What's up, Columbus?
April 13, 2018 7:21 AM Subscribe
I will be visiting Columbus, and probably Springfield, Ohio for family stuff. What should I do, visit, see, that I missed when I grew up in that area? Not a huge amount of free time, but I take for granted that I know the place when I don't anymore.
Once I get there and have some idea of schedule, do y'all meet up?
I know about Yellow Springs; it made being a teenager in Springfield almost bearable. Probably won't get there, although Young's Jersey Dairy is really great, along with other features.
Once I get there and have some idea of schedule, do y'all meet up?
I know about Yellow Springs; it made being a teenager in Springfield almost bearable. Probably won't get there, although Young's Jersey Dairy is really great, along with other features.
I always liked the metroparks in Columbus. Highbanks up north is one of my favorite, and Darby creek on the south west has a bison herd and a nice visitor center. 16-bit arcade/bar is fun, if you roll that way.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:17 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:17 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
I grew up in Springfield (you knew my uncle, remember?), although I haven't been back in about a year. Springfield has some better restaurants than you may remember. Cecil and Lime is the only one I've been to, but it was legitimately delicious. There's also Mela (in the old Springfield Inn), and Seasons (across from the Credit Life building downtown), which is owned by someone I went to high school with. They're all fairly expensive, but high-quality. At the other end of the spectrum, there's the Fountain on Main, which is a cute 50s-style soda fountain in the Bushnell Building. Pretty much all of the old-school restaurants (Cedar Street, Derr Road Inn, O'Brien's, etc.) have been gone for years, though.
I've heard reports that some of the classics (Schuler's Bakery, the Hickory Inn) have declined in quality recently. My sister won't even eat Schuler's donuts anymore. (On the other hand, Young's and Schuler's have a deal where they sell each other's merchandise, so if you don't actually make it to Young's, you can still stop in at a Schuler's and grab a pint of ice cream.)
If the weather's nice and you have access to bikes, they've really done a good job with bike trails. You can ride up past Urbana, and south all the way to Cincinnati, pretty much on dedicated bike-only trails, and there's a few that go around town (especially out by the reservoir). City streets, especially on the north end, are also a lot more amenable to cycling than in the past. The Miami Valley, in general, is gaining notice for its extensive (over 330 miles) network of bike trails. (Good way to get yourself down to YS, too!)
I'll also suggest taking a stroll in Ferncliff Cemetery, which is one of my favorite places in Springfield. It's like Snyder Park, but without the drugs and crime.
If you haven't been to the Heritage Center (old City Hall/the Marketplace), it's worth checking out.
One thing that may or may not surprise you, depending on how long it's been since you've visited, is that the Upper Valley Mall has more or less ceased to exist. The JCPenney, Elder Beerman, Macy's (Lazarus), and Old Navy have all closed, leaving, essentially, just Sears and Hot Topic. (That's a pretty good microcosm of Springfield in general!) There are a handful of retail stores along East Main Street and Bechtle Road, but they're primarily of the dollar-store variety. If you want to do any actual shopping, you'll have to go to Beavercreek.
In general, though, it's not the kind of place that changes a whole lot. Some signs on buildings might be a little different, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way around.
Columbus is the exact opposite; things change all the time. Even in the year I've been gone, so many places have closed, and so many new ones have opened. It's hard to keep up. But the DK Diner on Third Avenue in Grandview remains! And if the rumors about Schuler's are true, they're the best donuts in Ohio. Seconding both Franklin Park Conservatory and Highbanks Metro Park, as well.
Let me know if you'd like more.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:50 AM on April 13, 2018
I've heard reports that some of the classics (Schuler's Bakery, the Hickory Inn) have declined in quality recently. My sister won't even eat Schuler's donuts anymore. (On the other hand, Young's and Schuler's have a deal where they sell each other's merchandise, so if you don't actually make it to Young's, you can still stop in at a Schuler's and grab a pint of ice cream.)
If the weather's nice and you have access to bikes, they've really done a good job with bike trails. You can ride up past Urbana, and south all the way to Cincinnati, pretty much on dedicated bike-only trails, and there's a few that go around town (especially out by the reservoir). City streets, especially on the north end, are also a lot more amenable to cycling than in the past. The Miami Valley, in general, is gaining notice for its extensive (over 330 miles) network of bike trails. (Good way to get yourself down to YS, too!)
I'll also suggest taking a stroll in Ferncliff Cemetery, which is one of my favorite places in Springfield. It's like Snyder Park, but without the drugs and crime.
If you haven't been to the Heritage Center (old City Hall/the Marketplace), it's worth checking out.
One thing that may or may not surprise you, depending on how long it's been since you've visited, is that the Upper Valley Mall has more or less ceased to exist. The JCPenney, Elder Beerman, Macy's (Lazarus), and Old Navy have all closed, leaving, essentially, just Sears and Hot Topic. (That's a pretty good microcosm of Springfield in general!) There are a handful of retail stores along East Main Street and Bechtle Road, but they're primarily of the dollar-store variety. If you want to do any actual shopping, you'll have to go to Beavercreek.
In general, though, it's not the kind of place that changes a whole lot. Some signs on buildings might be a little different, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way around.
Columbus is the exact opposite; things change all the time. Even in the year I've been gone, so many places have closed, and so many new ones have opened. It's hard to keep up. But the DK Diner on Third Avenue in Grandview remains! And if the rumors about Schuler's are true, they're the best donuts in Ohio. Seconding both Franklin Park Conservatory and Highbanks Metro Park, as well.
Let me know if you'd like more.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:50 AM on April 13, 2018
Have to agree with the visit to Short North. The remake of that area above High Street has been remarkable. Also, a drive around the Children's Hospital complex near Parsons Avenue is another example of how built up and sophisticated the city is getting. German Village, by contrast, manages to keep its charm with Schiller Park and the cool restaurants around Whitter St. Franklin Park and Wolfe Park, both on Broad St. are good for a break. Also, some great bike trails and walking paths around Williams Road and Alum Creek Dr. And, if you like State Houses, the Capitol Square is a beautiful piece of architecture and the rotunda is still as breathtaking as it was when I visited it on field trips as a kid. Oh, and I don't want to forget all the work the city has done on the waterfront along the Scioto/Olentangy River in the middle of downtown. It's pretty spectacular.
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:00 AM on April 13, 2018
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:00 AM on April 13, 2018
If you're into beer, Springfield now has a nice craft brewery downtown called Mother Stewart's.
posted by noneuclidean at 11:28 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by noneuclidean at 11:28 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I may go to Springfield to see my brother, in which case it's all about royalty - Cassanos Pizza King and Little Kings cream Ale.
Keep the Columbia suggestions rolling.
posted by theora55 at 3:18 PM on April 13, 2018
Keep the Columbia suggestions rolling.
posted by theora55 at 3:18 PM on April 13, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by strelitzia at 8:26 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]