Fun things to do in Columbus (Ohio)

mrudman

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jan 3, 2008
Each year, I plan a short getaway for my mom as her Christmas present (just the 2 of us go).

This year, I've made reservations for a hotel in northeast Columbus from January 10-12th.

Trying to come up with ideas for places to take her or do while down there that we haven't done before. We're from northeast Ohio, so we have been to Columbus multiple times, but usually just passing through.

Places that are out are Cosi (done that several times) and the zoo (will be too cold). I'd like to maybe take her to the Hollywood Casino.. we're not gamblers, but I think she'd enjoy the slots, and she'd love that most of it is nonsmoking. And it looks like they have a nice dinner buffet so we could just spend an evening there.

I had also looked into taking this bus tour in the afternoon (https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/book-a-tour/offer/columbus-central-city-tour/ot_8737/)
Has anyone ever taken this tour?
Or is there another company that might be better?

Any other ideas on something that would be fun to do with her?

Thanks!
 
The Short North has a lot of neat shops and great restaurants....may be cold but there are coffee shops too to warm up.

Never been to the casino..not my thing so I can’t address that.

There is an outlet mall ..Tanger..up north. Ikea is fun to wander through. Easton has restaurants, theaters, shopping.
 
If it’s not to cold- I’d go to Easton area.
Polaris area is nice, mall IKEA and outlets close by.

I would pass on The casino. Nothing else near there to do.

I have not been, but I hear Short North is a nice place to go to.
 
I have been to the casino in Columbus and it was meh... It was very empty on the inside we stayed a short time and left. Yes there is nothing else around the casino to do. I would spend time in the Polaris area. Tons of shopping. Huge outlet center close by. Short North is a good idea but it will be cold to walk to all the neat shops there are.
 


Thanks for your replies everyone! The Short North area looks really neat with different kinds of shops.. might try that if the weather isn't too terrible.
Might go to the Polaris mall if it's too cold, but we've been there a couple times and to me, it's just another mall, albeit a huge one, lol.

Any other ideas on what to see? Thanks again!
 
We spent a weekend there for a cheer competition once. We stayed at a hotel connected to the convention center and didn't have a car. Everyone in our group walked to the French Market which was just a couple blocks away.

ETA: When I googled this, it says it is the Short North. LOL. We were just told it was called the French Market.
 
It's too bad your dates are between so many of the area's theatrical events and the Short North gallery hop...but here's some good ideas...
- Phantom of the Opera - I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I don't know where and when tickets might be available last minute...https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/the-phantom-of-the-opera/54729/
- Comedy (although not sure if this would be your mom's bag or not) - You could choose the Funny Bone at Easton (after a day of shopping) or see Ron White (although this one isn't cheap)...https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/ron-white/55192/
- Short North personal gallery hop or the Columbus Museum of Art (you miss the behind the scenes tour day, but there are still some really nice exhibits running and you can do tours as follows...Free Drop-In Tours
Walk-in public tours feature CMA current exhibitions, and highlights from CMA’s permanent collection. Tours leave from the Museum Lobby. Check the calendar for themed topics. Free with admission.
When: Thursdays at 6:30 PM or Fridays at 12:00 PM if you are there Jan 10-12)
- If you want to see life in the winter, flowers, gardens, and plants are fun:) - https://www.fpconservatory.org/
- There are a bunch of escape rooms and a murder mystery dinner theatre - this is in my mom's wheelhouse - it might be in yours:)...Groupon has a lot of deals for this...
- Easton Town Center - If I have to pick a "shopping center", I always pick this one...just the options and available entertainment
 


It's too bad your dates are between so many of the area's theatrical events and the Short North gallery hop...but here's some good ideas...
- Phantom of the Opera - I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I don't know where and when tickets might be available last minute...https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/the-phantom-of-the-opera/54729/
- Comedy (although not sure if this would be your mom's bag or not) - You could choose the Funny Bone at Easton (after a day of shopping) or see Ron White (although this one isn't cheap)...https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/ron-white/55192/
- Short North personal gallery hop or the Columbus Museum of Art (you miss the behind the scenes tour day, but there are still some really nice exhibits running and you can do tours as follows...Free Drop-In Tours
Walk-in public tours feature CMA current exhibitions, and highlights from CMA’s permanent collection. Tours leave from the Museum Lobby. Check the calendar for themed topics. Free with admission.
When: Thursdays at 6:30 PM or Fridays at 12:00 PM if you are there Jan 10-12)
- If you want to see life in the winter, flowers, gardens, and plants are fun:) - https://www.fpconservatory.org/
- There are a bunch of escape rooms and a murder mystery dinner theatre - this is in my mom's wheelhouse - it might be in yours:)...Groupon has a lot of deals for this...
- Easton Town Center - If I have to pick a "shopping center", I always pick this one...just the options and available entertainment

Thanks! Will definitely look these places up, :)
 
We spent a weekend there for a cheer competition once. We stayed at a hotel connected to the convention center and didn't have a car. Everyone in our group walked to the French Market which was just a couple blocks away.

ETA: When I googled this, it says it is the Short North. LOL. We were just told it was called the French Market.
The French Market is a stand alone store that is part of the Short North shopping district. Short North is a series of stores and restaurants along High St. in Columbus. And the French Market is just one of many places to shop.
 

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