We love having friends come to Columbus! You are always welcome. Because the capital of the Buckeye State is our home, we can think of a great many fun things to do here that we’re happy to show you. These are some of our favorites:

THE SHORT NORTH
No more than a 10-minute walk up High Street from downtown, the Short North is a lively entertainment district filled with restaurants, shops and bars. It’s a great strip to explore for an afternoon. (Fun fact: When Scott moved to Columbus he lived by the UDF on East First Avenue and walked one mile down High Street to work every day.)

Favorite places to eat: Betty’s, The Rossi, Tasi Cafe, Haiku, Jeni’s Ice Cream
Favorite places to drink: Short North Tavern, Eleven, House Beer, The Pint House
Favorite places to shop: Bink Davies, Homage, Tigertree, GrandView Mercantile

NORTH MARKET
Looking for a spot to grab a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee? North Market is your place, an eclectic indoor public market of independent merchants and farmers who sell everything from meats to cheeses to flowers to candy to seafood. Trust us, it’s all pretty tasty. (Fun fact: While shopping in the North Market, a local reporter stopped to interview Scott and Kari for a brief New Year’s Resolutions feature in the weekly entertainment newspaper. Scott made the issue; Kari was cut.)

GOODALE PARK
Located in Victorian Village, Goodale Park is the oldest park in Columbus and one of the oldest in the United States. More importantly, it is also the site of ComFest, where Kari and Scott met. Less than a mile from downtown and adjacent to the Shorth North, Goodale Park is a lovely place to take a stroll, toss a frisbee or play some tennis. (Fun fact: Groomsman Matt Youngner, his wife Mimi, and Kari’s friend Lauren Widett all live less than one block from Goodale Park, where they can often be found walking their dogs. UPDATE: Matt, Mimi and their dog Luna have packed their bags and moved to San Francisco. Boo! You are missed!)

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
Columbus goes Buck Nuts on home game days, and the campus area is ground zero. Football fans, tailgate aficionados and curious onlookers may want to take in the scene around the Shoe. Don’t bother driving: From downtown, the easiest way is to hop a quick bus up High Street (just follow the fans!) and get off at Lane Avenue. Any bar will do; all bars will be packed. Varsity Club is the big draw, but The Little Bar and Out-R-Inn are good options, too. Should you make your way to a college party, you’re on your own, dude. (Fun fact: When Scott needed to pack up the last of his things in D.C. to move to Columbus over Thanksgiving weekend, he reserved a truck to make the trip on Saturday. Not so fast, Kari said: Ohio State-Michigan was on Saturday. The plan was changed, and Scott and Kari made the the roughly 10-hour trip from Lancaster, Pa., to Arlington, Va., to Columbus — not to mention moving all of Scott’s stuff out of his apartment — in a full-day slog that ended around 3 a.m. They did not miss the game.)

COSI/COLUMBUS ZOO/FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY
Other touristy spots that are all enjoyable as per your fancy include the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (home of famous zookeeper Jack Hanna), the Center of Science and Industry (named the nation’s best science center for familes by Parents magazine in 2009) and the Franklin Park Conservatory (a historic building built in 1895 that houses more than 400 kinds of plants, in addition to the lovely outdoor botanical gardens). Each is well worth a visit.

RIVERFRONT ARTS FESTIVAL
More than 100 artists bring their wares to Genoa Park downtown during the Riverfront Arts Festival. Take a scenic stroll along the newly renovated Sciota Mile and check out all kinds of art including pottery, paintings, textiles and more. Be sure to stop for a quick drink or bite to eat at the beautiful (and tasty!) Milestone  229, one of our favorite restaurants in the city.

Want to see more? Check out the Columbus tourism website: Experience Columbus.