For the Art Lovers

Gina Zirkle knows just where to go to satisfy artistic cravings: "I enjoy going to Clayspace/Gallery 831 where the motto is 'Passion for Pottery. Art for the soul.' You can enjoy making your own pottery or viewing the art displays! Located near German Village on Front Street."

The Scioto Mile

When you need some air and a nice walk, Jen Gray knows just the place: "Scioto Mile is a relaxing walk. There are cute swings to sit on and fountains to splash through. And for the photographers among us, the sunset views can be a great subject to capture!"

Bakersfield. (For that taco craving.)

Alicia Rittenhouse might just meet you there. She says, "Taco connoisseurs like me will appreciate the food and drink menus at Bakersfield. Just a short jaunt north of the convention center you can bite into Pork Belly Pastor tacos wrapped in house-made tortillas while people watching from the patio."

The North Market

This one makes Lauren Snyder's mouth water. From the macaroons to her favorite Viatnamese food vendor, the North Market is the perfect place to treat yourself — and your team — to a fantastic lunch break. She says, " There's something for every taste and preference. But be careful. You'll likely find a favorite dish that you'll be craving all year long until you come to Cultivate again!" The North Market is just across the street from the Convention Centers and features more than 30 merchants.

Top Dinner Picks

Starving? Bareburger is close and sure to satisfy any cravings. Jeremiah Werstein has this to say, "My favorite place is BareBurger — it's a short walk from the convention center since its right across the street, and their combination of tasty non-traditional meats like elk and ostrich along with their gluten free and vegetarian options makes it a great place for any kind of burger fan." Tracy Phillips has her eye on the prize and recommends this: "If you're craving a really good steak, head over to Hyde Park. Their shrimp cocktail rocks too!"

Just a few steps from the Convention Center you'll find these great Columbus treasures.

THE SHORT NORTH ARTS DISTRICT

Discover the area The Chicago Tribune has heralded as an "artsy and edgy destination." One-of-a-kind shops, dining, art galleries, boutiques, pubs, live theatre, and nightlife make The Short North the unofficial cultural center of the city.

THE ARENA DISTRICT

An easy walk from the Convention Center, the Arena District offers casual eateries, friendly pubs, trendy nightlife, and "the country's best new ballpark," Huntington Park, where the Triple-A Baseball, back-to-back National Champion Columbus Clippers play.

JENI'S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS

Made with the finest local ingredients, and featuring flavors like Salty Caramel, Queen City Cayenne, and Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, it's no wonder Jeni's has been named "America's Best" by Time magazine.

ARTISANAL SPIRITS

Discover micro-distilleries that take their cues from the Old World traditions of master distillers, using locally sourced ingredients and small-batch creation. Middle West Spirits has been named one of the "World's 5 Most High-Tech Distilleries" and Watershed Distillery is getting quite a reputation for their world-class Vodka, Gin, and Bourbon.

Beer more your style? Then don't miss the Columbus Brewing Company, where you can enjoy dinner and a microbrew just a short drive away.

If you have a car, and want to explore a little farther away, you won't want to miss these Central Ohio favorites:

THE COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM

Home to more than 9,000 animals from around the globe, America's number one zoo is a world of adventure that shouldn't be missed. Animals live in natural habitats including Asia Quest, Australia and the Islands, North America, Expedition Congo, and the new Heart of Africa opening in this spring. See what's in store at ColsZoo.org.

THE WILDS

Want even more wildlife? Head east to The Wilds, a non-profit wildlife conservation center located on nearly 10,000 acres in Muskingum County. Home to over 25 non-native and 100s of native species, it allows you to take safaris to see zebras, rhinos, cheetahs, camels, and more roaming freely in natural, open-range habitats. The Wilds is approximately 45 minutes east of Columbus and well worth the drive. Visit TheWilds.org for schedules and tours.

Can't get enough plant life? We've got you covered. Columbus (which, incidentally, has more park land per capita than any other American city) has a host of horticultural attractions for you to take in:

THE TOPIARY PARK

Located in downtown Columbus on the grounds of the former School for the Deaf, the Topiary Park is a 7-acre landscape of a painting of George Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte, to be exact. The park is a quick walk from the Convention Center, and admission is free. See a map at TopiaryGarden.org.

FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY

Columbus' premier horticulture institution showcases artfully designed gardens, exotic plant collections, and lush floral displays. The Conservatory's trials program evaluates the performance of new annual, perennial, and vegetable varieties, with breeders from around the world sending their newest varieties to see which grow best in central Ohio. Read more and view trial results at FPconservatory.org.

COLUMBUS PARK OF ROSES

One of the largest and most celebrated municipal rose gardens in the U.S., the 13-acre Park of Roses located in the Clintonville neighborhood just north of downtown features more than 11,500 roses with more than 400 varieties. Visit ParkOfRoses.org for hours and directions.

OSU ANNUALS TRIAL

Located at OSU's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, the Cultivar Trials are conducted each year in order to evaluate ornamental bedding and container plants. Learn more at OhioFloriculture.osu.edu/cultivar-trials.

INNISWOODDS METRO GARDENS

A shade garden, rock garden, conifer garden, herb garden, and rose garden are the highlights of this lovely metropark located in Westerville. Inniswood.org will give you a sneak peak of the gardens.

Drive a Mars Rover in Space. See real-time research. Lift a car in the Big Science Park. There's no limit to the things you can do and learn at Columbus' Center of Science & Industry, including a special international Sherlock Holmes exhibit. Cosi.org for a virtual tour and special events.

ZOOMBEZI BAY

Seventeen exhilarating, state-of-the-art water slides, a wave pool, an action river, a lazy river, and a kiddie play pool make this 22-acre park a splash for the whole family. Dip your toes in at ZoombeziBay.com.

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART

Along with its stellar permanent collection, the museum offers a Center for Creativity where families can enjoy hands-on activities, concerts, lectures, and interactive experiences. Watch art come to life at ColumbusMuseum.org.

HUNTINGTON PARK

A good, old-fashioned baseball stadium. Columbus' Triple-A minor league Clippers put on a great game, complete with hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, seventh-inning stretch, T-shirt flings, and a bon-a-fide water dog. Visit HuntingtonParkColumbus.com for schedules and tickets.

Columbus has something for everyone of every age. If you're planning to bring your family along for some summer fun at this year's Cultivate, you won't want to miss these: Columbus' culinary scene has been garnering national attention and critical acclaim. From Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, named "America's best" by Time Magazine, to the member restaurants of Dine Originals Columbus that offer unique experiences by the forkful and the bustling food truck craze, we've been called "a certified food-lover's town."