Downtown Columbus: Becky Hixen
Nicole Rupersburg |
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Becky Hixen grew up in Cleveland and attended
Miami University Ohio where she earned a degree in journalism. "When I graduated I had no idea what to do," she says. She had some friends who had moved to Columbus and, while she loved Cleveland, she didn't want to move back home. It was important that she be on her own, so she headed to Columbus and has been there ever since. She is now the Manager of Member Relations for the
Ohio Society of CPAs, where she plans events for the organization throughout the state and gets to travel frequently, and is also the Vice President of Operations for the
Young Professionals of Columbus.
For young professionals in the area looking to get involved in the city and meet other people their age, Becky recommends the Young Professionals of Columbus – as you might expect her to. They host monthly happy hours and offer a variety of different ways for young people to get involved with different things happening in the city. The
Center of Science & Industry (COSI) also recently formed a young professionals board to get more YPs involved in the community.
The Great Outdoors
Becky is a runner and has done half marathons. She says
Antrim Park is a great place to get outside with plenty of trails for walking, running and biking.
A few years ago the minor league baseball team, the
Columbus Clippers, moved their stadium downtown. They play at Huntington Park in an area with tons of bars and restaurants nearby, and are a favorite summertime activity for locals.
Dining & Drinking
Barcelona is a Spanish tapas restaurant with great food and "the best scallops in the city." It also has a fun bar and great patio.
Lindey's is another cool spot with an awesome patio.
Recently Columbus has been opening a lot of new breweries and gastropubs. "Beer is a big deal here," Becky says.
The
North High Brewing Company in the Short North brew their own beers but also carry beers from other breweries in Ohio and across the country. They also allow groups to brew their own beer in a separate section of the bar.
Brothers Drake Meadery is another one of Becky's favorites. Prior to this place opening she had never heard of mead (wine made from honey) before. They make multiple different kinds of mead over and also make some mixed drinks with their meads. They also host theme nights like "Drink and Draw" night, when everyone there is sketching, drawing and painting. They also have a "cute" patio and live bands.
The Wine Bistro, a local chain, just opened a new location downtown. In addition to being a wine bar with lots of selections they are also known for their flatbreads and small plates. A patio is coming soon.
For a special treat,
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, now a nationally-famous brand, is a Columbus must.
Retail Therapy
Downtown Columbus is full of little boutiques and consignment shops in addition to great food and drinks. A highlight for Becky is the
GrandView Mercantile Company, which has a lot of old furniture and other vintage items. "It's almost like an antique shop. They also have really cool jewelry."