Did you know? Columbus is the Number 4 best midsize metro for job seekers (American Institute for Economic Research, July 2016).

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The Scioto Mile

(Randall Lee Schieber)

As the weather becomes nicer, you may be looking for more outdoor activities to enjoy! The Scioto Mile includes 175 acres of parkland located in downtown Columbus. The area includes trails, parks and walking paths all just steps from the city. Exciting features along the Scioto Mile include Milestone 229, a restaurant with a wall made of glass windows as well as an outdoor dining area. The restaurant and fountain outside are powered by solar panels on the roof. Another exciting feature of the Mile is the country’s largest free outdoor climbing wall.

The exciting experiences that are found along the Scioto Mile can be enjoyed by everyone. Each year, the Scioto Mile offers many free annual events. The 2017 list can be found here: http://www.sciotomile.com/experience-a-summer-of-amazing-music-food-and-culture-at-the-scioto-mile/.

Twitter: @Scioto_Mile

Instagram: @thesciotomile

Facebook: The Scioto Mile

Did you know? Columbus is the number 3 city in the country for women-owned businesses (WalletHub, February 2016)

The Columbus Coffee Trail

According to the Columbus Coffee Experience, Columbus has the best coffee scene in the Midwest. The Columbus Coffee Trail was created to help visitors and locals alike discover the variety of coffee Columbus has to offer. Visit any of the 24 locations to pick up a trail card. If you visit four or more shops, you can cash them in for a free Columbus Coffee T-Shirt at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The majority of the coffee shops are located within a one-mile radius of downtown Columbus and the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Coffee Shops included on the Columbus Coffee Trail are:

·         Boston Stoker

·         Brioso Roastery and Coffee Bar

·         Café Brioso

·         Crimson Cup- Clintonville and Upper Arlington locations

·         Cup O’ Joe- Downtown, Lennox and Clintonville locations

·         Fox in the Snow Café

·         Bottoms Up Coffee Co-Op

·         Luck Bros’ Coffee House

·         Mission Coffee Co.

·         One Line Coffee- Downtown and Short North locations

·         Red Velvet Café

·         The Roosevelt Coffee house

·         Stauf’s- North Market, German Villiage and Grandview locations

·         Winan’s Fine Coffee and Chocolates

·         Das Kaffeehaus Von Frau Burkhart

·         Hemingway’s Coffee Nook

·         The Market Italian Villiage

·         Pistacia Vera

Twitter: @cbuscoffee

Instagram: @cbuscoffee

Did you know? Columbus is the Number 6 best city for creatives (SmartAsset, July 2015).

Short North Arts District

Located just up the street from campus, the Short North Arts District offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in looking through art galleries, shopping, eating or drinking coffee, you will be impressed with the excitement and local focus that the Short North has to offer.

The community is centered around visual, performing and music arts and currently includes more than 18 galleries of various styles. Each month, the Short North Arts District hosts a Gallery Hop where all of the galleries, shops and restaurants are open from 4:00pm-10:00pm. This is a great community event to help Columbus celebrate its art.

While you are experiencing all of the art, you may find yourself getting hungry! Not to worry- the Short North offers incredible selections for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The district is also home to many coffee shops, bars and local wine, beer and spirits. If you are going to be in the area, make sure to get your hands on the 2017 Dining Guide.

Finally, while you are walking around the district, you will find yourself drawn to the window displays of several local shops. You can shop for toys, jewelry, clothes, home and garden, furniture and antiques, just to name a few. Check out all of the shops on the 2017 Shopping Guide.

In the Columbus area, the Short North is known for having some of the best art galleries, restaurants and local shops. Stop by and check it out for yourself!

Twitter: @shortnorth

Instagram: @shortnorthartsdistrict

Facebook: Short North Arts District

Did you know? Columbus is in the Top 10 best cities for young professionals (Forbes, March 2016) brandcolumbus.com

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German Village

German Village is a Columbus neighborhood that is rich with history and charm. During the mid-1800s, German immigrants first settled the town at a time when one third of Columbus’ population was German. The immigrants felt right at home. In the coming years, city zoning, social and political changes, two World Wars and prohibition changed the original population of the neighborhood.

In 1960, the City of Columbus recognized historic preservation activities started by Frank Fetch and his family and renamed the town German Village. Today, The Village stands as a mostly residential area with homes selling in the high $300,000s. One-of-a-kind retail shops, art galleries and restaurants also find their home in German Village.

Each year, German Village hosts the Haus und Garten Tour. This year, the 58^th annual tour will be held on June 24-25. You can also find other events and activities in German Village here.

Twitter: @germanvillage

Instagram: @germanvillage558

Facebook: German Village Society

Did you know? Columbus is the Number 3 best city for millennials (TIME, September 2015)

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The North Market

Located just off N. High Street, the North Market consists of 35 vendors selling fresh, authentic food. Offerings include anything from seafood and produce to local coffee and baked goods. Many of the food items sold at the North Market bear descriptors such as “fresh”, “organic” and “local”.

During growing season, the North Market offers a farmers’ market with more than 20 farmers every Saturday. The farmers’ market will return in Spring of 2017.

Coming up on Saturday February 18^th, the North Market will be holding an event called Mix and Shake. Join The Ohio Distiller’s Guild for cocktails, food, activities and more. Check it out here.

Twitter: @NorthMarket

Instagram: @northmarket

Facebook: North Market

Did you know? Columbus is the 15^th fastest growing city in the country.

The Columbus Region is one of the fastest growing areas in the Midwest. Home to 15 Fortune 1000 companies, leading research and technology businesses and one of the highest populations of college students in the nation at 60+ campuses, Columbus is young, creative, smart and open to ideas and innovation.

(brandcolumbus.com)

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BalletMet Columbus

Most famous for their Christmastime classic, The Nutcracker, BalletMet Columbus puts on outstanding performances many times throughout the year. BalletMet started in 1978 and works with the community in many different ways. Local performances, touring shows, and classes for aspiring dancers are just a few ways that BalletMet has worked to serve Columbus’ art scene for over 30 years.

Upcoming Productions

Peter Pan– February 10-12- Ohio Theatre

(Ohio Theatre)

Art in Motion– March 17-25- Davidson Theatre

Twitter: @BalletMet

Instagram: @balletmet

Facebook: Ballet Met

Did you know? Columbus is home to some of the world’s foremost research institutions.

Some of these research institutions include:

• Battelle, the world’s largest private, nonprofit research institution. Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.
• Chemical Abstracts, which hosts the largest collection of information on chemicals and molecular science in the world.
• The Ohio State University, whose annual research expenditures exceed $967 million.
• The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the fastest growing pediatric research centers in the United States. Nationwide Children’s currently ranks in the top ten based in NIH funding.

(brandcolumbus.com)

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COSI

The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is a science center that offers activities, exhibits and events for just about everyone. Part of COSI’s mission statement reads “we motivate a desire toward a better understanding of science, industry, health, and history through involvement in exhibits, demonstrations, and a variety of educational activities and experiences” (cosi.org). Since 1964, COSI has been offering learning opportunities to kids and adults alike and in 2008, Parent Magazine named COSI America’s #1 science center (cosi.org).

Adult activities at COSI include lectures, panel discussions, evening films and more. COSI even offers an overnight program for adults that includes a cash bar and access to various activities.

COSI offers memberships as well as daily admission prices. Check out cosi.org to view the calendar of events and the COSI Center for School & Community Partnerships.

Twitter: @COSI

Instagram: @cosiscience

Facebook: COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center!

Did you know? More than 109 languages are represented within Columbus Region school systems.

Columbus has an open-minded approach to life, business and ideas. Its progressive attitude attracts a diverse population that gives the city texture and a rich mix of cultural assets. Columbus’ people, businesses and neighborhoods exemplify that the city is open to all, creating an environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking and thinking big. (brandcolumbus.com)

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South Campus Gateway

Located just up High Street from Ohio State, the South Campus Gateway offers food and drinks, shopping, events, movies and more. The Gateway Film Center offers all of the newest movies for viewing. Restaurants and bars around the area include Raising Canes, Panera Bread, Mad Mex, Ugly Tuna Saloona, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and so many more. Check out Barnes & Noble, GameStop, Yoga Six and Figleaf Boutique while you’re walking around.

For the rest of this week (until 12/31), Gateway is running its Holidays at Gateway event. Current Specials can be found on the Gateway website.

Twitter: @heygateway

Instagram: @heygateway

Facebook: Gateway- University District

Did you know? Columbus is an arts powerhouse with more than $3 billion in annual receipts and 25,000 jobs.

Vibrant and alive, Ohio’s capital is known for its open attitude, smart style and entrepreneurial spirit. Columbus’ blend of neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife and music scene, arts and culinary experiences, events, attractions and accommodations is made unforgettable by the diversity of its outgoing locals who warmly welcome visitors. (brandcolumbus.com)

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Columbus Museum of Art

Located on E. Broad Street in Downtown Columbus, the Columbus Museum of Art offers a rich connection between people and art. With galleries containing contemporary art, folk art, glass and photography as well as hands-on art activities, the museum offers entertainment to everyone.

Various donors have provided funds so that the museum can continue to grow and offer all kinds of art to its patrons. Art galleries run for a couple of months at the museum and there are always new exhibits to check out. Currently the exhibits running include The Sun Placed in the Abyss, Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO, Bodies @ Work: The Art of Ruben and Isabel Toledo, Thomas Cole: The Artist as Architect, Big Idea Gallery: Dogs and many more.

The Columbus Museum of Art is open every day except Monday from 10:00am- 5:00pm and on Thursdays until 9:00pm. If you become a member of CMOA, you will have free admission, parking, tours and invitations to member-only exhibition openings.

Twitter: @columbusmuseum

Instagram: @columbusmuseum

Facebook: Columbus Museum of Art

Did you know? Columbus has never declined in population. Per the United States Census Bureau (2013), the population of Columbus is 822,553.

The Columbus Region is one of the fastest growing major metropolitan areas in the Midwest and is celebrated as the second strongest metro in the country for job creation. An up-and-coming tech city, our research and technology institutions are attracting the brightest minds from around the world. Our smarts, energy and vibrancy are fueled by a workforce that’s younger and more educated than the national average. And our youthful, progressive nature is matched by a top-ranked location within a day’s drive of 47 percent of the U.S. population. (brandcolumbus.com)

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The Columbus Blue Jackets

It is the heart of hockey season in Columbus and the Blue Jackets are playing better than ever. The Jackets are in their 16^th season in the National Hockey League (NHL) and are having their best start in franchise history (17-5-4) this year. This season is exciting for fans who have stuck with the Jackets as they have struggled in season’s past.

Even if you’re not a hockey fan, attending a Blue Jackets game at Nationwide Arena is still quite an experience. In fact, Nationwide was ranked in the top 10 for stadium experience in ESPN The Magazine. There is entertainment throughout the game and chances to win free prizes!

The Blue Jackets play at home December 20^th against the Los Angeles Kings, December 22^nd against the Pittsburgh Penguins and December 23^rd against the Montreal Canadiens. For more ticket information, visit https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/tickets.

Twitter: @BlueJacketsNHL

Instagram: @bluejacketsnhl

Facebook:  Columbus Blue Jackets