Inside: Follow along as we eat, play and explore on our Worthington, Ohio girls’ trip – “mommy + me” style!
We’ve been going a little stir-crazy at my house. My whole family has a profound love of travel, and 2020 was going to be a big year. Everything looks a little different these days. School is attended via a computer screen. Play dates are mostly off the table. Dance class is done via Zoom, and birthday parties consist of a distant wave from your car as you drive-by.
I don’t know about the rest of you – but working remote full-time, while trying to simultaneously be a parent/chef/teacher to my little one has been rough.
If I’m being honest, I’m kind of failing at it, dropping the ball on all fronts.
My soul thrives from experiencing new things, eating new foods, and meeting new people. Prior to the outbreak, my husband and I would constantly scan airlines in search for new flight deals to far-off destinations. We were constantly living in anticipation and excitement of our upcoming trips or living in the moment while experiencing them. For us, there was no in-between.
After cancelling a year’s worth of travel in early March, we had held out a tiny sliver of hope that we might be able to do just one trip – a carefully planned, and highly anticipated trip to London to do all things Harry Potter to celebrate our daughter’s 8th birthday. And the day we got notice that our flights to London were cancelled, I admit that I cried. Through tears, I explained to my little one that we were just going to stay home. And then something strange happened.
My 7 year old took it in stride. “That’s ok. It’s ok, mommy. We’ll just go next year!” And that was that. I realized that this little one had taken everything – remote school, trip cancellations, lack of play dates and dance class, all in a stride. Our children are so resilient. We need to give them more credit.
And then, I read a quote from Marcel Proust:
“The real voyage of discovery consists, not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
My entire adult life, I have been seeking new landscapes. New cultures to explore, new foods to try, new people to meet. But what I was really chasing was seeing things from a new perspective. So today, I’m delighted to tell you about my favorite city in the whole wide world. A place to so friendly and wonderful that it’s the only place I wanted to raise my family. My hometown, Worthington, Ohio.
Ohio Girls’ Trip – A Perfect “Mommy + Me” Weekend in Worthington, OH
I was excited to experience Worthington through new eyes and, truthfully, I think I had underestimated just how much it has to offer. Worthington, Ohio is a northern suburb of Columbus, and it was settled in 1803 by several New England families. As was custom in New England, the city was designed with a large green in the center of town for the community to gather and enjoy.
To make it feel like a true getaway, I suggest packing a bag and checking in to a hotel. There’s something pretty special about “pool time” at a hotel! We checked in to the Holiday Inn Express.
“Mommy + Me” Weekend in Worthington – Things to Do
There are so many fun things to do in Worthington, and we indulged in as many as we could.
Buy Pretty Flowers from Ampersand Flowers & Events
To brighten up your room, order flowers from Ampersand Flowers and Events. Better yet, stop in and create your own bouquet together from their fun “build-your-own” bouquet bar. Pricing starts at $1 a stem and walk-ins are welcome.
Take a Stroll Along the Green and Learn about History.
We love the historic downtown area of Old Worthington. Brick buildings, tree lined streets, and all the charm of a quaint New England town. To make it fun, we downloaded the “PocketSights” app on our phone so we could do one other guided walking tours. You’ll have two to choose from – African American History in Worthington or an Old Worthington Historic Walking tour. Listen to all the history of the area as you walk along the beautiful streets.
Grab “Mommy + Me” Facials
If your little girl is anything like mine, she’s a huge fan of all kinds of pampering. And I’m a huge fan of the customized and AFFORDABLE facials available at Oasis Face Bar Worthington. They have special pricing for children’s facials and add-on services for just $10. My favorite add-on is a dermaplane service!
If you’re not quite comfortable doing an in-person treatment, don’t worry! You can pick up a “facial in a box” and head back to your hotel. Each box comes complete with everything you need!
Schedule a DIY Crafting Session at AR Workshop
Have you checked out AR Workshop? It’s my artsy little one’s favorite place! You can pick out projects of all types and budgets and then schedule a workshop to come in and create your project with as little or as much help as you like! I also love stopping in to the shop just to walk around and get some inspiration.
You can also schedule a girl’s night, or a birthday party at AR Workshop. They let you bring in food or wine, and it’s such a fun way to spend an evening.
If you’re not quite comfortable coming in for a workshop, they even make DIY kits to go! These come packed with instructions, materials, paint and your custom stencil.
Shop Your Heart Out!
Old Worthington has so many cute boutiques and shops to check out. Take your time and wander through each one to discover hidden gems and fun treasures.
Some of our favorite shops include:
Igloo Letterpress – This amazing letterpress and bookbinding studio also has a thoughtfully curated retail shop full of things we love. Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous new journal, funky pens, pretty stationary, cool art prints or the perfect card – you’ll find it here.
Candle Lab – My daughter and I absolutely LOVE Candle Lab. I think we’ve been to every location in Central Ohio, but I’m partial to the Worthington location. Maybe because it’s “home” but we always get the warmest welcome whenever we pop in. You can grab a candle or other luxury bath items, or pour your own candle! It’s so fun to smell all the different scents before settling on your own custom blend.
Fritzy Jacobs – We love this curated shop for finding the perfect gift! Fritzy Jacobs has everything from high quality bath items, to stuffed animals, jewelry, stationary, cute prints and more. Just walking into this store gives me happy vibes.
Shift Studios – This collaborative space has all sorts of neat jewelry and even has funky jewelry making kits. We loved putting together their “Galaxy bracelets” – the kit contains everything you need, and at $10, it’s a STEAL!
Take in a Yoga Class!
Radiant Yoga and Wellness is a warm and welcoming yoga studio in the heart of old Worthington. They often offer classes on the green, and you can also schedule a virtual class with their exceptional yoga teachers. We started our morning with a virtual Slow Flow yoga class and it was the best thing ever. We felt calm and centered the entire day.
“Mommy + Me” Weekend in Worthington – Where to Eat?
Whether you’re looking to grab a snack on the go, or sit down to a delightful meal, Worthington has you covered. It’s fun to grab a cup of coffee and a treat and head to the Worthington green to enjoy. You’ll also find marked bistro tables along the sidewalks where you can dine alfresco.
Some of our favorite places to eat include:
The Whitney House – The only thing we love more than the food is the friendly service. I think I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve dined here, and every visit has been exceptional. Proprietor Ian Brown is usually there to greet you and his love of hospitality shines through. Also, I read on their website that he describes the way he dances as being like “one of those two story inflatable tube people at car dealerships and cell phone stores,” and that just makes me feel like we’d be good friends.
Because that’s EXACTLY how I dance, too.
I highly recommend their happy hour, their giant cinnamon bun, and the ruby red trout!
The Half Pint – My family loves The Half Pint for premium burgers and local craft beer! If you love patio dining, you’re in luck because this spot features TWO patios. Sit in the front if you love people watching, or in the back for a quiet evening. You can pick up a family-sized meal to bring home, along with a custom 6-pack of your favorite brews, and GIANT cookies.
Or, dine in, and munch on the world’s best cheese curds with a spicy ranch sauce. Trust me. You need to order these cheese curds.
La Chatelaine – This darling French bistro has one of my favorite patios around. Known for their beautiful pastries and artisan breads, La Chatelaine also serves up classic French dishes like quiche, vol au vent, and beef bourguignon. My little one loves the palmiers and absolutely decadent hot chocolate, and I can’t think of a better lunch than digging into a savory French onion soup. We always pick up fresh bread to bring home with us. It’s also the perfect spot to meet friends for a glass of wine or strong cup of French coffee.
Other favorites include Dewey’s Pizza for some seriously delicious pizza and salad, ice cream at Graeter’s, and donuts from Peace, Love and Little Donuts!
We often will stop in to Sassafras Bakery for a slice of pie and one of their as-big-as-your-head cookies, and pair is with a cup of coffee from Highline Coffee for me (I highly recommend the Highline Hazelnut) and a fruity watermelon bubble tea from Bubbles Tea Company for her.
I had so much fun rediscovering all that Worthington, Ohio has to offer. It was the perfect mommy + me weekend and if you come visit, I know you’ll have as much as my little one and I did!
This post was written in partnership with Experience Worthington. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Looks like you guys has so much fun!