Best American Cities to Retire: A Pleasant, but not Surprising Find

Columbus, Ohio is listed as a city that has the best neighborhood as a place to retire. It’s actually first on AOL’s money and finance list. And to think I almost already live in the Short North. I could walk there if I felt like it. I’m not surprised about the Short North. It is my favorite section of the city, and, in a life without kids, I’d probably live there myself. What surprises me about the report is the comment “Not much in the way of nature around Columbus.”

WHAT!!! There are parks galore in the Columbus MetroPark system that rings the city. Because of its proximity to I-70, I-71, I-670 and 315, The Short North is about a 20 minutes drive from at least four of them. Most of the parks have programs every week and there are biking, hiking and picnic area shelters at each. At least three of them have nature centers. A few weeks ago we went on a 3 1/2 mile hike called Howl at the Moon at one of them. This was a dog and kid friendly event that took us through woods and around fields bursting with fall wildflowers. The park system if fabulous and it’s FREE.

Then there is the mention that downtown has nothing to do. WHAT!!!

Last night I had a double header, both events spur of the moment. The first was a FREE happy hour at the Southern Theatre, the oldest theater in Ohio. It opened 1896 and was restored in the late 1990s making it one of Columbus’s best architectural gems. This event included wine, beer, food and a ProMusica concert. ProMusica is Columbus’s chamber orchestra. The event was a kick-off to entice subscribers. There was a buy one get one free deal. I’m now a subscriber. On the way home, I asked my husband to swing by the Palace Theatre, another downtown architectural delight, so I could see if there was at least one David Sedaris tickets left. Eureka! A man who was waiting by the box-office to get rid of a ticket, sold me one for $10. After dropping my husband off at home, I drove back, parked for $5 and ended up sitting 8 rows back from the stage in the center of the row. After it was over, I chatted with David (as did all the other people waiting in line) and was back home 10 minutes after David said, “Nice to see you again.” I saw him last year as well.

On Thursday night, I had a conflict so I wasn’t able to go to the opening of the Monet exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art. Also FREE for members. I’m a member. Oh, and where is the art museum? DOWNTOWN. The thing about Columbus is that there are so many things to do that it’s hard to choose. Today I’m going to the opening of Paul Busse’s train exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory which is close to DOWNTOWN. It’s not free but I have a buy one get one free admission, and tonight may head to a movie. One of the theaters I like to go to is DOWNTOWN. Still, if I was retiring, I’d pick the Short North and get out more.

Butterfly Houses: Fluttering Wonderlands in the U.S.

Walking among butterflies has become a real crowd pleaser and money maker. Blooms & Butterflies at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio is an annual occassion because of the people it draws to the conservatory. Plus, the butterflies are downright gorgeous and watching butterflies develop in the various stages is part of the attraction. Each day new butterflies are released at 1:00 and 3 p.m. where they fly about among the lush plants and visitors in the Pacific Island Water Garden section. Each year I head to this event for the splendor and buy a catepillar kit so we can watch the butterfly development stages at home.

Franklin Park Conservatory is only one of the more than 100 butterfly exhibit locations in the U.S. Here’s a link to a website that lists them in each state. Here are 9 of them.

Last, Last Minute Valentine Plans that Might Impress

If you are really last minute for what to do for Valentine’s Day, romance and fun is just a museum or botanical garden away depending on where you live. On Wednesday nights, several places are open. Being that this is Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, you might be in luck. Many places have a café or a restaurant so you can have that romantic meal as a bonus. Plus, since each place does have a gift shop and every gift shop I’ve ever been to in a museum or a conservatory has unique things to buy, I’m sure you’ll be able to pick up that special something for your special someone on the way out the door. Pretend that this was part of your plan all along. (On my museum quest I discovered most museums have one night a week when they are open.)

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Take in the Romance of Modernism: Paintings and Sculpture from the Scott M. Black Collection for a Valentine Theme.)

Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo, UT (There is a gift shop but unfortunately, no restaurant. If you postpone your visit until the 15th you can catch the opening reception of Paths to Impressionism: French and American Landscape Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum. There are light refreshments and it’s free.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, San Juan (Okay, so the site is in Spanish. The museum is open on Wednesday nights and there is a restaurant and a gift shop. The place looks gorgeous.)

Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH (One of my favorite places in Columbus. It’s wonderful at night)

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nicols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI (no restaurant, but there is a gift shop)

Austin Children’s Museum, Austin, TX (if for some reason you want to bring your kids with you.)