Miranda Steier

We visited Animal Gardens during their last weekend of the season. Some of the animals had already been moved to their winter quarters. They have a shop where you purchase tickets and can get some souvenir items. We went with the $8 dollar entry and also purchased train tickets. Our 2 and under kiddos had free entry. In the open barnyard area we were given ice cream cones filled with pellets to feed the many goats that came up to us looking for food as well as a few other animals including a donkey and a Llama. The train is an older, simple and colorful model with a good number of cars. The train ride took us through an open field where we saw some of the Dancing Horses outside in the distance and through a wooded area where they have some animal exhibits. Our guide, Cassandra, stopped at the exhibits to tell us about the animals. The most memorable were three beautiful foxes; one white, one black, one red. The end destination is a large deer enclosure where we were given additional pellet filled ice cream cones to feed the deer through the fence. We were a bit underwhelmed by our experience overall though, to be fair, this being the last weeknd of the season may have been a factor. However, as they were still selling regular priced tickets I would have expected their typical experience. Not sure if we would return.

There are many signs pointing the way to the Schoolhouse Shop. I'm not sure why it took us so long to follow those signs. The shop is housed in a beautiful old schoolhouse that sits in a quiet and rather picturesque spot. I would describe it as a rambling gift shop filled with a surprising variety of items that ranges from candy and party supplies to clothing, home decor, scented soaps and candles, kitchen items and children's toys. We enjoyed browsing in the different rooms and found a few items for ourselves as well as a couple of playthings for our grandchildren. They also serve coffee, a few lunch items and ice cream that can be eaten on a relatively socially distanced patio surrounded by flowers. There is free parking available just outside the shop.

A very intimate theater setting inside of the Edgewater Presbyterian Church building. Being small and intimate means there are not a lot of frills here but it also means there isn't a bad seat in the house. The City Lit Theatre Company, based on information they shared verbally and in their program, has a four production season. We saw The Hound of the Baskervilles and found the actors to be quite good. The performance was well done and enjoyable. Parking is sparse in the area. I understand valet parking is available at a restaurant across the street but we found free street parking a couple of blocks away and were able to see just a bit of the neighborhood on our short walk.

This fountain is located in downtown Columbus and is a wonderful place to bring kids on a summer day. There are actually three types of fountain here where kids, and adults, can play around and cool off. The long stretch with jets of water shooting up from the ground is the most popular and there are children of all ages splashes around. There was someone on duty while we were there reminding kids to walk and not run. There are some tables, stone "benches" and plenty of grassy area to sit and relax while keeping an eye on your kiddos. We parked in the lot right across the street for a $10 daily fee

This is an all you can eat Korean BBG restaurant for $24.95. They have very fast, friendly service. They deliver sides as soon as you are seated. They don't use the greatest cuts of meat but there is definitely a lot of it. They are very good about bringing you more of anything you like such as rice, salad, meat, etc. Drinks are not included in the all you can eat price. Located in a strip mall, there is plenty of parking.