus’ most beloved neighborhoods: German Village . The German Village Haus and Garten Tour , celebrating its 50th Anniversary, opens the door to nine homes and four gardens in the neighborhood. With tours running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., this can be an all-day adventure or a quick stop on your list of to-dos.

Tickets are already on sale, available at the following locations:

• $15 advance sale – GermanVillage.com or 614.221.8888
• $12 advance sale – All Central Ohio Kroger locations (with Kroger Plus card)
• $20 day of Tour – Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St.

This is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the summer weather and discover one of Columbus’ favorite traditions. I can’t wait to see what I’ll discover this time…

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching on May 10. Wondering what to do? Here’s a unique event I’ll be experiencing with my mom: Mother May I in German Village on Saturday, May 9.

Mother May I is a series of events at participating German Village shops and restaurants. Take your mom on a stroll through the very walkable village and stop in various picturesque establishments to try unique treats and get special Mother’s Day themed gifts.

Most shops and restaurants will be open with specials between noon and 6 p.m.; some are open longer. Here are just a few of the stops that will make Mom happy:

Bakery Gingham
189 Thurman Ave
8 a.m. - 8 p.m
Sample miniature cupcakes called “Minis for Moms.” With a $5 purchase (easy to do with all the tasty cuppies), get a Polaroid “CupTake” souvenir picture with your mom.

The Book Loft of German Village

The Book Loft
631 South Third Street
10 a.m.-midnight
Peruse 32 rooms and a porch full of books in this old-fashioned bookshop. With any book purchase you’ll also receive a special Mother’s Day gift book.

Caterina Ltd.
571 South Third Street
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Check out a Caterina Ltd. sidewalk sale. If your mother is one of the first 25 moms in, she’ll get a free chocolate-orange lip balm from France.

Pistacia Vera
541 South Third Street
10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Delight in some absolutely wonderful desserts, and enjoy live music from 1 p.m-3 p.m. Don’t forget to sign up for a chance to win a "Sweet Afternoon" of dessert and coffee with three friends.

T. David Collection
897 S.Third St.
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Enjoy complimentary iced herbal tea while you browse the beautiful handmade jewelry. If your mom sees something she likes, you’re in luck - many items will marked 10-50% off for this day,

Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
263 East Whittier St
Opens at 5 p.m.
After you’ve explored the unique shops across the village, stop in Barcelona for dinner and tapas. Plus, your mom will get a gift.

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain to someone unfamiliar with your city what the vibe is. It’s something that is better seen or . . . well, experienced.

One of the great things about Columbus is that we have a collection of unique districts that are drastically different from one another. Each with its own flavor and essence.

Through a video company called Turn Here , we discovered a dynamic way to tell the world about Columbus’ districts. We produced the Short North video a few years ago, and recently created brand new videos for additional districts.

What’s cool about these is that each neighborhood is introduced by local residents, who describe the scene in their own words and stories. Check them out on our YouTube channel :

Arena District

Downtown Columbus

Easton Town Center

German Village

The Ohio State University

Short North Arts District

A big thanks goes out to all of the folks who helped us out with this project. It was fun to hear your stories and to tap into the passion that you feel for your slice of Columbus. It’s contagious.