Lights, hot chocolate, snow and snowflakes: Westerville is a beautiful city to explore during winter. While it may be easy to stay at home surrounded by the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, Westerville is always filled with plenty of activities as the holiday season approaches.
Nature
Inniswood Metro Gardens is a beautiful and well-known location close to campus that is special to visit year round. Previously mentioned in a story about a few local parks, this nearby location truly shines in the winter. Especially during colder months with an increased chance of snow, one may find a variety of animals native to the region throughout the park. Although rare, it has been noted that red foxes may be visible in the area, more so between the months of January and April.
Cafes and Restaurants
In need of a winter drink to warm up? Uptown Westerville has many options to choose from, from cafes where one could spend hours with friends and/or family trying new foods and drinks, to little shops one could spend hours exploring, window shopping and finding gifts.
Senior Madison Lobello said that she has many favorite restaurants and cafes in Westerville. Espresso Air is one of those places that she enjoys.
“I just think it’s cute, and I like the ambience about it, and I like the teas that they have,” Lobello said.
Lobello also said that she enjoys Uptown Deli, as well as Asterisk for their high tea.
Many students also love stopping by Java Central for their live music on certain days.
Restaurants
Westerville truly thrives when it comes to restaurant options. From restaurants all around the city to smaller ones in Uptown, there are always plenty of options to choose from.
“I really like Cardinal Pizza,” journalism sophomore Isaiah Smith said. “My friends and I will go and get pizza there often.”
Koble Grill, as well as Giammarco’s, are a few options to keep in mind if family and/or friends are coming to town. These restaurants each offer unique options on their menu, with choices for outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
Shopping
Easton Town Center offers horse drawn carriage rides and Polaris Fashion Place has an in-store Santa Claus. Both local malls are less than ten miles away from campus, and they are decorated with Christmas trees and holiday lights, which offers a nice display not seen any other time of year.
Otterbein students tend to visit both of these malls as well. Lobello said she really likes to go to Easton, and Smith likes to go to Polaris. Both malls offer a variety of stores, restaurants and activity centers.
History
Those looking to delve into history should consider checking out the Hanby House. The historical home, located on campus, offers a deep dive into history. The house was previously lived in by the Hanby family, which included Benjamin Hanby, the composer of the popular holiday song “Up on the Housetop.” The family home also played a key role during the underground railroad.
Music and Performances
Downtown Columbus is blooming with performances throughout the year, such as BalletMet's "The Nutcracker," which is always popular this time of year, as well as the Trans-Siberian orchestra visiting town toward the end of December.
Christmas Lights
The city is always shining with Christmas and holiday lights through the month of December. A simple drive through the city will be sure to leave visitors with the opportunity to see many well-decorated houses and neighborhoods. Some even have their own light show and music that matches up as well.
Those with more availability to commute farther away should head to downtown Columbus. All throughout the city, there will be many well-known locations that are extravagantly decorated. Some of those will be the holiday lights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Christmas lights at the Franklin Park conservatory.
Libraries
Outside of the Otterbein library, there are many nearby places to check out a book, read and/or study. Westerville Public Library is a great place to visit when the weather gets cold outside. After curling up with a good book, consider stopping by a nearby cafe for a warm cup of hot cocoa or apple cider for a relaxed winter evening or afternoon.
“I like the one here, but I like the Westerville Public Library as well,” Smith said. “It’s a really nice place.”
Give Back
Lastly, take time to give back this season. Consider donating to WARM, the Salvation Army, or other local area resource centers such as the Ronald MacDonald house to help families, children and those in need.
