Columbus Ohio

Experience Columbus Ohio as a Family

August 25, 2021 by Rachel 22 Comments

As someone who has lived the majority of their life in Ohio, I love how each region and city is so different from the next. Despite being just 2 short hours south of Akron, Columbus is vastly different! From the food to the sights, exploring Columbus is an adventure! There are so many must-see attractions. And I’m going to share my go-to tips to experience Columbus as a family!

The Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory

My sister and her family (who happen to live in the Columbus area) have raved about the Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for a long time. Scott’s Miracle Gro Foundation Children’s Garden is located outside of the main conservatory. You still enter through the main building, and head back outside and around the building.

Combining Nature, Education, and Play!

Kids learn so much through play and discovery. The Children’s Garden provides a safe space with so many fun activities to get kids of all ages engaged and playing with the natural world around them.

The Children’s Garden features a canopy walk, nature play zone, learning pavilion, wetland exploration, a gardening centers, and so much more!

The staff at the learning pavilion was absolutely wonderful. They were patient and excited to share information with all three of the kids — and show off this beautiful caterpillar.

My kids enjoyed every single activity. In fact, we had to practically drag them out to head on our next adventure!

I can’t even decide what my favorite part of this adventure was. The Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory is an absolute must-see! Bring a towel, lather on the sunscreen, and let them explore!

See the hours and admission rates for the Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory here!

Grab a bite at The Rusty Bucket

One of my favorite family-friendly restaurants in the Columbus area is the Rusty Bucket. The kids and I have been going to one of their restaurants (most are located in the greater Columbus area) almost every single time we’re in Columbus.

The reason it’s the absolute greatest?! This upscale casual restaurant has the absolute most delicious pub food — with a twist.

Bonus? It’s incredibly affordable for a family of five to grab a full meal — even with appetizers.

My suggestion is to try the Pierogi as a starter. It features four perfectly cooked cheese and potato pierogi. But I also have to say this — the chicken tenders appetizer may be my single most favorite food from any restaurant ever. Yep. They are that good.

The Rusty Bucket Dublin — Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and Soy Glazed Salmon from the Rusty Bucket Dublin.

Lucky for us, our kids wanted chicken tenders, so I was able to sneak one (or two!) from them! Just know, whatever you order, the portions are BIG. So bring your appetite (and you’ll probably still leave with a box!).

View locations, menu, and hours here.

Stay in the city’s center at the Drury Inn

One of the best ways to immerse yourself and your family in the Columbus experience is to stay in the heart of the action. The most central location to stay in is at the Convention Center. And the most relaxing and most inclusive spot to do so is at the Drury Inn.

The Drury Inn and Suites at the Convention Center features on-site garage parking, clean and spacious rooms, free breakfast and dinner (including adult beverages!), and my kids personal favorite — an indoor and outdoor pool!

It’s located just minutes from the North Market and the Short North Arts District, as well as the Arena district. Additionally, its central location means you can jump on the highway with just a 5 minute drive!

Catch a Columbus Clippers Game

If you know me, you’ll know I don’t follow sports. But if you know me, you’ll know that I am 100% always down to see a sporting event live and in person — especially minor league teams. The food, the fans, the energy — it’s perfect! And one of the most fun and energetic stadiums I’ve ever been to is the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Field.

To my surprise, all three kids lasted until nearly the 7th inning! I can honestly say I saw about 15% of the game because the rest of the time was spent either getting my kids snacks or helping them eat the snacks (they tried shelled peanuts for the first time ever).

The stadium is gorgeous. Not too big and the perfect way to see a game as a family. The food options at the stadium are awesome — from stadium dogs to pretzels, from local craft beers to Dippin’ Dots — you will get whatever you have a craving for!

Head here for ticketing information for the Columbus Clippers.

Dine on the patio at Milestone 229

Milestone 229 is located in Downtown Columbus on the Scioto Mile — a collection of parks and trails along both banks of the Scioto River. The patio sits overlooking the huge Scioto Mile fountain.

The restaurant serves fresh made cocktails and upscale comfort food. But don’t worry — they have plenty of kids options on the menu! And you absolutely must try the pretzels — and ask for extra butter!

The location alone is stunning. But the atmosphere and the food just push this location to a must-visit! And, as gorgeous as the inside of the restaurant is, try to get a seat on the patio so you can get a view of the whole city.

The food and the drinks are delicious. I recommend getting the Chicken Salad with fresh sliced strawberries, goat cheese, bacon, red onion, cashews, and a poppyseed vinaigrette. I don’t usually go for salads when dining out, but this salad is absolute perfection!

View the full menu and make a reservation here.

Visit the Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo has been made famous by Jack Hanna. His service and dedication as the zoos director from 1972 to 1992 put the Columbus Zoo on the map. Spanning 580-acres and featuring 10,000 animals, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is unlike any other zoo you’ve been to before.

The zoo is comprised of 6 distinct regions as well as over a dozen rides at Adventure Cove.

I’m going to be 100% honest — It is incredibly difficult to see and do everything at the Columbus Zoo in one day. Especially if you have little kids. But it is absolutely, wholeheartedly worth it.

If you’re short on time, here’s what you must see:

the carousel (it’s a beautiful work of art — and the kids always love it)

feed the giraffes

ride the island boat ride

see the elephants up close!

Whatever you do, stay hydrated and prepare for a lot of walking!

Head here for zoo hours and admission information.

Stop for lunch at Cap City Fine Diner

Cap City Fine Diner, features a retro-feel across its three Greater Columbus locations. But know this before you go — you are going to want to order the meatloaf and a Peach Palmer (an Arnold Palmer made with house made peach puree).

Cap City Fine Diner is really upscale comfort food with a twist. Order one of their “Famous Large Plates” and you’ll be full to the max! Honestly, all of their menu offerings are super big.

Cap City is known for their meatloaf. But, if you’re like me and don’t want to order a whole hearty meatloaf dinner in the middle of the day (cause it would cause me to sleep all afternoon); you have options! Try the Diner Meatloaf Melt.

But save room for dessert! Because it is to die for! The staff and chefs at Cap City are so incredibly talented. I suggest not leaving a single course behind.

For hours, menu, and reservations, head here.

Learn and Play at COSI

The first time I was at COSI (or the Center of Science and Industry museum), I was a girl scout in grade school. I remember my visit vividly — from the astronaut ice cream to the planetarium — it was a defining moment in my childhood.

Lucky for me, I’m able to visit COSI with my kids whenever we are in Columbus.

One of the reasons COSI is on my must-see list is because it has something for everyone. Every single age group will get a kick out of (at the very least) one of the exhibits.

Some of exhibits are permanent and others are temporary or special exhibits. Be sure to check out the current special exhibits because they won’t be there for long!

Most recently we were able to see The Animation Academy. Ari made a short stop-motion movie with Gumby and Remy played around with the green screen.

Explore German Village

Whenever someone asks about areas of Columbus that cannot be missed, I mention German Village. German Village is known for its charming brick houses and red brick roads. But it’s also known for having some of the best food and shopping spots in town.

When you’re visiting German Village, you absolutely must go to the following places:

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters – Try their lavender latte and a scone!

Pistacia Vera – Grab a pack of French Macarons or a ham and cheese croissant.
The Book Loft – Spend an hour (or a day) walking through one of the 30+ rooms filled with practically every book you can dream of!

Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus – Grab a to-go pack of the famous Schmidt’s Sausages and whichever seasonal Jumbo Cream Puff is available!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – Columbus’ own Jeni Britton Bauer is the mastermind behind some incredible ice creams and sorbets.

jeni's splendid ice cream german village

The Thurman Cafe – If you’re really brave, order the Thurmanator as seen on the show Man v. Food!

What is on your must-see list when visiting Columbus, Ohio?!

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Why Wait? Open an Ohio 529 Plan Today

September 19, 2019 by Rachel 50 Comments

September is already upon us and the school year is back in full swing! Moms everywhere are already tired of packing lunches, helping with homework, and scrambling for outfits every morning.

But the thing is is that the end of the school year will be here before we know it. And then another Summer will fly by. Then we’ll be starting another school year. And soon enough, those kids we were sending off to kindergarten will be graduating high school. It will all happen before we know it.

As a parent still struggling with their own student loan debt, I knew I wanted to set my own children up for success from the start. So Chad and I started a 529 Plan for Ari when he started school.

What is a 529 Plan?

A 529 Savings Plan is a lot like a 401k. It’s an easy, tax-friendly way to save for your children’s higher education. Ohio’s 529 Plan can be used across the country for 2-year and 4-year programs as well as technical schools.

Ohio’s 529 plan makes it incredibly easy to open and start saving for the future. They offer tools like the College Savings Planner to help you figure out how much your investment will impact your students’ future education. You can also check out this Cost Of Waiting Tool to see just how inaction can negatively impact your higher education finances.

Right now my first grader wants to be a YouTuber. But, heck, at his age I wanted to be a singer. Things change… quickly. In 5 years he may want to be a doctor or even a welder. Who knows.

But I do know that he will have options. He can decide whether a two or 4-year school is in his cards. He can decide if a trade school will be best for him.

It’s so easy to get started.

There are only a few things you truly need to start Ohio’s 529 plan.

Your ID, social security number, telephone number, address, your date of birth, and your mothers maiden name.
The telephone number, social security number, address, and date of birth of your successor (someone to take over the account should something happen to you).
And lastly, the date of birth, telephone number, address, and social security number of the person you’re saving for.

That’s it. Easy peasy, right? Exactly.

So why wait?

Don’t. Give your children the tools they need to be successful. Engage them in learning and nurture their passions. But also provide them with the financial support they will need in the future, now.

Click here to get started with your very own Ohio 529 Plan.

8 Tips For The Perfect Day Trip to Great Wolf Lodge

August 21, 2019 by Rachel 28 Comments

It’s nearly the end of Summer and here in the Midwest, that can only mean one thing — snow is just around the corner! While some may think that being in the Midwest means constant cold through the Winter months, the exact opposite can — and is! — true!

Did you know that Great Wolf Lodge now offers Day Passes for those who want to visit without staying in their hotel accommodations?

We recently took a day trip to our Sandusky Great Wolf Lodge to check it out. What we came back with was a SUPER good time and a LOT of tips for those planning a day trip for themselves.

Here’s what you need to know about a Day Trip to Great Wolf Lodge:

Arrive Early.
The waterpark hours change seasonally, so be sure to check your locations’ hours.
Arrive just when the waterpark is opening to avoid a rush. The folks who have stayed overnight are not yet up. Plus, that days’ check-ins haven’t arrived yet either.
Leave the towels at home!
The waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge has towels available for guests to use, so it’s not necessary to pack yours from home.
Have a plan for meals.
A day of fun at the waterpark will leave your children with a seemingly insatiable hunger. The good news is that GWL has a lot of options.
There are options for seated dining, quick dining in the park, and other options (like pizza!) in the resort itself.
As a family of 5, it was most cost-effective to just order a large pizza and a couple of sides for lunch. I kid you not, my picky eaters finished the. entire. pizza! Bonus points? It truly was delicious.
Check the daily schedule for activities.
Scheduled events range from character appearances to storytime. The event calendar changes daily, so check your location’s website for the can’t-miss land attractions. It will help to give a break from the water attractions.
Rent a locker.
Without a room to leave your belongings in, the easiest way to ensure that our belongings were safe while we were enjoying the attractions was to rent a locker.
The lockers were on-site in the waterpark, easily accessible, and made me feel so much better about the safety and security of my valuables.
Leave the puddle jumpers at home!
The waterpark is equipped with both lifevests and puddle jumpers for kids of all ages and sizes, so there is no need to bring any floatation devices from home.
Obviously, a lifejacket or puddle jumper doesn’t mean a child is 100% safe in the water (they never are — and you should always watch your children around water), but it does provide some small sense of relief regarding having a child in the water and on the water slides.
Wear sandals or flipflops.
Putting your shoes on and off to go between the waterpark and dry activities will definitely happen and there’s a fairly good chance you won’t be completely dry. I suggest wearing shoes such as flipflops or sandals.
Be prepared for exhausted children.
At the end of the day, your children will, without a doubt, be exhausted. Be prepared for your children to sleep on the way home.

My final tip — HAVE FUN! Well, that’s honestly the easiest part, right?

Want more information? Check out Great Wolf Lodge for pricing on Day Passes and overnight accommodations.

Plan a Trip to Great Wolf Lodge on a Day Pass

Explore Ohio // Historic Downtown Delaware

September 10, 2018 by Rachel 25 Comments

Things have been quite busy around here. I haven’t intentionally been not posting — it’s just that I’ve had so many exciting things happening on my social calendar that I’ve barely had a second to breathe!

One of those exciting things was an adventure to Delaware, Ohio for a blogger meetup! I was excited, considering the last time I’d intentionally visited Delaware I was eleven, but I’d heard great things about downtown and I was really looking forward to checking it out for myself.

Our first stop was at the Fresh Start Café, where the owner and his wife, whom also just happens to be the incredible baker, greeted us with open arms and fresh pastries!

We mixed and mingled and tasted all of the delicious croissants, tarts, bars, and cookies before heading out to explore downtown.

The downtown area is home to a weekly Saturday morning farmers market, which is incredible for both the students of the nearby university and the residents of the town. I was able to find fresh vegetables, antibiotic-free meats, and even kombucha!

My favorite finds were probably these cookies (I bought the paint-your-own-dino cookies for my kids).

I stopped into all of these tiny little shops throughout the downtown area. One of my favorite things is how PUNNY the names of the stores are! The Greater Gouda? What The Tux? Like, C’mon! I LOVE it!

Our next stop was the Strand Theatre. This gorgeous little theatre has been around since 1916 and is one of the 10 longest operating theaters in the United States! It’s independently operated and a non-profit but still shows first-run movies.

Admission is cheap, considering the cost of movies these days! It’s only $7 for general admission tickets, and there are deals for students and seniors daily!

Breweries + Brewpubs + Restaurants.

I was amazed at how many brewpubs called Downtown Delaware home! For a ‘small town,’ I counted at least 4 — which is a craft beer lovers dream.

Besides the Flying Pig Ale House, we also stopped at Restoration Brew Worx.

Oak + Brazen Wine Company is a fantastic little urban winery and offers incredible charcuterie and flatbreads!

I truly had no idea that this kind of culture existed in small-town Ohio! I can’t wait to visit again — this time with the whole family.

What’s your favorite

“unheard of” place

to visit and explore??

Many thanks to Mary of the Fervent Foodie for organizing this event and to Periwinkle Photography for capturing us in action.

Explore Ohio // Kent

January 17, 2018 by Rachel 33 Comments

Ohio in Winter — is cold — but it’s also a gorgeous time to explore our local community. It’s hard not to think about moving when the temperatures are -15 degrees. But heck! even if I could, I wouldn’t move out of Ohio. Nope. I’d move to this gem in the Short North, Columbus. (Listed on HER realty — OMG isn’t it gorgeous!?)

But, alas, I won’t be moving anytime soon. But if you live in Ohio one of the places you’ll hear about frequently is Kent.

Kent, Ohio is home to Kent State University, which is primarily what people think of when they hear “Kent.” But there is so much more to Kent than just the university! Really! I promise!

Fresco Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar. Fresh is definitely the name of the game of this restaurant, which sits at the corner of Erie Street and Water Street.

Everything is prepared to order and comes out quickly! From their tacos (order three, you won’t regret it but you will be full), to burritos, to salads, Fresco blows those other fast-food mexican restaurants out of the water! And, of course, bottomless chips. FRESHLY made bottomless chips, that is, with a huge selection of house-made salsas! Oh – and 60 hot sauces sit next to the salsa bar, in case you need to turn up the heat a little more! 😉

If you’re coming after work for a quick dinner, grab a frozen sangria or frozen margaritas (or try a mix of Sangria + Margarita combined!)

Haymaker Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday of the year people from all over come out to this farmers’ market — which just so happens to be the oldest farmers’ market in Portage County. Their mission is to bring local food and community together. Their vendors range from artisan soaps to fresh fruits and vegetables. Oh — and Ohio City Pasta and pour over coffee!

My favorite part is the space — located underneath the Haymaker overpass bridge! It’s a gorgeous location for their outdoor market.

Tree City Coffee. Stop in at any time of day to pick up one of their signature Tree City Maple Lattés and a homemade biscuit, because they truly are delicious! And I can get behind any place that has ethically sourced coffee with direct trade.

Also? They make their own peanut butter concoctions and offer them in a variety of ways on the menu. Like the fluffernutter sandwich, made with their freshly ground peanut butter and marshmallow fluff!

If you don’t have time to stay and relax, they do offer a super convenient drive-thru (which, I’ve hit up more times than I care to admit).

Brimfield Bread Oven. Located just a couple of miles outside of downtown, this little gem is a true hidden treasure. All of their breads are homemade daily and baked in a woodfired oven. They serve breakfast treats, like morning buns, pretzel croissants, and danishes, as well as a huge variety of breads — including a local HiHo Beer Bread!

Honestly, everything I’ve had from here is delicious, but I have yet to try their woodfired pizza (served most days, but only in the evenings). I keep telling Chad that we must go for a date night, like, soon!

Freedom Trail. This trail, I think, is one of the most underutilized flat trails in all of Summit Metro Parks! From the Kent trailhead (located off of Northeast Avenue) to Howe Ave, it’s 2-miles of mostly flat running or biking trail. Which means when I want to take the kids in the double-stroller for a run, this is the most perfect place for it! A total of four easy miles, surrounded by huge trees, close to the KSU airport (so lots of sights for the kids to see in the skies), and the occasional train blaring in the distance.

It’s truly my go-to place for running and if you have never been, I highly suggest checking it out!

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. And like any ‘good runner’ I like to eat donuts after my 4-mile run! 😛 I kid (kind of)!

But if you are looking for a place with fresh donuts (and gluten free options), that are customized right in front of your eyes with all kinds of toppings (think caramel, fruity pebbles, and basically any other form of sugar you can think of), you’ll want to stop in to Peace, Love, and Little Donuts of Kent.

I, of course, seem to always opt for the plain donuts because there’s just something about a powdered sugar cake donut — you can’t go wrong!

101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Switching things up a little bit, but this place needs a mention. Kent has no shortage of places to sip and savor your favorite beers and wines thanks to the university students. But 101 Bottles is different. It’s not a college hangout — it’s a craft beer mecca.

Offering individual bottles, six packs, cases, growlers, and kegs of your favorite craft beers, 101 Bottles has truly made it’s name for itself in the area. Want a beer that is hard to find like Bodhi? or Bell’s Hopslam? or the latest from 3 Floyds? This place always gets it. And if you sign up for their text message alerts, you’ll be alerted when all of your favorites are in.

Stop in to check them out and stay for a flight at their bar area!

Lucky Penny Creamery. I am hardly the farmer type of gal, but I’ve run into the folks from Lucky Penny too many times to fail to mention them. If you’re looking to purchase goats milk, cheese, cajeta, or just see how it’s it made, head to Lucky Penny Farms and see how their beautiful dairy goats make delicious cheese!

If you can’t make it to Kent, you can always find their cheese and milk at the Haymaker market, Countryside Conservancy market, or at Mustard Seed.

Where is your favorite place to explore in Kent, Ohio!?

This post is a partnership with Nakturnal. As always, all opinions herein are my own.

Life Lately // a Mom’s Tale of End of Summer

September 25, 2017 by Rachel 12 Comments

I’d be lying if I said things have been easy lately. The adjustment of Ari going back to school and me starting my new Fall schedule at work has definitely been a challenge; but also, life has just been… different. I’ve been quite reserved and close-mouthed. Because, well, I don’t have anything particularly upbeat to say.

And that’s okay.

I recognize that in times of transition I tend to shut down a bit. Maybe it’s just the way I process things, I dunno.

But we’ve still been able to have a bit of fun, even amidst the chaos.

Painting With A Twist.

A couple of weeks ago I met up with a dear friend to do a fall-themed pallet painting project. I’ve done other wine and painting parties, but this was my first time at PWAT Hudson. The studio was awesome and so accommodating!

And I’m so pumped about the final outcome of my project!

I can’t wait to go back!

Summer Sunset Blast.

Without truly having school-aged children, the end of summer doesn’t really mean much to us, other than going back to preschool and adjusting to a new schedule. But that doesn’t mean we don’t fully take advantage of the end of summer fun!

We said farewell to summer at Silver Springs Park in Stow, with the help of Café O’Play, bounce houses, inflatables, face painting, and a petting zoo!

While Ari hit up the inflatables (OMG – first time he’s really been able to because he’s not my baby anymore!! ??), Remy Bea and I spent some time with the goats.

This girl apparently had a fascination with goats! Which is funny, because so does her daddy! 😛

Trips to the Akron Zoo.

Our zoo membership is nearly expired, and we likely won’t renew it until after Christmas (because, busyness). But we did squeeze in a few more trips to the zoo before Summers end!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times again — we are beyond lucky to have this wonderful zoo in our backyard! It takes, at most, 10 minutes to get there; the zoo is so easily accessible, and so easy to navigate — even with two small children.

Lucky for us, on our latest trip, the temperature was super mild and the zoo itself was empty. The best part? All of the animals were front and center!

365 by Whole Foods opened and we may have been there at least 5 times in a week!

I took a media tour of the store before the opening day festivities, and I was beyond impressed. The store is bright, clean, and absolutely gorgeous!

There’s mochi ice cream, a taqueria, coffee from Artisan Coffee, great prices on produce, and a typical prepared food section that is to die for!

I took the kids back for opening day and we were greeted by Zippy, the Akron Zips mascot, and a whole slew of people! No joke, at 8:45 am on a Thursday morning and there were about 200 people waiting to get inside!

I’m serious when I say that it has quickly become our favorite place to grab some food, whether it be groceries or prepared food (helloooooo, chili and cheese lasagna!!!!). I see this as being our go-to store from here on out.

We took a very quick road trip to Columbus.

Besides stopping at IKEA for what seemed like 5 minutes (but was actually 2.5 hours), we wandered and made lists of things we needed to do in our head. But other than one semi-small purchase, we really just were there for the Swedish meatballs!

After our IKEA trip, Chad went with his sister and her family to the Ohio State football game while I took the kids to the local splash pad by my sisters house.

We went to a quick (early) dinner at another local fave — the Starliner Diner (delicious + authentic Cuban food) before heading back to my sister’s house to settle in for the evening.

Before heading home we went to a family cookout with Chad’s sister’s family (she was visiting from Denver just for the weekend). Basically, a whirlwind of a 36-hours.

I’ve been cooking — a lot.

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This is super weird for me because I hate to cook. But I tried Blue Apron a while back and loved it! The recipes weren’t difficult, per se, but they did reignite a spark I had for trying new recipes.

Playgrounds, playgrounds, playgrounds… and flag football clinics!

We’ve certainly been spending time at our local playgrounds and parks. Remy has taken to ‘playing’ in a major way. In fact, one of her favorite words to say is “Play? Play?” Basically, begging to go outside in play or get into all of her toys.

So it’s been fun. Oh, and Ari started a flag football skills clinic. To my surprise, he’s really fond of it. It’s super fun to watch them both come into their own in different ways.

As I read this post (and as I reread it over and over again…) I keep thinking…. FUNK, BE DAMNED! My life has been crazy and awesome! I’ll get back to my normal life soon. But for now? For now I’m basking in the awesomeness that is random.

Happy Monday, friends! xo