Win a trip to… COLUMBUS!!!
As you may have read on the blog last month, Laura and I were lucky enough to experience the Columbus culinary scene thanks to Experience Columbus.
And… well, we loved it!! The city is full of vibrancy, tasty eats, boutique shopping… and a whole lot of awesome. (Note: We still love Pittsburgh, but Columbus has captured a bit of our hearts.)
On our trip, we visited German Village and ate some rustic, thin-crust pizza at Harvest and possibly the most deliciously light, fluffy, and gooey cinnamon roll on the planet at Skillet; got down and dirty on Jorgensen Farms picking fresh mint for Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams; and tasted some unique global cuisine on the Alt Eats Tour. (You can read more about our weekend here.)
Yeah, we ate a lot, but there was so much more we wanted to experience… like visit the museums and galleries, shop more.. and of course eat more!
We promise to make a trip back soon, but in the meantime YOU have the chance to win a trip to Columbus. Our pals at Experience Columbus are giving one lucky winner a free trip to Columbus, that includes:
- 2 night stay at Drury Inn and Suites;
- 4 tickets to the Columbus Zoo
- 4 tickets to the Center of Science and Industry ; and
- $30 gift card to the North Market (Hint: get the pierogies, waffles, and everything in this place!)
Talk about awesome.
And even more awesome is that October 5-8 is Experience Columbus Days, offering half off 20 Columbus attractions and 25% off Columbus Dine Original Restaurants. (Discover more about this weekend at http://experiencecolumbusdays.com and salivate over your computer keyboard on Pinterest here.) So if you win, you might want to get to Columbus during Experience Columbus Days to experience as much as you can, but you have until December 31, 2012, to claim your winnings.
To enter:
Leave a comment below, telling us the one thing you want to experience the most in Columbus. You have until Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at 11:59 pm EST. We will draw one lucky winner on the blog, Thursday, September 28, 2012.
Good luck! And if you win, pack bigger pants. For real!
110 Comments
I would love to wander German Village. Have lived in Ohio my entire life and have never truly experienced what Columbus has to offer.
I love Columbus OH and have stayed at the Drury Hotels. Would love to win this and spend time in Columbus.
Want to go to the North Market. Never been there. I love Columbus! Pick meeeeeeeeeee.
I want to get my hands on that cinnamon roll!!
I would enjoy photographing my wife Cathy sharing the zoo with her 6mo old granddaughter. Hitting the Book Loft bookstore and spending an hour or two searching through all the rooms full of books. Then hitting Cap City and enjoying the best meatloaf that I’ve ever had. And of course there is nothing like going through North Market getting lost in all the great smells.
I LOVE Columbus! I haven’t been in years but would love to back to the Zoo and Science Center!!
I have been to Columbus many times, but only for shows, so it would be nice to win this and eat something other than Mad Mex when I go, since that’s the only place I try there b/c it’s familiar.
I’ve never been to Columbus so I would love to win this trip to check out the city!
I’d be MOST excited to check out Jeni’s at North Market! I’ve been a huge fan of Jeni’s ice creams since my brother started smuggling pints over the state border from Cleveland a few years ago when he’d come to visit, but I’ve never been to a Jeni’s shop, nor to North Market.
I’ve never been to Columbus! So the thing I want to experience most about Columbus…would be Columbus!
It has been over 30 years since I lived in Columbus and Ohio! Would love to win this trip to see all the changes since our OSU days.
I would love to go to the North Market because I have never been there – and the German Village! And, I can’t help it, I can never get enough of the zoo!!!!!
I would love to check out the food scene and try Jeni’s Ice Cream!
Ever since I saw Man vs. Food go to Thurman Cafe and eat those burgers I’ve put Columbus on my short list. Heard they have a kicking zoo too
I really want to experience Brothers Drake Meadery & North Market!
LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE. NEVER BEEN TO COLUMBUS, WOULD LOVE TO GO AND EAT.
There is nothing I enjoy more than eating my way through a city I have never been to!
I’ve only been to Columbus for concerts, so an excuse to explore the city a bit more would be great – especially the zoo.
I was born and raised in Colombus. I went away to the military and have never returned. I am 69 years old and have lots of relatives there that I would love to see one more time before the big sleep. I graduated from Ohio State before the military. Go Buckeyes also would love to see how Colombus has changed over the years. thanks for the chance
I love Columbus! Last time I made it to Katzinger`s and Pistachia Vera, but not the Book Loft in the German Village. And I`ve been dreaming of the slut sauce at Late Night Slice.
I would love to check out the art/music scene in Columbus and hear the Columbus Symphony!
Would love to try Skillet in the German Village – I’ve heard its phenomenal!
I’ve always wanted to spend some time in the Short North Arts District.
I lived in Columbus For 3 years and worked at The Ohio State University, the one thing I didn’t do while I was there was Take The Dagwood Challenge At The Thurman Cafe. If I were to win, that’s what I would do. and Go to my favorite hangout, Skullys…….
Would love to take the kids to the ZOO!
Would love to experience a new city! And I would LOVE to see if Columbus can compare to Pittsburgh!
Hmmmm, so much Columbus and so little time!
From North High to Goodale Park,,, to the honey wines to taste,pierogies to buy, holistic healing schools to visit, acupuncture to study,, amazing people to meet ,a funky outfit to find at flower child….. and lions and tigers and bears ,,oh my!! What’s not to love about Columbus!!!!!!
You had me at pierogies and waffles…
Love to enjoy the dinner and the downtown.
even though I have had the pleasure of experiencing the North Market (OMG THE WAFFLES), I’ve not had the full foodie experience. And I love food and traveling, so this sounds perfect!
I would enjoy taking advantage of the much underated art scene in Columbus. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy my birthday and anniviersary, both in October!
There are so many things I want to experience thanks to your trip posts, but I must say that North Market and a local farm for some fall apple picking and whatnot are at the top of my list! Thanks
I’ve been to a few restaurants in Columbus but would love to visit the North Market!
If I’m allowed to be considered…I would love to go to Columbus and shop at Easton and then eat my way through the North Market!! And Drury Inn is the BOMB!
I’d love to go to the Columbus Zoo. Thanks for a great giveaway!
I have a really good friend in Columbus who I haven’t seen in a while. I would love to check out his new town :~)
north market sounds great – we are big fans of visiting Cleveland (great restaurants there!), so Columbus sounds like a great new town to visit!
Hubert’s Polish Kitchen! The last time I had real, authentic pierogi was living in a convent in Rome with an order of Polish nuns . . . I wish I was kidding.
Alt Eats Tour! ALT EATS TOUR!!!
I would love to visit German Village…Caterina, Pistacia Vera and Schmidt’s!
I love Columbus OH!!! Would love the opportunity to watch the giraffes at the zoo, shop the market and root for the OSU Buckeyes locally!!
I want to conquer the Thurmanator and get some Jeni’s for dessert!
I really want to visit and check out all the boutiques/flavors/sights I have read about in the short north and hopefully get a chance to chance to see and hear their great music scene. I pretty much want to engage all of my senses in the heart of Ohio
I’ve been to Columbus a few times and really enjoyed it. Love Barley’s Brewing when I went a few years ago. I’d love to check out the North Market (I’ve heard nothing but good things), and check out the music scene a bit.
I would love to experience the gays
In addition to re-visiting the cool German Village area it would be great to see my cousins who live there, one of whom just had her first baby… after 17 years of trying!!!
Did I hear “Waffles?” I’m in.
I haven’t been to COSI since I was a kid and I’d love to take my 2.5 year old. Also lunch at the North Market? YUM! YES!
I want to invent the “Columbus Pierogie” and add it to Urban Dictionary.
this is made for me!
I have three sorority sisters that live in Columbus, Ohio… Sharing food and drinks with them would put a smile on all of our faces…. Just like our days at Thiel college!!!
I want to win and try Graffiti Burger!
Thinking it’s part of being a good Pittsburgher, I’ve disliked all things from Ohio (maybe except Cedar Point and Aunt Susie’s house).
But now I am intrigued to experience Columbus and give Ohio a real chance.
I would love to win! Columbus has a lovely arts scene, so would enjoy going to the galleries.
I’ve been at school in Pittsburgh for 4 years and never made the drive out to Columbus. It would be a great opportunity to try some new things. I’ve heard a lot about it…and I helped make panels for the new casino at my job this summer! Would love to see it in person!
C-Bus!!! First and foremost I’d want to experience a REAL Buckeye from the Buckeye State (peanut butter ball covered in rich chocolate). I’ve also heard they have something similar to our gallery crawl the first Friday or Saturday of the month. We would love to go! GO BUCKEYES!
We’ve been to Columbus to shop before but didn’t really dive into the food scene, so I’m eager to get to the restaurants ya’ll recommended, especially Harvest!
Because I have friends in C-town i havent seen in years, and i id love to have an excuse to take them out!
I’m a native of Ohio and lived in Columbus years ago and miss it terribly. I would love to experience the traditions of music, food and playfulness in German Village as well visit the Zoo and reunite with old friends, the human ones that is.
Have wanted to see how much the downtown has changed. Haven’t been there in a while but was supposed to visit a friend who lived there. Sadly, he passed away too young and now I would love to get there to experience the city he called his second home.
I’ve never been to Ohio, and think this would be a wonderful treat!
It is my partners birthday on October 6th and it would be awesome to surprise him with a weekend get-away!
We always talk about wanting to enjoy more experiences instead of giving gifts to one another, so this would be amazing.
Columbus is so close, but neither of us have ever been there. Would love to be able to experience the food, the entertainment and the scenery!
I was given a cap on his gift, so with a free trip, I will not be going over that! What an experience!
I live in Pittsburgh and have driven through Columbus on the interstate many times. I always get on Facebook and post, “Waving HI! to my Columbus friends.”
I’d love to actually stop and visit them for once:-)
I have heard of North Market and I live in Pittsburgh. I’ve never been to Columbus before. My anniversary is coming up and this would be a fun weekend getaway. Shameless plea…pick me
I have heard the Short North and North Market are awesome!
I never traveled when I was young with my family. I visited Columbus several times in my twenties for work, but I was always overwhelmed with the city to venture out. Now that I’m older with two young children, we see the importance of exploring new places. We try to travel and explore new cities as often as we can. We’d love to show our kids, and experience for ourselves all that Columbus has to off.
I went to Ohio State in the 90s, and would love to see how High Street has changed. It would be nice to experience the city as a grown-up–I would love to go to the Refectory. Going to a place because the food is amazing versus the because the pitchers are only a quarter would probably change my life. O-H!
So glad you guys got to appreciate the foodie scene and great youthful energy of Columbus! A favorite weekend trip for me and my husband. The next time you’re back, give these few a try …
>ZenCha Tea Salon (N. High Street and now open in Bexley) – Get a Lavender Tea Latte!! It’s a must-stop when we’re there. They also serve food.
>Figlio in Upper Arlington – Wood-fired pizza and unbelievable pasta. Like for real.
>Spagio on Grandview Ave. – Go there for brunch. My fave is the Eggs a la Maison!
>Northstar Cafe – Fantastic, quick lunch spot. Fresh salads and sandwiches made-to-order. My first stop there, they gave me a free chocolate chunk cookie for being a first-time customer.
I’ve only been to Columbus for work and have wanted to experience the food at Short North and the Taco Trucks but never get the chance.
I had a couchsurfing guest stay with me from Columbus. She was so cool and told me all about Columbus, its cultures and its resources. It made me really appreciate Pittsburgh and its neighboring Columbus. Two special places with a whole lot in common. Also one time a really really nice ride-share driver took me from Chicago to Pittsburgh. He has a coffeeshop in Columbus and invited me to make a mural in it. I still want to take him up on the opportunity and to see the places my new friend told me about. One of which is called SkyLab. Well here’s hoping that I make it to Columbus one day soon!! xx Cheers
We would revisit Juergins Sweets where we enjoyed a delicious dinner. I also would want to visit the Columbus Zoo which we missed out on during a previous visit.
Would love to take our boys to the zoo! And we’ve heard about their food trucks (too bad Pittsburgh is lagging behind) and would love to try them out!
would love to take my children to the zoo
Just came home from my first night in Columbus (the Food & Wine event) and was very impressed. My daughter wants to go to the zoo and I would love to do the 6 for $6 wine tasting on Fridays at Market District and the Gallery Crawl the 1st Friday of Each month I heard about. Maybe those are two separate trips! : )
I would love to visit Columbus to see some friends that live there and experience all the awesome food, culture, and sites the city has to offer.
I would love to eat my way through Columbus! My brother lives just outside the city, but I’ve never actually traveled into Columbus itself.
Most of all, I’ve heard about the half-pound creme puff from Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and I must eat it. I’d also really, really love to tailgate a Buckeye game. I don’t need to watch the game, just tailgate and shove grilled food in my mouth.
I lived in Columbus from 1990-2008. My life there was happy and a dream. Then my life took a bad turn like many others when the economy recessed. I lost my job, my home, much of my family, and some of my dignity. My extended family is from the Burgh and my grandfather was quite ill with cancer and required long term care. It appeared that the move to the burgh would be the best for him and a fresh start for me (always keeping in mind that I would move back to Columbus). Taking care of him during his last months on this earth was an honor. When he died, much of my family went with him. In a span of 3 years here in PGH, I have only been able to maintain a roof over my head, food, and bus transportation. My car was taken, my extended family non existent, and my only support system remains in Columbus through my wonderful friends who remain my true family. Each day I pray for a break in it all so that I may get the job that allows me to support myself, obtain a car, and go home to where my heart is. Until then, I make it work here in the Burgh remembering that my goal always was to be a Buckeye for life. Needless to say, I am seldom able to visit without a car, so winning this trip would be a God send. NOT only would I be back in Columbus for a bit, but I would get to experience the Zoo that Jack Hannah worked so hard to maintain, my old Foodie haunts like Anna’s Greek Palace, Aki Hana who has the best Sushi in the USA, Donatoes Pizza which never gets old, etc. I would see my old theater groups and their current shows. Most of all, even for a small period of time, I would b home.
I want to eat Jeni’s Ice Cream from the store! And get a drink from Brothers Drake Meadery. Then enjoy brunch at Northstar Cafe! And most important, I’d like to do above mentioned things with my dear college friends who happen to reside in Columbus
Upscale vegan at Dragonfly NeoV.
I’d love to visit the zoo! They have my favorite animal, the manatee!
I have never experienced Columbus with my family and I hear it’s a family town. It gets expensive when you’re having to spend 2 nights for hotel + food so winning this would be AWESOME.
On our itinerary would be:
COSI
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Slate Run Living Farm
The LEGO® Store
North Market
Hopefully we win the trip! (fingers crossed)
I want to visit the zoo and eat till I grow into those larger pants I plan on buying!
I’ve never been to Columbus but the part that I would look forward to most would be the Columbus Zoo. Visiting different zoos is one of my favorite parts of traveling!
I love to experience the fresh markets in new cities. Its the best way to mingle with locals and get a taste of many great foods!
I’d most look forward to a visit to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, hands down!
I would love to spend some time with my friends from college and eat some Jeni’s, Northstar, and Tosi!
I can’t believe I’ve never been to Columbus. I want to experience EVERYTHING…..I haven’t been out of Pittsburgh in a couple of years. A short vacay is def in order!!
I have friends and family living around Columbus but I feel like I never get to see much of the city when I visit them, and I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like
JENI’S the best thing to come out of Ohio since Great Lakes Beer
I want to go to Columbus for one, to check out the Columbus Zoo and hopefully have Jack Hanna sighting. (I heard he works there) I also love trying local beers. I want to go to a local brewery!
The Alt Eats tour sounds really cool, but I’d actually love to go to Columbus because the best photographer I know is based there! Amy Ann of Amy Ann Photography, http://amyannphoto.zenfolio.com/ –we imported her to take our wedding photos a few years ago, but I’d love to go visit her so she could take updated family photos.
It’s Yom Kippur and so I’m fasting right now, so your food descriptions are awful/amazing–they are making me salivate with wanting them! Anyway, it would be fantastic to win this and be able to go to Columbus.
I would love to experience the Columbus Zoo Wild Lights! I’ve heard it’s a beautiful way to experience the zoo during the holidays!
Would love to check out the Short North!!!
I lived in Columbus for a year and feel like I didnt even get to experience all the yummy food spots in that short time!!!! I’d jump at any chance to go back. I’ve heard rave reviews about the food at Harvest, so that’s the one thing I’d want to to check out the most!
Definitely the North Market!
Jeni’s ice cream! It is worth a trip in itself!
North Market looks awesome! Never been to Ohio, would be a really cool weekend!
Would LOVE to explore German Village and Jeni’s is a must! So many delicious things! I want to explore all of them
Would love to explore German Village on a crisp blue sky day in October.
I would like to experience an awesome trip to Columbus with my Columbus Day baby Jenn, born October 12 1987 – Columbus Day! We are zoo lovers and enjoy day trips to explore new sights and restaurants.
I’d like to look around German Village, eat Nigerian food–one cuisine I’ve never tried, and go to the zoo. I love zoos!
Ice cream made from natural ingredients is obviously calorie-free, so Jeni’s ice cream it is!
I grew up in Ohio but now live in Pittsburgh. My oldest daughter is a freshman at The Ohio State University. We would love to explore and enjoy the foods of German Village- with a name like Luckenbach…..
I think the Columbus Zoo and the arena district/short north would be an amazing food and entertainment journey
I’ve never been to Columbus. The zoo and some good eats… sounds like a plan to me.
I’ve never been to Columbus! I think the North Market would be a great experience and I’d also like to visit all the places you took pictures at while you were there…the food looked delicious!!
I would love to go to Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant! Nothing like a full spread of sausage and monster cream puffs!
I have never been to Columbus so this would be a real adventure! I love exploring new places and restaurants!
I would love to have some time cropping at Archiver’s and taking a trip to the Market District! Thanks for the giveaway.
First stop: Jager Burger at Thurman Cafe in German Village—amazing! Coumbus is a great foodie town, would love to make the most of it…