Chicago and Columbus as places to visit

Sal

Hi All

I am going to Columbus, Ohio for work in October. I fly in via Chicago and have two nights and one day there to acclimatise after a long haul from NZ. I then have three nights at the conference in Columbus.

After that I have a few options.

1) Head back to Chicago for three or four days on my own before a direct flight home
2) Head to Seattle, Portland or Tulsa to visit friends and family - all would be complicated by two flights to get there plus two to get home. (Seattle I could fly direct but still two flights to get home). Potentially in Portland or Tulsa I could stay longer and actually work there for a few days as I have old friends and family with space.
3) Head somewhere else and then fly home - New York, Washington DC- I would be travelling alone (this does not worry me but it changes the activities that are possible or appealing a bit -eg less dinners out).

Direct flights to NZ are from Chicago, New York, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In the USA the places I have been to are LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Tulsa, OKC, Arizona, Portland.

Questions:

1) What is there to do in Columbus, Ohio?
2) How long would you spend as a tourist in Chicago?
3) What is your favourite destination in the USA for a city break etc?

Thanks in advance
Sally

9 months ago

Off Topic

17 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

rachylou

Veteran

I’m a three days to one week person when it comes to big cities, leaning towards the three days.

My favourite city is New Orleans, just for the atmosphere and the humid green of it.

9 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How fun, Sal

Chicago is worth a visit. Been a few times. For weddings actually! Two full days is great.

Not been to Columbus OH, so can't comment there.

I've been all over the US, and lived in Seattle for 20 years. My favourite cities by far are Seattle and Boston! LOVE those cities with all my heart. I like Los Angeles and New Orleans too.

Been to New York more times than I can count! My suggestion is to go to NYC since you have never seen it

9 months ago

nancylee

Veteran

I've not been but I've heard very good things about Columbus. It's supposed to be a very vibrant and fun city.

I second Angie on Seattle, Boston, and New Orleans. (My son recently moved to Seattle so I'm just getting to know that wonderful city!) Chicago is a great city to visit (if you avoid winter). Lots of great food and if you like architecture there's plenty to explore. Frank Lloyd Wright lived/worked in the Chicago area and his home is an interesting place to tour.

Washington, D.C. is another great city to visit and a museum lover's dream since all of the Smithsonian museums are free.

9 months ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Wow, tough choice!
I’ve lived in New Orleans but a long time ago. Generally I’d prefer that with companion(s), because , the food, nightlife, transportation.

Boston has advantages of good public transport, also can actually walk many of the distances since it’s a small city, lot of picturesque areas in daytime.

Perhaps NYC is similar in that regard, not small of course, but can “ do” a number of attractions in daylight.

9 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all. I need to talk to Jon as we have relatives in Vancouver and Victoria, as well as Seattle and Portland so we have been thinking of a visit to these places....

Tulsa was not my favourite city, but staying with friends is fun and you see a different perspective. I would have to transit out through Houston (logically) so I could tack on a couple of days there - don't know much about Houston.

The activities I like when travelling are

- exploring city streets and parks on foot
- museums
- Cafe and people watching
- hiking and nature activities
- maybe theatre or sports events

9 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The cities I have spent the most time are NYC, Seattle (lived there on and off for a total of about 6mos in the 90s) and Boston (my father grew up there). My SIL lives in Chicago and we spent some time there last summer. And I love them all. Honestly I would go for whichever is most convenient because there is plenty to do in all of them.

9 months ago

Kathie

Veteran

While you're in Columbus, definitely try Jeni's ice cream. (It's available across the US now but was founded in Columbus.) I'm nodding along with Angie- Seattle has a very special place in my heart, having lived there for two decades, and I find Boston to be very approachable and easy to walk/explore. And New York is always fun, plus direct flight and you haven't been there.

9 months ago

catherine

Veteran

Never been to Columbus, but spent a fair amount of time in Chicago when my eldest lived there.
It is a fantastic city with excellent (by US standards) public transport, an amazing walkable downtown, and neighborhoods that are unique and interesting.
I highly recommend the Architectural River Tour. After you read “Devil in the White City”, of course.
Three or four days would be good.

9 months ago

Jules

Veteran

As a North American Columbus, Tulsa and Houston are not on my radar as cities of note to visit I have been to Boston, NYC and Chicago (2 or 3x each and would go back!) and all have both world-class attractions and are very walkable with authentic local character. I would be quite happy in any of them for 3 days on my own doing a mix of culture, shopping and food.

I won't comment much on the west coast destinations as I'm much less familiar, but the obvious is that they offer more in the way of hiking/nature. But keep in mind local transport may take more time than you imagine if you want to see more than one destination (I think that JenniNZ found that to be the case on her recent visit?.

9 months ago

Sal

Veteran

I have decided to head to Tulsa and stay with our friends for four days. It will be relaxing and fun - it's an expensive trip already so this feels like the right thing to do.

I will have a couple of spare afternoons in Columbus and a spare day in Chicago so ideas are very welcome.

9 months ago

Jules

Veteran

The Art Institute in Chicago is an amazing gallery of both American and European art - and it's right by Millennium Park and Cloud Gate. As mentioned the architecture boat tour is excellent (there are competing tour companies but the Architecture Society runs a good one). XOCO is a casual counter-service Mexican place where I have happily eaten alone before (associated with celebrity chef Rick Bayless who has done a lot to promote authentic/traditional Mexican cuisine).

9 months ago

Sal

Veteran

The architecture boat tour sounds right up my alley!! Thanks for the heads up on that. Along with Deep Dish Pizza........I won't shop because my friend in Tulsa will take me shopping....

My friends are really excited to see me and I know we will have fun doing yoga and pickleball and Tulsa in fall is nice.

I think in Columbus it will be walking and exploring and hopefully a couple of good meals out.

9 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Always fab to spend quality time with friends who live far away. I can imagine how excited they are to see you

Sal, the shopping in the US is very good in OCT, but will be against your seasons. So a little heads up.

We went on that architecture boat trip in Chicago and it was fun! Had the pizza too.

9 months ago

Laurie

Veteran

Sal - I haven't been to Columbus for MANY years, but I am a little thrilled that a restaurant I used to love is still there, on this list. Lindeys. I have many fond memories of meals there. I remember the Germantown neighborhood being very cute back then.

My history with Columbus is that I have ridden a bike out of, and back into Columbus over a May weekend. I used to do a double-century ride with my Dad that left Columbus at dawn,and wound up in a tiny town 105 miles south, across the Kentucky border. Thousands of us slept on the floors in every available school gym, YMCA, church rec hall, etc, and then got up before dawn the next morning, hopped on the saddle, and rode 105 miles back. It was a great time.

Will be interesting to hear what you find.

8 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie and Laurie!

I am not planning a lot of shopping - my friend in Tulsa is a very committed shopper- she's a bargain hunter. I am thinking some sports gear could be in order but aside from that I will see how it goes:)

Thanks for the restaurant recommendation Laurie and Germantown sounds fun too!

8 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

VICTORIA!!

Come visit ME!!

(If you go to Vancouver, I'd do my best to go see you there...)

Clearly you have many choices and many issues to consider. But I am only half joking.

Ok, on US cities I am no expert but I adore New York, Boston, and Seattle is also great. I have not been to Chicago but I think it is an art lover's and jazz lover's favourite place.

8 months ago

kkards

Veteran

Back in the day Columbus was actually a hotbed of American fashion. The Limited and all its off shoots were headquartered there.

Its where The Ohio State University is. If you’re in town when the football team is playing a home game,I’d try to go. Or at least head over to the stadium- it will definitely will give you unique American vibe.

8 months ago

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