For the Columbus To-Do List Assignment, I choose to focus the Ice Cream and Desserts checklist. I choose to do this list because I love ice cream. I honestly could never get tired of eating ice cream, and I figured it was a must to learn about all the ice cream and dessert places in Columbus. I was looking forward to exploring Columbus. I realized Columbus is actually really easy to navigate around. It is a lot easier to get around in the COTA than Pittsburgh’s bus system. For the Columbus To-Do List, I went to 39 Below Frozen Yogurt, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Whit’s Custard, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, and Pistacia Vera. The first place I went to was 39 Below Frozen Yogurt. I took the COTA #2 downtown and got off on West Broad. Because I was with other ENR Scholars, we were walking in the opposite direction, away from 39 Below Frozen Yogurt. Once we realized the direction of 39 Below Frozen Yogurt was, we went right on North Front, and then we turned left onto West Gay Street. We continued walking West Gay Street until we reached East Gay Street. It was on the left side of the road. It was super confusing because the Google Map app was giving us the wrong directions so it took us a while to get to 39 Below Frozen Yogurt. I would recommend going back, but it might be better to go back during breakfast or lunch time.
I did not go inside, but this was me in front of 39 Below Frozen Yogurt.
The second place I visited was Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Jeni’s was closer to Ohio State’s campus so we took the COTA from the nearest bust station to 39 Below Frozen Yogurt. We took the 2c COTA, and we got off at the Buttles & High Street stop. We crossed the road and walked north, towards the city. Jeni’s was on the left. It was really easy to get to Jeni’s since it was on High Street and not on a small street. It was also really welcoming once we walked inside of Jeni’s. I would recommend going to Jeni’s again, but they do not have your traditional flavors so if you’re okay with trying different types of ice cream, I think this is the place for you. But, the negative of Jeni’s is that it is kind of expensive.
At Jeni’s, I got salted peanut butter with chocolate fleck and brown butter almond brittle.
The next place that was visited was Whit’s Custard. It was actually pretty easy to find since it was on High Street, and it is also close to where Jeni’s is. It was on the right side of High Street, facing downtown. We walked across High Street from Jeni’s to get to Whit’s Custard. Unfortunately, we did not get anything to eat at Whit’s, but it looked really good. It was very welcoming, and I would love to go back and actually get something. I would recommend going back since it is really easy to get there, and it had a variety of flavors.
This is me in front of Whit’s Frozen Custard.
Next, I went to Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop. I went to the Ohio Union, and I took COTA Bus 2. I rode the COTA down, and I got off at High Street and West Starr Street. I searched Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop in Google, and I used Google Map to find out where the exact location of the candy shop was. I realized it was on High Street, but it was on the opposite side I was on. I crossed over, and I walked down, which was one of the last shops on that chain on buildings. I walked in and there was so much pop. They were not the tradition flavors, but they were all different types of flavors I’ve never heard of. They also had different types of candy. I had trouble finding the tradition candy that I am used to seeing in almost all stores. I would suggest going here again only if you like to try different things. If not, this is not the place for you. It is a much see though, but once is enough. These pictures are of me in front of the candy shop:
Finally, I went to Pistacia Vera. I took COTA #2 to go back to Ohio State, not realizing that I was going in the opposite direction of the Short North. But, I realized after and got off at 10th street. I got back on the COTA and traveled towards into town. I got off at West Starr, and I realized I got off once again at the wrong stop. I thought I could walk to the North Market, but it was a 16 minute walk. So once again, I got back onto the COTA. I got off and turned onto Spruce Street, where I finally saw North Market. I walked into the North Market, and I could not find out where Pistacia Vera was. So, I walked around the entire North Market until I finally saw it. I got a Nutella Orange Broch. I would suggest going here again, but it closes early in comparison to other desserts and ice cream places. I got a pastry, which was very filling. I did not even finish the entire thing.
I learned a lot about Columbus. Columbus is very easy to get around, and it was not very populated. The drivers are a lot nicer than what I am used to, which is Pittsburgh drivers. If you moved to a new city, I think something like this is a must. It gives a person so many new experiences,places to try and show people when they visit. So many people are sometimes stuck in the town they grew up, and a new city or experiences broadens people’s perspectives on things and life. I recommend to try at least something at least once to where you go. I am obviously a broke college so I could not afford to eat dessert and ice cream every time I went. Plus, I do not think I would want to eat that much in one sitting.