Things to do in Columbus…

Consider this a suggested “Bucket List for Columbus”. In no way could this every be complete and I’d love to hear any suggestions that you have for me to add!

Things on my to-do list in Columbus over the next year:

Market to Market Ride – ride from North Market to Hill’s Market or vice versa, w/ lots of goodies. DONE!
Hocking Hills – lots of hiking, waterfalls, and nature; close enough for day trips w/ camping, cabins, and teepee’s available (doing the Warrior Dash on June 4 and staying for 3 nights) DONE – for Warrior Dash
Bar Crawl – Make you own path; Grandview, Short North, Arena District, Clintonville
Short North Dessert Crawl – this doesn’t exist, but would be easy and tasty to do on your own!
Lessner Restaurant Tour by bike – Betty’s, Surly Girl, Tip Top, Dirty Franks, Jury Room - order tbd
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo – the Zoo becomes a Winter Wonderland with millions of twinkling lights: mid-November to early January.
Zoombezi Bay – Water park at the Zoo: admission $24.99 – $32.99 – opens on May 21 DONE – for husband’s birthday
Wine and Cheese Tastings at the Hill’s Market – 6 wines, 6 cheeses, and 6 hors d’oeuvres for $35
Movie and Beer Tasting at Studio 35 – Not held in the Summertime, so I’ll have to wait until Fall
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Studio 35 – 1^st Saturday of every month
Skull Session at St. John’s Arena – Hear the TBDBITL 2 hours before kickoff of every home OSU game.
Wexner Center – lots of exhibits and events to check out
Columbus Museum of Art – free on Sundays, or I’d like to go to Uncorked Food and Wine Event
Cooking Class at the Hills Market or North Market
Pizza Grand Prix with Wild Goose Creative (if they decide to bring it back again – if not, I’ll coordinate a small version of one with some friends)
Cupcake Camp – not scheduled for 2011, so hopefully 2012??!
Bacon Camp Columbus – August 27, 2011 at North Market. All things bacon!
Slice of Columbus – September 14, 2011 at Lifestyles Community. Pizza judging by the People!
Dinner at Alana’s – I’m embarrassed to never have been here. Yet.
Topiary Garden
Picnic in Goodale Park w/ food from North Market
Columbus Park of Roses – I should take my mom here when she visits….
U Pick Berry Farm – anyone have a suggestion on where to go?
Circleville Pumpkin Show – October 2011
Worthington Farmers Market – one of the bigger, more diverse markets that runs all year
Columbus Commons Friday Night Events

Additional things to do in Columbus (that I’ve already done):

Cocktails at the Conservatory – cocktails, beautiful scenery, and music for just $10, every Thursday.
Vino 100 wine tasting – nice atmosphere overlooking the wine shop – flights vary
Whole Foods Five after Five – Fridays, both locations: 5 wine and 5 food samples for $5
Market District Giant Eagle Food and Wine Fridays– Fridays: 6 wines and 6 samples for $6
Columbus Zoo – admission is $9-$14
Taco Trucks – tasty authentic Mexican food – on the cheap
Columbus Gives Back Events – lots of volunteering opportunities with an equal amount of fun
Gallery Hop – 1^st Saturday each month in the Short North
Brothers Drake Mead Tasting – Mead is honey wine = delicious!
Eco-Chic Craftacular - crafts fair with handmade good that are upcycled or recycled – lots of good stuff! May 14 & 15, 2011
COMfest – June if you’ve never gone, you have to try it at least once: June 24, 25, and 26, 2011
Betty’s Brunch – good food, good drinks, good reason to get tipsy on a weekend afternoon
Waterfire – top notch entertainment followed by the lighting of the river (tentative start 6/24)
Dublin Irish Festival – Everything Irish: August 5, 6, and 7, 2011
Put In Bay – the closest to island life you’ll find near Ohio; hotels are expensive, camping is cheap
High Ball Halloween – check out the incredible and crazy costumes in the Short North: October 29, 2011
House Wine – Thursday Night Tasting ($10) or your own tasting from the ergonomics machine.
Candle Lab – Create your own scent and pour your own candle; group events available and in combination with House Wine in Worthington; shops also located in Grandview and Powell.
MicroBrew Festival – my favorite beer tasting each year at the North Market for $15: Sept 15-16
Wendy’s Chili Open – Fundraiser at the Zoo in February – food, beverage, music – $25
Zoofari – Expensive, but fun: fundraiser with over 100 Columbus restaurants, drinks, music and more: June 18, 2011 – tickets start at $95
Canoeing, Kayaking, or Rafting: try Hocking Valley Canoe Livery (Logan) or Trapper John’s (Grove City) – trips start around $14/person for canoe rental.
MetroPark Hikes – organized or non-organized, there is lots of ground to cover
BalletMet – lots of wonderful shows throughout the year
Shadowbox Live – Sketch Comedy – like you’re watching SNL in person, with a kick-ass rock and roll band (and dancers! – I love dancers!). Currently at Easton, moving to Brewery District within the year.
Columbus Clippers – Huntington Park is AWESOME, tickets are cheap, lots of promotions
Columbus Crew – They got rid of some of their best/fan-favorite players, raised ticket and parking prices, but it’s still a great time.
Columbus Blue Jackets – People who don’t think they like hockey probably have only tried to watch it on TV. Much better in person. Much.
Pearl Alley Farmer’s Market – Starts mid-May. If you work downtown, this is a winner on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Columbus Arts Festival – June 3-5, 2011
Arnold Sports Festival – In March, each year. Even if you aren’t into sports/fitness, GREAT people/meathead watching.
Doo Dah Parade – July 4, 2011 – Best and craziest parade every in the Short North.
First Night Columbus – NYE 2011 – Family-friendly NYE celebration in the Arena District/Downtown
Red White and Boom – July 1, 2011 – Huge firework show: if you can deal with the crowds, go. If not, watch from a “safe” distance. This crowd is a little much for me, but I live close….
Ohio State Fair – Starts July 27, 2011, concerts, butter statues, deep-fried everything…and now, Ohio Beer and Wine!!!!
Wyandotte Winery Tasting – 6 great wines for $5, staff is awesome. Go big and taste all 12! Oh, and taste a piece of Wine Cake!!!
COSI – Take your child or borrow someone else’s (ask first, of course). There are tons of great exhibits and events at the Science Center!
Santa Maria Tour – Again, take your child or borrow one for this historical tour downtown on the replica ship. They even have a Haunted Ship around Halloween! Combine this tour with a visit to COSI – it’s just across the river!
Explore the Book Loft in German Village – This bookstore is as long as a city block – don’t get lost!
Pecha Kucha – speaker present 20 slides and talk about each for 20 seconds each on their topic of choice