They grow up so fast! Only a couple of the bunnies from the nest I posted a few days ago are still hanging around, including this little darling right here. First snow of the year. #winterwonders An intimate closeup of the tiny bunny nose of an eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) kit. A bright green ring of moss around the base of a tree trunk. Spotted along the trail during the winter hike at Highbanks Metro park. An enormous American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) completely outlined in snow looking like a ridiculously out-of-scale inverted bronchial tree. #treetrove The litter of eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) kits growing up. Eyes wide open and one getting brave enough to venture out a bit and strike a pose. Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake; the cake part was delightfully more chocolate chip cookie than cake-like, hidden under a small mountain of cookie dough icing and topped with chocolate chips and a mini chocolate chip cookie! A Yellow Swallowtail butterfly resting appropriately enough upon a purple butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) Baby Bunny Bonanza!! Today, I stumbled upon a nest containing ten super fuzzy little ones. The mother is wreaking havoc on the surrounding pansies but it seems like an even trade. A litter of eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) kits. Old enough to have fur, but young enough to have not yet opened their eyes. A lime green female Luna moth (Actias luna), one of the largest moths in North America with a wingspan of up to 4 1/2 inches. I first spotted this lady in a dogfight with a hungry sparrow. She won the battle but likely will lose the war since she is now missing one of her tapered hind-wings. They are not rare but are rarely seen due to their very brief adult lives. The adults do not eat or have mouths. They emerge as adults solely to mate, and as such, only live approximately one week. A snail stopped by the greenhouse for a visit this morning. Someone once told me that snails making love was the most beautiful thing they'd ever witnessed. A honeybee on a Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' blossom with a full load of pollen ready to return to the hive for processing. Petunia Cha-ching Cherry, a new introduction that will be available to the public in 2014. An aggregate of follicles on a Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). Apple pie cupcake underneath a mountain of frosting, cinnamon crumbles and a dollop of apple pie filling. A northern green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota) meandered away from its nearby pond habitat to vacation in the cover of some petunias. Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes! A giant plate sized pancake filled with chunks of caramelized pineapple and topped with a vanilla glaze and of course a cherry. Bacon double cheeseburger from Five Guys Burgers and Fries. One of the best 'fast food' burgers in the business. Patsy's Country cheeseburger an enormous burger topped with Swiss, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses from Blazing Saddles Saloon. Come for the burgers, stay for the country line dancing (if that's your thing). A stately specimen of the American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) towering above the shore line of the Olentangy River as it flows through Highbanks Metro Park. #treetrove Bacon cheeseburger from Five Guys Burgers and Fries. While it's true this is a fast food/fast-casual chain, it should by no means be lumped in with the Burger Kings and McDonald's of the world. A damn tasty burger with plenty of topping choices for customization. Looking up to see the snow delicately balancing on the limbs of a crabapple showing of its persistent red pomes. Bibibop Asian Grill is the Asian equivalent of the Chipotle style of dining. A bowl filled with wild purple rice, bean sprouts, sauteed potatoes, chicken, cucumber, lettuce, carrot, daikon, cheese, corn and egg topped with yum yum sauce. A closeup of a HUGE giraffe skin/French toast/Nerf toadstool with a golf ball dropped in the shot as a point of reference. The edible fruit of the Korean Dogwood (Cornus kousa) with an appearance reminiscent of Cap'n Crunchberries. A ridiculously decadent chocolate salted caramel cupcake from GiGi's Cupcakes. What may appear to the uninitiated as a giant pile of cheddar cheese is actually a Skyline Chili 5-way. Steaming spaghetti covered with secret recipe chili, onions, beans and topped with a mound of shredded cheddar cheese. This is A dozen assorted doughnuts from Schneider's bakery in Westerville. Are you looking to elevate your peanut butter cup experience? Are you looking to support certified fair trade organic chocolate while adding circumference to your muffin top at the same instance? Well then, Justin's Organic peanut butter cups are the answer! The hint of sea salt adds a welcome complexity to the expected sugar punch from the partnering of chocolate and peanut butter. The bladder-like follicles of Gomphocarpus physocarpus expelling its seed. This plant is a species of milkweed native to southeast Africa. The fruit of the plant is a three inch in diameter, inflated spheroid, covered with rough hairs. Because of this attribute the plant is marketed in North America as a cut flower under the trade name 'Hairy Balls A redhead (Aythya americana) took up short term residence in a nearby retention pond. This redhead was fun to watch because it is a diving duck. He would completely disappear underwater for a few seconds at a time while feeding. I wish I had gotten a better picture of him because as opposed to the usual parade of mallards, he was quite unique. He had a blue bill, a red head and neck, a black breast, and yellow eyes. Nothing like two dozen fresh hot donuts at 2 a.m. Schneider's opens up at 1:30 a.m. most mornings and starts churning out the goods. They have been at the same location in downtown Westerville since 1957. Important note; bring cash. They do not accept credit or debit. Housemade sweet potato and pumpkin bisque. The Oktoberfest Steakburger with swiss cheese, onions sauteed in mustard and thinly sliced Black Forest Ham on a pretzel bun. The Uptown Burger topped with bacon and pepper jack cheese on Texas toast. Corned beef hash topped with three fried eggs from the Westerville Grill located in, you guessed it, Westerville. A great diner in the uptown district. They also look to have a pretty tasty pie selection, but after consuming this plateful, pie was not an option. Bacon cheeseburger from Fitzy's Old Fashioned Diner. A classic 24/7 diner with all the fixings you'd expect. The only thing missing would be a milkshake, Check out this #delicious bit of pure wizardry!! A gelato bomb! A raised yeast donut, sliced in half, a scoop of your choice of gelato is added (I chose Amarena Cherry) and then it is placed into a panini press of sorts to seal the whole deal back together. What you're left with is a hot sweet donut enveloping a frozen middle of decadent gelato! Pure magic. The grave marker of Joseph Pool who, along with his wife Sally, settled in Ohio after traveling from New York in 1812. They then proceeded to have 13 children. These stones mark the last known pioneer family graveyard in Sharon Township. A couple of dogs from Wholly Joe's. First up, a chili dog with cheese and onions. Secondly, a Chicago dog with mustard, relish, chopped onions, sliced red tomatoes, cucumber, kosher pickle, and sport peppers piled on a steamed poppy seed bun. A menagerie of fiberglass friends dot the landscape of Westerville mini-golf. Two well designed landscaped 18-hole courses, batting cages, driving range and a pro shop. A cheeseburger topped with fried bologna and a side a fries from a roadside food wagon affectionately referred to as 'the roach coach'. The Smokehouse Burger from Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in the Polaris area topped with java BBQ sauce, apple-wood smoked bacon, cheddar and red onion with a side of tots. #delicious A closeup of the yellow flowers of dusty miller, a sliver/gray leafed plant primarily used for its foliage. The flowers are an uncommon occurrence. CHICKEN FRIED BACON! A nice and light appetizer of thick cut bacon, hand dipped and deep fried...with a jalapeño and bacon ranch sauce to top off the calorie count! THE BACON STAMPEDE! A 3/4 burger topped with 10 pieces of crispy bacon piled high and covered with cheddar and jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion with a homemade chipotle mayo. The Barbeque Shack is just that. It was built as a small drive through coffee shop that didn't last too awfully long. The building was revamped and some picnic tables were added on the nearby lawn lawn. Now, instead of feeding your caffeine addiction, you can fill up on delicious barbeque and all the expected southern style side dishes too! Like this pulled pork sandwich topped with Cole slaw and a sweet BBQ mustard. Pulled pork and slaw on a King's Hawaiian sweet roll. Best cherry limeade around with fresh squeezed lime juice. It's not carbonated, so add a healthy shot of Sprite from the Coke Freestyle machine. Enumerated earrings, the latest spring fashion of the deer meandering through Sharon Woods Metro Park. A chocolate sour cream cookie and a peanut butter/peanut butter cup cookie from the suisse shop. The monte cristo from Westerville Grill; Two thick slices of French toast loaded with deli-sliced turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese grilled to golden perfection with a side of sweet potato tots. Stuffed biscuits and gravy. Biscuit dough filled with sausage, onions, green peppers and cheese topped with sausage gravy and two sunny side up eggs. Key lime pie. A must have endgame to any seafood endeavor. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Chewy soft pretzel served with house made cheddar beer sauce and IPA whole grain mustard. Uptown Deli and Brew, a deli in the front, a bar in the middle and a great patio out back. A stunning view looking at all the late fall colors along the banks of the Olentangy River as it winds its way through Highbanks Metro Park. Smoked duck sausage with caramelized onions! Fall is encroaching, it's pansy time. A half chicken/half duck hybrid?! Nope, this unexpected visitor is a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) Not necessarily a rare bird, just rare to see one of these secretive marsh birds this far inland and out in the open. Sausage Saccottino, pasta pouches stuffed with spicy sausage and cheese topped with marinara sauce. Trail in Highbanks Metro Park. Part of a loop. Uptown Deli and Brew, a deli in the front, a bar in the middle and a great patio out back. the BEET IT - Grilled ciabatta, roasted beets, Prosciutto, goat cheese, red onion, arugula, balsamic. Lost Highway burger with red onions, habanero jack cheese and a fried egg on a toasted pretzel bun. Spicy crab and rice soup with a four cheese (pepper jack, smoked Gouda, Muenster, and mild cheddar) melt on toasted ciabatta. Peach and lemon with raspberry buried below... The bright yellow annual growth rings of Maclura pomifera or Osage Orange. Chewy chocolate and oatmeal with butterscotch cookies! Currywurst (a sliced bratwurst covered in a Berlin style sauce and dusted with curry powder) and Kaese Spaetzle (German Mac and cheese, spaetzle egg noodles and melted Swiss). The three lobed inflated papery seed capsule of the American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia). These often persist into winter after the leaves have fallen and stand out in the otherwise barren scrub brush. RiesenOktoberfest Brezen with Obazda. A giant soft pretzel with a Bavarian cheese spread made with brie, cream cheese, butter and onions. Overlook at the Highbanks Metro Park. A bit of a trail to get there. But has a nice view. A sunny late November day at Highbanks Metro Park on the Overlook trail. A view from the Eagle nest overlook. There is an Bald Eagle in the tops of a tree in the distance. Thai Burrito, chips, peanut sauce on the side, and iced black tea. Herb encrusted scallops baked with lemon olive oil and brushed with garlic butter, served with vegetable medley and rice pilaf. The Garlic Double Steakburger topped with melted American cheese and served on a toasted bun with garlic butter spread and a sprinkle of garlic salt on top Old reliable. Hot tea with lemon, a waffle and hash browns scattered, smothered and covered. Hashbrowns, two eggs, red onions, cheese, sausage gravy and Tabasco. Men's restroom at Northstar. Sweet and sour pork. Jumbo gyro and fries combo.
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Map Lyra Dr Columbus OH Expedia Hotel Expert: 1-855-809-3512

Get an overview of this hotel3-star Columbus hotel in Polaris with free parking

Popular property highlights

Free parking
Free WiFi
Restaurant
Swimming pool
Business center

Location

Located in Polaris, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Magic Mountain Fun Center and Polaris Fashion Place. Highbanks Metro Park is 3.1 mi (5 km) away.

Hotel Features

This hotel features a restaurant, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Free WiFi in public areas is provided, as well as free self parking, a free area shuttle, and a free shopping center shuttle. Other amenities include a bar/lounge, a 24-hour business center, and coffee/tea in a common area.

Room Amenities

All 118 rooms offer conveniences like sitting areas and refrigerators, along with free WiFi, free wired Internet, and flat-screen TVs. Other amenities available to guests include microwaves, room service, and coffee makers.

Languages Spoken

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris

8535 Lyra Dr Columbus OH 43240

Hotel Amenities

Hotel Amenities

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris features an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. The hotel offers a restaurant. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Wireless Internet access is complimentary.

This 3-star property offers access to a 24-hour business center and meeting rooms. Event facilities measuring 1757 square feet (163 square meters) include conference space. This business-friendly hotel also offers multilingual staff, coffee/tea in a common area, and a fireplace in the lobby. An area shuttle within 5 mi and a shopping center shuttle are complimentary for guests. Onsite self parking is complimentary.

  • Express check-in 
  • Bar/lounge 
  • Coffee/tea in common areas 
  • Free shopping center shuttle 
  • Elevator/lift 
  • Indoor pool 
  • Conference space 
  • Express check-out 
  • Meeting rooms 4 
  • Restaurant 
  • Free self parking 
  • Free WiFi 
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service 
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk 
  • Conference space size (meters) - 163 
  • Free area shuttle 
  • ATM/banking 
  • Breakfast available (surcharge) 
  • 24-hour business center 
  • Conference space size (feet) - 1757 
  • Laundry facilities 
  • 24-hour fitness facilities 
  • Total number of rooms - 118 
  • Television in common areas 
  • Number of floors - 4 
  • Number of buildings/towers - 1 
  • Multilingual staff 
  • Fireplace in lobby 

Family Friendly Amenities

  • Family Hotel  
  • Indoor pool  
  • Free Wi-Fi  
  • Area shuttle (complimentary)  
  • Laundry facilities  
  • Refrigerator  
  • Microwave  
  • Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)  

Internet

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet

Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Spanish

Parking

Free self parking

Room Amenities

  • Free cribs/infant beds 
  • Microwave 
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available 
  • Refrigerator 
  • Iron/ironing board 
  • Desk 
  • Flat-panel TV 
  • Free WiFi 
  • Free wired Internet 
  • Premium TV channels 
  • Separate sitting area 
  • In-room climate control (air conditioning) 
  • Free weekday newspaper 
  • Air conditioning 
  • Free local calls 
  • Coffee/tea maker 
  • Daily housekeeping 
  • Hair dryer 
  • Blackout drapes/curtains 
  • In-room climate control (heating) 
  • Room service (limited hours) 

Where to Eat

Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning.

The Garden Grill - This restaurant specializes in American cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Open daily.

Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Nearby Things to Do

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center.

Accessibility

If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.

  • Accessible bathroom 
  • Roll-in shower 
  • In-room accessibility 

Hotel Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3 PM

Check-in time ends at midnight

Minimum check-in age is 21

Check-out

Check-out time is noon

Payment types

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Free cribs (infant beds)!

Pets

  • Pets not allowed (service animals welcome)

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Only service animals are allowed
No rollaway/extra beds available

Hotel Name

  • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris
  • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris Columbus
  • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris Hotel
  • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris Hotel Columbus
  • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Polaris Ohio
  • Hilton Garden Inn Polaris

We should mention

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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