Polaris North Columbus, OH

Starting in 1991 as 1,200 acres of farmland with a couple of barns, a chicken coup and no roads, today Polaris stands as an important shopping hub for the city of Columbus and beyond. The area continues to grow as investors and residents are drawn to this convenient location.

The lack of museums or art scene isn’t a problem for Polaris. Several art and craft supply stores dot the region to provide for you in your own creative endeavors. And a mere 20- to 30-minute trip on the highway gets you to Columbus favorites like the Museum of Art, COSI science center, the Columbus Zoo and many annual festivities.

Restaurants and pubs are typically found along Polaris Parkway, the main thoroughfare through the area. Choose from steak houses, ethnic, seafood, and more within this unique neighborhood.

Visit Molly Woo’s for great Asian-fusion food. Located on the south side of Polaris Fashion Place mall, the atmosphere inside is warm, inviting, and slightly Zen-like. Give the ginger crusted salmon a try. It’s slightly crunchy and crisp on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. The dessert menu will surprise you with uncommon temptations like crème brulee, or toasted coconut crème pie.

For a finer dining experience, Polaris Grill provides tender seafood, meaty steaks, and some local favorites. To compliment your entrée choice, try the much raved about 55 Salad or wild mushroom bisque. The staff’s friendly attitude will make you feel at home, and although it’s a little pricier than other places, it’s still a great deal for a steakhouse in this area. Check out the daily seafood specials to experience some of the best and still save a bit of cash.

For a fun time out with family or friends, Wholly Joe’s Chicago Eatery provides a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Folks from Chicago claim it’s the real deal. As the story goes, Joe fell in love with the area, brought his family down from Chicago, and after missing his hometown food, opened up the restaurant. The rest is history. Imagine deep-dish Chicago-style pizza baked in a 1951 oven, the dough made from scratch, a secret sauce recipe and loads of cheese. They even offer subs, dogs, salads and chocolate cake. What more could you want?

For some late night entertainment, take in the live bands Friday nights at the Rude Dog Bar and Grill. Not really known for their food, they do know how to line up live music and serve a cold beer. Expect friendly bar service and loud tunes. Keystone Pub has a strong local following, and after a visit or two, you’ll see why. Positioned next to the movie theater, Keystone is popular for before and after drinks. Staff takes service to heart, and are happy to set you up with a brew and a trivia game controller. Live music from local bands fills the air on weekends, and there’s a large patio for extra elbowroom in good weather. Cool atmosphere, hot sandwiches and cold beer equal good times.

Because of the major highways and main roads, getting to and from Polaris will make you smile. Unfortunately, the rush hour traffic won’t. You’ll want a car to get around; it’s not safe to walk or bike, and no bike lanes exist. You can get a taxi by calling ahead; Uber can get you from Columbus to Polaris for as low as $21 one way. Public parking is everywhere and free, making your time there less stressful.

Comprised of over 1,000 acres, Highbanks, part of the Franklin County Metro Parks system, is just west of the shopping district. View the Olentangy River from a 100-foot high bluff or take part in the many outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing. Kids are welcome and ongoing events are designed to bring out their inner explorer. Pets are allowed on some of the paths; make sure dogs are leashed and picked up after. Sharon Woods is another metro park and sits just southeast of Polaris Parkway. Parks are free and open to the public.

When the weather gets bad, try indoor walking, a popular activity at the mall. Fashion Place mall also offers exercise-oriented annual events like the family-friendly Stroll for Epilepsy fundraiser or the Magical Night of Giving. The small fee to join each goes to charity. Expect activities for the kids during most of these events and participate in a good cause.

The cost of living in Polaris will dig about 15 percent deeper into your pocket as compared to Columbus. You can’t get there directly from the city, but you can take the Columbus COTA bus system, which will drop you off about two miles from the mall. A better choice - grab the Delaware bus “DATA” from downtown Columbus, which takes you directly to Polaris via the green route for less than the price of coffee.

The rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $765 per month - much higher than the Columbus average. The cost of beer varies quite a bit from place to place and depends on the brew, too. Expect around $4 a glass and up to $7 for on-tap specialties. Gas in this area remains about 22 percent below the national average.

Polaris itself is the major shopping area Shop numerous high-end and high value stores within the mall and throughout the district. From Cabela’s to H&M and World Market, there really is something for everyone. Some mall stores are only accessible from the outside, so be sure to check the directory. Enjoy an added treat in the mall and head to Van Maur for live piano music on a grand piano. It’s almost feels like stepping back in time.

Bite into dreamy bakery goodness at the nearby Suisse Shop Bakery. You’ll be offered cookies, cupcakes, macaroons and more. Ask for the pineapple mango mousse cake; it’s special order only and beyond your wildest sweet-tooth dreams. Now you know what angels feast on For best results on personally decorated cakes, drop on in and talk to the friendly staff. Prices are higher here than at other nearby bakeries, but you’ll forget about it with your first tasty bite.

For other boutique shopping you’ll have to travel nearby to Westerville for the whimsical and quirky Pure Roots Boutique. Peruse the work of talented local artists and find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life (and maybe yourself). Unique and welcoming, you’ll be pleased with the variety of work for sale, from wall art to wearable art.

Relish in the many choices for groceries such as Kroger, Costco, Earth Fare, Giant Eagle, Meijer, and Walmart. Just a few miles to the southeast you’ll find the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market. The market runs on Wednesdays during the warmer months. This open air market has many different delectables. Fresh bread, different kinds of veggies and homemade cheeses are on the list, but bring plenty of cash, as many vendors don’t accept other forms of payment.