As the Halloween season nears its end, there are still lots of warm cafés to visit and spots to watch the leaves fall in the late days of autumn in Columbus.
As far as nearby adventures at the university, Bexley’s Wolfe Park is a walkable spot good for a picnic, maybe with a $10 tray of Market District fried chicken, or just a short walk among the park’s surrounding neighborhood of large houses and ornate gardens.
Located right across the street, students can visit the Drexel to stay warm on a chilly night. The Drexel offers a student discount on all tickets with a present university ID. Tickets, normally $10 each, drop down to $8 for a cozy date night or an evening out with friends.
Kittie’s Cakes on East Main across from the Bexley Public Library also keeps a special fall menu of pumpkin pie and snickerdoodle lattes, cinnamon scones and of course their famous cinnamon rolls that can be warmed up and eaten outside while enjoying the fall atmosphere.
If the desire to explore a bit more of the city arises, first and foremost, keep in mind that any university student ID works as a bus pass. Students can download the COTA app for any help getting around town and to ride the bus for free.
German Village is one of the most popular areas in Columbus for good reason. Historic brick houses and warm street lamps make it perfect for a stroll, especially on a breezy autumn day where the colors of the leaves perfectly match the red and brown homes.
The Book Loft of German Village, one the nation’s largest independent bookstores and a Columbus staple, offers a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction books, puzzles and gifts for anyone looking to explore its many rooms.
One of the few Stauf’s cafés in Columbus is located next door. Stauf’s offers Almond Joy lattes, perfect chai and a nice patio area to people watch and enjoy new books with a cup of coffee.
Taking a walk further through German Village, the bakery and café Pistachia Vera is full of fresh flowers and freshly made eclairs and croissants for people in the mood for a sweet treat.
The village’s Schiller Park provides a classic fall scene of changing trees and birds floating on the water, as well as more views of the brick streets and old carriage houses.
Katzinger’s, another Columbus classic, is also nearby and also offers hot potato knishes that can warm up anyone who is chilly from walking.
When traveling toward Ohio State University’s (OSU) campus from German Village, Victorian Village will be visible from the car window. Victorian Village has an interesting Stauf’s of its own inside an old church with large, stained glass windows. The historic homes there are also a sight, with large towers and candles in the windows that can be seen from the street.
On OSU’s campus and the surrounding area, the Gateway Film Center also offers a discount with a student ID, making it easy for students to choose between their often interesting and hard-to-find film picks any cinephile would enjoy.
Kafé Kerouac down North High Street offers a quiet place to work and read, as well as many literary themed drinks and desserts. They’re open until 1 a.m. on weekends, and provide a warm, cozy atmosphere to settle in and read with a warm drink into the late hours of the day.
While many university students may have gotten their noses pierced at Evolved on Summit Street, Casa Cacao across the street is a wonderful place to enjoy a spiced hot chocolate, before heading over to Used Kids Records to check out used vinyl and cassettes, as well as posters for upcoming local shows.
Goodale Park, located on West Goodale Street, is a large city park where the leaves have changed orange and red. The park is often bustling with families and dogs right in the heart of downtown, near the shops and restaurants of the parallel North High Street.
During these increasingly colder months, no time is better spent than warming up with a nice warm drink and relaxing on a beautiful day. It is important to balance the stress of classes with the comfort of time to unwind and enjoy the short and beautiful season of fall.
