Story and Photos by Amy Lynch

If you’re geared up for a shopping-based girlfriends getaway, the Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Edinburgh’s got you covered, and makes a lovely spot to rest your weary head at the end of a fun-filled day spent scouring the stores. The hotel’s year-round Shop and Stay package sweetens the deal even further.

All you have to do is tack on an extra $20 to the regular room rate, and you’ll receive a $25 gift card and a VIP coupon book for Edinburgh Premium Outlets, a $20 gift certificate to use at the on-site Garden Grill, early check-in, late check-out, and a gift bag filled with snacks and goodies. If the weather’s nice, you don’t even have to get in the car — Edinburgh Premium Outlets and the Exit 76 Antique Mall are within walking distance of the hotel, as are Montana Mike’s, Max and Erma’s, Ruby Tuesday’s, and other popular eateries.

Located just off I-65 at Exit 76B, the Hilton Garden Inn opened in 2008 and has been consistently ranked among the top Hilton Garden Inns in the state and also been recognized as a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award Winner. Proximity to Columbus, a town that celebrates art and aesthetics, means this is no ordinary franchise hotel.

Thoughtful interior design and interesting décor welcome guests the moment they step through the door. A mosaic tiled floor at the entrance echoes the spire of Eero Saarinen’s otherworldly North Christian Church, and framed photos throughout the common spaces of the hotel pay tribute to Columbus’ most notable architecture attractions. Soaring Greek columns, Tiffany-style lighting, and cozy seating around the fireplace make the lobby a perfect place to hang out and relax. It’s fun to simply stroll around the hotel and take in all the artsy details, nearly like walking though an art gallery.

There are 125 luxurious guest rooms and suites to settle into here, and amenities like an indoor pool, hot tub, 24-hour business center, free Wi-fi, adjustable Garden Sleep Systems and in-room microwaves and mini-fridges make it easy for guests to feel right at home. Our two-room suite provided tons of room to spread out, a whirlpool tub with separate shower, and another half-bathroom.

After a quick spin on the elliptical machine in the fitness room, we cleaned up and headed downstairs for dinner. Open for dinner daily, the friendly Garden Grill attracts a regular crowd of customers who aren’t even staying at the hotel with a newly revamped menu of flatbreads, burgers, and entrees. Our wine arrived in some of the biggest glasses we’ve ever seen, and the tasty avocado-topped Smokehouse Cheddar Burger is sure to satisfy the hungriest of appetites (we recommend the addictively crunchy sweet potato kettle chips on the side).

In the morning, the Garden Grill starts the day off right with a full hot breakfast buffet that includes pastries, French toast, fresh fruit, oatmeal, and made-to-order omelets.

Besides the Shop and Stay Getaway, this Hilton Garden Inn also offers an array of other package deals that include Columbus architecture tours, dinner and a movie, canoeing, and bed and breakfast accommodations.

For more information:
Hilton Garden Inn Edinburgh/Columbus
12210 N. Executive Dr., Edinburgh
(812) 526-8600
Visit website >

Story and Photos by Amy Lynch

If shopping’s your thing, set a course for Exit 76B off I-65, where Edinburgh Premium Outlets and the Exit 76 Antique Mall pack a one-two punch of opportunities to browse and buy.

Who doesn’t love a good deal? The prices at Edinburgh Premium Outlets are well below what you’ll see at retail stores to begin with, but time your visit right, and you might just walk away with some even more spectacular deals.

Our trip happened to coincide with a move-'em-out sale at the Banana Republic Outlet, offering 50 percent off already-marked-down clearance items. We walked away with a bag full of shirts, pants, and skirts for less than $10 each (some items as low as $4). And when we walked into the J. Crew Outlet, we were greeted with the happy news that everything in the store was half-off that day. Score!

With 85 stores to wander through, it’s easy to make a morning, afternoon, or entire day of it at Edinburgh Premium Outlets. Designer duds from DKNY, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren Polo share space with other recognizable retail names selling shoes, kids’ clothing, accessories, and housewares to create a well-rounded shopping experience.

Shhh...here’s an insider tip that can save you even more money: before you go, register online (for free!) at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip to get exclusive downloadable coupons and a bonus VIP savings booklet you can pick up at the mall office. Many of the participating stores offer an extra percentage off your total bill if you spend $100 or more. And you’ll also enjoy access to additional discounts and special offers at regional restaurants and attractions.

Don’t even plan to set foot in the Exit 76 Antique Mall unless you’ve got a couple hours to spare. With more than 600 vendor booths and cases, saying there’s a lot to see here is a serious understatement. It’s easy to get disoriented strolling these aisles, but signage and customer-service phones are always on hand, and strategically placed “rest stop” benches are a welcome sight if you need a few minutes to regroup. At the front of the mall, you’ll find restrooms, a few vending machines, and a smattering of tables and chairs.

The dizzying inventory covers everything under the sun — toys, Pez dispensers, books, albums, furniture, tools, quilts, furniture… the list goes on and on. Depression glass and Fiestaware are represented in every imaginable color, along with a surprisingly large array of Star Wars collectibles and enough cookbooks to fill a library.

The inventory changes often, so you never know what treasures you might come across on any given visit. A booth full of cast-iron skillets, a selection of girls patent leather tap shoes, what looked to be a mounted javelina head, and a condom machine were among the more notable items we spied during a recent walk-though.

If you’re a collector, looking for a unique gift, or in the market for a conversation piece, the Exit 76 Antique Mall is sure to provide plenty of options to consider.

For more information:

Edinburgh Premium Outlets
11622 N.E. Executive Dr., Edinburgh
(812) 526-9764
www.premiumoutlets.com/edinburgh

Exit 76 Antique Mall
12595 N. Executive Dr., Edinburgh
(812) 526-7676
www.exit76antiques.com