Tired of Jackson? Seen enough of Ann Arbor? Luckily for you, the city of Toledo offers more than you probably thought it could.
Just over the Michigan and Ohio border—about an hour and a half away—Toledo isn't as metropolitan as Chicago or as pedestrian as Ann Arbor, so you'll need your car just about everywhere you go. Most downtown Toledo establishments offer parking.
Even if they don't, there's usually always room on the street, garages nearby or parking lots to pull into for a small fee.
Dining:
Whether you're looking for something cheap or something with a little more class, you should be able to find it in Toledo.
First, you need to try a Toledo original – Tony Packo's. Known for its amazing chili dogs and flavored pickles, Tony Packo's offers generous portions for a good price.
They usually offer a special – two chili dogs, a cup of chili and a drink for $5.99. If you're feeling particularly daring, try their new special, the MOAD (Mother of All Dogs), which is said to be the equivalent of four hot dogs. Good luck. Tony Packo's, established in Toledo in 1932, has several locations, but their main restaurant is located on 1902 Front St.
A personal favorite of mine is Jing Chaun (4424 Secor Road) for Chinese, where lunch specials are under $8 – a good deal once you see their portions. Don't be fooled by the appearance of the restaurant: The people who work there are nice and the service is always prompt.
If you're looking for some classier dining, another Toledo original, Mancy's, offers great steaks for a higher cost. But for the atmosphere and what you get, spending a little more is worth it. With your entrée, you also get a salad, bread and choice of vegetable.
Mancy's is located at 953 Phillips Ave. Be aware of what time you go, lunch is served Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., with dinner from 5-10 p.m. Dinner on Friday and Saturday is from 5-10:30 p.m.
Shopping:
Toledo's premier mall, Westfield Shoppingtown at Franklin Park, is undergoing a $117 million renovation. They'll be adding 27 more shops, 15 of which haven't ever been in Toledo.
They're also adding a 2,700 seat, 16-screen theater. The grand opening for the new section of the mall is May 6, so students may not be able to reap the benefits until next semester, but the existing mall offers quality stores, such as American Eagle, Banana Republic, Gap, Hot Topic, Footlocker, FYE and many others. The mall is located at 5001 Monroe Street and is open from 10 a.m.-9p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Another option for shopping is Levis Commons, just outside of Toledo in Perrysburg. Set up with the idea of “open-air” shopping, the area offers different choices in dining, movies and various retailers – such as J. Jill, Ann Taylor LOFT and Books-A-Million.
The commons also offers a Starbucks, the Blue Pacific Grill and Schakolad Chocolate Factory. Levis Commons is located on 139 W. Indiana Ave.
Local Entertainment:
On April 15, the Toledo Mud Hens' baseball team will kick off their season at home against the Durham Bulls.
Located in the heart of downtown Toledo at the four-year-old Fifth-Third Field, the Mud Hens offer good baseball at an inexpensive price. For $8 a ticket, you can come see triple-A baseball at its finest in a high-quality ball park.
For tickets, call 419-725-HENS or visit www.mudhens.com. The field is located at 406 Washington St.
For some culture, check out the Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe St.). Admission is free, unless you want to check out their special exhibits. The museum boasts over 30,000 works of art from nearly every time period.
The museum is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4p.m. They are open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday.
The museum hosts special events during their “It's Friday!” series. The museum is open later with special guided tours and featured music from jazz artists and other various musicians. The cost is free, but some concerts require tickets.
The Toledo Zoo, located off of the St. Anthony Trail, is a wealth of entertainment for the kid at heart. Admission is $9 in addition to $5 for parking. The zoo boasts the first successful birth of an elephant calf in captivity. Baby Louie and his mom can be seen in the African Savanna.
Music and Nightlife:
With the University of Toledo centrally located, there are many options for after-hours entertainment.
For concert series, check out Headliner's, located in an old factory on 4500 N. Detroit Ave. The venue is different from most stages, which allows for a closer connection with the performers. For a schedule of events, check out www.headliners.com.
In downtown Toledo, you can find a variety of nightclubs, all located within close proximity of one another. Club Eclipse, located on 317 N. Superior St., lets ladies 21 and over in for free on Friday nights.
Located nearby are Club Rain, The Emporium and Pulse, all which offer drink specials Thursday-Saturday.
Also check out Sin Saturdays at Gumbo's Bayou Grille at the Docks. Located on the river, the restaurant provides dancing and entertainment for those 21 and over.
For a down-home feel, check out Bootlegger's at 135 S. Byrne Road.
This country-western bar offers line-dancing lessons and features a live-band covering popular country songs as well as old classics. Right next to UT's campus, it's a popular spot for college students.
So, the next time you think about taking a road trip, don't rule all this out.
If you want to check out more options, look into the “best of Toledo,” compiled by The City Paper at www.toledocitypaper.com/whattodo/bestoftoledo/index.html.