Discover Gahanna Ohio

Engaging with locals during a vacation offers an entirely different experience than just exploring a place alone.  Local residents can offer insider tips, fun folklore and history stories, as well as great recommendations for can’t-miss attractions and eateries. The end result is that you enjoy a richer experience and go home with memories to last a lifetime.

We asked our Visit Gahanna staff for their BEST Insider Tips about the Herb Capital of Ohio. Here’s our “Don’t Miss” list …

• Visit Gahanna App. Downloading this app to your smartphone is like having a local in your pocket. Tap sample itineraries, offers for FREE Gahanna stuff (plus discounts and deals), info on the Herbal Cocktail and Sweet Tooth Trails, and much more.
  
  
• Creekside Park & Plaza. Gahanna’s gem. Here, beautiful-park-meets-entertainment-district.  Enjoy walking paths, waterfalls, gardens, fountains and even a paddleboat ride ($5 per half-hour/ available seasonally).  Fish, wade in the water, enjoy a dinner or glass of wine from one of many restaurant patios or just escape the everyday chaos. (Best photo op backdrop: Creekside Waterfall.) And stop across the street to discover the Ohio Herb Center! 
  
  
• Speaking of the Creekside District, don’t miss the many options for great patio dining. It’s hard to beat a summer/fall evening on the patio at Barrel & Boar Gahanna with the great views, waterside patio, food and ambiance.  Enjoy live music Thursdays, featuring local musicians.  And the smoky, yummy BBQ? What else do you need?
  
  
• Forget the two-step. Try Salsa dancing at Mi Tradicion every Saturday.  Don’t know how?  They give lessons.  (Tip: stay for the fajitas!)

• Take a bike ride and discover miles and miles of trails. Whether you’re an amateur or enthusiast rider, follow the beautiful and scenic Big Walnut Trail that winds through Creekside Park. Then travel south along the creek, and it will take you all the way to Hamilton Rd./I-270

• Looking for an indoor spot for kids to burn off some energy? Lazer Kraze offer a massive trampoline room, lazer tag, arcade games and more. (Tip: Check the website for deals!)
  
  
• Happy Hour! Relax after a long weekday at your choice of great Happy Hours at signature Gahanna spots, Monday-Friday. Most offer specials on brews, wine and cocktails, and many also offer great appetizer deals. Visit some of our favs: Arepazo Tapas & Wine, 101 Beer Kitchen, The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek, Kindred Beer, Pigskin Brewing Company and Somedays Bistro & Wine Bar.  Local Cantina offers Taco Tuesday deals ($2 per taco on Tuesdays plus Margarita Deals.)  Wyandotte Wineryoffers a fun Wine Down Wednesday to make you a weekly devotee!
  
  
• 101 Beer Kitchen Kids Menu. Go for the great made-fresh-daily seasonal menus and herb-inspired cocktails and take the kiddos for some amazing , made-from-scratch kids meals that will make everyone happy.  (Tip: Visit Gahanna app users can snag a FREE order of loaded, housemade Tater Tots in the Deals section!)

• Himalayan Grill. This Nepalese restaurant in Stoneridge serves up truly authentic, delicious dishes and THE BEST naan bread in Central Ohio (in our humble opinion).  
  
  
• Sweet Treat Trail!  From Koko Tea Salon & Bakery (voted the ColumBEST Bakery) to Mrs. Turbo’s Cookies fun “Milk and Cookie Happy Hour,” Gahanna has this category all baked up.  Check out our Trail for details.
  
  
• From Visit Gahanna’s annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival to Gahanna Parks “Creepside,” no one does puts on events like Gahanna does! One of our favorites is the annual Santa Race 5k & Little Reindeer Dash—held annually, the first Saturday morning in December. Picture Runners in costumes (with great prizes awarded), a Santa-led Zumba warm-up, little kids sprinting (or wandering aimlessly) during the Little Reindeer Dash, as well as holiday carols and jingle bells.  Whether you’re an exercise devotee, like to walk, want to ease your guilt over the holiday cookies you’ve been eating, or just want to have fun with a group of friends, THIS is the event you shouldn’t miss.
  
  
• Gahanna is quickly becoming a Popcorn Haven! K’s Kernels offers creative flavors like Cilantro Lime and Cookies & Cream (as well as classic favorites). Pick up some Chicago Style at Pam’s Popcorn to share and it will make you a hero at work or home (if it makes it that far). ­
  
  
• Arepazo Tapas & Wineoffers authentic Venezulelan, Cuban, Columbian and Peruvian cuisine (not Americanized versions).  The locally owned restaurant delivers on taste and service with every visit.
  
  
• Thrive Massage & Wellness. We’re big fans of this massage and wellness studio … from their full spectrum infrared sauna to their relaxing massages and great workshops. (Feng Shui for Prosperity, anyone?)  Seriously, you deserve this.
  
  
• There are so many scenic spots in Gahanna, it’s difficult to name the best ones. But we’ll try:
  • Visit The Golf Depot for a breathtaking view of the Columbus skyline. Not only do they host golfers, but also weddings, special events and diners—on their patio.
  • A hidden gem, the confluence of the Big Walnut and Rocky Fork creeks (accessible through Friendship Park) is absolutely breathtaking.
  • During the autumn, a brilliant canopy of color surrounds drivers that traverse Cherry Bottom Drive. The speed limit is 25 MPH, and best observed … especially this time of year.   

What are we missing? What are your favorite Gahanna spots?   To learn more about the Herb Capital of Ohio, explore www.VisitGahanna.com or call Visit Gahanna at 614/418-9114. 

Some people live for breakfast food.  Maybe enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch is your thing. Or, if you’re like me, some tea and a scone is the best way to start the day. (I credit my Irish Nana for that.)

Whether your cravings include a multi-course buffet of eggs, waffles, bacon and more … or grabbing something quick on the drive to work, Gahanna, Ohio has a myriad of unique options that will have you rethinking your drive-through chain restaurant habits. (Although we have those places, too.)

Here are a few of our favorite picks for breakfast options in Ohio’s Herb Capital:

GRAB and GO:

• Upper Cup Coffee (121 Mill St. Gahanna)
  Creekside Plaza's newest addition has quickly become a hot place for remote office work, an amazing cup of coffee and some freshly made donuts. Street parking available. Open early.
  
  
• Mrs. Turbo's Cookies (1050 Beecher Crossing North, Gahanna)
  You can't go wrong with a freshly brewed Crimson Cup coffee (served hot or iced) and some made-from-scratch coffee cake. Or an Oatmeal Cookie. Or a Whoopie Pie. Drive-thru or stop in. Opens at 9 am weekdays. 
  
  
• Blank Slate Coffee.  ( 152 Mill St.)
  There’s something special about getting your freshly brewed coffee at a vintage Airstream trailer on the way to work that makes it taste extra good. Enjoy the drive-thru service and friendly smiles. Offering donuts, muffins and bagels. Open early.
  
  
• Koko Tea Salon & Bakery.  (116 Mill St.)
  If your sweet tooth calls to you as soon as you are awake, then you might want to treat it to breakfast from the bakery that 614 Magazine readers named the ColumBEST bakery. Delicious teas (served hot, cold or as Bubble Teas), cupcakes, scones, macarons and more. Opens at 10 am.

BREAKFAST, BRUNCH & BUFFET:

• SuperChefs (1344 Cherry Bottom Rd.)
  Oh. My. Goodness!  These guys don’t do anything small. Or bland. From Red Velvet Pancakes to the “Hulk” or “Elvis” Super Waffles, this is one place you MUST experience. With Superhero themed fare and décor, it’s also a fun place to bring the kiddos. Open T-Su at 7 am. (Tip : Get there early on the weekend.)   
  
  
• Café Creekside (53 Granville St.)
  A Gahanna favorite, Café Creekside offers breakfast and lunch favorites (including several varieties of Eggs Benedict) and a pretty patio that overlooks the Big Walnut Creek. Opens at 6:30 am.
  
  
• 101 Beer Kitchen Gahanna (397 Stoneridge Lane)
  You might not think of 101 Beer Kitchen for a weekend brunch, but you should.  The 101 Team is dedicated to offering fresh, seasonal handcrafted food—and the brunch menu shines under this philosophy. Try the Salmon Breakfast Sandwich, Skillet Pancake, Fried Chicken & Biscuits or Nutella Poptarts! AND they have some of the best kids meals ANYWHERE!
  
  

• Barrel & Boar (121 Mill St.)
  Located in the heart of Creekside Plaza, Barrel & Boar offers a great Sunday brunch in a setting that’s hard to beat. Dine on the patio (overlooking the Paddleboats at Creekside Park), enjoying all your traditional breakfast favs, plus BBQ and some Southern Comfort Food.
  
  
• Cap City Fine Diner Gahanna (1301 Stoneridge Dr.) https://capcityfinediner.com/ There’s a reason Cap City snagged the ColumBEST Diner & Neighborhood Restaurant awards. Their Sunday brunch menu doesn’t disappoint. From Mimosas and Bellinis to salads and breakfast burritos … it’s ALL good.
  
  
• The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek (1730 E. Johnstown Rd.)
  One thing we can guarantee about your Sunday brunch at this nice establishment? You WON’T go home hungry. Enjoy a plethora of breakfast favs (eggs benedict, bacon, sausage), plus a carving station, made-to-order omelets, chilled salads, house-made desserts AND that Bloody Mary bar.

For more information about Gahanna restaurants, attractions and fun things to do, call 614/418-9114.
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~Blog post by Mary Szymkowiak, Visit Gahanna Communications & Tourism Manager

 

 

One of the best ways to celebrate summer is to enjoy a leisurely dinner featuring locally grown produce and craft brews.  Local restaurant 101 Beer Kitchen does this really well on a daily basis ... but when they host one of their occasional Beer Dinners? Get ready for a culinary experience you won't soon forget. 

At 6:30 pm on Tue, August 8, 2017, 101BK Gahanna will host Jackie O's Brewery (brewing in Athens, OH since 2005) for one of their famous Beer Dinners. Recently, the 101BK team (including owner Jess Kitrell and 101BK Gahanna Chef Julian) visited Jackie O's to tour the farm, operations and bakery -- for inspiration. We caught up with Jess to see what's in store for the 5-course event (and if there might be any nods to Gahanna's status as the "Herb Capital of Ohio").   

How did the idea for the Jackie O’s Beer Dinner come up?

We host Beer Dinners and other pairing events throughout the year with various breweries or by creating pairings around a different theme like brunch, Cinco de Mayo, or just our favorites.  We are always coming up with new event ideas! Jackie O’s has been a great partner from the beginning and we have presented dinners together in the past. The idea to utilize produce from Jackie O’s farm and make this our summer pairing dinner in Gahanna was just too perfect.


Can you give us any insight into what Chef Julian will be preparing?

Our meeting with the farmer and brewer this week during our trip to Jackie O’s gave Chef Julian lots of inspiration.  We have over 30 beers to choose from and some beautiful produce!  Julian will be working this week to take the information and create his pairings. We loved a brew called “Light Bulb” which features fennel in the ingredients. Julian wants to use fennel from the farm in the dish he prepares to go with this beer.

What can attendees look forward to (as far as beers)?

We love to mix it up on the beer side and, with 30 options to choose from, we can guarantee that even the biggest Jackie O’s fan is going to try something during this dinner they have never had from Jackie O’s before.

Is registration limited? If so, to how many?

Tickets are limited and we are getting close; only about 20 remain. We are looking forward to a fun and full room of beer & food loving guests!

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Cost for the event is $65 per person and includes all courses, plus tax and gratuity. Registrations is limited. Tickets are available HERE  or via www.101BeerKitchen.com 

Gahanna is becoming more bicycle and pedestrian friendly each year, with the Big Walnut Trail expected to be continuous from Morse Road to Price Road in 2018, lots of new sidewalks in Olde Gahanna and multi-use sidepaths on our arterial streets.

Join one (or more) of the monthly Pedal & Smile bike rides to explore Gahanna's trails, bike routes and hidden places. Rides are held the fourth Sunday of every month at 1PM through October.

The highlight of the ride series is the History Bicycle Tour, which will take place on Sunday, July 23 at 1PM. The tour will visit several historical sites in Gahanna, mainly in the Olde Gahanna area. This is the second annual History Tour; participants enjoyed the tour in 2016 and asked for more rides.

The tour meets in the parking lot of Premier Periodontics at 1329 Cherry Way Dr., one block south of Morse Rd. off Cherrybottom Dr. The event sponsor, Dr. Rupa Hamal, will provide a snack for participants. 

Participants will ride the Big Walnut Trail and then utilize the signed bike routes to reach Olde Gahanna, where there will be stops at a few historical sites to share some local history. The highlight of the route is the Shull log home near Friendship Park, which will be open for a tour.

Riders will return via the Creekside Trail and the Big Walnut Trail with some stops along the way. See the original home of George Ridenour and ride Olde Ridenour Rd, one of the oldest streets in Gahanna (1827). Bikers will rejoin the Big Walnut Trail at Woodside Green Park and return to the start.

The distance will be 10 miles at a pace to accommodate all participants. Bike helmets will be available for free to children who need one. Children age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and older children (age 15-17) must have a parent or guardian available to sign a permission release.
 
If you'd like to participate or learn more about the event, contact event coordinator Tricia Kovacs pkovacs@att.net   (614) 476-9093

The Gahanna Parks & Recreation Department is throwing a Great Outdoors Party this Friday, July 21, at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Ave) in celebration of National Parks & Recreation Month, and EVERYONE is invited!

The celebration is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and all the ways parks and recreation has the power to transform our daily lives. From providing us places to play, get fit and stay healthy to fostering new relationships and forging a connection with nature, our close-to-home community park and recreation facilities provide essential services and improve the quality of life.

Additionally, Parks and Recreation Month specifically highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation agencies play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country. The Great Outdoors will highlight these efforts on a local level.

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Visitors to Gahanna’s Great Outdoors Party are encouraged to Get Your Play On, the theme of this year’s national celebration, with kayaking and canoeing on the Big Walnut Creek, a campfire with s’mores, live music, enjoy sing-a-long and dress–up karaoke, interactive games and inflatables and Cinema Under the Stars (SING, rated PG). It’s all free. Work up an appetite and enjoy dinner and dessert (available for purchase) at the park from Ninja Bowl and Sweet Tooth Scooped Ice Cream food trucks.

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According to Jeff Barr, the Director of Parks & Recreation, the Great Outdoors is an opportunity to build community through parks and recreation activities. Aside from the department’s regular programming and athletic events, it’s an opportunity to highlight the community’s parks, programs and people who participate in our outdoor experiences.

“The Great Outdoors is a great way for families to explore adventures like hiking, exploring wildlife, paddling in a fun, relaxed environment,” said Barr.
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In addition to the planned activities, visitors can enjoy all that Friendship Park has to offer, including a playground, community gardens, the story trail, nature trail and scenic views along the Big Walnut Creek.

Ironically, while you’re enjoying the great outdoors, visitors are encouraged to post to social media with the hashtag #PlayOnGahanna and #PlayOnJuly. See why people around the country support parks and recreation and why play is so important.