Posts in category 'Columbus And Central Ohio'

Don't Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you're one of them and you're wondering:

• Do you have to wait until you've paid off those loans before you can buy your first home?
• Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt?

Having questions like these is normal, especially when you're thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily.

Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans?

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One of the great things about living in Columbus is that you can find an outstanding meal in every corner of the city, but few neighborhoods pack as many delicious dining destinations into one area as the Italian Village. Whether you're in the mood for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a full day of culinary adventures, there's sure to be a fantastic, local restaurant with your name on it. Feeling hungry yet? Read on to discover nine distinctive destinations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Italian Village neighborhood of Columbus.

Start Your Day with an Outstanding Breakfast

Fox in the Snow

1031 N. Fourth St., Columbus, OH 43201

If you're looking for the most popular place to grab breakfast, sweet treats, and a delicious morning coffee, then Fox in the Snow is the place to be. The menu here is short and sweet yet still features something for everyone. Start your day with something healthy like the house-made granola with fresh blueberries, enjoy a gourmet breakfast sandwich, or satisfy your sweet tooth with one of many tempting treats from the bakery. Finish your meal with one of their excellent coffees, lattes, espressos, or teas.

Drunch Eatery + Bar

995 N. 4th St., Columbus, Ohio 43201

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When you're in the mood for something sweet and savory for breakfast, the team at Drunch Eatery + Bar has you covered. In addition to all of the breakfast standards that you know and love, the menu here boasts some items that you won't find at every breakfast spot. The chicken and waffles with cheddar, Tabasco, and maple syrup are one great example. Of course, you can also enjoy a huge selection of frittatas, breakfast bowls, french toast, flatbreads, and more.

Tasi Cafe

680 N. Pearl St. #1518, Columbus, OH 43215

Everything on the menu at Tasi Cafe is prepared with fresh, local ingredients sourced from Ohio farms and crafted with love. This is the place to find elevated takes on your favorite breakfast dishes, from the tempting Challah French Toast to the classic breakfast burrito prepared with only the best whole ingredients. It's the perfect place to visit when you're in the mood to splurge on an extra-nice breakfast, with a great mix of healthy and decadent choices on the menu. Be sure to check out the drinks selection, which includes some outstanding teas from local suppliers.

Pick the Perfect Place to Stop for Lunch

Northstar Cafe

951 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201

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With sandwiches, salads, bowls, brick-oven pizzas, and burritos, Northstar Cafe has something delicious to suit your every mood. This is also a great place for an outing with friends, thanks to the unique menu of creative craft cocktails, international wines, and locally produced craft beers that you can find at the in-house bar. Can't decide between breakfast and lunch? Northstar Cafe also offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday.

Woodhouse Vegan Cafe + Space

851 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43215

One of the great things about the dining scene around Italian Village is that there's something for everyone, including some outstanding options for plant-based meals. Naturally, everything on the menu at this cafe, bar, and bakery is vegan-friendly, but you certainly don't have to be vegan to enjoy the excellent food served here. Settle in for a meal in the beautifully decorated cafe, or pick a sunny day to enjoy a healthy, delicious lunch on the backyard patio.

GoreMade Pizza

936 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43201

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Pizza is never a bad choice for lunch in the Italian Village neighborhood, and GoreMade Pizza consistently serves up some of the top-rated gourmet pies in all of Columbus. In the past, you may have enjoyed their pizza at local farmer's markets and events. Now GoreMade Pizza has a great brick-and-mortar location, serving up delicious, creative pizzas with a huge selection of fresh toppings sourced from local farms.

Cap Off the Evening with a Delicious Dinner

Budd Dairy Food Hall

1086 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43201

Can't decide what you want for dinner? That's no problem when you visit Budd Dairy Food Hall, where you can find a meal for every taste and mood. Recently named one of the 10 best new food halls in the country by Fodor's Travel, Budd Dairy Food Hall is the first food hall in Central Ohio and has quickly become a local favorite. Whether you're in the mood for Hawaiian poke, delicious Southern gumbo, or a unique craft cocktail from one of three bars in the food hall, this is a place where you can satisfy nearly every culinary craving.

TownHall

792 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215

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Known for its soups, shareable plates, sandwiches, and fresh, flavorful entrees, TownHall is the perfect choice when you're in the mood for a healthy meal that doesn't sacrifice on deliciousness. The selection of broths and soups is perfect for warming up on a crisp winter evening, while dinner plates like the New Zealand Grass Fed Strip are ideal for recharging after a busy day. Be sure to check out the dessert menu, which features some healthy, flavorful keto-friendly, dairy-free, and vegan desserts.

Hoof Hearted Brewery and Kitchen

850 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43215

Italian Village is also home to some of the best craft breweries that Columbus has to offer, including the popular Hoof Hearted Brewery and Kitchen where you can enjoy a tasty meal paired with a truly unique, bombastic selection of locally produced craft brews. With daily happy hours, a fun, sometimes zany atmosphere, and friendly, personal service, this is an ideal choice when you want to unwind with an outstanding meal at the end of the day.

Find Your Fill in Italian Village

With so many excellent places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it will take more than one visit to Italian Village to try them all! So, where you will you find your next marvelous meal in this Columbus neighborhood?

Few things can conjure up the joy and wonderment of the season like the dazzling holiday light displays that transform some of your favorite Columbus destinations into magical, enchanted places. These events feature fun for all ages, with many light displays offering exciting extras like ice skating, photos with Santa, great shopping, delicious treats, and a wide variety of fun activities geared toward the youngest members of the family. Start planning with our guide to eight amazing places to enjoy the holiday lights around Columbus.

Columbus Commons Holiday Light Show

160 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215

Looking for a fun, free light show you can enjoy during a holiday night out around Columbus? Then be sure to stop at the Columbus Commons Holiday Light Show featuring more than 400,000 LED lights spread around the 6-acre park with a prime location near some of the city's best dining and shopping destinations. On Festive Friday nights in December, you can enjoy extras like carousel rides, holiday refreshments, and live music. The display is open every evening from November 18, 2022, to January 1, 2023, starting at dusk and ending at 11 p.m.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights

4850 Powell Rd., Powell, OH 43065

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An annual favorite for families around the Columbus area, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights display regularly ranks as one of the most impressive in all of Ohio. With an incredible 3 million lights on display, this beloved family attraction is truly transformed for the holiday season. And that's just the start! There are tons of other activities for the kids to enjoy, including photos with Santa, ice skating, carousel rides, stations for making delicious s'mores, and even camel rides. This event can be enjoyed most evenings from November 18, 2022, through January 1, 2023.

Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights

3311 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015

A locally owned and operated holiday light show that also raises money for a variety of local non-profits, Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights has been delighting families in the Columbus area for nearly 25 years. The display is a short drive from downtown Columbus at Alum Creek State Park Campground and is more than worth the trip. Start by exploring the dazzling drive-through light display taking you through the whole campground, then be sure to leave time to visit Santa's house at the end for photos, gifts, and holiday treats. Purchase your tickets online, then enjoy the show any evening between November 18, 2022, and January 2023.

Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203

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Do you prefer your holiday lights with a side of horticulture? The Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens event offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and holiday cheer. Your favorite gardens will be bathed in lights, with special displays for seasonal plants like poinsettias and evergreens. There will be live entertainment on select evenings, and you'll also get a sneak peek at some of the best entries from the Gingerbread Competition. Reserve your tickets online for this event, which takes place nightly between November 19, 2022, and January 8, 2023.

Holiday Lights at Easton Town Center

160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219

Easton Town Center is an excellent place to check items off your holiday shopping list, enjoy a delicious meal, and see some seasonal sights along the way. The shopping center will be lit with more than 2 million lights, including on the towering 50-foot Christmas tree in the town square. There will also be exciting extras like holiday carriage rides and photos with Santa. The lights can be enjoyed every night through January 2, 2023.

Lights at the Scioto Mile

233 S. Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215

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With eight riverfront parks spread over 175 connected acres, the Scioto Mile is one of the most scenic places in the city at any time of year. It's especially beautiful during the Lights at the Scioto Mile display, which can be enjoyed for free every night between November 23, 2022, and January 2, 2023. The Scioto Mile is located around the corner from the Columbus Commons, making it easy to enjoy both displays in one night.

German Village Holiday Lights

German Village Neighborhood, Columbus, OH 43206

Sure, parks, shopping centers, and drive-through displays all offer fantastic ways to see the lights, but what about when you want to see a whole neighborhood decorated for the holidays? All you have to do is head for the German Village neighborhood in Columbus, where countless homes, businesses, and public places get in on the holiday fun. Starting on December 4, 2022, with the annual Village Lights kickoff event, you can see the whole neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and festive décor before you head to the Christmas Market for some shopping. After the kickoff event, the lights and decorations will be on display for the rest of the holiday season.

Wonderlights Christmas in Ohio

14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Hartford, OH 43013

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While visiting Wonderlights Christmas in Ohio will require about a 30-minute drive from Columbus, it's more than worth the trip. This drive-through light display features more than a million holiday lights, all synchronized to some of your favorite classic and contemporary holiday tunes. This is one of the most popular displays in Central Ohio, so reservations are strongly recommended. You can enjoy the display on evenings from November 11, 2022, through January 1, 2023.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Where will you and your family find your own holiday magic this year?

Holidays usually mean a table full of food finished with a few scrumptious pies. Whether your favorite is apple, pecan, buckeye, or a cream pie like banana or coconut, pies help create delicious holiday memories that can be handed down from generation to generation. But with all the baking and other hustle and bustle associated with the holidays, why not leave the pie baking to the experts? You'll have many varieties to choose from and will surely enjoy the fresh, local ingredients used in many of them. Many bakeries also often put a twist on traditional favorites, such as a Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie.
  
Check out the following Columbus and Central Ohio bakeries, look over their menus or stop by and place your holiday pie orders.

Resch's Bakery

4061 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43227

Generations of Columbus area residents have stopped by Resch's Bakery throughout its over 100 years of serving up treats like cakes, donuts, and pies. The bakery is dedicated to using the best ingredients to make tasty treats from scratch and to providing the highest level of customer service. Pies include pecan, cinnamon apple, Dutch apple, Dutch cherry, and sweet potato, and throughout the holidays, you'll find them on many local tables.

Dough Mama

3335 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43202

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Dough Mama started as a home kitchen business for classically trained pastry chef Perrie Wilkof, who supplied pies to many notable Columbus-area restaurants, and has since grown into a successful cafe and bakery. Everything is made from scratch using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Popular seasonal holiday pies include the Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie, a spiced pumpkin and roasted sweet potato blend custard, giving it a rich texture and flavor. The Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie is also a favorite choice, with a bottom layer of rich dark chocolate loaded with pecans. It's also made with Kentucky Bourbon and organic maple syrup.

Mrs. Goodman's Baking Co.

901 High St., Worthington, OH 43085

Mrs. Goodman's Baking Co. was originally known as Mrs. Goodman's Pie Co., and they're still known for baking pies with flaky, buttery crusts and filling made from the best ingredients. Many pies are available, including apple, cherry, peach, pecan, and pumpkin. In addition to the traditional pecan pie, the bakery also puts a twist on it to create chocolate pecan and white chocolate pecan pies. If you prefer cream pies, you'll also have plenty of options, including banana, coconut, and chocolate peanut butter.

Ohio Pies

Columbus Area

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Ohio Pies is a licensed home bakery, so it doesn't have a storefront, but don't let that stop you from ordering their mouthwatering pies. The bakery's mission is to source seasonal, local ingredients and, in the process, feed your soul and nourish the community. That's why, for example, all the eggs for Ohio Pies come from the free-range hens at Harrison Farm, and all the butter comes from Minerva Dairy. Blueberries are sourced from Blueberried Alive's organic crops, and all milk and cream come from Snowville Creamery. Order favorite holiday pies like apple, blackberry, buckeye, s'mores, sweet potato, and pumpkin, made with local pumpkins. Hand pies are also available by the half-dozen in apple, blackberry, caramelized pear, and cherry.

The Original Goodie Shop

2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221

The Original Goodie Shop is a family-owned bakery that's served sweet treats to satisfied customers for 67 years. They've earned a generational following over the years and have customers who buy goodies for their children after growing up ordering the same thing from the bakery. Everything is hand-made from scratch, including donuts, cakes, cookies, and, of course, pies. Pies are available in small and large sizes in flavors such as apple, cherry, mince, pecan, and pumpkin.

The Witten Farm Market at Smith Farm

3341 Winchester Pike, Columbus, OH 43232

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With The Witten Farm Market at Smith Farm, you get the best of both worlds: The chance to buy produce and fresh foods for your holiday needs from the farm market as well as tasty baked goods like pies from Smith Farm Bakery. Made fresh daily, pies are available in many different flavors, including Dutch apple, apple, caramel apple nut, cherry, pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, rhubarb, mincemeat, blackberry, and blueberry. Cream pie options include banana, chocolate, coconut, buckeye, lemon meringue, and key lime. All are baked fresh daily.

Matt's Bakery

39 S. Yearling Rd., Whitehall, OH 43212

Matt's Bakery is kosher, and all its items are parve. All baked goods are milk and dairy-free, with eggs used in the baking, and they're also nut-free (except for the pecan pie, which is baked separately). Before the holidays, pre-order pies such as apple crumb, blueberry, cherry, double-crust apple, peach, and strawberry. And while you're at it, order some challah, the signature bread item that the bakery's best known for.

Any Way You Slice It

What's your go-to holiday pie (or pies!), and where are you planning to order them from?