Columbus Apartment Living

Father’s Day is just around the corner – June 19, to be exact. If you’re looking for something different and exciting to do with your dad to celebrate his day, there are plenty to do locally in Columbus.

For the Nature-Loving Dad
Take your dad for a hike at Highbanks Park in Lewis Center. Explore nature and learn how nocturnal animals have adapted to the night on the one-mile family night hike at Highbanks. The hike is free and begins at 8 p.m. at the Nature Center located at 9466 Columbus Pike in Lewis Center.

For the Music-Loving Dad
If your dad is a fan of blues and jazz, check out the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival. The festival takes place the weekend of Father’s Day, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17, and ends at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 19. For $3 a day, music lovers can enjoy live music from local artists and bands. There will also be amusement rides, arts, crafts, horseback rides and great food. On Sunday, Mezzo Italian Kitchen & Wine will have a special Father’s Day brunch buffet, with a menu that includes brioche French toast, assorted pastries, penne pasta and coffee. The weekend-long event will be in Olde Gahanna, in and around Mill and Granville Streets and Creekside Park.

For the Theater-Loving Dad
For dads who love musical theater, the Gateway Film Center is the place to go on Father’s Day. From 2 to 4:30 p.m. on June 19, Gateway is showing Stephen Sondheim’s Company with the New York Philharmonic. The concept musical is composed of short vignettes linked by a celebration for the main character’s birthday. The all-star cast is led by Neil Patrick Harris, who plays a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship. All seats for the show are $18.

For the Science-Loving Dad
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus has an exhibit this summer called Dinosaurs: Explore. Escape. Survive. The 10,000-square foot interactive exhibit allows dad to experience the prehistoric excitement for himself. It features moving animatronics dinosaurs, a huge interactive maze and advanced computer simulators that let you “Be the Dinosaur.” The price is $24.75 for adults, $19.75 for youth and $9 for members of COSI. The exhibit will be open on Father’s Day from noon to 6 p.m.

For the Food-Loving Dad
Take a van tour of Columbus’ expansive taco truck scene. The trip will explore the west side of Columbus where the taco truck scene is booming. You’ll make five stops, each stop including a tasting. This tour is perfect for those who have never visited a taco truck or those who want to experience new trucks and dishes. You’ll sample food and drink from five different trucks and learn about the different dishes, meat choices and how to order at a food truck. The price is $55 and begins at the Wonder bread sign on Hamlet and Warren.

Photo Credit: (iStockPhoto/eans)

With Easter just weeks away, your head is probably chock-full of visions of chocolate bunnies, Cadbury eggs and other delicious holiday candies. As you prepare to fill your Easter basket with these yummy indulgences, check out the best places to buy candy in Columbus. Just to be sure you are getting the best value, you may want to go sample the selections before April 24.

The Peanut Shoppe – Downtown
46 N. High St.
Columbus, OH
The store’s nuts are roasted in-house, ensuring you get the very best flavor, and you can buy them by themselves, as snack mixes or covered in chocolate. You can also choose from a selection of traditional or fun candies, including Buckeyes – bite-size pieces of peanut butter swamped in milk chocolate.

Moxie’s – Clintonville
3339 N. High St.
Columbus, OH
If you like parties, fun kitchen items or candy, you’ll love Moxie’s, where you can find all of the above. The store sells gadgets and gifts galore, including aprons, bar ware, platters, pitchers, wine glasses, utensils, antiques and much more. As for candy, Moxie’s offers plenty of retro options (Ring Pops!), as well as caramels, mints and Tootsie Rolls. And if you need a gathering space, there is a party room in the back that can hold up to 30 people.

Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppe
Five Locations in Columbus
www.anthony-thomas.com
This candy store was founded in 1952 and has expanded across Ohio. Today, there are five locations in the Columbus area, including the factory and retail store. Anthony-Thomas specializes in gourmet chocolates, including Buckeyes. For Easter, some of the unique items are pecan dainties, English toffee, truffles in Easter egg dishes, chocolate Easter baskets and foiled chocolate eggs.

John Eagle Candies – Clintonville
4590 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214
Handmade chocolates highlight the menu at John Eagle, especially the personalized version of a turtle, known here as an “Eaglette.” Some other specialties are the butter creams and pecan nut balls – vanilla butter creams covered in chocolate and pecans.

It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and Summer is just around the corner. And, you know what that means – sandals, shorts, tank tops, and swim suits. We all indulge over the holidays and can’t get enough of our favorite warm comfort foods in the cold winter months. So, if you failed at your New Years resolution to lose weight and get in shape, now is the time to hop back on the wagon in time for summer.

Photo by: Beth

To lose that winter weight and get in swimsuit shape, check out a few of these helpful tips:

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