Area Attractions

The Clintonville neighborhood located north of downtown Columbus was subdivided into residential areas in the early 1900s, after the streetcars were extended north from downtown. At the top is Sharon Heights. Its borders are the Olentagy River on the west; Morse Road east of High Street and the southern edge of the Graceland Shopping Center on the south, the Columbus-Worthington border on the north, and the Conrail railroad tracks on the east.

The major north-south byways of I-71 and S.R. 315 are easily accessible. One of the five glacial ravines that run through Clintonville is Bill Moose Run Ravine, which cuts through Sharon Heights. It was named after Bill Moose, known as the “last of the Wyandots.” On the south edge of the ravine sits the Ohio School for the Deaf and Blind. A stream runs in the ravine all year round, providing a home for wild animals, spring wildflowers and other vegetation. The Ravine meets the Olentagy River on the west side of Sharon Heights. Along the Olentagy is Kenney Park, also called Delawanda Park. Located at 5201 Delawanda Avenue, its parking lot is accessible from near the Kroger Marketplace in the Graceland Shopping Center.

The park includes ball diamonds, soccer field and walking trails. Business districts along Indianola Avenue, Morse Road and High Street provide plenty of shopping, dining and services, including Graceland Shopping Center at 5324 North High Street.

The neighborhood houses a second small central park where homeowners take their children and pets on sunny afternoons. Graceland Shopping Center provides the area’s main section of commerce, allowing residents to enjoy the convenience of shopping for groceries and other department store necessities.

Residents of Sharon Heights enjoy a quiet neighborhood in close proximity to the city with easy access to the freeway system. Sharon Heights features a pleasant atmosphere.

Within Sharon Heights, the Graceland Shopping Center offers reasonable deals on groceries and other necessities. A short drive reveals many other options in the city.

Go straight down North High Street to get to the Short North district, where many more fashion boutiques and restaurants serve their patrons admirably Homage, Tigertree and What the Rock provide different takes on modern fashion as well as many wondrous trinkets.

A farmers market in the Short North routinely also sells fresh eggs and produce. High-end fashion brands become more frequent closer to the city center, with all the typical luxury brand names represented. For a complete mall experience, check out Easton or Polaris Fashion Center. The former has an outdoor portion, serving springtime shoppers with a fountain and terraced dining. Catch a movie, have a meal or pick up the latest electronics.

Residents here enjoy plenty of shopping options.

Close proximity to Olentangy Park remains a great advantage, featuring bike trails and plenty of picnic areas. All public parks in the city remain free of charge. Columbus holds many different events in its parks, including festivals and theatre events that occur year round. Among the many festivals are the Greek festival, the Jazz & Rib Fest and the BeerFest, a local favorite.

Plenty of trails are open to the public for jogging, biking and dog-walking. Families often celebrate reunions together with a barbecue on open public grills, and Olentangy Park certainly proves to be friendly to children. Schiller Park counts among the locals’ favorite public parks, with plenty of open fields and a placid pond in the middle.

Ohio State University Campus also features plenty of wide open grassland, with the Columbus Public Library close at hand.

Which park is your favorite?

Sharon Heights developed like many other Columbus suburbs. Historically this locality served as a trading stop along the road to the cities in northern Ohio. Its houses were built around the 1940s and 1950s, at a time before the houses in most suburban neighborhoods were all designed to look alike. As a result, the residences ended up having more variety than usual, giving the neighborhood a distinct look.

Residents today tend to be closer to middle aged, and many are retired. As for culture, plenty of museums remain accessible a short drive away. The famous science museum, COSI, features great attractions for the family. Aside from this, a vibrant arts and theatre scene continues. Among the many plays, Shakespeare in the Park takes place at an outdoor theatre in Schiller Park, accessible for a small entrance fee.

Columbus also hosts many festivals throughout the year, providing food, drink and culture.

Poised right on North High Street, residents enjoy a close connection to the city’s night life and various local restaurants. For starters Pita Hut-N-Grille serves excellent Mediterranean food, and the shwarma and falafel here come highly recommended. Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, also on North High Street, caters perfectly for a date or a quiet cup of coffee. With comfortable chairs and delectable espressos, locals also appreciate its to-go window.

For diners who prefer a vegan menu, Northstar Cafe presents a viable option, and the Bhudda Bowl remains a local favorite. If you decide to go out on the town, check out The Wine Bistro on North High Street, and try the legendary crab cakes.

For a more active scene, you can head downtown and check out the Short North district, where you’ll find the highlight of the city’s nightlife. Here residents enjoy hundreds of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Some seek the rowdy University party scene, while others prefer a subdued atmospheric taste where they can sit and have a conversation. Brothers Drake Meadery serves to a crowd that appreciates classic radio hits with pool tables and an austere wooden style. The Pint House serves its loyal crowd beers and then some.

Meanwhile music and theater lovers frequent the Ohio Theatre and the Newport Music Hall, where you can watch nationally renowned bands, musicals, plays, and other performances.

Transportation in Sharon Heights offers easy access to the entire area. Many residents rely on their cars to get around, and I-71 sits next to the neighborhood, forming a straight path into the city. Taxis seldom drive in this neighborhood seeking customers, but Uber operates in Columbus, leaving an excellent option for quick transport.

Local residents enjoy plenty of parking spaces, usually curbside ones, while apartment buildings have their own parking lots. Downtown Columbus offers fewer parking options, but the occasional parking garage has available spaces if residents arrive early enough.

Sharon Heights features sidewalks in some of its housing developments, and lacks them in others. Olentangy Park features biking lanes that lead north to south, an opportunity for exercise. COTA manages the public transportation system, which consists mainly of buses. These remain cheap and reliable, starting at $2 for a single journey, $25 for a weekly pass and $65 monthly. Community members can use this as an inexpensive way to get to work.

The cost of living in Sharon Heights remains relatively low compared to the rest of Columbus. A pint of beer at a local pub costs about $3 and gets more expensive as you wander further down North High Street. Gas in this area costs approximately 9 percent less than the national average.

LA Fitness Club is conveniently located across the street at Graceland Shopping Center (260 Graceland Blvd).

Some of the services they offer include:

• Basketball
• Group Fitness Classes
• Indoor Cycling
• Indoor Pool
• Kids Klub
• Personal Training
• Racquetball
• Sauna
• Wi-Fi

For more information contact them at (614) 310-0770 for more information.