Archive for February, 2018
5 Fun Activities for Valentine’s Day in Columbus [GIVEAWAYS INSIDE]
Planning on spending Valentine’s Day in Columbus? February 14 may be fast approaching, but there are plenty of fun and romantic Valentine’s Day activities for couples looking to celebrate the season of love!
From ballroom dancing to ice skating, we put together five ideas of things for couples to do on and around Valentine’s Day in Columbus.
And while you’re checking out our list, be sure to enter not one, not two, but three Downtown Columbus Apartments Valentine’s Day giveaways below!

- Ice Skating at Winter Park [GIVEAWAY]
Few activities are more romantic than ice skating in Columbus – just picture you and your partner, bundled up in your warmest clothes, hand in hand, gliding down a rink of freshly Zamboni’d ice. That could very well be the scene when you spend Valentine’s Day at the Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park – an NHL-sized rink located across the street from Nationwide Arena.
Downtown Columbus’ Winter Park is open for public skating, hockey and other community events for just 24 days a year (February 2-25) – making it all the more special when you take your significant other. And with a Tim Hortons nearby, couples can warm up with a delicious coffee or hot chocolate after skating.
To help make a lucky Columbus couples’ Valentine’s Day, we’re giving away a Winter Park prize pack includes (2) FREE entry tickets to Winter Park, along with a $5 gift card to Tim Hortons. Click the link below to enter:
Keep an eye on Facebook for Valentine’s Day giveaways!
- Trip to the Columbus Idea Foundry
Looking to activate your creative side this Valentine’s Day? Take a trip to the Columbus Idea Foundry – a place where ideas and talents, tools and resources, and experience and opportunity combine to form a uniquely creatively community.
On February 14 and February 15, the Columbus Idea Foundry is hosting a Valentine’s Day 2018 Maker Date Night. The event gives you and your significant other the opportunity to cut, make, design and build creative projects – including blacksmithing, woodworking, lockpicking, mixed media, copper stamping, photography and more – with the help of resident professional artists and craftsmen.
Click here to purchase tickets to this unique Valentine’s Day event in Columbus.

- Dinner at Buca di Beppo [GIVEAWAY]
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a passionate, upscale candle-lit dinner for two. When you think of romantic restaurants, Italian is often the first thing people think of – and no restaurant can treat you to a genuine Italian experience better than Buca di Beppo in Columbus!
On February 14, the restaurant will be serving exclusive “Classic Love” packages. For just $50, you and your date will be treated to an authentic Italian meal for two that includes Heart-Shaped Lasagna, Buca Garlic Bread, Buca Salad and Mini Chocolate Chip Cannoli. Reservations can be made by clicking here.
Would you like a complimentary Valentine’s Day dinner for two at Buca di Beppo Columbus? Enter our Downtown Columbus Apartments giveaway for the chance to win a $50 Buca di Beppo gift card!
Keep an eye on Facebook for Valentine’s Day giveaways! [LINK TO GIVEAWAY WHEN LIVE]
- Personal Valentine’s Day Delivery from Columbus Clippers Mascots- NOW SOLD OUT
Is your significant other a Columbus Clippers fan? This Valentine’s Day, the organization is offering a unique gift for that special baseball fan in your life – a gift delivery to their home or office from Clippers mascots, Krash and LouSeal!
That’s right! The animated pair will personally deliver your Valentine a dozen roses from Kroger, a Columbus Clippers gift basket and a voucher for two reserved seat tickets for a Clippers home game during the 2018 season.
![5 Fun Activities for Valentine’s Day in Columbus [GIVEAWAYS INSIDE]](https://www.columbusdowntownapartments.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Lifestyle-Communities-Pavilion-2.jpg)
- Go to a concert at Express Live [GIVEAWAY]
You share your love for each other and a love for music. If you and your Valentine enjoy concert going, maybe a date night at Express Live is more your style. This month, catch a concert from Awolnation, Kelsea Ballerini and Gary Allen. If you’re not into a romantic dinner before the concert, grab a slice of Mikey’s Late Night inside.
Columbus Downtown Apartments is giving couples the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Kelsea Ballerini on the 22nd.
Keep an eye on Facebook for Valentine’s Day giveaways!
How are you spending Valentine’s Day in Columbus? Share any fun or romantic activities we might have missed in the comments below!
Pumping Up for the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus [GIVEAWAY INSIDE]

Get ready, sports and fitness enthusiasts – the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival is almost here!
Celebrating its 30th year, the Arnold Sports Festival – which runs March 1-4 – gathers thousands of athletes from around the world to downtown Columbus, where they compete in more than 70 competitions ranging from strength and martial arts to dance and Olympic sport.
At the heart of the Festival is the Arnold Fitness EXPO, held inside the massive Columbus Convention Center. This event brings together more than 1,000 brands specializing in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition, and features two stages that host fun and unique entertainment and competitions.
For Downtown Columbus residents and visitors looking to pump themselves up for everything the Festival has to offer, there are tons of great restaurants in the nearby Arena District offering delicious food and fun.
After checking out our Columbus restaurant recommendations for The Arnold, keep scrolling for the chance to win a six-month membership to the Arena District Athletic Club!

Ted’s Montana Grill
Need a protein boost before competing (or spectating) at the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival? Beef up at Ted’s Montana Grill, located in the heart of the Arena District!
The specialty at Ted’s is their premium, all-natural, ranch-raised bison – an American superfood that comes packed with flavor and nutrients.
With several juicy burger options to choose from – including Ted’s Bacon Cheeseburger, a local favorite – this Arena District restaurant is the perfect choice to boost your stamina for a long weekend at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Veranico Kitchen + Provisions
2018 Arnold Sports Festival competitors need to eat lots of healthy food to ensure they have the peak energy and strength needed to win. And if you’re a spectator, healthy food puts you in a better mood and allows you to walk around the Columbus Convention Center for much longer stretches. Whichever category you fall into, Veranico is the place to go to get your healthy food fix in downtown Columbus!
This fast-casual Arena District restaurant specializes in all things healthy – partnering with local Ohio food vendors to bring you everything from tasty salad bowls and paninis to homemade soups and fresh-pressed juices. For the more casual Arnold Sports spectator, Veranico also features a back-bar area that offers local Ohio craft beers and wines.
The Three-Legged Mare
After a day of competitions at the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival, many competitors and spectators will probably be looking for a bit of nighttime fun. If you love Irish pubs with tasty fare and flowing beer, The Three-Legged Mare is the place to be! This Arena District sports bar features bar games, incredible food and drink specials and more than 15 big-screen TVs playing sports like rugby and soccer.
For Arnold Sports fans needing a bite to eat before the events, The Three-Legged Mare offers delicious, protein-packed brunch from 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays – with popular menu items including Irish Breakfast, Fish Sandwich and Mare Benedict (the restaurant’s unique take on eggs benedict).
Stay in Shape at Arena District Athletic Club [GIVEAWAY]
It’s not uncommon for spectators at the Arnold Sports Festival – after seeing some of the world’s strongest, most athletic men and women – to be inspired to ramp up their exercise and fitness regimen. For residents of downtown Columbus, there are few options better than the Arena District Athletic Club!
The ADAC features state-of-the-art equipment, knowledgeable and motivational personal trainers and a wide array of free fitness classes – including cardio, spin, barre fusion, yoga and boot camp.
Want to win a six-month membership to the Arena District Athletic Club? If you are not currently a member, fill out the contest form below to get entered!

Score extra entry points when you share a picture of yourself on our Facebook pages in front of the Arena District photo station at the Arnold.

What’s Around: Coffee Shops in Columbus
What’s Around is a series from Columbus Downtown Apartments that gives Columbus residents a look at the various shopping, culture and entertainment options available in their own backyard.
Whether you’re looking to warm up with a hot cup of fresh pour-over coffee, or stay refreshed with an ice-cold brew, here are – in no particular order – some of the best coffee shops in downtown Columbus.
1. Luck Bros. Coffee House (1101 W. 1st Ave., Grandview Heights)

The Luck Bros. Coffee House in Grandview Heights is a Columbus coffee shop serving everything from small-batch coffees brewed in-house, to Kyoto-style cold brews, to loose leaf teas to locally made donuts and more. The shop also spins a vast collection of vinyl records while you sip – creating a hip, social atmosphere that’s great for dates and relaxation.
Luck Bros. Coffee House distance from the Arena District
Luck Bros. Coffee House distance from Grandview Yard
2. Café Brioso (14 E. Gay St., Columbus)

Café Brioso in downtown Columbus is a roaster and coffee bar located in the discovery district. Featuring an open and modern floor plan, the shop naturally encourages an atmosphere of guest interaction and education.
Brioso Coffee includes a complete coffee bar – with beans from all over the world – a full lunch menu, and light breakfast and bakery options
Café Brioso distance from the Arena District
Café Brioso distance from Grandview Yard
3. Red Velvet Café (246 S. 4th St., Columbus)
The Red Velvet Café is a family owned and operated coffeehouse and bakery in downtown Columbus. The shop features a cozy atmosphere complete with exposed-brick walls, and serves a delicious array of handcrafted coffees and teas, specialty cupcakes, Filipino-inspired sandwiches and more.
Red Velvet Café distance from the Arena District
Red Velvet Café distance from Grandview Yard
4. Starbucks (339 N. Front St., Columbus)
If you’re looking for a great Columbus coffee shop to visit while exploring the Arena District, then the Starbucks located inside Nationwide Arena is perfect for you!
The coffeehouse chain is known for its signature roasts, light bites and free Wi-Fi, and is an ideal place for studying, casual business meetings or friend hangouts.
Starbucks Nationwide Arena distance from the Arena District
Starbucks Nationwide Arena distance from Grandview Yard
5. The Roosevelt Coffeehouse (300 E. Long St., Columbus)

The Roosevelt Coffeehouse is a nonprofit coffee shop in Columbus with a charitable mission – fighting local and global injustices of
unclean water, hunger and human trafficking. It’s that tinge of justice that makes their artisan-roasted coffees so great.
What’s more, the shop features a beautiful, modern atmosphere, and can even be rented for special events!
The Roosevelt Coffeehouse distance from the Arena District
The Roosevelt Coffeehouse distance from Grandview Yard
Looking for a quick fix? Panera Bread in Grandview Yard and Tim Horton’s in the Arena District offer tried and true, convenient options.
Did we miss one? Check out the Columbus Coffee Trail for a few more options of quality, local Columbus coffee shops.