Riverside - Dublin, OH

Several Native American tribes, including Shawnee, Delaware and Wyandot, inhabited the agricultural plains in this area. Following the Revolutionary War, land was awarded to Lt. James Holtg in payment for services. In 1803, he sold 200 acres of land to Peter and John Sells. John Sells partner, an Irishman, asked that the area be named for Dublin because the area reminded him of home.

In the 1970s, with the completion of the Outer Belt that tied the area to downtown Columbus and the addition of headquarters for businesses such as Wendy's International and Ashland Chemical, the residential area expanded exponentially. Much of Dublin houses historic buildings, museums and gift shops, and holds annual events that include the Dublin Irish Festival, the PGA Memorial Golf Tournament and the Frog Jump competition, the area's oldest event.

This lively neighborhood's restaurants and night spots reflect the area's Irish influence in a delightful way. The Dublin Village Tavern resembles its namesake and serves up its version of an egg roll with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing, and an Irish kettle dinner made with corned beef bangers, cabbage and parsley-buttered potatoes. Crab and shrimp cakes, salmon wontons and a Guinness barbecue burger, plus fresh veggie sandwiches, salads and Key lime pie round out the eclectic mix of cuisines served with refreshments from the full bar in a warm, intimate and charmingly old-country atmosphere.

A popular place to meet up with friends, My Bar 161 serves stromboli, funnel fries with warm caramel dipping sauce, fried pickles and juicy burgers. Munch away as you enjoy the game, watch karaoke performances or play trivia in a clean, spacious room with good service and a heated smoking patio.

Another local favorite, the Rendezvous Lounge, features a live band of local residents who play music described as "hillbilly Pink Floyd." All proceeds from these performances get donated to food banks. The Pint Room features an extensive beer list, Kobe beef sliders, broiled lump crab cakes and a Mediterranean salmon salad.

The Chile Verde restaurant brings New Mexico's "Land of Enchantment" to Midwest dining with a blend of Spanish, Anglo and Native American flavors that feature a spicier taste than traditional Mexican fare due to the herbs and spices used in the green chile. The chilies arrive overnight from New Mexico, the chicken and meats marinate for 24 hours to heighten the flavor, and the guacamole, deemed "best in Columbus," comes fresh as its ordered. The freshest food, including BBQ burritos, queso dip, fajitas, homemade salsa and Key lime pie, paired with a great margaritas and events, such as the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, make the Chile Verde a desirable place to hang your hat.

Most errands require a vehicle although numerous bus stops exist within walking distance, and one Park-n-Ride stop on Riverside Drive provides free parking. Taxi and Uber services provide additional transportation resources. The neighborhood, located within the Columbus Outer Belt, leads directly to Interstates 270 and 70. The roadways provide room for bikers on flat, tree-lined streets.

Scioto Park, a 218-acre state park, features fabulous views of the Scioto River Valley that runs along Riverside's western boundary. Once there, you find a river landing for your boat, an ADA-compliant fishing pier, an impressive art sculpture of Leatherlips, a noted Wyandot Indian chief who lived in the area, restrooms and a playground. The highly wooded area has shelters with grills and an amphitheater for summer concerts. The Riverside Green Park features over five acres filled with family amenities, such as a basketball court, a playground and picnic shelters. No-fee reservations for special events are a must.

The Carriage Place Park, a 13-acre community park, features baseball diamonds, a playground, basketball court, picnic facilities, a tennis court and walking trail. In addition, a year-round recreation center hosts a winter basketball league, gym and weight room, and free indoor activities such as NHL street hockey and dancing.

Although leashed dogs are welcome in the parks, a few miles north by car brings you and your four-legged friend to the dog park at Godown Park. The fenced area allows dogs to go off-leash, but children under nine must not enter this park, and children between 9 and 15 need adult supervision.

The cost of living in Riverside runs higher than that of Columbus. General bus fares run $2 for local, $2.75 for express, and a 31-day pass comes in at around $60 for local and $85 for express service. A one-bedroom apartment averages $707, a beer at the local pub costs between $3 to $4, and the price of gas falls one percent below the national average.

Macy's, JC Penney and Sears anchor the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, and stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adore, American Eagle Outfitters, and Godiva present a collection of great shopping adventures. The Carriage Place Shopping Center features a Wal-Mart as its anchor.

A gourmet shop unlike any other, the Sisters Sweet Shoppe threw away fruitcake's traditional texture and denseness, along with the citron, peels, prunes, molasses, and heavy spices. Instead, they imbued it with moisture from natural fruit juices and nut meats, aged-in-the-wood bourbon, New England rum and high-quality brandies to produce their grandmother's Old World recipe fashioned for modern tastes. The shop also makes a Dublin, Ohio delicacy -- chocolate-covered fruitcake -- along with gourmet chocolates, cherries and blueberries, nut baskets, towers, and kosher items.

Strader's Garden Center features everything you need for spring and summer gardening and lawn care. It carries mowers, leaf blowers, tillers, and parts and services for brands such as Toro, Lawnboy, Echo, Stratton and Weber. Grills, mulch and soil, seeds and fertilizer as well as locally grown plants, bird feed, candles and pottery round out a handy inventory for any homeowner.

Those interested in purchasing handmade pottery visit the Potter's Hand for stoneware clay pieces, both beautiful and functional. The shop conducts private and group classes and workshops with hands-on instruction in the ceramic art of hand-throwing pottery.

The Dublin Farmers Market operates from May through September with wares from neighboring farms that provide organic fruits and vegetables, live probiotic foods and certified allergy-free homemade baked goods.