Win a Columbus experience!

Do the dates May 8-16 ring a bell? No? Well, I’ll fill you in…it’s National Travel and Tourism Week!

Now, you may be thinking “Why should I care?” Here’s why: Visitors spend $7.23 billion annually in Central Ohio. And 62,000 people are employed in the tourism and hospitality industry. Pretty impressive, huh?

Some of you cynics out there may still be asking “Why should I care?” And I say to you this: You can win some really cool stuff! Experience Columbus is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week by offering a chance to win one of three amazing packages.

With the first package, you and three others can:

• Cheer on the 2008 MLS Champs at a Columbus Crew game
• Enjoy the May flowers at Franklin Park Conservatory
• View historic motorcycles at AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
• See an Austrian M47 tank driven by Arnold Schwarzenegger at Motts Military Museum

Or you may be more enticed by the second package, where you and three others can:

• Learn through hands-on science interaction at COSI (voted #1 science center in the nation by Parents magazine)
• Cruise through Columbus with SegAway Tours of Columbus
• Watch a timeless film in the beautiful Ohio Theatre with the CAPA Summer Movie Series
• Shop at your favorite local merchant with your $20 North Market gift card.

And last but not least is the third package, which allows you and three others to:

• Eat your peanuts and crackerjacks at a Columbus Clippers game at Huntington Park (named ballpark of the year by Ballpark Digest and BaseballParks.com)
• View the new polar bear exhibit at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (#1 zoo in America by USA Travel Guide)
• Lean back and enjoy a movie at the sophisticated Arena Grand Theatre
• Go on a shopping spree with your $50 gift card for Easton Town Center

You can enter to win by stopping in one of the Experience Columbus Visitor Centers (Easton or Arena District locations) or by visiting this link . The winners will be drawn and notified on May 17.

Best of luck and Happy National Travel and Tourism Week!

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…)

During the holidays, I mentioned that I bought tickets for a friend and I to attend a Chef Series Cooking Class at the North Market . These classes, which are limited to only 26 participants, allow you to get up close and personal with some of Columbus’ best chefs while they prepare a special meal for you.

Our tickets were for last Wednesday’s class, taught by Paul Yow of Barcelona Restaurant & Bar and held in the Dispatch Kitchen (top floor of the market). I liked that the intimate class size allowed everyone attending to feel comfortable asking questions throughout the class. We could also walk up to the kitchen area and observe Chef Yow’s techniques at any point during the presentation - or we could simply remain seated, savor some wine and enjoy the rotation of smells filling the room.

Our captivated class

Our meal included a starter of cheese, chutney, bread and a spicy salad. The main courses included a side of fideo (a pasta dish) and sautéed sea scallops. The finale was a wonderful caramel chocolate almond sauce served on Jeni’s ice cream .

Throughout the evening I never saw the bottom of my wine glass, as it was continuously filled with a nice variety of red and white wines from the Rioja region of Spain.

Chef Yow’s sense of humor and affectionate approach to food kept the class captivated throughout the entire two-hour period. He created an enjoyable, open environment and a true learning experience for us.

And even if you couldn’t care less about learning to cook, you’re sure to enjoy the eating. A Chef Series class offers an evening that all types of food and wine lovers can enjoy together.

A schedule of upcoming Chef Series classes and other North Market events is available here .

The post below is written by Matt Slaybaugh and originally appeared over at Indie Columbus . When I saw it, I couldn’t resist asking Matt if I could share it here with our readers.

Delicious things are happening at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams , a perennial Columbus favorite.

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Jeni’s Winter Flavors
By Matt Slaybaugh, Indie Columbus

If you haven’t stopped in lately, you’re missing a couple of Jeni’s most unique flavors yet.

It’s that time. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has a few new flavors. They first came to my attention during a long afternoon of web-site editing and twittering, by a friend I’ll refer to here as "the devil herself." And so, over the course of the next few days in Grandview, I gathered some friends and tested Jeni’s new confections. Roll call!

Roxbury Road
The official description goes like this:

Jeni’s own handmade marshmallows and brown sugar caramel sauce with Krema’s smoked almonds - all mixed in milky chocolate ice cream.

This is a softer, less-dense ice cream compared to many of our Jeni’s favorites. You don’t know what you most want with each bite. Sometimes you want the nuts, sometimes you want the caramel, sometimes you want the marshmallows. Every bite is different and wonderful.

Smoked Dark Chocolate with Handmade Marshmallows
Jeni says this will make you "feel like you just spent the afternoon sledding." The smoky flavor is really strong and has a good bit of bite, so be prepared for that, but the chocolate is so dark and so deep, you’ll get lost in it. And let’s talk about those marshmallows - they’re like cotton balls with a little bit of sugar. You’re gonna love ‘em.

Of course, if you’re like "the devil herself" and you don’t even like marshmallows, you’re not having any fun here.

Cognac Ice Cream
If you like alcohol, this might be your favorite Jeni’s flavor ever. It’s surprisingly smooth and fruit forward and … well … cognac like.

THIS JUST IN: Influenza Sorbet
From Jeni’s official notice:

If you’re feeling under the weather lately (I know I am), try our Influenza Sorbet! With Orange juice, Lemon juice, Maker’s Mark bourbon, Honey, Pectin, Ginger, and just enough Cayenne Pepper–ingredients proven to soothe and relax! Trust me, the combination really will coat a sore throat and clear your nasal passages.

It’s only available in our shops (sorry out-of-towners!) and only available in pints! We made just enough to get us through flu season! So grab a pint while it lasts!

Word on the street is that Ms. Britton has a couple of new flavors up her sleeve just in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ll back with more updates from as the scene develops. Stay tuned to IndieColumbus.com .

Schiller Park in German Village
Photo by Larry Hamill

As extreme cold grips much of the country, I started to wonder how I might want to spend this upcoming weekend in Columbus.

So I turned to two groups who know and love this place - the Experience Columbus staff and our Twitter pals. I received no shortage of suggestions.

Here’s what some of the Experience Columbus crew had to say when asked their favorite things to do during a (really) cold weekend in Columbus:

Ben Walters : I like to head to a favorite watering hole like Tip-Top , Betty’s , or Bodega to get a nip and some good food with some good friends. It’s social and warming. Another favorite option is to find a indoor concert, preferably at small venues like Ruby Tuesday, Carabar or Rumba Cafe.

Nicole Massenelli : When it is cold I love to meet friends for a hot drink at Cup O’ Joe or grab a bite at Panera because both places have fireplaces. I love to sit by the fire in comfy clothes and enjoy great food and drinks with friends.

Scott Peacock : When it gets really cold outside I like to go to grab some good comfort food at Tasi , get a coffee to go and then head to the Wexner Center for the Arts or the Columbus Museum of Art to see the latest exhibits inside.

Claudia Plumley : Like Nicole, I head to Cup O’ Joe . We get a big latte and sit around the fire. Then we head to the movies to see an Oscar contender.

Kelly Brooks : This may seem counter intuitive, but when it’s cold outside I like to go to a Blue Jackets game. Not only does winter weather set the mood for hockey, but at tonight’s game I will be almost comforted to know that it is actually warmer inside Nationwide Arena than it is outside!

Amy Gatto Klein : Vino Vino in Grandview. The coziness of the space, a bottle of Pinot Noir (before I was pregnant, anyway) and small plates of yummy food warm me right up.

Cathe Moog : When it’s cold outside, our family likes to go to the North Market for lunch. We select entrees with a spicy kick to warm us up.

And what did the Twitter pals have to say? I was surprised to find three in particular who laugh in the face of the cold. They reminded me that being outside during this time of year has its advantages:

Betty B : Hiking at a Metro Park . It postpones the winter blues.

Jeff Johnson : Being in any city park because I have it all to myself when it’s this cold.

Andrew Miller : I’ll be the third person to say that this is the perfect time for a stroll. Plenty of alone time plus beautiful snowy scenes.

I’d say this is proof positive that there are more than enough reasons not to camp out at home during the winter.

What gets you out and about when it’s cold in Columbus?

The North Market
Photo by Rod Berry

The North Market is one of those unforgettable places in Columbus and I still remember my first trip. I was visiting a friend at The Ohio State University when she introduced me to the best ice cream I’d ever had (you guessed it, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams ). When I moved to Columbus years later, a return visit was at the top of my agenda — I was craving Jeni’s Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet!

The North Market is a perfect combination of chaos and clutter. With 30+ merchants offering everything from fresh seafood to vintage wines, it’s no wonder this public market is a Columbus favorite.

During the week the North Market draws a sizeable lunch crowd. Whether you’re craving pizza, sushi or something to satisfy that sweet tooth, you can find it here . Not in the mood for a full meal? Take some time to wander around and fill up on abundant samples. On any given day you can snack on flavored gourmet popcorn from Pam’s Market Popcorn , challenge your taste buds with CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire salsas, and guiltlessly sample bite-size treats from Mozart’s Bakery .

The weekends often welcome special events to the market, and this holiday season has been no exception. A few weekends back I visited The North Market’s Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza. My goal was to find a Christmas ornament for an upcoming ornament exchange party and I wanted something with a special Columbus touch. I didn’t have to look any further than the Glass Axis table. Their hand-blown glass ornaments are one-of-a-kind creations and mine is sure to be the hit of the party.

Planning a visit to the North Market soon? Go with an open mind and an empty stomach — you never know what you might find when you’re there.

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, who features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

With all of the talk about the economy, I tried to make a conscious effort to shop locally for Christmas this year. I wanted to support our Columbus merchants - those who would feel the effects of the economy first, those we can not afford to lose, and those who make Columbus what it is.

I’m typically a last-minute shopper like Amy, but this year I planned ahead and gave myself time to hit a few Columbus neighborhoods to find gifts.

• I started with Collier West in the Short North , a gorgeous store with a variety of wares including tabletop items by Michael Aram and decoupage pieces by John Derian . I received personal assistance, didn’t have to deal with a stressed-out sales person out to make a commission, and my purchase was packaged uniquely and ready to give.

• I still send good old-fashioned greeting cards (and actually, not just at Christmas but year round). For unique cards, I headed to my usual stop, Peabody Papers in Grandview. I love walking into a place that carries a variety of styles created by artists or companies with a specific style. You’re warmly greeted at Peabody Papers and given personalized individual attention - whether you’re there for a single card or a set of customized invitations.

• Since I work for Experience Columbus, it might seem cheesy to say I like to give a local "experience" as a gift. Well pass the Gouda, because the truth is that’s exactly what I like to do. I purchased tickets for a friend and me to take a Chef Series Cooking Class at the North Market . You can’t get more local then taking a cooking class from a Columbus area chef; ours will be taught by Paul Yow from Barcelona Restaurant & Bar . What I really love about this gift is that my friend would have never bought it for herself.

• I have nine nieces and nephews, so for their gifts I headed to Larson’s Toys and Games in Upper Arlington, a great alternative to big box toy stores. Larson’s carries a variety of classic wooden toys along with lines of toys from around the world. I never worry that I’ve bought the little ones in my life something they already have. Larson’s also offers free gift wrapping, all year round. Enough said.

• Finally, for my friend that has everything, I turned to food. Weiland’s Gourmet Market in Clintonville has a wide variety of seafood, meat, cheese and specialty international items. I chose an assortment of goodies specific to my friend’s tastes, and was able to do it all during one stop at this busy but friendly market.  Weiland’s also offers a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find just the right drink to go with whatever you might be serving (and for some of you out there, they can help figure out which libation will get you through holiday get-togethers with the relatives).