Photo courtesy Zoey Duan via the Short North Arts District Facebook page
Affectionately known as the "art and soul of Columbus," the Short North neighborhood is undoubtedly one of the most popular city destinations for locals and visitors alike. The area boasts a high concentration of galleries, delicious restaurants, craft breweries and theaters — in fact, there are so many things to see, explore and taste, it can be difficult to decide what to experience first! We rounded up a list of the best things to do, the best things to eat and drink, and the best places to live in the Short North. Whether you're just stopping by for a short trip (no pun intended), or you're a local looking to experience something new in the area, make sure to check a few of these off of your list!JUMP AHEAD:
What to Do | Where to Eat | Where to Drink | Where to Live
Photo courtesy of Zeek Creative via Short North Stage
The Short North isn't just famous for its physical works of art — performing arts thrive in the neighborhood, too! Short North Stage, for instance, produces and performs shows weekly, ranging from Broadway classics to edgy musicals, and progressive one-act plays to cabarets. Find them at the Green Room, Ethel's Lounge or the Garden Theater. Picnic in Goodale Park Surrounded by the charming, 19th century homes of Victorian Village, Goodale Park is the oldest park in Columbus and among the oldest in the United States. The 40-acre space provides a haven for those looking to soak in the sunshine, play a little frisbee or enjoy a picnic, and you'll also find a playground, tennis courts, a park shelter and a pond-side gazebo. Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Public Art
Photo courtesy Zoey Duan via the Short North Arts District Facebook page
The Short North is filled with interesting sculptures, mixed media pieces and giant murals — including the famed Short North Gothic mural. Can you find them all? Take a peek at this guide to public artwork in the area. Take a Foodie Tour with Columbus Food Adventures There's no better way to see (and taste) the neighborhood! Take a leisurely stroll with a guide, who will take you to sample the flavors of the Short North at six to seven of its restaurants. Together, the tastings make up a complete lunch, and along the way, you will learn the colorful history of the area. Book a Pedal Wagon If you're familiar with the Short North (or any other downtown area, for that matter), you've probably seen the large, open-air pedal buses blasting fun music and rolling down the street. Groups of 15 people pedal the vehicle around the neighborhood, visiting the Short North's most notable landmarks, restaurants and local establishments. Go Shopping at a Boutique
Photo courtesy of Artisan Deluxe
Of Columbus' most notable boutiques, many of them are in the Short North neighborhood! Check out shops like Artisan Deluxe, Ladybird, Rowe Boutique, Kiln Mercantile, Red Giraffe Designs and Tigertree, and view our list of the 16 best boutiques in Columbus for additional shop-spiration. Embark on the Short North Gallery Tour The Short North is known for its art galleries, and this is the perfect chance to see them. On the first Saturday of every month, all of the local galleries open their doors to the public after hours, and the streets explode with performers, special events, food, drinks and fun. It's Columbus' favorite night of the month to celebrate art! Note: If you can't make it on the first Saturday, make sure to give yourself a self-guided tour of the local galleries — it's worth it.Jeni's is not just a delightful Columbus ice cream shop — it's a local institution. Since August of 2007, Jeni's has been scooping happiness to hungry locals and visitors alike. Come by to sample the unique flavors, which range from light and fruity to rich and decadent. Flavors change depending on the season. For New American: The Pearl This polished tavern serves up scratch-made food, classically inspired cocktails, craft beer, and freshly shucked oysters in modern and cozy digs. The menu features globally inspired cuisine and changes depending on the season, but stop by any Thursday to enjoy oysters fried, baked or raw at $2 a pop. Bonus: Brunch here is also amazing. For Taco Tuesday: Bakersfield Short North

Photo courtesy of the Thunderdome Restaurant Group via Bakersfield Short North
Bakersfield Short North boasts a vibrant atmosphere, interesting Mexican street food and margaritas bigger than your face. Everything (down to the tortillas) is handmade for maximum flavor, and there are more than 100 tequilas and American whiskeys to choose from. For Burgers: Stack City Burger Bar Boasting a modern space and an enviable patio, Stack City Burger Bar is known as the gateway to the Short North, and draws in passersby with its fun decor and mouthwatering burgers! Keep it classic with the Big Stack City burger, which features American cheese, lettuce, special sauce and pickles. For Fried Chicken: The Eagle Short North
Photo courtesy of The Eagle Short North
This indoor and outdoor beer hall dishes up comfort classics, craft cocktails and (arguably) the best fried chicken in town. The restaurant starts with cage-free, all natural chicken, brines it, dredges it and drops it into custom-built fryers. The result is perfectly crispy and absolutely mouthwatering. Try it with the house-made hot honey! For Asian Fusion and Sushi: Lemongrass Fusion Come experience the traditional flavors of Asia with a contemporary twist! The menu includes sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls, seafood entrées, delightful appetizers and so much more. Everything is designed to wow, but reviewers point out that the Lemongrass soup is a showstopper. For Locavore Cuisine: Brassica
Photo courtesy of Jodi Miller via Brassica
Brassica is one of the best healthy restaurants in Columbus, but also one of the most delicious. Stop in for creative and colorful fare that ranges from salads to sandwiches. Bonus: everything on the menu is sourced from local farms and purveyors! For Farm-to-Fork Flavors: The Table Dishes at The Table are inspired by flavors from all over the world, but the team works closely with local farmers and urban gardeners to bring you the freshest produce available. Additionally, the charcuterie and baked goods are all prepared in-house! Stop by for dinner every night of the week (aside from Monday) and brunch on the weekends. For Upscale Fare: The Guild House The Guild House is becoming the go-to destination for date night in Columbus, and once you see the atmosphere, we're sure you'll understand why. The large rustic wooden beams set against plush seating and glittering chandeliers make for a truly special space — and don't even get us started on the food.
Photo courtesy of Brothers Drake Meadery
Brothers Drake Meadery allows you to learn the basics about mead and sample work in progress during its tours, which can be booked by appointment on any day of the week! Of course, you can stop by without an appointment to simply enjoy a glass and take in the atmosphere. North High Brewing North High Brewing features a rotating selection of at least 10 delicious beers on tap — all brewed on site! Come in to sip mainstays like the pale ale, the milk stout or the honey wheat lager. Wine on High
Photo courtesy of Wine on High
This wine bar and retail shop is not only one of our favorite places to pick up a bottle, it's also a great place for date night! This locally owned shop is home to more than 300 varietals of wine, all of which are available to enjoy by the glass, in a tasting or by the bottle. Pair your choice with a charcuterie board filled with artisan cheeses and meats. Service Bar At Service Bar, innovative cocktails are mixed with house-distilled spirits and served alongside delicious shareables. The space is a chic hipster haven, filled with gorgeous modern light fixtures and bold decor.
Time flies by so quickly. In the blink of an eye, your little ones will be grown up, pursuing their careers and building families of their own. By capturing your family in a photo, you can stop time and relive some of these beautiful moments as often as you wish. But first, you'll need an incredible family photographer.
We rounded up the best family photographers in Cleveland — each with a different personality, artistic style and story to tell. Whether you're looking to capture a romantic moment between you and your sweetheart, a photo of your newborn child, graduation images, or even portraits of your family pet, these talented artists are here to help!
Photo courtesy of the Troll Hole Museum
Visit the Troll Hole Museum, which boasts more than 20,000 troll items (including a Guinness World Record troll doll collection). Here, you'll learn everything about trolls, from ancient mythology to the modern dolls we're grown to know and love. Look for birds at the 703-acre Quail Hollow Park, located in Hartville. Grab your fishing pole and round up the family for one of the Stark Parks' summertime fishing derbies.
Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks
Visit one of the area's nearby Metro Parks, which feature wildlife viewing opportunities, bike paths, wildflowers, soccer fields and hiking trails. Play a round of disc golf at Arboretum Spiker Park or the Roscoe Ewing Park Disc Golf Course. Bike the 85-mile Towpath Trail through Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas Counties (or at least part of it). Take advantage of the snowy weather in winter and go sledding! Here are the top 12 sledding hills in the area.
Photo courtesy of Summit Metro Parks
Get in touch with nature at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, which boasts 104 acres of exhibits, live animals, trails and more.
Courtesy of Akron Art Museum. Photography by Joe Levack/Studio Akron.
Check out the galleries at the Akron Art Museum on Thursdays, when admission is completely free! The normal entry fee is $10. Sit in on the free, family-friendly concert series, Serenades in the Park. These shows will be performed all over Stark County by the Canton Symphony Orchestra from June to September. Tour the Canton Arts District, which boasts more than 30 art galleries, studios and specialty shops — plus a wide range of public street artwork and five live music venues! (And don't miss out on First Fridays, monthly celebrations featuring live music, performance and visual art events, delicious bites and more).
Photo courtesy of Bud Graham via Canal Fulton Glassworks
Marvel at the glass blowing demonstrations at Canal Fulton Glassworks, and then peruse the gorgeous work from local artisans. Visit the Canton Museum of Art on Thursdays! On this day of the week, admission is free from 10 am to 8 pm. View a free family-friendly movie at the Canton Palace Theatre on the first Friday of every month. You can find an updated list of events on the Facebook page. Volunteer for an incredible, local charity, or support your favorite theatre! Here are 22 Ohio causes worth supporting.
Photo courtesy of Ohio's Amish Country
Admire the gorgeous scenery on the drive to Amish Country, and take some times to explore the traditional farms and shops. Tell spooky stories and visit these notoriously haunted sites in Ohio. There are 11 Ohio State Parks within a one-hour drive from Akron (including the famed Cuyahoga Valley National Park) and once a year, each of them offers free camping on a designated weekend! Plan ahead to snag a spot, and then check out these other incredible places to go camping in Ohio.Since 1932, Clevelanders have been coming to Geiger's for all of their outdoor apparel needs. Geiger's sells men's and women's clothing as well as footwear, gear for snow sports, cycling, hiking and more, and each store has a unique selection! The brand has now expanded to three locations in the Cleveland area, but continues to stick to its original business mantra — high quality, exceptional service and highly functional apparel. Perhaps that's why the company serves several generations of loyal customers!
Photo courtesy of Cleveland Street Glass
Who knew that something beautiful could come from a car break in? This local jeweler creates gorgeous pieces from auto glass swept right off the streets. Each piece is completely unique, and showcases the natural breaks and flaws in the glass. Automotive glass is a beautiful color all on its own, but when accented by gorgeous silver and gold settings, it takes on a completely new look. See our interview with owner, Deanna Dionne, here.
Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga Collective
To create the best living space, you need to surround yourself with things you love. Cuyahoga Collective embraces this mantra, offering home goods, apparel and artwork inspired by the Lake Erie coast. Many of the products sold in the store are created right here in Ohio, and the company also collaborates with local brands, offering copywriting, interior design, strategic services and more.Soda doesn't have to be packed with artificial flavors and preservatives, but unfortunately, that's what you'll typically find at the grocery store. At Old City Soda, however, they're doing things differently. These handcrafted sodas feature fresh-from-market produce and all-natural ingredients that are pressed by hand, carefully mixed, carbonated and bottled in small batches. Enjoy straight from the bottle, or incorporate into your favorite cocktail.
Photo courtesy of Cleveland Whiskey
Named "Whiskey Distillery Innovator of the Year," Cleveland Whiskey has won a total of 38 medals at competitions around the world. The distillery uses modern technology and transformative woods like sugar maple, apple, black cherry, hickory and more to completely alter the taste of it's barrel-aged bourbons. "No sugar, no syrup, no artificial flavor or color," said CEO Tom Lix. "All of the flavor comes from the wood."
Photo courtesy of Brewnuts
Brewnuts is a collaboration between two Cleveland locals, Shelley and John Pippin, who gave up their full-time jobs to pursue their passion for beer, donuts and their hometown. The shop is a combination of a charming corner bakery and your favorite happy hour spot, offering local craft brews alongside craft-beer-based, small batch donuts. The beer creates a rich flavor and texture in the donut — flavors that are then augmented by fun additions like fruity pebbles, coffee, bacon and more.
Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Brewing Company
Great Lakes Brewing Company beer is now sold in stores and restaurants from coast to coast, but the renowned craft beer brand got its start right here in Cleveland! Irish brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway opened their operation in the historic Ohio City neighborhood in 1986 under tricky circumstances. Cleveland had just shuttered its last production brewery in the early 80s, the neighborhood was still up-and-coming, and the brothers themselves had limited brewing experience, but they turned to experts and passionate people to help make their dream a reality. Now more than two decades later, the Ohio brewery has an impressive stack of awards under its belt, a large fan base, and incredibly flavorful brews worth savoring. Come see what all the fuss is about!