Columbus - tell me about it

[adventure_woman]

I am going to Columbus next week for a conference and I am bringing my mom and 2 daughters (7 and 4) with me. What do you recommend that is within budget?

The first day we are going to Columbus Zoo. Hints/advice on the zoo?

The second day I was going to take them to COSI (I have a local museum pass that gets us in free there) while I am in session. Where should we go for dinner?

On the 3rd day, they will have until about 1-2 w/o me - ideas on what to have them do? I read about the splash areas at the Easton Center...and the AG store there. Thoughts?

Keep in mind, my mom can't walk far and she has a wheelchair - she can wheel herself around if it is smooth and not far. We are staying downtown.

Thanks!!

 

[kleubanks]

The Short North has some good restaurants...Level ...is a good choice, not expensive and great food. The Short North is very close to downtown but parking can be a hassle.

Easton is a nice area. I have't splashed since my daughter was in kindergarten (now a junior in high school) but she always loved that. There is a huge Barnes and Noble as well as movie theaters in case the weather is too cool for splashing. Plenty of snacks ...fro yo. ( Groovy Spoon) ...Apple store...

Have fun.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

If you have a zoo pass, show them at the ticket booth. Our tix ended up being 50% off due to our zoo membership.

The zoo there lets you bring in full size wagons and family meals.

We saw plenty of ppl pulling around coolers, wagons, strollers, etc.

So, if you want to pack a lunch to take, you'd def be allowed to take it in

Also, Easton Town center is a nice shopping/restaurants area to walk around. It seemed family friendly when we went. I'm pretty sure, I saw kids playing in a small splash park area when we were there

 

[Brewersprts]

If you're going to be around the arena district, there is a lot of cool places to walk around, eat, etc...

Buca di beppo down by the arena is a really cool place to eat and has great food. I live about an hour away and drive up there to eat there.

Also, if you like ice cream, try Culvers. It's amazing. There are a couple around columbus.

There is also an old ship you can tour that is pretty cool. I think it's called the Santa Maria. It's an exact replica of the Santa Maria that came to america.

 

[Fire14]

If you don't have zoo membership stop by Kroger store and buy discounted ones.

 

[SDSorority]

Easton is always good. I'm there every week

Kroger has discounted passes to the Zoo, and there are tons of great parks/playgrounds around Gahanna, Westerville, and New Albany (which are also not too far from Easton). Zoombezi Bay is a waterpark attached by the same parking lot as the Zoo if that's of interest.

Downtown not too far from the Convention Center there is a splash area near Miranova that kids really seem to enjoy. It's not too far from COSI, as well, which is a really neat science center. The North Market by the Convention Center is a neat little indoor market/eating area. Be sure to have your ticket validated by any of the merchants if you drive there to save on parking, and DO NOT MISS JENI'S ICE CREAM. Best ice cream in the entire world.

 

[SulleysMonkey]

Easton is always good. I'm there every week

Kroger has discounted passes to the Zoo, and there are tons of great parks/playgrounds around Gahanna, Westerville, and New Albany (which are also not too far from Easton). Zoombezi Bay is a waterpark attached by the same parking lot as the Zoo if that's of interest.

Downtown not too far from the Convention Center there is a splash area near Miranova that kids really seem to enjoy. It's not too far from COSI, as well, which is a really neat science center. The North Market by the Convention Center is a neat little indoor market/eating area. Be sure to have your ticket validated by any of the merchants if you drive there to save on parking, and DO NOT MISS JENI'S ICE CREAM. Best ice cream in the entire world.

I second the north market, i love going there.

For cosi if you like Italian theres a place right across the street called Spaghetti warehouse. It's not all level or one floor but it does have wheel chair ramp things.If you google it you can see the menu so you know what to expect and can usually/sometimes find deals/coupons.

 

[kayladan04]

I second spaghetti warehouse! Right across from COSI. My kids love it. There is a trolley in there. My kids always ask to eat in the trolley! Sometimes there are group a for there. Easton is fun! Lots of neat stuff for kids there!

 

[Shmily1]

OP, I know where you are going!! Have fun!!

 

[adventure_woman]

OP, I know where you are going!! Have fun!!

Thanks! I'm excited - it's my first time.

 

[Beth D]

I believe there is also a waterpark attached to the zoo, so bring your suits! I've heard that zoo is the best in OH.

COSI is a great time! Lots to do for all ages!

Have a great time!

 

[Figment Mom]

You will love the Columbus Zoo. It's Jack Hanna's zoo and it is really well done. Zoombezi Bay is the waterpark there. I don't know that I'd try to do both in one day. The zoo by itself can be a full day. They just opened a new Africa exhibit and it's stunning. Between the zoo and Zoombezi Bay (just to the left after you go through the zoo's admission turnstiles) there is a little place called Jungle Jack's Landing. It has free shows throughout the day that are very educational, animal encounters (you get to pet lots of things like flamingos), and rides like bumper cars, a small roller coaster, a flume ride, etc. You can pay by the ride ($1 - $2 each) or get a wristband for unlimited rides.
http://www.colszoo.org/default.aspx

COSI can also be a full-day affair. We usually grab lunch in the cafeteria there. We love the 3-D movies and all of the hands-on exhibits. If you are interested in doing science experiments, go to the Gadget Cafe when you get there to sign up for a slot. They give you a menu of experiments and you decide what you want to do.
http://www.cosi.org/

Close to COSI is an area called the Scioto Mile. There is a nice big fountain to play in there.
http://www.sciotomile.com/

Easton is a great place to spend a morning, afternoon, or evening. Sometimes they have street performers there. (Great memories of a mime interacting with ds while we ate lunch outside the Cheesecake Factory.) There is a fountain area that kids can play in, the American Girls store, a LEGO store, movie theatre, and many, many stores. It always reminds me of Disney just because there is music playing outside. They also have some special events:
http://www.eastontowncenter.com/events.aspx

Someone mentioned the Santa Maria downtown. That is closed until 2016 (doing some work along the river) and isn't wheelchair accessible anyway.
http://www.santamaria.org/

The Franklin Park Conservatory is a really lovely place to go.
http://www.fpconservatory.org/

The Firehouse Museum is good for a couple of hours.
http://www.centralohiofiremuseum.com/

And the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan library is downtown. We love to hang out there. And it looks like most afternoons this summer from 2 - 3 they have a kids' activity. For example, on there is a balloon workshop where children learn to make balloon sculptures. There's also a really nice children's area to play in.
http://www.columbuslibrary.org/

There are lots of beautiful metroparks with playgrounds, trails (many of them paved), and programs. Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville is particularly lovely and has a charming children's garden (called the Sisters' Garden). (Inniswood has a turtle program next Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 and 1:00 each day.)
http://www.metroparks.net/ParksInniswood.aspx
Main metroparks site: http://www.metroparks.net/

The Columbus Clippers have away games next Mon-Thurs. If you're there Sunday or Friday night that might be an option. The ballpark is beautiful and very close to the Convention Center.
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t445

There is a Columbus Crew games on Wednesday:
http://www.thecrew.com/schedule

This looks like fun:
http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/e...se-Man-and-Other-Fairly-Stupid-Tales/id/42319

The Ohio State Fair opens next Wednesday! The fairgrounds are just up I-71 from downtown.
http://www.ohiostatefair.com/index.php/general-info-34

I agree that the North Market is very nice and a great place to eat.
http://www.northmarket.com/

And Bucca di Beppo http://www.bucadibeppo.com/

I've not been but I've heard good things about Dirty Frank's Hot Dogs. http://www.dirtyfrankscolumbus.com/

Max and Erma's started in Columbus. There's one in the Arena District.
http://www.maxandermas.com/

 

[*pixie*dust*]

As a previous poster mentioned, consider Franklin Park Conservatory -- it is really a beautiful place to visit.