Zeva & Jagadish
Things To Do
Ariel-Foundation Park
Ariel-Foundation Park is a stunning 250-acre example of adaptive reuse, created on the former site of a glass-making factory. It offers architectural ruins, lakes, observation tower, walking trails, steel sculptures, a museum, and connection to the Kokosing Gap Trail. All of our wedding events on Sunday will be held at the Schnormeier Events Center (SEC) at the Park, but we encourage guests to explore the greater Park in their free time.
Kenyon College
Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, that was founded in 1824. Kenyon has currently ~1,700 undergraduates enrolled and the campus size is 1,000 acres (1.6 sq. km.). It has a rural setting, and is home to the Brown Family Environmental Center, whose 382 acres host seven different ecosystems. Visitors often enjoy walking the grounds of this beautiful campus. If you're in need of a gym or a track, we also recommend checking out the Kenyon Athletic Center.
The Village Market
The Village Market is a quaint little deli and convenience store in Gambier on Kenyon's campus, known in particular for their "no frills" Market Sandwiches, hot dogs, chili dogs, and for their range of chips, drinks, beer, and wine selection. There is no seating, but there are benches nearby.
Kenyon College Bookstore
The Kenyon Bookstore is the nation's longest continuously-operating college bookstore, and the third-oldest bookstore of any kind in America. Planning for the store began in 1825. Today, the bookstore occupies a central location on the Kenyon campus. It sells clothing, gifts, food and drink, glassware, greeting cards, stationery, souvenirs, and more. Fun Fact: Zeva worked part-time as a cashier at this Bookstore from ages 12-20, starting in middle school.
Amato's Woodfired Pizza
If you don't get the chance to join us at Amato's for the "Welcome to Town" Dinner & Drinks on Saturday, then we recommend going out to eat or ordering delivery from here sometime during your stay. Located in Mt. Vernon, Amato’s offers authentic wood-fired pizzas topped with fresh, local ingredients, as well as salads, appetizers, pasta, and more.
The Joint
From The Joint, located in Mt. Vernon: "We provide an assortment of delicious dishes at our relaxed 50's classic diner restaurant that will leave the whole family full and satisfied! Whether you're looking for our signature "Smashed Burger", classic fries, Velvet hand-dipped ice cream and Shakes, and so much more, we're ready to serve you. We offer a new twist on the old 50s-style diner, and you'll fall in love with the environment way before you get to the food."
Ichiban Sushi & Hibachi
A recent addition to Mt. Vernon, residents have been legitimately baffled by how good this place is. Ichiban’s extensive menu offers a patchwork blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Thai dishes. Joe Jiang, Ichiban’s owner, has been in the restaurant business for 13 years, and Ichiban is not his first rodeo — he owns Osaka Asian Restaurant in Wooster. Jiang is originally from China and now lives in Wooster, and said he moved to America to start his business and be closer to family. Ichiban's staff comes from a diverse array of backgrounds, like Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Mexican and American, and this diversity is reflected in the menu.
Dave's Cosmic Subs - Mt Vernon
Fantastic food, great service, and a unique experience that will leave you coming back for more are what you can expect when you visit Dave's Cosmic Subs, the newest sandwich shop in Mount Vernon. All of their subs are served on vegan, kosher Italian, or whole-wheat bread baked fresh daily. You have an incredible array of options with their hot or cold subs when making your selection with hand-carved meats, fresh veggies, and a wide array of toppings including Dave's Cosmic Sauce.
Kokosing Gap Trail
The Kokosing Gap Trail is a paved, 14-mile recreational trail built on a former Pennsylvania Railroad line with endpoints in Mount Vernon and Danville, Ohio. Visitors will traverse the Kokosing River twice on railroad bridges more than 250 feet long with forests, wetlands, agriculture and villages along the way. A 1940 Alco 0-6-0 locomotive and a 1924 Chesapeake & Ohio caboose sit next to the trail in Gambier, and a wonderful park with play structure is adjacent to the trail in Howard. Zeva and her brothers grew up spending lots of time biking, rollerblading, and walking on this gorgeous trail, which is still one of Zeva's very favorite places.
Blackhand Gorge
The Blackhand Gorge Trail, the only bike path in the Ohio nature preserve system, features some of the best scenery in the state. Perhaps this is to be expected from a trail that passes through a gorge and sandstone formation carved by the Licking River millennia ago, but that fails to lessen the impact of the stunning surroundings. Cyclists, hikers, and other trail users will be treated to views of the adjacent river and pools of spring water all while trekking through dense woodlands that provide year-round shade. While the trail would be too far to get to around wedding activities (it is a 45 min. drive from Mt. Vernon), if you have an extra day during your trip, we strongly recommend visiting this beautiful place.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is Central Ohio’s premier botanical garden and home to the iconic John F. Wolfe Palm House, which dates back to 1895. Situated just east of Franklin Park, the Conservatory is approximately two miles from downtown Columbus. The experience consists of botanical biomes, lush gardens, special horticulture and art exhibitions, and seasonal offerings. A collection of blown glass works by artist Dale Chihuly is also on display and included with admission. While the Conservatory would be too far to get to around wedding activities (it is a 60 min. drive from Mt. Vernon), if you have an extra day during your trip, we strongly recommend visiting this beautiful, family-friendly place.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
From the day he was hired as Director in 1978, Jack Hanna’s humble attitude, charismatic personality and superhuman energy drove his vision to transform an aging collection of pens and buildings into the world-class education and recreational organization the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has become. The staggering variety of animals, habitats, and immersive experiences that define today’s Columbus Zoo would not exist without the efforts and visionary leadership of America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack Hanna, and his commitment to making the world a better place for animals and people everywhere. While the Zoo would be too far to get to around wedding activities (it is a 60 min. drive from Mt. Vernon), if you have an extra day during your trip, we strongly recommend visiting this fun, family-friendly place.
COSI (Center of Science & Industry)
The dynamic Center of Science and Industry (COSI) inspires the scientists, dreamers, and innovators of tomorrow. Opened in 1964 in downtown Columbus, COSI moved in 1999 to a new 320,000-sq. ft. (29,730 sq. meters) home, creating one of the largest modern-built science centers in the United States. In 2008, COSI was named America's #1 science center for families by Parent Magazine. Since 1964, COSI has engaged with over 33 million people from all 50 states and around the world, both on-site and through its award-winning outreach programs. While COSI would be too far to get to around wedding activities (it is a 60 min. drive from Mt. Vernon), if you have an extra day during your trip, we strongly recommend visiting this fun, family-friendly place.
The Short North
Known as 'the art and soul of Columbus,' the culturally rich Short North Arts District is a pioneer in the urban revitalization of Central Ohio. Visitors are invited to explore our vibrant neighborhood known for its wide variety of amazing art, dining, nightlife, fashion, home décor, and unique gifts. While the Short North would be too far to get to around wedding activities (it is a 60 min. drive from Mt. Vernon), if you have an extra day during your trip, we strongly recommend visiting this beautiful, family-friendly place.
Lavash Cafe
Need to kill some time in Columbus either before you head to Mt. Vernon or while waiting for your flight back? Check out Lavash, which offers carefully crafted authentic Mediterranean fare, including hummus, kabobs, shawarma, baklava, tabouleh, and more delicious selections from the region! Zeva has become obsessed with their baba ghanoush, chicken, and rice, but really you can't go wrong here.
Harvest Kitchen and Bar
Need to kill some time in Columbus either before you head to Mt. Vernon or while waiting for your flight back? Check out Harvest! Harvest Pizzeria has two locations in Columbus: one in German Village and the other in Clintonville. While the concept of these casual dining restaurants is similar, the difference is in the menus. Both restaurants serve small plates, salads, pizzas, desserts and cocktails, but the Clintonville menu also includes sandwiches and burgers. Fun Fact: Harvest is where Jagadish & Zeva ate and began discussing ideas for wedding plans just two days after they got engaged!
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Need to kill some time in Columbus either before you head to Mt. Vernon or while waiting for your flight back? Check out Jeni's! Jeni Britton Bauer has been making ice creams professionally for two decades. Before that, she studied art, worked in a bakery, and had a serious hobby blending perfumes and collecting essential oils. Jeni founded Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in 2002. Her ahead-of-the-trend vision—using whole ingredients and dairy from grass-pastured cows, rather than synthetic flavorings and commodity ice cream mix—coupled with inspired flavors sparked the artisan ice cream movement more than a decade before it would become a top food trend. Whenever Jagadish visits Ohio, he makes sure to hit up Jeni's at least once.
Whit's Frozen Custard
Frozen custard recipes date back to the early 1900's, but it wasn't until the 1920's that commercial frozen custard machines were invented. It is said that the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago popularized frozen custard, and by 1940 frozen custard stands were located all over the East and Midwest of the United States. Whit's opened its doors in Ohio in 2003, and has been recognized for superior frozen custard because they spare no expense in obtaining the highest quality ingredients - from fresh cream and pasteurized eggs to premium chocolates, fruit toppings, and fresh roasted nuts. Located in Mt. Vernon, most residents are obsessed with Whit's.
Fox in the Snow Cafe
Need to kill some time in Columbus either before you head to Mt. Vernon or while waiting for your flight back? Fox in the Snow Cafe is a bakery and coffee shop serving up rustic-style baked goods and hand-poured drinks out of a renovated mason garage in Columbus's Italian Village. Jagadish carefully studies their pastries while Zeva is obsessed with the fact that they offer Topo Chico in addition to her beloved iced chai.