New to Columbus? 10 Places You Must Visit

I have been getting so many emails from people who are new to Columbus lately.  Part of my goal and mission with this website is to help newcomers to Columbus see the good things the city has to offer.  We might not be the biggest or best city in the US, but we have a lot to offer (jobs and affordable housing seem to rank highly).  And so, for those of you who have recently moved to the Columbus area or you are about to, here are a few things you should see first. 

1. The Wexner Center - if you are new to Columbus, you might to be aware that the patriarch of the Limited companies (Limited, Express, Victoria's Secret, and Abercrombie, until recently) lives here in Columbus.  Aside from Easton, he's also given us the Wexner Center, one of the best art facilities in Columbus.  Dedicated to cutting edge film, theatre, and exhibits, the Wex offers great events for reasonable prices.  They frequently show films you won't see anywhere else, and they showcase student and youth films.  On top of all of this, the Wex has a great gift store full of fun and unique treats.
2. Franklin Park Conservatory - one of my favorite spots in all of Columbus, FPC is a beautiful place of peace and nature - and warmth during the winter.  In the summer, the entire grounds are beautifully tended.  It's a great place to go in the warm months to just wander the grounds, without paying to get inside.  Beginning in March and lasting through September, FPC is home to "Blooms & Butterflies," an exhibit of exotic butterflies throughout the gardens.  You can see the chrysalae hatching and the butterflies emerging to dry their wings (it's especially fun if you happen to have a husband with an Entomology degree); every day at 1pm, new butterflies are released.  In addition to the butterflies, FPC has an incredible collection of Bonsai trees, a permanent collection of Chihully glass, and is the national home to the community garden project.  They also have plant sales and many other exhibits throughout the year. 
3. Ohio Theatre - another of my favorite places in the city.  The theater was restored in 1969, when it was nearly torn down.  Concerned citizens banded together to raise $2 million to restore the theater, which reopened in 1970.  As a girl, I loved the rare times we went to see plays or movies at the Ohio Theater (I remember my parents taking me to see My Fair Lady there when I was about 9 - I'm not that old, they show old movies in the summer).  I could sit in the theater and stare at the chandelier and the decorations for hours.  I just love the place.  As I mentioned in my parenthetical statement, the Ohio shows old movies in the summer; usually about 2-3 times a summer, they also have tours of the space, which is incredible.  The Ohio is also home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and BalletMet Columbus. Here is an interesting link to some of the Ohio's history.
4. Zoo - I love the zoo.  When I was little, I even went to Zoo camp with one of Jack Hanna's daughters.  You might have seen Jungle Jack Hanna on Letterman or Leno with a giant cockroach or other creepy beasties.  The zoo is open almost every day of the year, regardless of weather.  In the winter time, there have light displays for "Wildlight Wonderland."  They have many other events throughout the year, and it's always a fun place to take the kids if it isn't unbearably hot.  As much as I love the zoo, I can't help spending half the time in awe of the animals and the other half worried that they are unhappy.  I love the manatees most of all.  That last sentence sounded like a 2nd grader writing a report after a field trip to the zoo.  Good thing I have that degree.
5. Various parks - North Bank, Bunny Park, Hayden Run Falls  My favorite urban park is North Bank Park, which is located on the short West side of Columbus.  There is a beautiful view of the skyline, and the park is located on the water.  You can walk or ride your bike around the water, and there is a great space for rent there at the park (and it's pretty cheap).  There are other great parks in the suburbs - although our parks are mostly flat, we do have a great park system (Parks & Recreation, and Metro Parks.  One great park for the kids is the Bunny Park in Dublin  (picture).  Another hidden gem is Hayden Run Falls (picture). 
6. The North Market - one of the best spots in the city.  When Jeffrey Steingarten visited us a few years ago, I went to hear him speak and he told us how lucky we were to have the Market here.  It is different from markets in other cities, especially those where businesses are allowed to compete against each other, but they do have a great variety of vendors.  Whether for groceries or carryout food, the market should be a weekly visit for foodies, although even I don't get there as often as I'd like in the winter time.  My favorites are Blues Creek Farms for their great meat products (locally and humanely raised beef, goat, lamb and pork) and Lac Viet for lunch (#3 is Husband's favorite, #10 is mine).  The produce spot at the Market has recently been taken over by members of Local Matters, and they will be getting more and more locally-grown produce and items as we get into the growing season.
7. The Southern Theatre - another theater saved from the wrecking ball, the Southern was a triumph in its day, and a temple to the electric light bulb.  The theater has a deeply sloping seating area, which can cause a little big of fun vertigo if you're sitting in the balcony.  The Southern is home to the Columbus Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.
8. Art-related event (Pecha Kucha, etc) - Many of these events are free, and they are a great place to meet people.  Last month, Husband and I had a rare night off and went to Pecha Kucha, an event were anyone has 6 minutes to present 20 slides and discuss them.  They can talk about anything - their art, business, favorite thing, whatever.  It was really cool.  We had to duck out early for dinner, but I'd really like to go again and would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the arts and meeting cool people.  The event is BYOB, so you can probably make friends if you bring enough to share! 
9. Gallery Hop - Residents and employees of the Short North might groan when you talk about the Gallery Hop, but the truth is that the monthly (first Saturday of the month) art event draws lots of business to the area and impresses out-of-towners.  The galleries in the Short North open late, some offer wine and treats, the restaurants are hopping, the streets are crowded - it's a great time to see the city in action and maybe walk around with a camera.  Of course, it's nicer in warmer weather, but it's still fun on cold days.  Don't forget to learn about parking before you go. 
10. Main Library - Columbus has one of, if not the best, library systems in the country.  It's huge.  They have tons of great services.  You can request and hold books online and even have them delivered to your branch if you'd like.  They even offer free online classes. Husband always reminds me of the great library system we have when I come home from Barnes & Noble.

Wow!  That was fun!  And I thought of a lot of other great things to add while I was doing this list.  Anything you'd like to add?

Next up, the 10 restaurants you must visit.