I could not pick just one thematic list from the Columbus To Do List website, so I’ve decided to pick and choose from all of the lists. I want to push myself to see all that Columbus has to offer and am excited to explore various different places from the different thematic lists. I’m most looking forward to visiting a place off of the Coffee and Tea thematic list. I have always wanted to go to a cafe that specializes in tea, and I am hoping to visit ZenCha Tea Salon off the list soon. I hope to visit locations with some people that I am not very close with yet in ENR Scholars. By doing this I hope to get closer with people who I may not talk to on a daily basis. I also hope to become closer with all of my ENR Scholars in general. I also think that I can find places I can return to throughout my four years at Ohio State, whether that be a coffee shop, park, or part of the city.
I have already gone to two places off of the Columbus To Do List! It was fun spending time getting to know my fellow ENR Scholars and exploring different parts of Columbus.
Gallery Hop in Short North
The first place I went to was the Gallery Hop in Short North off of the Art and Music thematic list. I went with Andrew Schrantz and we had a fun night! I had been wanting to do the Gallery Hop for a few months, and was happy that I was able to do it. We went after the Maryland football game, so the Short North was lively and full of people of all ages. Performers of various types lined the streets and each drew in people walking by. We heard a woman singing soul music, saw a jazz band across the street, and watched as a couple danced to and acoustic love song. The art in the galleries were of different mediums and some pieces really blew us away! We saw a few 3D pieces of art that hung down from the ceiling and used unconventional materials like pipes and fabric and netting. We also saw ceramic sculptures of animals and paintings of illusions of cats and fish. We also ate at one of the local Thai food restaurants after we finished exploring the galleries. I really enjoyed that a majority of the shops and restaurants were open late; it reminded me of being back in New York. I would definitely go to another Gallery Hop, and I would want to bring my suitemates with me!
Portia’s Cafe in Clintonville
I also went to Portia’s, which is a vegan cafe in Clintonville off of the Local Food Favorites thematic list. I went with Claire Murray, who I’ve gotten to bond with already over our vegan/vegetarian lifestyles. It took us two COTA busses to get there, but we made it! It was really nice to go somewhere that wasn’t on High Street or super close to campus. The cafe was small and had a very homey feel to it. The employees were upbeat and enthusiastic and the patrons included families and children. It took us quite a while to decide what we were going to eat, as everything looked delicious and it is rare for us to eat somewhere where there are more than one or two options for our dietary restrictions. We had chips and dip, wraps, and butternut squash and carrot soup. We almost got dessert too but didn’t so we’d have an excuse to come back soon. I loved getting to know Claire better and getting to explore a completely new area. I would definitely come back to Portia’s, but bring some of my meat loving friends, and maybe even my brother when he comes out to visit.