Victorian Village - Columbus, OH Area Guide

The Victorian Village area originally consisted of farms. One of the farmers, William Neil, built a road from downtown Columbus to his farmhouse that later became known as Neil Avenue, the main thoroughfare through the neighborhood. In 1870, the Neil family donated land to the state to create a school, which eventually became Ohio State University. A streetcar from downtown to the school ran along Neil Avenue and cleared the way for further development. After World War II, the neighborhood suffered from urban blight, but its revitalization began in the 1960s and 70s after it became an official historic district. Artists and others looking for affordable housing bought and restored many of the area's homes.

The Village plays host to a thriving art community, especially in the Short North District. Each September, Victorian Village sponsors a Tour of Homes, which showcases 10 to 12 houses in the area.

Although it's primarily a residential neighborhood, Victorian Village does house one local restaurant gem, Basi Italia . This tiny restaurant's romantic ambiance attracts residents and visitors alike with its friendly service and delectable Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Regulars recommend starting with the zucchini pronto or the pistachio flatbread before savoring the prosciutto-wrapped scallops or mushroom gnocchi. A selection from Basi's impressive but reasonably priced wine list makes a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Spinelli's Deli lies just beyond the southwest corner of the neighborhood, but it feels like a part of the community. Spinelli's operates as a local hub with a loyal following for both its food and community activism and service. Fabulous sandwiches, such as the Jalapeño Joe, with turkey, jalapeño, bacon, pepper-jack cheese and chipotle mayo on a cheddar roll, keep customers coming back.

For more restaurant choices, head over to the Short North District next door to Victorian Village, where unique shops and restaurants line North High Street, including Hot Chicken Takeover . In addition to serving up fried chicken in different levels of spiciness and southern comfort food, such as creamy mac and cheese, this restaurant commits to using only locally sourced chicken and employing people who need a second chance.

For a night out, residents of Victorian Village head over to Short North to bars and clubs, such as Axis Nightclub or House Beer, which describes itself as an oasis for beer aficionados and beginners alike. House Beer features six rotating brews on tap and deejays spinning vinyl every Thursday. Closer to home, The Shrunken Head on West 5th Avenue offers more of a dive-bar vibe with 75 cent beers during happy hour, a pool table, a foosball table and acoustic entertainment.

Pedestrians, bikers and drivers all find it easy to get around Victorian Village. The neighborhood ranks as the seventh most walkable in Columbus. Bikers feel at home here and throughout Columbus, which Bicycling magazine ranks in its top 50 Best Bike Cities in America.

Many residents find they don't need a car. In addition to walking and biking, residents take advantage of the public bus service that runs up and down both Neil Avenue and High Street. It takes about 15 minutes to get downtown. When residents need a ride, they call for a taxi or use Uber.

Drivers find easy access from the neighborhood to Interstates 71 and 670 as well as Ohio 315. Permit parking ensures residents in the heart of the neighborhood don't have to vie for spaces with visitors, but there is plenty of metered and free on-street parking in Short North for those who don't live in the area.

Dr. Lincoln Goodale, the community's first physician, donated 40 acres to the city in 1851 for a public park. Goodale Park remains Columbus's most popular park and the only park within Victorian Village. Although this well maintained park includes tennis courts, playgrounds, ball fields and basketball courts, it's main attractions remain its view of the Columbus skyline, the walking trail, lush lawns, a fountain, a lake and benches for taking it all in. Goodale Park welcomes leashed canine visitors, and metered parking spaces around the park's perimeter make it easy to access the park for those not in walking distance.

At the end of June each year, Goodale Park hosts ComFest, a large, free, three-day community festival that calls itself "The Party with a Purpose." This music-and-arts event also includes workshops and speakers on a variety of topics.

Living in Victorian Village costs a little more than elsewhere in Columbus. Residents come from all walks of life, but the large houses and revitalization of the area have driven the median cost of living about 17 percent higher than in other areas of the city. It costs more to fill up a car here, as well. Gas costs about 11 percent more than the national average. Residents who use the Central Ohio Transit Authority's bus system pay $2 for a local ride and $2.75 for an express. A beer at a local bar costs about $4 or $5.

Shoppers revel in the variety of retail available along North High Street in Short North, where shops range from high-end boutiques to thrift stores.

The perfect gift for any occasion awaits at Tigertree, where the merchandise includes an eclectic mix of toys, collectibles, jewelry, books, and clothing and accessories for both men and women. High-end women's fashions and accessories that bridge the gap between casual cool and modern elegance reside at Ladybird. Locals note that it's a little pricey but remains a go-to spot for that something special.

When residents of Victorian Village need to stock up on groceries, they head to Kroger in the University District or choose from two nearby Giant Eagle supermarkets, one in Harrison West and one in Grandview Heights. Specialty markets in the area include The Market Italian Village and Las Maravillas Mexican Market, which stocks Cotija cheese, tortilla flour and chorizo sausage among its delicacies.

Shoppers explore the wares of more than 30 vendors at North Market, Columbus's only remaining public market. Vendors offer organic produce, meats, sustainable seafood, locally roasted coffee, cheese and other artisan food items. Shoppers often plan their trip to coincide with lunch to take advantage of freshly prepared foods and ethnic specialties. On Saturdays, Columbus's oldest operating farmers market sets up outside North Market.